If you are active duty military and receive permanent change of station orders to an overseas base, the Overseas Cost of Living Allowance, or OCOLA, is one of the first things you’ll learn about about pay and benefits for overseas troops. But the amount of those OCOLA benefits is shrinking. The DoD, by law, plans… Read more »
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA increase of 3.2% for retirees and disabled veterans effective November 30, 2023, “for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation,” according to the text of Public Law 118–6 by the 118th Congress. How Much is the 2024 COLA Increase?… Read more »
Do you qualify for free flu shots from the Department of Veterans Affairs? While it’s true that you can get influenza any time of year, there is a definite “flu season” that makes the flu easier to get. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) literature on influenza, “…flu viruses typically circulate during the… Read more »
Military housing problems have been a continuous source of headlines–and DoD headaches in 2023. In addition to continuous grilling by public officials over lead paint in military family housing, overflowing sewage, and black mold in barracks, dorms, and (again) military family housing units, there’s new scrutiny over the accessibility of base housing. Air Force Times… Read more »
In 2022, the Air Force issued a press release announcing a “THC retest pilot program,” which allows applicants a second chance if they test positive for marijuana use as part of their inprocessing through a Military Entrance Processing Station or MEPS. When the program was first implemented, the Air Force wasn’t facing a recruiting shortage… Read more »
TRICARE Open Season 2023 was the period of time when military families can change their TRICARE coverage without needing to justify a major life event like a birth or death in the family. Open Season has now closed. When Was TRICARE Open Season 2023? TRICARE Open Season is Nov. 13 through Dec. 12, 2023. Related:… Read more »
Basic eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits depends upon the type of military service performed, the duration of the service, and the character of your military discharge or separation. VA looks at the “character of discharge” to determine whether a person meets the basic eligibility requirements for receipt of VA benefits under Title… Read more »
Basics of Budgeting For First-Time Budgeters Have you ever wondered where all your monthly income went? We work hard every week and can’t seem to save anything or invest in our future. Some don’t have a budget and don’t keep track of how they spend over time. Budgeting can be a day-to-day transformation of how… Read more »
Approximately 8 thousand troops were discharged during the Coronavirus pandemic because they refused to get a COVID-19 vaccination. In the wake of congressional testimony by the Senior Enlisted Advisors of each branch of the service in late February 2023, many of these troops may be allowed to rejoin their branch of service.
Discover what involuntary separation pay entails for military members, and get insights on your options and benefits. Learn more.