Proposed 2025 Defense Budget Includes 4.5% Military Pay Raise
On Mon, Mar 11, 2024, the White House released its 2025 federal budget request, which includes a 4.5% proposed pay raise for the military. Learn more.
Military & Veteran Benefits
This generation of veterans and servicemembers has access to the best benefits of any era in history. From the VA Home Loan program to the GI Bill, you can save money, enhance your career opportunities, and even change your life. Don’t miss out on any of the military and veteran benefits you have earned.
Government Shutdown Averted as Senate and House Pass VA Budget
The House of Representatives approved full-year funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies in the first full week of March. The bill was sent to the Senate on March 8, which passed it. The funding bill was sent to the President’s desk for signature. The spending bills were signed into law… Read more »
Army National Guard Pauses Reenlistment Bonuses
The Army National Guard temporarily suspended reenlistment bonuses in March 2024, prompting some who were scheduled to reenlist in March to reconsider doing so until the payment of those bonuses starts again. A National Guard memorandum issued on 1 March 2024 advises, “Effective immediately, the issuance of reenlistment bonuses is suspended” for those up for… Read more »
How to Set Up Direct Deposit for VA Benefits
The Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) made major changes in 2024 to how veterans receive their VA benefits. After April 20th, 2024, the VA requires all benefits recipients to get their VA payments via direct deposit. This change comes after a prior change by the VA. The official site includes a press release stating that “Effective… Read more »
VA Announces Final Rule on Abortion Policy
Update December 30, 2025: The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a near-total ban on abortion services and counseling through the VA. In late December 2025, the policy decision was announced as being “effective immediately,” ending access to VA healthcare services and referral options for abortion that had been previously available from the VA, including for… Read more »
VA Accelerates Expanded Care Options for PACT Act Veterans
March 5, 2024, is an important day for millions of veterans. That’s the date the Department of Veterans Affairs chose to accelerate delivery of PACT Act benefits to more beneficiaries ahead of schedule. The result of that acceleration? Any veteran stateside or overseas exposed to toxins may be eligible to apply “directly” for VA healthcare… Read more »
Best Veteran Career Opportunities
It is no secret that the employment landscape in the United States has changed rapidly due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). For veterans beginning to navigate the civilian workforce, the employment landscape can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the current… Read more »
GI Bill Direct Deposit Rule Changes
Approximately 800 thousand veterans use GI Bill military education benefits, and many of those students are directly affected by a major change to how VA benefits are paid. In the spring of 2024, the agency is taking steps to protect veterans and streamline the VA payments system. Those steps end a past VA practice allowing… Read more »
VA Admits $1 Million in VET TEC Overpayments
VET TEC, which offers financial assistance to GI Bill beneficiaries pursuing a career in various high-tech fields, may be in trouble. Learn more.
GAO: VA Should Do More About Veteran Student Mental Health
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report in 2024 noting that military veterans attending college seek mental health care “at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the veteran population.” That’s unsurprising, given the stress in a student veteran’s life. Still, the GAO report notes that these students (those who self-identify as needing… Read more »