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

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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.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Team “Thunderbirds” flyover the Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Super Bowl was against the Kansas City Chief and the San Francisco 49ers. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Breanna Klemm)

‘High Stress, High Stakes’: Behind-The-Scenes Look at Super Bowl Flyover

“Celebrating America 250 and Super Bowl 60, we wanted to go big and really have that majestical display of air power for...

An enlisted soldier's rank insignia on a uniform jacket.

Why Some Disabled Veterans Can't Get Both VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay

Military service members planning medical retirement face a critical decision point at the 20-year mark.

"Mino" Ohye salutes during a party at the West Sacramento VFW. (Submitted)

Veteran Who Served for Both Japanese and US Forces Turns 100

"Mino" Ohye, who pulled off quite a rare feat during his military service, celebrated his 100 birthday on Thursday in West...

U.S. Air Force Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, prepares for takeoff during his fini-flight in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6, 2023. Colón-López was a career pararescueman, served more than 32 years active duty and was the first SEAC in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

How Former SEAC Ramón Colón-López Is Redefining Leadership After Service

After serving as the nation’s top enlisted leader, Ramón “CZ” Colón-López explains what real leadership requires—and why his...

James Anderson, Jr., USMC, Posthumous Medal of Honor Recipient. (Wikimedia Commons)

This 20-Year-Old Sacrificed His Life and Became the First Black Marine Medal of Honor Recipient

Every February, Black History Month shines a light on Americans whose contributions shaped the nation. One belongs to Pfc...

Latest Military Videos

Ukraine POWs Return as Part of Prisoner Exchange with Russia

Ukraine POWs return as part of prisoner exchange with Russia.

US Strikes Another Alleged Drug-Trafficking Boat in Eastern Pacific

US strikes another alleged drug-trafficking boat in Eastern Pacific.

Taiwan President Says US Ties 'Rock Solid' After Trump-Xi Call

Taiwan president says US ties 'rock solid' after Trump-Xi call.

Palestinians Recount 'Suffering' of Return to Gaza Through Rafah Crossing

Palestinians recount 'suffering' of return to Gaza through Rafah crossing and its checkpoints.

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...

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...

Army News

Tolles Career & Technical Center, Plain City, Ohio. (Facebook)

Veterans Fueling Central Ohio’s Tech Boom Through Teaching

Veterans Bill Pencil and Brian Parks never thought they would teach high school kids after they left the service, but they're...

Pvt. Brian Jones Jr., 24, pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to one count of unpremeditated murder and will serve his 20-year sentence at the U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (Fort Rucker Public Affairs Office)

Army Soldier Begins 20-Year Sentence After Killing Comrade in Barracks

"We can only hope that today’s outcome is the first step in allowing Pvt. Latifu’s family to begin to heal,” an official told...

Navy News

Veterans Fueling Central Ohio’s Tech Boom Through Teaching

Veterans Bill Pencil and Brian Parks never thought they would teach high school kids after they left the service, but they're...

An armed U.S. Navy LTV A-7E Corsair II from Attack Squadron VA-94 Shrikes is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during "Operation Praying Mantis" on 18 April 1988 in the Persian Gulf. (Wikimedia Commons)

Operation Praying Mantis: That Time America Decimated Iran's Navy

On April 18, 1988, the U.S. Navy destroyed two Iranian oil platforms, sunk one frigate and a missile boat, crippled a second...

Air Force News

Recruits in swim masks line up in the water to start a timed test.

Ask Stew: Swim Portion of the Air Force Special Warfare Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

The process of taking and performing well on a swimming test in the military requires technique first, conditioning second...

Air and Marine Operations pilots with U.S. Customs and Border Protection conduct security flights in AS350 A-Star and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. in support of Super Bowl LIX, on February 3, 2026. (CBP Photo by Jeff Underwood)

Guarding the Skies: NORAD Defends Airspace Before, During & After Super Bowl

"Just like the players are practicing and training for the game, we're practicing and preparing for our execution in the...

Space Force News

U.S. Space Force Capt. Erin Davis, 1st Range Operations Squadron range operations commander, maintains situational awareness inside the Morrell Operations Center during support for the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-78 mission, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Nov. 20, 2025. The Starlink 6-78 mission marks the 100th launch from the Eastern Range this year. The MOC supports every space launch from CCSFS and Kennedy Space Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen)

US Space Force Turns 6: Has It Met Expectations?

The U.S. Space Force marked its sixth anniversary in December, reflecting a shift from stand-up to sustained operations as...

Space Force basic training candidates undergo inspection.

Space Force Education Programs: What Guardians Need to Know

The Space Force offers guardians multiple education pathways, from automatic enrollment in the Community College of the Air...

Marine Corps News

M50 Ontos during Operation Franklin accompanying 1st and 2d Battalion, 7th Marines in Quang Ngai Province. (Wikimedia Commons)

The M50 Ontos: The Ugly Marine Corps Tank-Hunter That Helped Win the Battle of Hue

By late 1967, the M50 Ontos was just about phased out of military service. The Army had rejected it back in 1953, calling it...