Unfortunately, there may be instances where an unexpected emergency in the family of a deployed Marine or Sailor requires their return home. Emergency leave may be authorized ONLY in the following situations:

1. When a member of the service member's IMMEDIATE family dies. Immediate family includes: father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, spouse's parents, children or someone who actually reared the Marine or Sailor (in loco parentis). Immediate family DOES NOT include aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, close family friends, or grandparents unless they actually reared the Marine or Sailor (in loco parentis).

2. When a member of the service member's immediate family suffers a serious illness or accident resulting in a serious family problem which requires the service member's presence at home.

If such events occur during a deployment, family members must contact the Red Cross Military Assistance Office to request that the service member be notified of the incident and granted emergency leave if required.

The Red Cross Military Assistance Office can be reached at 1-877-272-7337. This office will ensure that the information is forwarded to appropriate regional office.

Ensure the Red Cross has the Marine or Sailor's FULL NAME, RANK, COMMAND, BRANCH OF SERVICE, and SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

Remember: The Command must receive Red Cross verification of the emergency or death in order to grant emergency leave.

Local offices of the American Red Cross can be reached at: http://www.redcross.org/where