Story told by Nick Gibson

“I was deployed from the end of October of 2023 to March of 2024,” said Annalynn Kale, Regional Program Specialist with Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) for the American Red Cross of South Carolina.

Annalyn recently returned from a 6-month deployment to Romania and worked out of Mihail Kogalniceau Airbase (MKAB) where she helped soldiers with emergency communications and other services. The Red Cross deploys alongside the US military to more than 389 military installations and deployment sites worldwide.

“Our day-to-day would usually consist of delivering messages, organizing activities for our volunteers, doing morale programming, and making sure our canteen stayed stocked,” said Annalyn.

Annalyn has been serving our country since 2015 when she joined the Navy. She is currently a Navy Reservist and says she uses her military background to relate to soldiers and get to know them when she is deployed.

“While my deployment experiences are different, they are all similar and I was in their exact position myself. Doing the same things, they are doing and having very similar experiences with them. It made it very easy to connect with soldiers on a personal level,” said Annalyn. “I was a Red Cross volunteer and that is how I became acquainted with this position initially. I was a volunteer in Guantanamo Bay for the Red Cross.”

As a soldier, Annalyn says the idea of deploying is always rewarding to her. She even adds that she plans to deploy more often in the future.

“We live in the same building with a lot of these soldiers. We are in the same living conditions, eating the same food they’re eating so it’s super rewarding in that manner,” said Annalyn.

Annalyn says for those who are interested in being a part of SAF there is always a position that is available for you, including working with the Hero Care Network, which provides critical services to military members, veterans, and their families all over the world 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In times of emergency, the Red Cross helps military families communicate with their loved ones and help facilitate their return home during a verified emergency through our Hero Care Network.

“We have the Hero Care Network, and we are always looking for more volunteers. Volunteers help with follow-up on emergency communications cases,” said Annalyn.

Learn more about Red Cross services to the armed forces and how you can get involved by visiting redcross.org/saf.