"This is why I would prefer for the Salvation Army to be in charge of notifications for the Military instead of the Red Cross."
I don't know what "notifications for the Military" are, but I'm with you on the Red Cross. Guys who fought in Vietnam said both the Red Cross and Salvation Army used to come into the trenches with coffee. Only, the Red Cross used to charge them for it.
If we have a death in our family we have to notify the Red Cross before leave is approved. We did have a death in the family a few weeks into the Iraq War. Notification turned into a nightmare. The local office stated in a rather rude manner that it would take at least a week to get word to my son. I gave up locally and called Germany. After a lot of insistence I reached my son in three hours. He refused to come home but at least he was able to speak with his family. Just knowing that they are notified makes a world of difference.
Had an uncle who said the Red Cross did the same in W.W.II. -- charged the men for coffee and doughnuts. Creepy.