(a) Pursuant to the request of the Secretary of the Navy, and subject to such instructions as the Secretary may issue, the American National Red Cross is authorized to conduct a program of welfare, including social, financial, medical and dental aid, for naval personnel; to assist in matters pertaining to prisoners of war; and to provide such other services as are appropriate functions for the Red Cross. The American National Red Cross is the only volunteer society authorized by the Government to render medical and dental aid to the armed forces of the United States. Other organizations desiring to render medical and dental aid may do so only through the Red Cross.
(b) Requests for Red Cross services shall be made to the Chief of Naval Personnel or the Commandant of the Marine Corps or, in the case of medical services, to the Commander, Naval Medical Command.
(c) Activities and personnel of the American National Red Cross in areas subject to naval jurisdiction shall conform to such administrative regulations as may be prescribed by appropriate naval authority.
(d) Red Cross personnel shall be considered to have the status of commissioned officers, subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the Chief of Naval Personnel or the Commandant of the Marine Corps.