What is MilitaryCafe.org?
MilitaryCafe.org is one of the largest military membership organization, connecting over 1.3 million to benefits, news, resources, discounts and each other.
Why join?
Membership at MilitaryCafe.org is free, and gives you access to everything the site has to offer, from newsletters and alerts.
Who is eligible to join?
MilitaryCafe.org has resources for Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Spouses, Dependents, Veterans, Military Retirees, DoD personnel, those considering joining, and military enthusiasts and supporters.
How much does MilitaryCafe.org membership cost?
MilitaryCafe.org membership is free.
Is MilitaryCafe.org an official government site?
No, However, MilitaryCafe.org works very closely with government organizations to ensure complete and timely coverage of issues and events that affect our members.
What is the Veteran Careers Network?
The Veteran Careers Network helps connect Veterans and transitioning personnel with each other to better their careers. Members can search for Veterans in career fields, locations or companies of interest to ask about jobs, get introductions or learn what a company is like. It’s free for all members.
How can I partner with MilitaryCafe.org?
MilitaryCafe.org has many advertising and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, complete this request form.
How do I change the e-mail address where I receive e-mail deliveries?
Just send us a quick email with the old and new e-mail address and we will change it asap.
I would like to reprint an article. Whom do I contact?
MilitaryCafe.org content comes from a wide range of sources — government, syndicated, and those original to MilitaryCafe.org. Reprint requests must be very specific. Send all requests to the editor.
I have a question about my account or anything else about MilitaryCafe.org. Who should I contact?
Please visit the Help & Feedback sections at. If you aren’t able to find an answer to your question, contact our customer care specialist.
Will this be kept confidential?
Information you provide to counselors will be kept confidential, except to meet legal obligations or to prevent harm to self or others. Legal obligations include requirements of law and Department of Defense (DoD) or military regulations. Harm to self or others includes suicidal thought or intent, a desire to harm oneself, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, violence against any person, and any present or future illegal activity.
Privacy—how does it work?
All contacts with MilitaryCafe.org, whether by telephone, Internet, or face-to-face, are private. No report is provided to the military as to the nature of the contact, except for the reportable issues listed below. The service member, as well as the service member’s commander, is not advised when a family member calls or conducts an online visit or face-to-face non-medical counseling session. MilitaryCafe.org has the technology, the procedural infrastructure, and the highly trained staff to ensure that each user is treated confidentially and with respect regardless of rank. Information you provide to counselors will be kept confidential, except to meet legal obligations, including requirements of law and DoD or military regulations. MilitaryCafe.org consultants and counselors have a duty to report family maltreatment (spouse, child, elder abuse), threats of harm to self or others, substance abuse, and illegal activities. These reports are made to the appropriate military and civilian authorities.
Are callers made aware of the reporting requirements?
Consultants read a statement to the caller at the beginning of each call that explains the limits of privacy as explained in the previous question and answer. A similar statement is provided to the user when contacting a consultant by email or online session. Information about issues within the confidentiality limits will not be released without signed authorization from the individual or someone who is legally permitted to give authorization on the individual’s behalf.
How are duty-to-warn issues reported and to whom?
MilitaryCafe.org non-medical counselors are mandated by federal and state law to report a caller threatening danger to himself or herself or others. Each of the Service branches have provided MilitaryCafe.org with a reporting protocol. In addition, when applicable, the proper civilian agencies will be notified. For instance, child-protective service agencies, as well as the nearest installation or Family Advocacy Office, are notified of reports of child abuse.
How are suicide, child abuse, domestic abuse, or other imminent danger calls handled?
While MilitaryCafe.org is not promoted as a reporting or suicide hotline, these types of calls are sometimes received. Trained, master’s-level consultants with the support of their team leaders and clinical supervisors follow protocols developed to provide immediate assistance.
How can imminent danger callers be helped (those who call about suicide, child abuse, or domestic abuse)?
For a suicidal caller, the consultant will try to keep the caller on the line to determine imminent danger. In extreme cases, other MilitaryCafe.org team members can contact local emergency resources and the military authority and direct them to provide in-person assistance. If imminent danger is not an issue, the consultant will find community and installation resources for referral and follow-up with telephone calls as the situation requires. For spouse abuse, the MilitaryCafe.org consultant will do a risk assessment to help determine danger. When possible, the consultant will keep the caller on the line for a three-way call to the proper military or civilian resource. In every case, consultants will follow reporting protocol. If risk or danger is high, the consultant will make sure that the proper law enforcement agencies are notified. In addition, the consultant will guide the caller to resources in the local community, such as shelters, counselors, victim advocates, and chaplains. Follow-up phone calls will be made if the caller agrees. For child abuse callers, the MilitaryCafe.org consultant will attempt to keep the caller on the line for a three-way call to the proper reporting agencies, but all calls must be reported to the proper military authorities, the local child-protective service agency, and/or the local law-enforcement agency. The consultant will also locate community and installation resources and possibly educational materials. Follow-up phone calls will be made to provide further help.
What happens in cases when the caller or victim of domestic violence does not want the command to know?
MilitaryCafe.org follows the guidelines established by each branch of Service. MilitaryCafe.org consultants explain the privacy limits at the beginning of each contact with a caller or emailer. When identified, these cases must be reported to the proper military reporting point of contact. MilitaryCafe.org consultants are generally able to help the caller to stay on the phone for a three-way reporting call and to make contact with the military support agencies.
Can someone receive assistance for spouse abuse and remain anonymous?
If a caller remains anonymous, MilitaryCafe.org will provide resource information about spouse-abuse shelters, victim advocates, hotlines, and the MilitaryCafe.org website where people can read information or listen to audio tips. The caller will also receive coaching over the phone and may eventually decide to give his/her name. Consultants do whatever they reasonably can to help a caller who wishes to remain anonymous.
Is MilitaryCafe.org a resource for domestic/family violence counseling?
“No, MilitaryCafe.org is not a resource for domestic/family violence counseling. However, educational materials, such as articles about healthy relationships and parenting, are available on the website.