There are numerous benefits to marrying someone in the armed forces. While your spouse is away on duty, these arrangements are intended to ease the burden on you and ensure both of you are taken care of.
There are many benefits, like opportunities for education and employment, available to military spouses despite the many challenges they face. The service or marriage may qualify you for some of these benefits, but you may have to seek out others actively. These twelve advantages are available to military spouses.
1. Pride In Accompanying One’s Hero
soldier fammily re-union
Yes! The list includes many heartwarming things, but this one tops them all. After years of service to our country, our husbands welcome us home with open arms and hearts. Having a role model is invaluable, and having one who is also my idol is like striking gold while wearing a uniform.
2. The Widest Network of Friends
When you’re a military spouse, you learn to make friends quickly and meet people from every corner of the globe. Making new friends will be an opportunity for you and your partner at each base where you are posted.
3. World Travel for Military Spouses
It will surely be a great adventure for you if you’re a travel freak. Certainly, moving between cities, states, and countries frequently can be overwhelming. However, military spouses have the benefit of traveling around the world. U.S. military bases are found all over the world, allowing you to see places few people have the chance to visit.
4. The Benefits of Military Recreation
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A significant aspect of base life is Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR). In many cases, the government subsidizes MWR’s on-base programs, making them more cost-effective. On every base, MWR manages gyms, a swimming pool, horse stables, recreation centers, golf courses, and more. Youth programs offered by MWR on many bases include dance lessons, athletic teams, and social groups. For information about the services available at your local MWR office, you can reach out to them.
When visiting off-base sites or theme parks, the ITT (Information, Tickets, and Tours) station on the base is the first place you should go. Almost every military base has an ITT office. Tickets are available at a military discount and can be used for local attractions, sporting shows, and events. Discounts are also accessible for other parks nationwide, so if you’re planning a longer trip, you can easily take advantage of them.
5. Counseling for Couples and Families Is Available
Military and Family Life Counseling is the official name of this program. Their help is excellent, and your counseling sessions remain private until you ask them to be included. They’re not into taking notes and are fine with meeting you somewhere else if that’s more convenient for you.
Locate your nearest Fleet & Family Service Center. Topics include employment, health, recreation, family-friendly activities, and more.
6. Job Hiring Preferences
Military spouses are given preference when applying for certain federal job positions through the military spouse hiring preference program. To receive spouse hiring preference, an applicant must have relocated due to PCS orders, possess professional qualifications for the federal job, and request it when applying.
In addition, the spouse of one of the participants is not guaranteed to get a job through the program. Moreover, it cannot be utilized to apply for jobs outside of the public sector.
7. Grants available from MyCAA
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The My CAA Scholarship Program is one of the most helpful resources for military spouses. Through the MyCAA Program, spouses of active-duty military personnel can receive up to $4,000. This money can be used toward the cost of obtaining a professional license, certification, or associate degree.
Members of the Guard and Reserve, as well as the spouses and dependents of active-duty troops in pay grades E-1 through E-5 and O-1 through O-2, are welcome to apply. If their spouse is currently serving under Title 10 military orders, then they are eligible to apply for this program.
8. Financial Security Regarding Health Care Expenses
Active-duty servicemen and their families can enroll in Tricare, the military’s health insurance program. All members of the family have access to a wide range of medical services, including preventative care, mental health care, pharmaceuticals, and vision and dental care. Health insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays are all different for each plan.
9. Dependents’ medical coverage for active duty service members (FSGLI)
Spouses of active-duty service members can enroll in Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, which offers up to $100,000 in coverage for as little as 45 cents for every $10,000 in protection. The spouse’s SGLI coverage cannot exceed the servicemember’s own. Further, parents can pay for up to $10,000 in medical costs for their children under the age of 18. The Military Personnel Office is your best resource for enrollment details.
10. Benefits for heirs of Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients
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Spouses and children of veterans who have served for at least the minimum required time can inherit their Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. A retired service member’s spouse has 15 years to use their GI Bill benefits. Up until they turn 26, children are eligible for benefits. Children may also qualify for supplementary benefits, such as housing allowances paid every month. Additional resources are available through the Education Office and Veterans Affairs Office on your base.
11. Housing Benefits For Military Personnel
U.S. military personnel are also qualified for a basic allowance for housing (BAH). It is a portion of service members’ pay that is given to them together with their spouses as a way to cover most or all of their housing costs. When your spouse is posted somewhere without you, the military will cover your living expenses somewhere else during the absence of your partner.
12. Military Spouse Support Program
Military spouses already face unique challenges due to their frequent relocations. The Military Spouse Preference program gives spouses of active-duty service members priority hiring for civilian positions inside the Department of Defense. Learn more at https://www.militaryverification.com/.
