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Featured image for the Military Star Card, showing a person in military uniform using the Military Star Card

Everything You Need to Know About the Military Star Card

Many people decide to enter the US Armed Forces for the many benefits offered to Servicemembers. Military personnel and Veterans have access to such perks as VA-backed and insured home loans, preferential recreation and vacation benefits, education, and healthcare. Many people join the military for financial reasons, as the military offers secure employment, financial perks, and assistance for financial hardships. The Military Star Card is an option for those in the military who want to rebuild damaged credit or apply for their first credit card without an existing credit history. Read on to learn more. What Is the Military Star Card? The Military Star Card is a credit card available to military members, their families, and other qualified groups, administered by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). It can be used both online and in person in military exchanges, such as ShopMyExchange.com, MyNavyExchange.com, and ShopCGX.com. This applies to purchases such as commissaries, food courts, and online stores. Recently, the card has expanded its offerings to include allowing purchases in areas other than military installations. It is part of the Exchange Credit Program, as part of a Department of Defense nonappropriated fund. This program was

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Featured image for Washington State Veteran benefits: Washington State Disabled Veteran License Plate, Washington State Park Pass for Veterans, Washington State Veteran Tuition Waiver, Washington State Soldiers Home and VA Health Care Facilities (e.g. Spokane VA Hospital)

Washington State Veteran Benefits

Disabled Veteran Benefits, Washington State Soldiers Home, Washington State Parks Lifetime Pass and more The residents of the state of Washington who made the decision to join the US Armed Forces in service to the country have the benefit of a wide variety of state-level benefits available to them. Veterans and Servicemembers nationwide all have access to the federal benefits awarded to military personnel through the Veterans Administration, but many states, such as Washington, opt to give their military residents in-state programs as well. Washington State benefits, administered through the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, operate such programs as the VA hospitals in Washington State, the Veterans Homes Washington State Program, the Seattle Veterans Affairs offices, the Washington State Veterans Cemetery system, and the Washington State Soldiers Homes for those needing specialized care. Servicemembers in Washington may also take advantage of the disabled Veteran property tax exemption Washington State benefits and the Washington State disabled Veteran license plate programs, among many others. Washington Veteran Financial Benefits Washington State Veteran benefits include many programs that work with federal programs to provide financial assistance to struggling military families. Like many states, the Seattle Veterans Affairs Office administers

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Featured image for Alabama Veteran benefits: Alabama Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemptions, Alabama Disabled Veteran License Plate, Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship, Veterans Homes in Alabama and Alabama Lifetime Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

Alabama Veteran Benefits

Tax Exemptions for Veterans, Veterans Homes in Alabama, Lifetime Fishing License and more The state of Alabama recognizes the importance of the volunteers of the US military and looks to give back to its residents who serve in a variety of ways. While the federal government, through the Veterans Administration, offers Servicemembers several benefits and programs, individual states such as Alabama also offer state-level programs for their Veteran residents. Some of these programs and Alabama Veteran benefits include the Alabama disabled Veteran property tax, the Alabama disabled Veteran license plate, VA hospitals in Alabama, the Veterans homes in Alabama, and the Alabama VA education benefits. Alabama Veteran Financial Benefits The percentage of Alabama residents facing financial struggles is higher than in other areas of the country, and this is particularly high among Alabama Veterans. For this reason, the Alabama Veteran benefits system, administered by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, offers several financial programs, including Alabama disabled Veteran benefits, to work in partnership with federal programs to ease financial burdens for military Servicemembers and their families. Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans In Alabama, disabled Veterans with a 100% disability rating or those over 65 are eligible

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Featured image for Illinois Veteran benefits: Illinois MIA POW Scholarship, Illinois Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans, VA Health Care Facilities (e.g. Hines VA Hospital Illinois), Illinois Veterans Homes, Illinois Veterans' Grant

Illinois Veteran Benefits

Illinois Veterans’ Grant, Tax Exemptions for Veterans, Illinois Veterans Homes and more The military is an important part of maintaining our country’s defense and freedoms. The federal government shows its appreciation to the men and women of the US Armed Forces in the form of several benefits given to Servicemembers and their families, and individual states maintain their own programs as well. State-level Veteran benefits are a significant source of assistance for Veterans and their families, supplementing federal benefits. The state of Illinois shows its appreciation to its military residents in various ways, through state-level Illinois Veteran benefits. Some of these programs include the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers federal programs within the state, the Illinois Veterans Grant educational program, the Illinois Veterans home system, the disabled Veteran benefits in Illinois, the Illinois property tax exemptions for Veterans, and the Veterans cemeteries in Illinois. Learn more below. Illinois Veteran Financial Benefits Many Servicemembers and Veterans face financial hardships during the course of their military service, and the Illinois Veteran benefits system offers several programs to help offset these issues. Many of these programs, including the state income tax exemptions for Veterans, work in tandem

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Featured image for Tennessee Veteran benefits: County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax, TN STRONG Act, VA Health Care Facilities (e.g. VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare), Homes for Heroes Tennessee and Veteran Camping Discount

Tennessee Veteran Benefits

Tennessee STRONG Act, Homes for Heroes Tennessee, Veteran Camping Discount and more It is no secret that there are a wide variety of perks and benefits available to members of the US Armed Forces, both current Servicemembers and Veterans. The federal government provides benefits available to all personnel on a national level, but individual states also offer their benefits to their residents who currently serve or have previously served in the US military. The state of Tennessee offers many such benefits to its citizens. The disabled Veteran property tax exemption Tennessee program, the TN Strong Act, the Tennessee Veterans Home system, the Tennessee VA hospital system, and the Veterans Administration Nashville Tennessee location are all part of the Tennessee Veteran benefits network. Read on to learn more. Tennessee Veteran Financial Benefits In addition to the numerous federal financial aid and benefits programs available to Servicemembers, the Tennessee Veterans Benefits System also offers a wide array of in-state financial programs. Many of these are specifically aimed at helping disabled Veterans through specific Tennessee disabled Veteran benefits programs. Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption The Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Tennessee Program is a program designed to provide property

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Featured image for Michigan Veteran benefits: Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Michigan Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans, Michigan State Park Pass for Veterans, VA Health Care Facilities and Cars for Veterans Michigan

Michigan Veteran Benefits

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Cars for Veterans, Michigan State Park Pass and more The members of the US Armed Forces are a select and appreciated group of men and women, dedicated to service in the defense of the country on an entirely voluntary basis. As a show of gratitude for their determination and sacrifice, the nation and individual states operate programs aimed at easing the various burdens many Servicemembers face, especially with healthcare, finances, and education. The state of Michigan certainly appreciates its Veterans, and Michigan Vets have access to several Michigan Veteran benefits on top of the federal benefits offered by the Veterans Administration (VA). Some of these include the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, the Michigan Veterans Home System, Michigan Disabled Veteran Benefits, and the Cars for Veterans Michigan program. These are only just a few of such programs for Michigan Vets. Michigan Veteran Financial Benefits Servicemembers quite often find themselves facing many financial burdens during their time of service, as well as afterwards, regarding housing, taxes, and relocation expenses associated with deployment. In addition to federal financial benefits, the Michigan Veterans Benefits program offers some of the following services. Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans

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Featured image for Ohio Veteran benefits: Ohio Heroes Program, Ohio Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption, Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, Ohio Veterans Homes, Veteran Camping Discount

Ohio Veteran Benefits

Ohio Heroes Program, Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, Veteran Camping Discount and more As a nation, America understands the sacrifices and struggles of its Servicemembers. Because the military is entirely voluntary, the decision to serve in defense of the country is profound and not without its struggles. Military families often face hardships related to constant relocations, financial burdens not always offset by military programs, and the difficulties that come with having a family member deployed on active duty. Likewise, individual states also recognize the issues facing their residents who serve in the military, which is why every state in the Union looks to offer their own programs and benefits to its Servicemembers and Veterans in addition to the programs offered by the federal government through the Veterans Administration (VA). Ohio is one such state, and Ohio Veteran benefits are numerous, including Ohio disabled Veteran benefits, the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, Ohio income tax exemption for Veterans, Veterans cemeteries in Ohio and the Ohio Military Injury Relief Fund. Read on to learn more. Ohio Veteran Financial Benefits There are many financial perks offered as part of the Ohio Veteran benefits program, in addition to federal programs. These programs

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Featured image for Army Thrift Savings Plan, showing a piggy bank and money on a table with a flag of the United States in the background

Army Thrift Savings Plan: A Complete Guide to TSP for Military Members

Those who joined the military with the intention of making it a career often begin to think about retirement after the first few years in the service. The military offers various retirement options for Servicemembers and Veterans, many of which are standard across the various branches of the Armed Forces. However, within the branch of the army, Servicemembers have the option of taking part in the Army Thrift Savings Plan. This is a blended savings and investment plan that offers many of the same types of benefits and tax breaks that private corporations provide through their own 401(k) plans. It is sponsored by the federal government and FDIC insured, making it an attractive option for army personnel planning for retirement. What Is the Army Thrift Savings Plan? The Army Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is an investment and retirement savings plan for federal government employees and other uniform service members. This type of plan also includes the Ready Reserve. This program offers tax-deferred or tax-free savings options that are similar in practice to a corporate 401(k). Its purpose is to provide a retirement plan for those who qualify, and it is designed to supplement other retirement benefits,

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Featured image for Miliary Financial Advice, showing a bundle of dollar bills, military ID tags and a US army patch on camouflage background

Essential Military Financial Advice to Secure Your Future

Many people have questions about financial security when it comes time to plan out your financial future. Most people receive advice to open a savings and checking account and contribute to a retirement fund, but what other valuable financial tips should they follow? Many who are in the military also have specific financial needs, and military financial advice sometimes differs from conventional wisdom. Read on to learn more about the importance of good military financial advice and military budgeting. Introduction to Military Financial Advice Financial planning is important to everyone, especially military personnel. The type of military financial advice and military budgeting commonly given to Servicemembers might be different from good advice for civilians. Effective financial strategies can enhance long-term financial stability, particularly for individuals deployed for extended periods. For example, while it is true that the Veterans Administration has several programs for military families in need of financial assistance with moving or loans, it is always a good idea to have an emergency fund on hand for quick cash if needed in emergencies. For the Servicemember who might be on deployment overseas and is not married, some good military financial advice is to declare a trusted

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Featured image for Veteran Jobs, showing a Veteran leading a group meeting in a community center

Veteran Jobs: Top Career Opportunities for Military Veterans

Military personnel and Veterans returning from service have many options available to them for employment in the civilian workforce. Many see military service as a good way to receive post-secondary vocational training and education when they otherwise would not have been able to afford it. Many jobs in the military transfer well to civilian service, including opportunities for disabled Veterans. Read on to learn more about programs and resources, as well as federal jobs for Veterans seeking employment after their military service. Career and Employment Resources for Veterans There are many programs available specifically aimed at assisting Veterans to find employment once they leave the military. Many of these include government initiatives, support programs, online programs, and other resources through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition to these programs, the GI Bill, which you can read more about at this link, also offers educational opportunities in conjunction with these Veteran jobs programs. Here are some of the programs offered to those looking for Veteran jobs: VA for Vets: There are many VA careers for Vets within the Veterans Administration itself, and preferential treatment for some jobs is often given to former Servicemembers who apply. Employment

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