Introduction
The United States Department of Defense strives to offer servicemembers an enticing benefits package and there are pages and pages of documentation about it. But, sometimes a quick take on a complex topic can help make info more digestible. These resources are designed to help you get a jumpstart on taking full advantage of all the military benefits that you are entitled to with service in the Armed Forces.
Know what category you are looking for? Click the link to go straight to that information.
Active Duty Military Benefits
Members of the United States Armed Forces enjoy housing, insurance, salary and other benefits to help honor your efforts in keeping our country free and safe.
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance
Upon enlistment, servicemembers automatically have a maximum of $400,000 of SGLI coverage.
TRICARE
TRICARE is the DOD healthcare program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Review TRICARE’s active-duty service members and families’ healthcare options to find a plan.
TRICARE Prime
Active-duty service members must enroll in TRICARE Prime. You can find out how to enroll here.
TRICARE Select
Active duty family members can enroll in Prime Select with their sponsor. It may be a good fit for those who have other health insurance or live in areas without TRICARE Prime access. Prime Select will also allow you to keep seeing a provider who isn’t in the TRICARE network.
U.S. Family Health Plan (in specific U.S. locations)
You won’t get care at military hospitals and clinics or from TRICARE network providers when enrolled in the U.S. Family Health Plan. You’ll choose a primary care provider from the network of private physicians affiliated with one of the not-for-profit health care systems in your area. Your primary care provider assists you with specialists in the area and coordinates your care.
TRICARE For Life (with Medicare Part A & B coverage)
TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and B. Enrollment is not required; coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and B.
TRICARE Overseas
TRICARE Select Overseas may be your only option when you live overseas. If your sponsor is on active duty, you can enroll in TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas.
GI Bill Education Benefits
Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover costs for school or training. Learn more about the rates for tuition and books you may qualify for as well as the ways you may use your benefits on the VA’s GI Bill webpage.
More like this: GI Bill Education Benefits: 4 Tips on Moving and Taking Online Classes
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act
In 1940, Congress passed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) to protect those called to military service in the armed forces. Some of the most common protections are mortgage relief, termination of leases, and protection from eviction.
Space-A Travel
Servicemembers and their families can use Space-Available flights to travel the U.S. and abroad for free. Make the most of this benefit by learning about the program and what to expect with Space-A Travel FAQs.
Military Lodging
Your active duty military benefits entitle you to stay at military lodging locations across the globe. From beaches to the mountains, there are affordable destinations for your vacation trips.
Call 1 (800) 342-9647 to connect with Military OneSource for help with travel planning and ways to save.
America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
This annual pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas. It is free for current members of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard; dependents of current U.S. military members with DD Form 1173; U.S. military cadets and U.S. Active Reservists.
The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corp of Engineers honor the America the Beautiful pass at sites where entrance or day-use fees are charged.
The pass does not include expanded amenity fees such as camping, boat launch, or interpretive fees.
More like this: 12 of the Best Brands With Free Stuff For Active Duty and Veterans
Veterans Affairs
If you’re serving on active duty in the U.S. uniformed services, including active National Guard and Reserve with federal pay, you may be eligible for VA benefits both during service and after separation or retirement. If you’re a traditional or technical member of the National Guard and Reserve, you may also be eligible for some VA benefits.
Select a benefit category from the Department of Veterans Affairs homepage to learn more:
- Service member benefits
- Family member benefits
- Burials and memorials
- Careers and employment
- Housing assistance
- Pension
- Life insurance
- Education and training
- Records
- Health care
- Disability
Survivor Benefit Program
The Survivor Benefit Plan is a DOD-sponsored and subsidized program that provides up to 55 percent of a servicemember’s retired pay to an eligible beneficiary upon their death. The program provides no-cost automatic coverage to members serving on active duty. Also, active-duty members can purchase coverage upon retirement.
Commissaries and Exchanges
Take advantage of the tax-free shopping and discount goods at the Exchange. Every branch has an exchange system, and you’re eligible to shop at all of them.
Military Spouse Benefits
Preparation and knowledge are keys to making military life work for you and your family. As a military spouse, there’s a lot of info to absorb and benefits decisions to make so you’ll want to be informed about all that you are entitled to.
Military Spouse Transition Program
The Military Spouse Transition Program is for spouses preparing for the transition into the military from civilian living. It has self-directed with videos, fact sheets, and links to tools and programs designed to inform and build confidence in a successful transition.
Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
The DOD’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program provides education and career guidance to military spouses with resources and tools for career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness, and career connections. To talk to a career coach, call 1 (800) 342-9647.
More like this: The Best Work From Home Jobs for Military Spouses
My Career Advancement Account Scholarship
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship program is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance for licenses, certifications or associate’s degrees to pursue an occupation or career field.
Military OneSource Spouse Career Center
The Military OneSource Spouse Career Center offers free, comprehensive coaching services to all eligible military spouses. Career coaches offer specialty consultations six days a week.
Military Reserve Benefits
In the Reserves, you can earn money for education, cash bonuses, discounted healthcare, build retirement and more — while pursuing a civilian career or continuing your education.
GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve; Army National Guard; or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Click the link to find out if you qualify.
More like this: GI Bill Education Benefits: 4 Tips on Moving and Taking Online Classes.
Survivor Benefit Program
The Survivor Benefit Plan is a DOD-sponsored and subsidized program that provides up to 55 percent of a servicemember’s retired pay to an eligible beneficiary upon their death. The program provides no-cost automatic coverage to reserve component members who die of a service-connected cause while performing inactive duty training. Also, reserve component members can elect coverage when they have 20 years of qualifying service for reserve retired pay.
Military Lodging
Your military reserve benefits entitle you to stay at military lodging across the globe. From beaches to the mountains, there are affordable destinations for many trips.
Call 1 (800) 342-9647 to connect with Military OneSource for help with travel planning and ways to save.
TRICARE
Reserve Select
You can decide to use TRICARE Reserve Select if you’re a member of the Selected Reserves,
not on active duty orders or covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program, and
not eligible for or enrolled in the FEHB.
The plan provides comprehensive health care coverage when you’re not covered by active-duty TRICARE benefits.
Retired Reserve
TRICARE Retired Reserve is a premium-based plan available worldwide for qualified Select Reserve members and their families.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans of the United States Uniformed Services may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services including those provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Transitioning Veterans
This free Military OneSource program is designed specifically for service members returning to civilian life. Personalized transition support from a Transitioning Veterans consultant is available, by phone or video, to help you set goals and navigate benefits and resources.
Call 800-342-9647 to schedule an appointment with a Transitioning Veterans consultant.
More like this: Resources For Transitioning To Civilian Careers
Disabled Veterans Benefits
Review your VA disability benefits eligibility to learn about disability compensation for an illness or injury that was caused by your active military service. Compensation may include financial support and other benefits like healthcare.
Military Retirement Benefits
Review your Statement of Benefits to get to know all about the good stuff you have earned by serving our country.
Transition Assistance Program
Scope out your civilian life. You can attend a Transition Assistance Program employment workshop on your installation as early as two years before retirement. Choose your service branch here to connect with programs for you. Pre-separation counseling is available up to two years before retirement. You’ll learn the basics about resources for the benefits and entitlements you’ve earned. It is strongly encouraged that your spouse attends this counseling with you.
TRICARE
Plan to enroll in TRICARE, if needed, before separation to maintain healthcare benefits in retirement. If you’re not sure, you can compare TRICARE and Veterans Affairs benefits here and the different package options here.
Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program
Dental and vision insurance is available via the Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program benefits. Enrollment is open annually in the fall and during a qualifying life event.
Veterans Group Life Insurance
Your Servicemembers Group Life Insurance plan continues uninterrupted for 120 days after separation. Click here to see if you are eligible to convert to a Veterans Group Life Insurance policy.
Commissaries and Exchanges
Commissary and exchange privileges remain the same as active duty members after retirement.
Space-A Travel
Retirees can use Space-Available flights to travel the U.S. and abroad for free. Make the most of this benefit by learning about the program and what to expect with Space-A Travel FAQs.
Military Lodging
Your military retiree benefits entitle you and your family to stay at military lodging across the globe. From beaches to the mountains, there are affordable destinations for many trips.
Call 1 (800) 342-9647 to connect with Military OneSource for help with travel planning and ways to save.
Conclusion
Visit MyBaseGuide and select your installation to connect with information about everything including education, lodging, and recreation options. Use your military benefits to plan a family getaway, send your dependents to college, or launch a new career!
If you are interested in researching additional branch-specific benefits information you can find it all here: