Separating from the military can be complicated, especially for members of the National Guard or Reserve Components who have been called to active duty. As a member of the National Guard or reserve you have benefits and rights that are unique to your situation. Understanding those benefits will make your transition back to civilian life a lot easier.
Use your resources to make sure nothing falls through the cracks, so you and your family get all of the benefits you've earned, which include:
- Medical insurance
- Life insurance
- Information on going back to your civilian job
- GI Bill Benefits
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Preparing to leave active duty behind
When you start the separation process, leave plenty of time to take care of all your required tasks. There are lots of things to do, and starting months ahead of your separation date will give you the time you need to finish it all.
- Pre-separation counseling. The law states that your pre-separation counseling should take place no fewer than 90 days before you separate. You'll learn about continuing medical insurance, relocation assistance, separation pay, life insurance, Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, and unemployment insurance. For information on classes, contact the nearest installation's Transition Assistance Program office or Army Career and Alumni Program office. The Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program can help you locate a transition counselor near you.
- Transition Assistance Program. The Transition Assistance Program has information, tools and training to help make sure you, and your family, are ready for the adjustment back to civilian life. For more information about the Transition Assistance Program, visit the program's website.
- Final medical and dental exams. Schedule your mandatory final medical and dental exams with your installation's medical clinic or hospital at least 90 days before your separation.
What benefits do you get to keep?
Separating active-duty members of Reserve Components get many of the same benefits as separating active-duty military members. There are important differences to be aware of, including how to keep your medical insurance.
- Medical insurance. Coverage for you and your family is available for 180 days after your separation from active duty. To qualify for these medical benefits, your separation from active duty must occur after being called up, or ordered to active duty, in support of a contingency operation for a period of more than 30 days. You also need to complete an enrollment application for TRICARE Prime if you want to keep it. This step is crucial to make sure you don't have a gap in your insurance coverage.
After 180 days, members of the National Guard and reserves may be eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select, a premium-based health plan. For more information on TRICARE for reservists, including TRICARE Reserve Select, visit the TRICARE website or call 800-444-5445.
- Unemployment compensation. Depending on your state and the terms of your discharge, you might be eligible for unemployment compensation. Each state has its own rules, so you will need to contact your state's employment office to see if you qualify. A state-by-state listing, and specific information on unemployment compensation for former service members, is available through the U.S. Department of Labor. Follow the links for unemployment insurance.
- Life insurance. Your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance will continue for 120 days after separation. You can convert your life insurance from Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance to Veterans' Group Life Insurance within those 120 days. After 120 days, you will have to prove that you're healthy to qualify. Visit the Veteran's Administration website or call 800-669-8477 for more information.
- GI Bill. The newest chapter of the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, has been available to service members since August 2009. Eligible members include Reservists who were called to active duty for at least 90 days after Sept. 11, 2001. The benefits are available to service members who are still on active duty, were honorably discharged, or transferred to the Reserve Component. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers the cost of tuition and fees, not more than the highest in-state tuition at a public institution of higher learning, for up to 36 months. Usually, benefits are available for 15 years after your release from active duty. Specific information is available at the VA's GI Bill website.
Many members of the Reserve Components continue to receive benefits through one of the other GI Bill programs. For more information on those programs, check out the VA's GI Bill website. If you're eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and one of the other programs, you may choose to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but you should know that you can't receive benefits under both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and another GI Bill program at the same time.
Can I go back to my old job?
For many separating members of Reserve Components, returning to work after military duty can be the hardest part. There are laws and organizations to help as you go back to your civilian job.
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act helps protect your civilian job while you are away serving in the National Guard or reserves. To see if you qualify, visit the Department of Labor website.
- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has information and mediation services for employers and members of the Reserve Component. It works with the Veterans' Employment and Training Service and the U.S. Department of Labor to help with employment and re-employment issues. Visit the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve website or call 800-336-4590 if you need their support.
- The Small Business Administration Office of Veterans Business Development. The Small Business Administration Office of Veterans Business Development helps activated reserve and Guard members who have small businesses. It offers business planning and other assistance if you are a self-employed Reserve Component member. The Small Business Administration website has lots of great information.