There are numerous benefits available to transitioning service members and their families. Eligibility for benefits depends on whether one is separating or retiring, the type of discharge received, and on the length of time in the service. Check the individual branch of Service or the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding specific benefits and allowances.

There are numerous benefits available to transitioning service members and their families. Eligibility for benefits depends on whether one is separating or retiring, the type of discharge received, and on the length of time in the service. Check the individual branch of Service or the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding specific benefits and allowances.

TRICARE medical benefits are available to retired and separated service members and their families. When active duty service members retire, eligibility for TRICARE medical coverage remains the same, but enrollment fees and co-payments for TRICARE Prime change. At retirement, a service member is disenrolled from TRICARE Prime and must reenroll to ensure continuous coverage.

For those who have separated from active duty, eligibility to continue to receive government-sponsored healthcare and the duration of that continuing coverage is determined by the nature of the separation. One may be eligible for free healthcare or may purchase extended transitional health care insurance for up to eighteen months of coverage through the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). For specific health insurance questions, call the Health Benefits Advisor at the nearest military medical treatment facility.

It is important to remember that TRICARE policies and benefits are governed by public law. TRICARE programs change regularly and new benefits are frequently added. For the most recent information, contact the TRICARE regional coordinator.

TRICARE medical benefits are available to retired and separated service members and their families. When active duty service members retire, eligibility for TRICARE medical coverage remains the same, but enrollment fees and co-payments for TRICARE Prime change. At retirement, a service member is disenrolled from TRICARE Prime and must reenroll to ensure continuous coverage.

For those who have separated from active duty, eligibility to continue to receive government-sponsored healthcare and the duration of that continuing coverage is determined by the nature of the separation. One may be eligible for free healthcare or may purchase extended transitional health care insurance for up to eighteen months of coverage through the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). For specific health insurance questions, call the Health Benefits Advisor at the nearest military medical treatment facility.

It is important to remember that TRICARE policies and benefits are governed by public law. TRICARE programs change regularly and new benefits are frequently added. For the most recent information, contact the TRICARE regional coordinator.

If you are separating from active duty within the next 60 to 180 days, Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) can help you receive VA disability benefits sooner.   The BDD Program allows a service member to apply for disability compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to retirement or separation from military service.

If you are separating from active duty within the next 60 to 180 days, Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) can help you receive VA disability benefits sooner.   The BDD Program allows a service member to apply for disability compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to retirement or separation from military service.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) continues to cover a service member for the first 120 days after separation. After this coverage ends, one option for further coverage is Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI), offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA sends the conversion form and information within thirty days after separation. All service members are eligible for the SGLI/VGLI conversion. VGLI policies can be renewed every five years or converted into commercial policies. Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), a program extended to the spouses and dependent children of service members, may also be converted upon discharge by spouses into a commercial life insurance policy.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) continues to cover a service member for the first 120 days after separation. After this coverage ends, one option for further coverage is Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI), offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA sends the conversion form and information within thirty days after separation. All service members are eligible for the SGLI/VGLI conversion. VGLI policies can be renewed every five years or converted into commercial policies. Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), a program extended to the spouses and dependent children of service members, may also be converted upon discharge by spouses into a commercial life insurance policy.

Funded travel and transportation are provided in connection with departure from active duty service. Specific entitlements depend on the type of separation. Contact the service branch transportation office for more information regarding entitlements and to make arrangements for a move.

In some cases, an extension may be available allowing a service member and his or her family to remain in family housing beyond the transition date. Eligibility is limited to involuntary separations including Selected Early Retirement Board (SERB) Retirement, Special Separation Benefit (SSB), Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI), or separation due to medical condition. Contact the installation housing office for further information.

Funded travel and transportation are provided in connection with departure from active duty service. Specific entitlements depend on the type of separation. Contact the service branch transportation office for more information regarding entitlements and to make arrangements for a move.

In some cases, an extension may be available allowing a service member and his or her family to remain in family housing beyond the transition date. Eligibility is limited to involuntary separations including Selected Early Retirement Board (SERB) Retirement, Special Separation Benefit (SSB), Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI), or separation due to medical condition. Contact the installation housing office for further information.

Commissary and exchange privileges are available after separation from active duty, under certain circumstances. Service members who leave active duty and enter the Reserves or National Guard can retain limited access to the commissary and exchange. Retirees retain commissary and exchange privileges, as do those who are discharged with a 100% service connected disability. Some involuntarily separated service members may retain commissary and exchange privileges for two years following separation.

Commissary and exchange privileges are available after separation from active duty, under certain circumstances. Service members who leave active duty and enter the Reserves or National Guard can retain limited access to the commissary and exchange. Retirees retain commissary and exchange privileges, as do those who are discharged with a 100% service connected disability. Some involuntarily separated service members may retain commissary and exchange privileges for two years following separation.

Unemployment Compensation for Ex-service members is a state administered program providing benefits to those separating from active duty under honorable conditions and facing unemployment. The law of the state (under which the claim is filed) determines benefit amounts, duration of benefits, and other eligibility conditions. For further information or to apply for unemployment compensation, contact the state Unemployment Insurance agency.

Unemployment Compensation for Ex-service members is a state administered program providing benefits to those separating from active duty under honorable conditions and facing unemployment. The law of the state (under which the claim is filed) determines benefit amounts, duration of benefits, and other eligibility conditions. For further information or to apply for unemployment compensation, contact the state Unemployment Insurance agency.

Educational benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL). VA counseling is available to help determine educational strengths and plan education or employment goals. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is a federally funded program administered by the VA. Eligible service members may receive benefits for full-time or part-time study.

Through cooperative efforts with each state, DOL offers employment and training services to eligible veterans. The DOL-sponsored One-Stop Career Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof. Located at state employment offices, they offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services.

Educational benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL). VA counseling is available to help determine educational strengths and plan education or employment goals. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is a federally funded program administered by the VA. Eligible service members may receive benefits for full-time or part-time study.

Through cooperative efforts with each state, DOL offers employment and training services to eligible veterans. The DOL-sponsored One-Stop Career Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof. Located at state employment offices, they offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services.

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL), there are a variety of education and employment benefits. VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services (VR&E) assists veterans to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. VR&E offers a number of services, including help with job search and job placement, self-employment counseling, and independent living services (for those with severe disabilities/injuries).

The Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program allows a service member to apply for disability compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to retirement or separation from the military.

Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines (REALifelines) provides wounded and injured veterans/transitioning service members with resources for a successful career transition. REALifelines provides one-on-one employment assistance and online resources. Services are available at the DOL’s One-Stop Career Centers.

The Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) develops job and training opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities, enabling veterans to be competitive in the labor market. Specialists promote community and employer support for employment and training opportunities, including apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL), there are a variety of education and employment benefits. VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services (VR&E) assists veterans to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. VR&E offers a number of services, including help with job search and job placement, self-employment counseling, and independent living services (for those with severe disabilities/injuries).

The Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program allows a service member to apply for disability compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to retirement or separation from the military.

Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines (REALifelines) provides wounded and injured veterans/transitioning service members with resources for a successful career transition. REALifelines provides one-on-one employment assistance and online resources. Services are available at the DOL’s One-Stop Career Centers.

The Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) develops job and training opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities, enabling veterans to be competitive in the labor market. Specialists promote community and employer support for employment and training opportunities, including apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

Medical care is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on a mandatory basis. In general, needed services will be provided at no cost. If a disability originated outside of active service, VA medical care is available on a space-available basis and requires a co-payment by the service member.

In addition to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance / Veterans Group Life Insurance, any service member who sustains a traumatic injury that results in certain severe losses may be eligible for Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI). TSGLI provides a one-time payment. The amount of the payment varies depending on the injury.

Medical care is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on a mandatory basis. In general, needed services will be provided at no cost. If a disability originated outside of active service, VA medical care is available on a space-available basis and requires a co-payment by the service member.

In addition to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance / Veterans Group Life Insurance, any service member who sustains a traumatic injury that results in certain severe losses may be eligible for Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI). TSGLI provides a one-time payment. The amount of the payment varies depending on the injury.