Send your Soldier a letter or package:
Mail Dos and Don’ts
Make sure your mail makes it to the right destination!
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Include a return address.
Address your shipments to a specific person (addressing to “Any Service Member” is no longer permitted).
Include the recipient’s name, rank, and unit, and the APO/FPO/DPO with the ZIP code.
At the post office, when providing a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note, enter the following details:
Line 1: Service member’s name
Line 2: Leave blank
Line 3: Unit information (TF NAME)
Line 4: APO + ZIP code
Line 5: Your state designator (AE)
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Do not include city or country names in shipping addresses — only utilize the APO shipping addresses listed above.
Do not send delicate goods, such as electronics, that may be damaged by the extreme temperatures en route to your Soldier.
Do not overpay for shipping or supplies! Through USPS, you can ship care packages to military addresses at domestic prices, utilizing the free Military Care Kit (linked here or at the button above).
Emergency Communications
The American Red Cross Hero Care Center can help you reach your Soldier during an emergency at home. Available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with three options for requesting assistance.
The Red Cross will independently verify the emergency, enabling the Service Member’s commander to make an educated decision regarding emergency leave and then to provide transportation assistance and/or financial assistance if needed.
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To speak to a Red Cross Emergency Communications Specialist, call 1-877-272-7337.
To call free from overseas, use a computer, smartphone or tablet to call the Hero Care Center. Make a call »
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Use the Hero Care App to access vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans and military families.
Download it on the App Store, get it at Google Play, or text "GETHEROCARE" to 90999.
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Using a computer, smartphone or tablet, you can start a request for services and track its progress from anywhere in the world.
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When contacting the Red Cross, be prepared to provide the following information. If you do not have all of the information, please use the phone option.
Service member information:
Full legal name
Rank/rating
Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
Social Security number or Date of Birth
Military unit address
Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Information about the emergency:
Name and contact for the immediate family member experiencing the emergency (could be spouse, parent, child/grandchild, or grandparent)
Nature of the emergency
Where the emergency can be verified (hospital, doctors office, funeral home)
Contact HSMC
Having trouble finding what you need? Reach out directly and we’ll find a way or make one to get you connected with the resources you’re looking for.
