If you’ve ever been to your spouse’s unit’s pre-deployment brief, chances are that you’ve at least heard of the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society. It was probably stacked somewhere amongst the firehose of information covering every possible detail you could need to prepare for a military deployment. Probably somewhere in between notarizing the power of attorney (POA) forms, the introduction to everyone in the command element, the lowdown on how to send a Red Cross message, the timeline of what is about to be your life for the next year, the slide of literally ALL the phone numbers you will need – wait, can you go back a slide, I couldn’t snap a picture fast enough!
Having worked for the Navy and Marine Corps for the last six years, I was no stranger to mentions of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). I knew there was a general mission of supporting Sailors and Marines in financial crises, but admittedly, I didn’t fully understand the extent of what they do. My understanding was watered down to this: “If your house burns down or your car explodes, call us. We may be able to help.” I saw the NMCRS as a solution for only the most extreme situations.
This year, I had a mission to chase down the ins and outs of the Society and all that it had to offer to Sailors, Marines, and their families. Here’s what I learned:
Financial Assistance & Education
While it is true that NMCRS can assist with the extreme, worst scenario, they’re also there for everything that may come up day-to-day! The Society has helped with things like paying your rent or mortgage, expenses for food, car or home repair costs, military pay issues, permanent change of station (PCS) support, medical or dental bills, and even OCONUS pet travel costs to bring your four-legged family members with you wherever the military sends you.
Another (lesser known) resource that NMCRS offers is 1:1 budget help and planning. Even if you and your family are at a place where you don’t need financial help, it can be so useful to have a second set of eyes on your finances to figure out how to maximize your paycheck and savings. Appointments with the wonderful volunteers at the Society are FREE and there is no application.
Eligibility: Active-duty or retired Sailors and Marines, eligible family members with a military ID, surviving spouses, and reservists on active duty for 30 days or more.
Quick Assist Loan (QAL)
Quick Assist Loans (QAL) of up to $1,000 are available to active-duty Sailors and Marines, with NO INTEREST! These loans are interest-free and you have up to 12 months to repay them. An application can be filled out in person by the active-duty service member at a Society location and if approved, funds can be available to you in as little as 15 minutes! No appointment is required.
*If you need more than the maximum amount of $1,000 or are determined to be ineligible for a QAL, the staff will continue to support you in determining additional assistance, developing a long-term budget plan and solution, and identifying any additional resources for you.
Eligibility: Active-duty Sailors and Marines, have enough time left in their enlistment to repay the interest-free loans, have no unpaid or outstanding loans with the Society, and have no current or pending disciplinary actions.
How the Society has helped with QALs: Since the beginning of the QAL program in 2007, the Society has provided over 545,000 loans ($235 MILLION!!) in assistance to active-duty Marines and Sailors
Disaster Relief
A majority of Naval bases and Marine Corps bases are located in a coastal environment and unexpected environmental issues can greatly impact Navy and Marine Corps families. The Society helps with:
- Personal or small-scale catastrophic events: Fires, flooding, & storm damage
- Rapid assistance when evacuation is required: evacuations ahead of an arriving storm or when they’re ordered due to a critical incident event. *If a base-wide evacuation is in order, your local NMCRS will implement disaster evacuation assistance, with funds provided for gas, lodging, and food.
- Post-disaster recovery: Food, uniforms and family needs, temporary lodging, and insurance deductibles. After a disaster, make an appointment with your local officer! A NMCRS caseworker will identify your needs and assist.
Eligibility: Active-duty or retired Sailors and Marines, eligible family members with a military ID, surviving spouses, and reservists on active duty for 30 days or more.
How the Society has helped with Disaster Relief: Did you know that the Society has provided over $10.6 MILLION in disaster assistance since Hurricane Katrina?!
Emergency Travel
Military families are no strangers to unexpected plans and adapting at the very last minute. One of my favorite things that the Society offers is expedited travel assistance in situations of the death of an immediate family member or word of a serious illness. No need to worry about an appointment, just go to your local office with your military ID and emergency leave papers or verification information regarding your reason for travel.
*Not close to an office? Call the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 and they can work on behalf of the Society to help you get home!
Eligibility: Active-duty or retired Sailors and Marines, eligible family members with a military ID, surviving spouses, and reservists on active duty for 30 days or more.
Education Assistance
NMCRS supports your child’s education goals! Once per year, scholarships and interest-free education loans are awarded. Scholarships range from $500 – $3,000 and loans are available up to $4,000. Funds are payable to the academic institution and must be used for books, tuition, fees, room and board. Awards are determined by the applicant’s financial need and applicants can re-apply each year. 2024-2025 applicants ARE OPEN NOW (March 1 – May 15, 2024). Click here to apply today!!
Eligibility: Children of active-duty, retired, or qualifying deceased Sailors and Marines (must be under age 23 by September 23 of current academic year), surviving children of Sailors and Marines who passed on active duty or after retirement, spouses of active-duty or retired Sailors and Marines, active-duty Sailor or Marine enrolled in a MECEP/MECP program, applicants pursuing career & technical education / Associates degrees / Bachelors degrees / Masters degrees
Budget for Baby
“Who knew babies are so expensive?” – said no one ever. This FREE workshop helps expectant parents develop a realistic budget and provides tips on how to save money with their new addition on the way! The best part? You’ll leave the workshop with a $50 gift card (stock up on those diapers) and a hand-knitted blanket by a volunteer. How sweet is that! Find a workshop location here. Book now because these fill up FAST!
Eligibility: Active-duty or retired Sailors and Marines, eligible family members with a military ID, surviving spouses, reservists on active duty for 30 days or more, active-duty Air Force and Coast Guard
Visiting Nurse Program
You read that right – NMCRS provides visiting nurses to active-duty or retired service members and their families. During these in-home visits, you can rely on these nurses to answer questions and provide health information on a wide range of topics (medications, medical care, chronic health conditions, and more). They can also address prenatal, infant, and pediatric concerns and even weigh your baby for you! They DO NOT provide emergency or bedside care, but they can work with your healthcare team to discuss how you’re doing in-between visits.
Hopefully this breakdown opened your eyes to the incredible work that NMCRS is doing on a daily basis! You never know when you’re going to need help. Additionally, volunteers make up over 90% of the Society. If you’d like to volunteer with the Society, you can visit this link. Volunteer opportunities include casework, lead volunteers, thrift shop, communications, Budget for Baby Instructor, and Client Services
Meet Kaitlin
Kaitlin and her husband have been married for two years. While her husband has been in the Marine Corps for ten years, Kaitlin has also been involved, working for the Marine Corps for the past four years. They currently reside in sunny, Southern California. In their free time, they can be found catching some sun at the beach, finding new restaurants, or hanging on the couch rooting for the Dallas Cowboys! Though a newer military spouse, Kaitlin is also a military sister and daughter. She’s eager to foster community amongst other military spouses and find the positives within this crazy, beautiful life we all get to be part of!
