How to Contact Soldiers in Iraq

Depending on your relationship with the service member in question, finding a particular soldier in Iraq can either be a trivial matter or somewhat involved. The best way to guarantee that you'll stay or get in contact with the service member is to, of course, have them stay in contact with you in the first place. Barring that, there are a few ways to track them down.

Instructions

Maintaining Contact

1. The easiest way to get in contact with a soldier in Iraq is to have had made contact with them in the first place. To do that, get their phone, email address and/or base address before they leave.

2. It would be smart to then double check that the information you received is correct. To verify, send them an email, call them or send a letter.

3. If they reply, the information is good.

Establishing Contact - Family Members

1. For family members (and government officials), the Army provides an easy way to locate a soldier you have lost contact with. First, prepare a basic dossier on the soldier, including full name, rank, Social Security number, military ID number, and the address of their last assignment, if possible. Although having all of the information isn't fully necessary, the more information you're able to provide, the easier it is for them to locate the soldier.

2. After preparing the dossier, send it to the Commander U.S. Army Enlisted Records & Evaluation Center at the address below:
   Locator 8899 East 56th St., Indianapolis, IN 46249-5301.

3. The service is free for government officials and family members. For more distant relatives, there is a $3.50 cost, payable by check to the U.S. Treasury.

Establishing Contact - Online Resources

1. There are online resources that can help non-family members locate and contact Army service members in Iraq. If you know at least the soldier's name, you can use www.anysoldier.com to try to track them down.

2. Because of security reasons, you will be requested to offer your own contact information before you are approved for their address.

3. Fill in the relevant information, then send letters or packages to the address provided as long as you follow the restrictions outlined in the same site.

Emergencies

1. In an emergency--family crisis, birth of a child, death--the Red Cross can step in and quickly get in contact with a soldier. Prepare the same dossier as outlined in Step 1 of the first section.

2. Contact your local Red Cross chapter with the relevant information.

3. Their staff will get in contact with the Red Cross representatives on the relevant U.S. base to get access to the soldier as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Because of operational security or other related matters, non-emergency communication with soldiers might lag by days to even months.

References

• Anysoldier.com
• Army Locator Services
• Red Cross