Military Benefits

Service in the Military comes with an amazing range of benefits. For more information, visit the links below, or contact a military recruiter.

 Job Training
 Education Assistance: Up to $50,000
 Tuition Help
 College Programs
 Pay, Allowances, and Promotions
 Free Health Care
 Paid Vacation
 Retirement
 Life Insurance
 VA Benefits
 Thrift Savings Plan
 Other Lifestyle Benefits



Job Training
Everyone in the Military is trained in a job specialty. Many military schools offer high-tech training and some are accredited so you earn college credits as you learn your job. Your aptitudes, physical abilities, motivation, and determination all help decide which military job will best suit you. And most times military jobs have a civilian counterpart—so you'll be ready if you decide to leave the Military.

More about training/job opportunities in Today's Military.

  

Education Assistance: Up To $50,000
The Montgomery GI Bill gives up to $37,224 to anyone who completes a 36-month enlistment. This stipend has helped millions pay for college or vocational/technical education after the Military. In addition, the Army or Navy College Fund Program can raise that educational benefit to $71,424 when combined with the Montgomery GI Bill. The Marine Corps or Coast Guard College Funds each result in a $30,000 combined benefit.

More about Education Benefits

  

Tuition Help
The Military wants you to thrive and excel. While you serve, the Military encourages you to advance your higher education. In fact, 75 percent of approved course tuition is paid by the Military at accredited colleges, universities, and commercial schools. That's a huge help to you.

  

College Programs
Gain experience in life, military pay and benefits, and enjoy these unique opportunities available only to members of the Military Services.

More about College Programs

  

Pay, Allowances, and Promotions
You are paid twice a month based on your pay grade and service requirements. Your paycheck generally consists of your base pay plus special types of pay and allowances if you're eligible.

There are many different types of allowances, including the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), a uniform allowance, sea pay, foreign duty pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and so on. Ask your recruiter for details on all of these.

In the Military, hard work and ingenuity are always recognized. The Military promotes people based on a combination of their knowledge of their chosen career fields, performance, time in pay grade, and the needs of the service. Normally, you're promoted three times during a four-year enlistment, ending at pay grade E-3. Near the end of your fourth year of service, you will likely qualify for a promotion with a grade E-4 pay raise—attaining an E-5 grade is quite common as well.

More information about military salary levels

  

Free Health Care
Quite simply, as a servicemember you need the very best health care. Active duty military members receive complete medical and dental care at no cost. This comes through a system of military and civilian health-care facilities that delivers care and wellness programs. This health-care program can be worth thousands of dollars to you every year. In addition, the family of an active duty member may also enroll in military health care (a small enrollment fee and annual deductible may apply).

  

Paid Vacation
How would you like to get paid to relax? In the Military, you receive 30 days of paid vacation per year. Try getting that from a civilian company as a new employee!

  

Retirement
After 15 years of service, a military member has to make a decision concerning which of the two retirement plans he/she would prefer:

The first option is to receive a lump sum payment of $30,000 at this point and then receive a pension after 20 years of service at the rate of 40 percent of the average of the highest three years' pay.

The second option is not to receive the cash bonus at 15 years, but to receive a pension after 20 years of service at the rate of 50 percent of the highest three years' pay. In either case, you can count on the money being there when you retire (which is not always the case with civilian companies).

  

Life Insurance
Do you have a family? As an active duty member, you may select up to $200,000 in Service Group Life Insurance at a cost of only $20 a month, which is automatically deducted from your paychecks. This is an incredible bargain and a solid way to look after your family and yourself.

  

VA Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides dozens of federal benefits to veterans and their dependents, including VA home loans. As a military veteran, you may apply for a home loan that is guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Learn more about VA health care and financial assistance programs.

  

Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan that works similarly to a 401k plan that private companies offer their employees. At your direction, savings are deducted from your pre-tax pay, and invested. You don't pay taxes on your investment earnings until you begin to withdraw them at retirement. It's an excellent way to get started on a retirement plan for your future.

• More information on the Thrift Savings Plan

  

Other Lifestyle Benefits
The Military provides a wide array of other programs and benefits to help with your quality of life. From shopping discounts to community-based programs, these services are designed to help Military families get the most from their commitment.