In the Sept 16 Spouse Calls, a soldier adds some important information to the conversation about emergency travel for military families, which was started by a military spouse in the August 19 column.

When military members and their families stationed overseas need to travel back to the States in an emergency, there are several avenues of help:

• Emergency travel at governement expense is available in specific situations, if authorized by a unit commander. For a little light reading on the subject, see the Joint Federal Travel Regulation. Scroll down to Chapter 7, to section U7207.
• Members must also qualify for emergency leave as outlined in DOD Instruction 1327.6, scroll down to 6.11.5.
• The Red Cross verifies emergencies for the military and can provide help and information for members and their families.
• In some situations, military aid societies can also offer financial help. Here are their Web sites:

Army Emergency Relief                                         Air Force Aid Society

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society             Coast Guard Mutual Assistance