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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs issues warnings and guidance about protecting private data online for military members, veterans, and families. Sometimes, these warnings coincide with a rise in hacker activity targeting military communities, so when they surface on the VA official site, it pays to take stock of your current passwords, how old they are,… Read more »
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance offers substantial benefits for those on active duty. It provides a high coverage amount, up to $500,000 with government-subsidized monthly premiums. Enrollment is automatic. SGLI guarantees coverage regardless of a servicemember’s health and applies regardless of high-risk military jobs, including serving in combat zones. This guaranteed insurability is an advantage, as… Read more »
The Department of Veterans Affairs has made it easier for qualifying VA-enrolled vets to get healthcare from community providers. The VA announced the activation of a feature in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, simplifying referrals for non-VA medical care. That law prohibits VA administrators from overriding a VA… Read more »
Veterans transitioning to civilian life must often cope with issues related to service-connected disabilities. Among these issues, vision and hearing impairments can affect a veteran’s ability to live and work independently. Fortunately, a support network exists through the Department of Veterans Affairs and private or civilian organizations to help these veterans. Department of Veterans Affairs… Read more »
Behavioral health care is an important treatment option for veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and any number of other common mental health issues. This includes services like talking to a therapist or getting medicine for these conditions. And not all veteran care is performed at VA facilities. Many veterans get this help from… Read more »
If you’re an active-duty servicemember with a family member who has special medical or educational needs, you’ve probably heard about the Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP. Maybe you’ve been told to enroll, or someone brought it up in passing. Like many families, you might be wondering: What exactly is this program? Will it affect… Read more »
Veterans and military spouses getting ready to transition into civilian life may not know that many major companies and corporations have career transition programs and policies designed to make the move easier. If you’re unsure about your options as you prepare to embrace civilian life, some of the options below may help you pick a direction for your first post-military work. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and others offer post-military opportunities through the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative for transitioning service members. Others have military-friendly hiring, training, and/or mentoring programs. Learn more.
The Army and the Department of Defense are considering a move to expand the number of privatized single-soldier housing units, informally known as barracks. Army officials have toyed with this idea since the 1990s and the most current version of the concept is being developed as a pilot program to see whether single soldiers should… Read more »
Military spouses face challenges and opportunities when pursuing higher education. Frequent relocations, deployments, and family responsibilities complicate the process, but resources and support systems are available to help military spouses succeed in their academic journey. The first thing to do when considering college as a military spouse is to decide how portable you need your… Read more »
How much do you know about National Guard and Reserve pay? If you are considering a move from active duty to the National Guard or the Reserve, you’ll want to see how that pay differs from current active duty military pay, and you may even need to know how it stacks up to a civilian… Read more »