Soldiers can now download a mobile app to get information about the nonprofit Army Emergency Relief .
An increasing number of visitors to AER's website have been using mobile devices, said spokesman retired Army Col. Guy Shields.
So they developed the mobile app to make it easier.
"We know that many of our soldiers and families use their smart phones as their computer, as well as their primary means of communication," Shields said. "We believe that making AER information available to them in a format that they are familiar with will help expedite the assistance process."
AER provides loans and grants to soldiers and their families for emergency travel, initial rent deposits and vehicle repairs, and helps with other unique needs such as household and appliance repair, dependent dental care and initial home furnishings.
Neither the current website nor the new app allow soldiers to apply online for assistance. But soldiers can get information about where to go for assistance, including specific locations and phone numbers of the closest AER office.
The app provides basic information about AER and how to request emergency financial assistance; loan repayment procedures,and applying for scholarships.
The app is available for iPhones and for phones using the Android operating system. It can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store and at Google Play.
In October 2013, 24 percent of visits to the AER website came from mobile devices, Shields said. By October 2014, that had grown to 40 percent.
Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book "A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families." She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.
