Jim Absher

Jim Absher, Military.com's benefits editor and columnist, joined the Navy to see the world and later realized the world is 2/3 water. He also worked for the VA in field offices and Washington, DC before coming to Military.com in 2015.

Email: jim.absher@monster.com

Latest Articles

Free Tax Preparation and Assistance Available

Don't pay to pay your taxes.

Senior Master Sgt. Paul Tangen visits marine.

Nursing Home Care From The VA

VA provides nursing home services to vets through three programs. Each one has specific admission and eligibility criteria.

Airman Dalton Shank, 5th Bomb Wing public affairs specialist, reads pamphlets on the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., on March 10, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alyssa M. Akers)

GI Bill Users Must Now Verify Their School Attendance to Get Paid

The new rule affects more than 550,000 veterans every month.

Illinois State Veteran Benefits

The state of Illinois provides several veteran benefits. This page explains them.

California State Veteran Benefits

The state of California provides several veteran benefits This page explains some of them.

Nebraska State Veteran Benefits

The state of Nebraska provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.

South Carolina State Veteran Benefits

The state of South Carolina provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.

An obstetrician confers with a female patient.

Tricare Cost Co-Pay Schedule

These tables show cost-shares or copayments and annual deductibles for families who use Tricare

SCRA Rental and Eviction Protection

The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protects your dependents from being evicted while you're serving your country

More Education Equals More Federal Pay

Getting a degree can increase your income, especially when it comes to getting a Federal job.

VA Health Care Eligibility

Since VA funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to ensure certain groups of Veterans get treatment before others

2022 VA Disability Payment Schedule

Use our schedule to plan your finances for the upcoming year.

The Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor recipients are given special privileges and benefits.

Medal of Honor Means Benefits for Life

The Medal of Honor comes with more than a Medal. The highest U.S. Military award offers benefits that last a lifetime.

Get Free Tax Preparation and Assistance

Free tax prep software, filing, and free tax advice is available to almost all active duty members, their families, retirees...

Military News

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

Thank you for subscribing!

View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.

One last step.

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:

Most Popular Military News

Airman palletizes ammunition, weapons and equipment bound for Ukraine

8,500 US Troops Put on Alert for Possible Deployment as Ukraine Crisis Deepens

The alert order was issued to units now in the U.S. that would be part of a NATO force if the alliance decides to activate a...

Army: Man Who Breached Gate, Tried to Ram Police Shot Dead

The shooting happened early when the man drove toward Fort Knox police officers after initially fleeing from them.

U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mr. Mark Takano

House Approves Bill to Automatically Enroll Vets in VA Health Care

Supporters of the bill touted it as a common sense measure that will help ease the transition to civilian life.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transits the Philippine Sea

F-35 Crash Off Carl Vinson Is the Ship's 5th Major Mishap in 2 Months

The accident left seven sailors injured while the pilot safely ejected and was later recovered.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Gierke and Pfc. Zachary W. Riffle

Details Emerge in Deadly Rollover Crash that Led to Charges Against Driver as Marines Identify Victims

The Marine Corps identified the two Marines who lost their lives as Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke and Pfc. Zachary Riffle.

National Guardsman stands guard along the Rio Grande

More than 1,000 Guard Troops Got the Wrong Pay on Border Mission

The pay issues range from soldiers being shortchanged, sometimes by thousands of dollars, to minor discrepancies.

Latest Military Videos

US State: 'No Daylight' Between Allies on Russia

The United States' State Department says there is "no daylight" when it comes to Western allies dealing with Russia...

Pentagon Puts 8,500 Troops on 'Heightened Alert'

At President Joe Biden's direction, the Pentagon is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment...

US Troops Load Up Weapons, Ammunition for Ukraine

U.S. airmen at bases in California and Delaware load up military weaponry and supplies to aid Ukraine as tensions...

Army News

National Guard member holds up a sign at a coronavirus testing site

National Guard Sees Troops Reupping Despite COVID, Hard Year

Only two states — Ohio and California — did not make or exceed their retention goals for the Army Guard.

U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman

Capitol Police Officer Who Steered Mob Away from Senators Credits Army Training

Eugene Goodman has been hailed as a hero since a reporter posted video of him facing down rioters who had stormed the Capitol...

U.S. Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, U.S. Special Operations Command

Head of Special Operations Command Tests Positive for COVID-19

Gen. Richard Clarke, who oversees the special operations forces of all the military branches, is working remotely and...

Navy News

Sailors prepare COVID-19 vaccine booster shots aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Navy Boots 23 Sailors For Refusing Vaccines as Leaders Push Rule Changes for Next Stage of Pandemic

The latest batch of sailors brings the total number separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine to 45.

Naval Special Warfare Group 2 conducts military dive operations

Navy Seals Stop Training in State Parks as Locals Sue Over 'War Games'

Navy SEALs have conducted cold water training and other special operations exercises in the state's coastal parks for more...

Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations

Drastic Cuts to Recruiting, Moves and New Ship Delays Are Inevitable Without a Budget, Navy Says

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday warned a CR would mean cutting the number of new recruits for the service to 23...

Air Force News

U.S. Airmen and U.S. Marines guide Afghan evacuees aboard a C-17 Globemaster

After 5 Months, No Answers from the Air Force on Afghans Who Died Clinging to a Kabul Evacuation Flight

A spokeswoman for the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations said that "details cannot be released at this time,"...

This photo provided by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces shows Islamic State group fighters.

US-Backed Fighters Chase ISIS Gunmen Near Prison in Syria

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the U.S. used airstrikes to support the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Soldiers participate in a mass reenlistment on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

35 Incredible Photos from a Chaotic Year for the US Military

From the nation’s capital to Afghanistan, service members were asked to defend America, Americans and American ideals around...

Marine Corps News

Details Emerge in Deadly Rollover Crash that Led to Charges Against Driver as Marines Identify Victims

The Marine Corps identified the two Marines who lost their lives as Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke and Pfc. Zachary Riffle.

R. Lee Ermey gives an "Oorah" to Marines and sailors aboard the USS Iwo Jima in the Persian Gulf during a Moral, Welfare and Recreation event in 2008. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

5 Little-Known Facts About R. Lee Ermey, the Military’s Favorite Gunny

Ermey didn’t go right into acting and if it weren’t for his Marine Corps-level determination, we might never know him at all...

Alec Baldwin performs emcee duties at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala

Alec Baldwin Sued for Defamation by Family of Slain Marine

The widow and two sisters of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan are suing Alec Baldwin.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Searches for 39 Missing People After Capsized Boat Found near Florida

A good Samaritan called the Coast Guard early Tuesday after rescuing a man clinging to the boat.

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter crew arrive at a cruise ship.

Pilot, Passenger Presumed Dead in Louisiana Helicopter Crash

The Coast Guard coordinated the dispatch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a special-purpose shallow water boat to...

U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) transits the Taiwan Strait

On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do

Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there...