Browse All Benefits

NMFA — National Military Family Association (Free Membership)

NMFA is the nation's leading nonprofit for military family advocacy + direct programs. Membership is FREE; programs include Operation Purple Camps (free summer camp for military kids — see [[family-dependents]]), spouse career programs, scholarships, and advocacy on policy issues

Hero's Bridge — Battle Buddy Program for Older Veterans

Hero's Bridge runs the Battle Buddy Program — pairs trained volunteers with isolated older veterans (typically 65+) for regular check-in visits, phone calls, transportation to medical appointments, and companionship. Free for the veteran. Particularly active for WWII, Korean War,

Tricare For Life (TFL) — Free Medicare Wraparound for Retirees 65+

Once a military retiree (or eligible family member) turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare Part A + Part B, Tricare For Life kicks in as automatic wraparound coverage at NO premium. Medicare pays first; Tricare For Life pays the Medicare deductible, coinsurance, and most Medicare cost-

FEDVIP — Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance for Retirees

When the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) ended, retirees moved to FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program) which offers 12+ dental plan options + 5+ vision plan options. Premiums vary by plan and family size — typically $35-$120/month dental + $5-$20/m

CRSC — Combat-Related Special Compensation (Tax-Free)

Combat-Related Special Compensation is a TAX-FREE monthly payment to combat-disabled retirees in addition to their full retirement pay. Replaces the dollar-for-dollar VA disability offset that historically reduced retirement pay. For combat-related disabilities (combat, hazardous

CRDP — Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) lets retirees with a VA disability rating of 50% or higher receive BOTH full retirement pay AND full VA disability compensation simultaneously — no offset. Before CRDP, every dollar of VA disability reduced retirement pay dollar-for

20-Year Active Pension — 50% High-3 Base Pay For Life

Service members who complete 20 years of active service receive a pension equal to 2.5% × years of service × highest 36 months average base pay (Legacy / High-3 system) OR 2.0% × years × High-3 (BRS system). At exactly 20 years, that's 50% (Legacy) or 40% (BRS) of average base pa

Pick a No-Income-Tax State as Your SLR (TX, FL, NV, WA, TN, NH, AK, SD, WY)

Nine states have no state income tax: Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Tennessee, New Hampshire (interest/dividends only), Alaska, South Dakota, Wyoming. As a service member you can establish State of Legal Residence (SLR) in one of these states and keep it for your entire car

TX Hazlewood Act — 150 Free Credit Hours at Texas State Schools

Texas residents who served on active duty after enlisting in Texas (or being a TX resident at enlistment), with 181+ days of service, get 150 free credit hours of tuition at any TX public university/college. Free hours can be transferred to a dependent child via the Hazlewood Leg

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemptions — Full Exemption in Top 5 States

Five states offer complete property tax elimination on a veteran's primary residence for 100% service-connected P&T (permanent and total) or TDIU ratings: Texas (full homestead exemption), Florida (full homestead exemption), Virginia (full exemption), South Carolina, and Alabama.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses — Free or Near-Free for Disabled Veterans

Most U.S. states offer free or deeply discounted hunting and fishing licenses to disabled veteran residents. Top programs: Texas (Disabled Veteran Super Combo — nearly free, covers most licenses and stamps), Florida (Military Gold Sportsman's License — free for severely disabled

ExpertVoice — Free Pro-Tier Access for Mil/Vet/Spouses

ExpertVoice is a closed-loop discount portal that gives free membership to military (active, veteran, retiree), Guard / Reserve, and military spouses. Members get verified access to deep brand pricing — typical 30–50% off MSRP on apparel, outdoor gear, electronics, fitness equipm

Microsoft HUP (Home Use Program) — Discounted Office/M365 for DoD Email

Some DoD commands and agencies enable the Microsoft Home Use Program for their personnel — giving access to discounted Microsoft 365 subscriptions or Office for home use. NOT universal — availability depends on whether your specific command's Microsoft enterprise agreement includ

Apple Education + Apple-for-Veterans Pricing

Apple offers two stacking discount tracks: Education Pricing (for active-duty enrolled in any school, military spouses, and college students) AND specific Apple-for-Veterans/Military pricing on AppleCare + select Mac/iPad bundles. Typical savings: 10–15% off devices + 20% off App

Verizon Military / T-Mobile Military / AT&T Military Plans

All three major US carriers offer dedicated military plans with substantial line discounts. Verizon: up to $25/line off (4 lines = $100/mo savings) plus free Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+) for first year. T-Mobile Magenta Military: ~$50/mo for 4 lines unlimited. AT&T Sign

Hulu — 25% Off Monthly via Military Exchange

Active duty, Guard/Reserve, veterans, and eligible dependents get approximately 25% off Hulu (With Ads) monthly via MyExchange or similar military benefit portals. Separately, GovX runs a Disney+ and Hulu bundle promo for $4.99/month for the first 3 months. Hulu is the standout e

Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC) — $349/Week Timeshare Condos Worldwide

AFVC (Armed Forces Vacation Club) is a DoD-MWR partnership program that gives military members access to unsold timeshare-resort weeks at a flat $349-$489/week per condo (sleeps 4-8). Properties span 200,000+ resorts worldwide — Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, US ski towns. Bo

Cruise Lines with Military Onboard Credit — Carnival, Royal, NCL, Princess

Major cruise lines offer military rate + onboard credit programs: Carnival ($25-$250 onboard credit), Royal Caribbean (up to $200), Norwegian (up to $50/cabin), Princess (up to $250), MSC (varies). Apply at booking via military rate code; verify with ID at check-in.

Space-A Travel — Free Worldwide Flights on DoD Aircraft

Space-Available (Space-A) travel lets eligible service members, retirees, and family members fly on DoD-funded military aircraft anywhere they're flying — to/from CONUS, OCONUS, around the world. Free or near-free (typically $20-$40 administrative fee). Six eligibility categories

Patriot Express — Direct OCONUS Commercial Charter for PCS

The Patriot Express is a DoD-contracted commercial charter that flies service members + families on PCS to OCONUS duty stations (Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy). Free for service member + accompanying authorized dependents. Departs from designated CONUS hubs (Seattle, Baltimore, et

MGM Resorts Military & Veterans Program (MVP) — Las Vegas + Beyond

MGM Resorts' Military & Veterans Program (MVP) gives eligible service members and veterans automatic Pearl loyalty tier status plus property-variable discounts on rooms, dining, shows, and attractions across MGM's Las Vegas portfolio (Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Exca

Shades of Green — DoD-Owned Resort at Walt Disney World

Shades of Green is one of three DoD-operated military resorts (others: Hale Koa in Honolulu, Dragon Hill Lodge in Korea) located ON WDW property in Orlando. Tiered pricing by rank — E1-E5 rooms can be ~$160/night vs. $400+ at comparable Disney resorts. Includes free shuttle to al

Hale Koa Resort — Free-Standing DoD Hotel on Waikiki

Hale Koa Resort is a DoD-operated beachfront resort on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu — owned by the US Army, open to all military families worldwide. Rates tiered by rank, far below comparable Waikiki properties (Hilton Hawaiian Village next door runs $400-$700/night; Hale Koa typicall

No-Fee Official Passport — Free When Required by Orders

Active-duty service members whose official orders specifically require an official passport for overseas government travel receive it at no cost — DoD covers the fee. The official passport is NOT a tourist passport and is not valid for personal travel. For leave/vacation travel,