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

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.

Veteran in wheelchair looking at laptop with wife

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits help with paying for in–home care, assisted living or a nursing home.

Two small figures of Army soldiers in a barren, rocky desert walk toward a mountain range in the distance.

Combat Veteran Health Care Eligibility

The VA offers special health care eligibility to combat veterans.

A soldier salutes during a graveside service for Anthony La Rossa in Farmingdale, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Will VA Pay for Your Funeral? The Answer May Surprise You

If you think living is expensive, try dying.

A pair of hands work at some math with a calculator, highlighters, and post-it notes scattered around.

Tutorial Assistance with the GI Bill

The VA's tutorial assistance program is available to help student veterans who struggle academically.

GI Bill Will Pay for Work-Study Jobs that Help Veterans

If you're enrolled 3/4 time or more in college or a training program, you can earn while you learn with the VA's work-study...

female computer programmer in front of monitor

GI Bill Benefits for Vocational and Technical Training

The Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill will pay for non-college degree programs such as technical and vocational...

A soldier uses a computer in college. (Courtesy photo)

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

If you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in VEAP, your contributions are matched on a $2...

Air Force Reserve plane awaits postflight inspection

Reserve and Guard Montgomery GI Bill

Read this guide to understand the GI Bill benefits available for Selected Reserve servicemembers.

GI Bill Correspondence Training

The GI Bill will pay you to take correspondence classes.

Sign by the main gate at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Ft. Worth, formerly Carswell AFB, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Reserve Education Benefits User's Guide

The federal government offers several educational assistance programs that may be of benefit to military reservists and...

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

The Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, D.C.

VA Crisis Line Employees Among Those Fired Amid Federal Workforce Purge

Of the 1,000 employees fired last week from the Department of Veterans Affairs, some were employees who had worked for the...

Director of Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought

What's in Store for VA Disability Benefits with New Office of Management and Budget Chief?

New OMB Director Russell Vought has contributed to two conservative playbooks that advocate for the revamping of veterans'...

(Photos courtesy of Steve Moore, illustration by Hrisanthi Pickett)

Fort Moore Was Named After My Parents. A Letter Mom Wrote Shows Why It Shouldn’t Go Back to Benning

My Dad was a commander in the Vietnam War. My Mom changed how the military cares for widows.

A Comprehensive Look at DOGE's Firings and Layoffs So Far

Thousands of federal government employees have been shown the door in the first month of President Donald Trump's...

Paul Lawrence, President Donald Trump's pick to be deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs

Nominee for VA Deputy Role Questioned by Senate over Firings, Elon Musk Access to Veterans' Info

Paul Lawrence served as the VA under secretary for benefits during the first Trump presidency.

Elon Musk at the Future Investment Initiative institute Priority Summit

At Pentagon, Elon Musk Is Preparing to Access Department Systems

A defense official who was granted anonymity to speak candidly on the matter said that members of the Department of...

Latest Military Videos

Freed Israeli Hostage Returns Home to Jerusalem

Recently released Israeli hostage Karina Ariev waved from a car to crowds welcoming her as she was transported home...

Russian Spacecraft Carrying Military ‘Devices’ Blasts off From Northern Cosmodrome

The Russian Defence Ministry released on Wednesday footage showing a Soyuz spacecraft blasting off from Russia's northern cosmodrome in...

Soldiers From El Salvador Join U.N.-Backed Mission in Haiti as U.S Pulls Funding

A military contingent from El Salvador arrived in Haiti on Tuesday to bolster a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan...

U.S. Aid Freeze Puts at Risk Ukraine’s Wartime Help for Frontline Evacuees

In what used to be this Ukraine town’s concert hall, cots are arranged on the stage and instead of...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

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

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize protecting the institution, keep parents in the dark while officials formulate a public relations response.

Army News

Calif. Army Vet Admits to Killing Kindergartner who Vanished on Walk to School

A U.S. Army veteran has admitted to killing a kindergartner on her walk to school. Robert John Lanoue, 72, who pleaded guilty...

The United States Depository for gold reserves stands in Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 1974.

What to Know About Fort Knox's Gold Depository

President Donald Trump says Elon Musk will be looking at Fort Knox, the legendary depository in Kentucky for American gold...

Navy News

USS Truman Commander Fired After Collision with Merchant Ship near Suez Canal

Capt. Dave Snowden was relieved for "loss of confidence in his ability to command" by Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, the commander of...

The federal courthouse in downtown San Diego

Navy Captains Imprisoned in 'Fat Leonard' Scandal Seek Details of Government Misconduct

While government attorneys have admitted in court and in written filings to “serious issues” regarding government misconduct...

Air Force News

Veteran, Employee at Robins Air Force Base Sues After Service Dog Request Was Denied

An aircraft technician for the Robins Air Force Base in Houston County is suing the agency, alleging his superiors...

Air Force One kicks up snow as it lands with President Trump aboard

Trump Says He's Considering Buying Used Planes to Serve as Air Force One Amid Boeing Delays

Boeing has the contract to produce updated versions, but delivery has been delayed while the aircraft maker has lost billions...

Space Force News

An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 1 a.m. Pacific Time, Feb. 19, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base

Malmstrom Airmen Participate in Unarmed Minuteman III ICBM Launch at California Base

Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base were among a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command personnel who launched an...

Space Force Brig. Gen. Kristin L. Lanzenhagen, right, talks with moderator Walt Jackim

Ready for 156 Space Coast Launches This Year, Space Force Targets Bottlenecks

The Space Force is prepped to support an average of 13 launches of month from the Space Coast in 2025, but it’s a juggling...

Marine Corps News

Soldier surveys an area that is popular for border crossing near Laredo

Military's Border Mission Now Includes Coordinated Patrols with Mexican Counterparts

The joint effort underscores the Trump administration's push to have an aggressive posture on the border, a part of a key...

John Vick was named executive director of Concerned Veterans for America

New Concerned Veterans for America Director to Lead Group's Effort to Expand Priorities

The 14-year old group, affiliated with Americans for Prosperity, is seeking to expand its influence in a Republican majority...

Coast Guard News

The SS United States is towed down the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from Philadelphia

Historic Ocean Liner Departs Philadelphia on Voyage to Become the World's Largest Artificial Reef

The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world’s largest artificial reef departed from...

U.S. Coast Guard C-130 Hercules crew prepares for an expulsion flight

Data Breach Prompts Coast Guard to Take Personnel and Pay System Offline

The system will be down until at least Feb. 19 while the service investigates a hacking incident, officials said.