Jim Absher

Jim Absher is Military.com's former benefits editor and columnist. He joined the Navy to see the world and later realized the world is two-thirds water. He also worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in field offices and Washington, D.C. before coming to Military.com in 2015.

Latest Articles

A woman holds a military discharge paper.

Understanding the Types of Military Discharge

A military discharge is when a service member is released from their military service obligations. More than 200,000 U.S...

Soldiers return from a 11 month long deployment in Kosovo.

Military Permanent Change of Station PCS Overview

The government will reimburse many costs associated with a PCS move. Here is an overview of what you can expect.

Future airmen take the oath of enlistment.

Everything You Need to Know About the Military Draft

What is the military draft and Selective Service? Here’s everything you need to know.

Airman & Son Place Flag on Veteran's Grave

When You Die, VA Will Provide a Free Grave Marker

The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world.

Military PCS Allowances

If you PCS, the government will either provide you transportation between duty stations or will reimburse your travel.

A housekeeper hangs clean towels at the General John K. Cannon Hotel.

PCS Spotlight: Temporary Lodging Allowances

Temporary lodging reimbursement will help to pay some of your expenses while occupying temporary quarters during a PCS move.

Ship Your Household Goods During a PCS Move

The government will ship your household goods when you are transferred to a new permanent duty station.

Ask the Right Questions Before Choosing a School

Deciding whether a school is right for you requires asking smart questions. This guide will help you become a smart consumer.

Social security card indicating retirement income

Can Veterans Get Social Security?

You can get both Social Security benefits and military retirement.

In a silhouette appearing mostly black and gray, an airman walks away from the camera while tossing a wrench in the air.

Air Force Tuition Assistance

The Air Force pays Tuition Assistance for up to 100% of the cost of college courses.

Your 2025 State Veteran Benefits

There are great federal benefits offered to veterans. Did you know there are also state-specific veteran benefits? Find out...

Why You Should Get a Veterans Designation on Your Driver's License

Most states offer a free veteran's designation on their driver's licenses, and if you want to get your full benefits as a...

The chest and arms of a soldier in a camouflage uniform, one hand holding a pen, appear poised over a textbook and note paper.

Army Tuition Assistance

The Army's Tuition Assistance (TA) benefit pays up to 100% of educational expenses for college courses.

Shundra Johnson returns a wedding ring to her husband Coast Guard Lt. Sancho Johnson after his seated discus practice Navy’s wounded warrior training camp. Shundra is also her husband’s caregiver. (DoD News photo by EJ Hersom)

What Benefits Are You Eligible For as a Spouse of a Disabled Veteran?

Spouses of disabled veterans are eligible for many benefits, but getting them can be difficult. We make it easy with this...

U.S. military retirees listen to guest speaker Mark E. Overberg, the Army Retirement Services director, as part of the Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, Retiree Appreciation Day, Sept. 30, 2023. (Chad Menegay/Army)

Hearing Aids for Military Retirees

DoD and VA offer programs to help military retirees get hearing aids.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

Caisson Detachment, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment

Army Disbanding Most Ceremonial Horse Units

The Army will begin phasing out five horse-mounted ceremonial units stationed at Fort Irwin, California; Fort Huachuca...

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Troops will be granted short-term shaving exemptions if they require it, but will be removed from the service if they are on...

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The Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 Deals for Service Members, Veterans and Military Families

Amazon Prime Day 2025 runs from Tuesday, July 8, through Friday, July 11 - twice as long as what it has been in previous...

Latest Military Videos

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Investigations and Features

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Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

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A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

The sign at the Henry Gate entrance of Fort Riley, Kansas.

A Chinese-Owned Company Owns Farmland near Fort Riley. Federal Officials Think That's Bad

The White House and top officials this week rolled out a plan aimed at limiting foreign ownership of farm and ranch land.

Senate hearing on the midair collision involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter

Families of Those Killed in Black Hawk Collision with Jet Want More 'Openness, Compassion' from Army

A letter addressed to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll calls on the service to communicate directly with the families in the wake...

Navy News

Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly aboard the USS Antietam

Pentagon Withdraws Admiral's Nomination to Lead Pacific Fleet Amid Renewed Attention on Drag Shows

The Pentagon has confirmed reports it has pulled Navy Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly from promotion and a new job overseeing the...

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Adm. Stephen Koehler, who oversees the largest naval fleet command in the world, gave assurances Friday in a Manila forum of...

Air Force News

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein

Outgoing Air Force Recruiting Commander Says Service Is on 'Solid Ground' After Pandemic Slump

The head of the Department of the Air Force's recruiting efforts, who has overseen the service's turnaround from missing its...

The gate of the Auschwitz I Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland

Air Force Academy Cadets Visit World War II Concentration Camps

The students were part of a cohort of 25 U.S. service academy cadets and midshipmen who participated in the Auschwitz Jewish...

Space Force News

Oath of Enlistment at Joint Base Andrews

Air Force and Space Force Hit Recruiting Goals 3 Months Early, Following Other Service Branches

The Air Force and Space Force announced they had hit their recruiting targets shortly after the Navy and the Army had reached...

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Space Force May Have its Biggest Media Moment Yet with Disney-Pixar's 'Elio'

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Marine Corps News

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Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Selects 'Proven' Command Master Chief for Top Enlisted Position

Command Master Chief Phillip Waldron will serve as the 15th senior enlisted adviser to the Coast Guard commandant.

Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB 30) makes way in the Straits of Mackinaw just west of the Mackinac Bridge

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Great Lakes groups, like the Lake Carriers Association, have spent the better part of two decades advocating for funding a...