Florida Veterans: Healthcare Facilities, Education Benefits & Job Resources

Florida serves approximately 1.4 million veterans - the second-largest veteran population in the United States. With more VA medical facilities than any other state, robust education benefits, and a booming defense industry, Florida offers exceptional resources for transitioning service members and veteran families.

This guide provides actual addresses, phone numbers, and actionable information for Florida veterans.

Bottom Line Up Front

Healthcare: Florida has 7 VA medical centers, 50+ outpatient clinics, and 6 state veterans homes - more VA facilities than any other state

Education: Yellow Ribbon schools at major universities, no state tuition waiver but in-state tuition for GI Bill users, Purple Heart tuition waiver

Employment: Massive defense contractor presence (MacDill AFB, Eglin AFB, Jacksonville NAS), strong aerospace industry, veteran hiring preference for state jobs

Veteran Population Hotspots: Broward County (120,000+), Palm Beach County (100,000+), Miami-Dade County (90,000+), Hillsborough County (85,000+)

VA Healthcare Facilities in Florida

Florida operates the most comprehensive VA healthcare network in the nation with seven major medical centers spanning the state from Pensacola to Miami.

VA Medical Centers (Full-Service Hospitals)

1. Miami VA Healthcare System (Bruce W. Carter VAMC)

Address: 1201 Northwest 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125 Phone: (305) 575-7000 Main VA number: 1-800-827-1000 Emergency Care: 24/7 emergency department

Services:

• Primary care
• Emergency department (24/7)
• Mental health services
• Surgery (general, orthopedic, cardiac)
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Dialysis
• Women's health
• Prosthetics
• Spinal cord injury
• Polytrauma care

Specialty programs:

• PTSD residential rehabilitation
• Substance abuse treatment
• Homeless veteran services
• Traumatic brain injury clinic

Outpatient clinics: 8 locations across South Florida including Key West, Homestead, Pembroke Pines

Veteran population served: 130,000+

Parking: Available on-site, free for patients

2. James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa)

Address: 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612 Phone: (813) 972-2000 Main line: 1-800-827-1000

Bed count: 500+ beds (one of the largest VA medical centers in the Southeast)

Services:

• Primary care
• Emergency department (24/7)
• Mental health services
• Surgery (all specialties)
• Cardiology and cardiac surgery
• Advanced imaging
• Radiation oncology
• Neurology and neurosurgery
• Rehabilitation services
• Polytrauma rehabilitation center (one of only 5 in the nation)
• Spinal cord injury center
• Blind rehabilitation
• Women's health

Specialty programs:

• Polytrauma care (serves entire Southeast region)
• Blind rehabilitation center
• PTSD clinical team
• Military sexual trauma counseling
• Substance abuse residential treatment

Outpatient clinics: 12 locations including Bradenton, Lakeland, Sebring, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, St. Petersburg

Veteran population served: 150,000+

Rankings: Haley Hospital consistently ranks among the top VA facilities nationally

Parking: Multiple parking garages, free for patients

3. Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville)

Address: 1601 Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 Phone: (352) 376-1611 Main line: 1-800-324-8387

Bed count: 300+ beds

Services:

• Primary care
• Emergency department
• Mental health and psychiatry
• Surgery
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Women's health
• Geriatrics
• Prosthetics

Specialty programs:

• Spinal cord injury center
• PTSD treatment
• Substance abuse programs
• Home-based primary care

Outpatient clinics: The Villages, Lecanto, Lake City, Viera, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville

Veteran population served: 120,000+ across 43 counties in North Florida and South Georgia

Academic affiliation: University of Florida College of Medicine (teaching hospital)

Parking: Available on-site

4. C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (Bay Pines)

Address: 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard, Bay Pines, FL 33744 Phone: (727) 398-6661 Main line: 1-888-820-0230

Services:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Surgery
• Cardiology
• Dialysis
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Geriatrics
• Women's health
• Rehabilitation services

Specialty programs:

• PTSD clinical team
• Homeless veteran programs
• Mental health intensive case management
• Geriatric evaluation and management

Outpatient clinics: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Bradenton, Sarasota, Lecanto, Port Charlotte, Ft. Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda

Veteran population served: 100,000+

Coverage area: West-central Florida from Brooksville to Naples

Parking: Available on-site

5. West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (Thomas H. Corey VAMC)

Address: 7305 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410 Phone: (561) 422-8262 Main line: 1-800-972-8262

Services:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Surgery
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Women's health
• Podiatry
• Optometry
• Audiology

Specialty programs:

• PTSD treatment
• Substance abuse counseling
• Telehealth services

Outpatient clinics: Delray Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Viera, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Stuart

Veteran population served: 85,000+

Coverage area: Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee counties

Parking: Free parking on-site

6. Orlando VA Medical Center

Address: 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827 Phone: (407) 631-1000 Main line: 1-800-922-7521

This is the newest and fourth-largest VA medical center in the country, opening in 2015 in Lake Nona's Medical City.

Services:

• Primary care
• Emergency department (24/7)
• Mental health services
• Surgery (state-of-the-art surgical suites)
• Advanced imaging
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Women's health
• Rehabilitation
• Geriatrics

Specialty programs:

• PTSD clinical team
• Polytrauma support clinic
• Military sexual trauma treatment
• TBI clinic
• Homeless veteran services

Outpatient clinics: Kissimmee, Clermont, The Villages, Daytona Beach, Viera, Ocoee

Veteran population served: 200,000+ (one of the fastest-growing VA populations)

Facility highlights:

• 1.2 million square feet
• 134 beds (expandable to 250+)
• Built to LEED Gold environmental standards
• Located in Medical City research corridor

Parking: Multiple parking areas, free

7. Lake City VA Medical Center

Address: 619 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, FL 32025 Phone: (386) 755-3016 Main line: 1-800-308-8387

Primary focus: Mental health, extended care, rehabilitation

Services:

• Domiciliary care (residential rehabilitation)
• Mental health residential treatment
• Substance abuse programs
• Post-traumatic stress treatment
• Outpatient primary care
• Outpatient mental health

Specialty programs:

• 60-bed domiciliary program for homeless veterans
• PTSD residential rehabilitation
• Substance abuse residential treatment
• Compensated work therapy

Veteran population served: Part of North Florida/South Georgia network

Note: Lake City specializes in residential rehabilitation and mental health rather than acute medical care. Veterans needing hospital services use Gainesville VAMC.

Parking: Available on-site

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)

Florida has 50+ VA outpatient clinics serving veterans who don't live near major medical centers. These provide primary care, mental health services, and basic specialty care.

Major CBOCs include:

South Florida:

• Key West CBOC
• Homestead CBOC
• Pembroke Pines CBOC
• Fort Lauderdale CBOC
• Delray Beach CBOC
• Boca Raton CBOC

Central Florida:

• Kissimmee CBOC
• Clermont CBOC
• Daytona Beach CBOC
• The Villages CBOC (serves massive retirement community)
• Viera CBOC

Southwest Florida:

• Naples CBOC
• Fort Myers CBOC
• Port Charlotte CBOC
• Sarasota CBOC
• Bradenton CBOC

North Florida:

• Tallahassee CBOC
• Panama City CBOC
• Pensacola CBOC
• Jacksonville CBOCs (multiple locations)
• St. Augustine CBOC

Find your nearest clinic: VA.gov/find-locations

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

Vet Centers provide free counseling for combat veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and bereaved family members. These are separate from VA medical centers and focus specifically on counseling.

Florida Vet Centers:

• Clearwater: (727) 549-3633
• Daytona Beach: (386) 366-6600
• Fort Lauderdale: (954) 356-7926
• Fort Myers: (239) 652-1861
• Gainesville: (352) 331-1408
• Jacksonville: (904) 232-3621
• Key Largo: (305) 451-0164
• Miami: (305) 859-8387
• Naples: (239) 403-2377
• Orlando: (407) 857-2800
• Palm Beach Gardens: (561) 422-1201
• Pensacola: (850) 456-5886
• Sarasota: (941) 927-8285
• St. Petersburg: (727) 893-3791
• Tallahassee: (850) 942-8810
• Tampa: (813) 228-2621

Services: PTSD counseling, substance abuse counseling, employment counseling, family counseling, bereavement counseling, military sexual trauma counseling

No appointment needed for crisis counseling

State Veterans Homes (Nursing Care)

Florida operates six state veterans homes providing skilled nursing and memory care:

1. Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: Land O' Lakes (near Tampa) Phone: (813) 558-5000 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care

2. Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: Panama City Phone: (850) 747-5401 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care, respite care

3. Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: St. Augustine Phone: (904) 829-1961 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care

4. Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: Port Charlotte Phone: (941) 613-0919 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care

5. Emory L. Bennett State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: Daytona Beach Phone: (386) 274-3460 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care

6. Robert H. Jenkins Jr. State Veterans' Nursing Home

Location: Lake City Phone: (386) 758-0600 Beds: 120 Services: Skilled nursing, memory care, Alzheimer's unit

Eligibility: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received other than dishonorable discharge. Spouses may qualify at some facilities.

Cost: Sliding scale based on income. VA aid and attendance benefits can help cover costs.

Average monthly cost: $7,000-$9,000 (without VA assistance) With VA aid and attendance: May reduce to $2,000-$4,000

How to apply: Contact facilities directly or visit FloridaVets.org

How to Enroll in VA Healthcare

Online: VA.gov/health-care/apply Phone: 1-877-222-VETS (8387) In person: Visit any VA medical center or CBOC

Documents needed:

• DD-214 (discharge paperwork)
• Social Security card
• Insurance information (if you have other coverage)

Best practice: Enroll as soon as you separate from active duty, even if you don't plan to use VA healthcare immediately. This locks in your eligibility and priority group.

Priority groups: Veterans are assigned to priority groups 1-8 based on service-connected disabilities, income, and other factors. Higher priority (lower numbers) get faster access to care.

Education Benefits for Florida Veterans

No State Tuition Waiver

Important: Unlike some states (Alabama, Texas, Illinois), Florida does not offer free state tuition for disabled veterans or their dependents through a state program.

However, Florida offers other valuable education benefits:

C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program

Eligibility:

• Honorably discharged veteran
• Physically reside in Florida while enrolled
• Enrolled at state university, Florida College System institution, charter technical career center, or career center

Benefit: Waiver of out-of-state tuition and fees

This means veterans pay in-state tuition rates regardless of how long they've lived in Florida.

Also covers:

• Spouses and dependent children using GI Bill benefits

This removes a major financial barrier for veterans relocating to Florida for school.

Example savings (University of Florida):

• Out-of-state tuition: $28,658/year
• In-state tuition: $6,381/year
• Savings: $22,277/year

Purple Heart Tuition Waiver

Eligibility: Florida residents who are Purple Heart recipients

Benefit: Waiver of undergraduate-level tuition at state universities, community colleges, and career/technical training facilities

Covers: Tuition for combat-related decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart as well

How to apply: Submit DD-214 showing Purple Heart award to your institution's veterans services office

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)

Eligibility:

• Dependent children of veterans who died from service-connected disability
• Dependent children of veterans who are 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled
• Spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes or are 100% P&T

Benefit: Scholarship for tuition and fees at Florida public or private postsecondary institutions

Award amount: Varies by institution; typically covers tuition and fees

Application: Through Florida Department of Education

Website: FloridaStudentFinancialAidSG.org

Post-9/11 GI Bill - Yellow Ribbon Schools

Many Florida schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible veterans even if costs exceed the GI Bill's annual cap.

University of Florida (Gainesville)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited slots, unlimited contribution Result: Full tuition coverage for eligible veterans (in-state and out-of-state) BAH rate: ~$1,650/month (Gainesville area) Veteran enrollment: 1,500+ student veterans

Contact: Office for Veterans Services Phone: (352) 294-2948 Website: veterans.ufl.edu

Academic strengths: Top 5 public university nationally, strong engineering, business, healthcare programs

University of Central Florida (Orlando)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited slots for eligible veterans Benefit: Full tuition coverage BAH rate: ~$1,800/month (Orlando area) Veteran enrollment: 3,000+ student veterans (one of the largest in the nation)

Contact: Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC) Phone: (407) 823-2568 Website: veterans.ucf.edu

Academic strengths: Engineering, computer science, hospitality, optics/photonics

University of South Florida (Tampa)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited graduate slots, limited undergraduate Benefit: Full tuition coverage for eligible students BAH rate: ~$1,800/month (Tampa area) Veteran enrollment: 2,500+ student veterans

Contact: Office of Veteran Success Phone: (813) 974-2291 Website: usf.edu/veterans

Florida State University (Tallahassee)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited undergraduate and graduate slots Benefit: Full tuition coverage BAH rate: ~$1,400/month (Tallahassee area) Veteran enrollment: 1,500+ student veterans

Contact: Veterans Center Phone: (850) 644-4389 Website: veterans.fsu.edu

Distance learning: FSU offers strong online programs with Yellow Ribbon for distance learners

Florida International University (Miami)

Yellow Ribbon: Limited slots, generous contribution Benefit: Covers out-of-state tuition gap BAH rate: ~$2,100/month (Miami area - highest in Florida) Veteran enrollment: 1,200+ student veterans

Contact: Veterans and Military Affairs Phone: (305) 348-2838

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited slots for qualified veterans Benefit: Full tuition coverage BAH rate: ~$1,500/month Veteran enrollment: 1,500+ (very veteran-friendly)

Academic focus: Aviation, aerospace engineering, unmanned systems, space operations

Contact: Veterans Certification Office Phone: (386) 226-6969

Note: Private university with strong military/veteran culture

Top GI Bill Schools in Florida (by Veteran Enrollment)

1. University of Central Florida (Orlando) - 3,000+ veterans
2. University of South Florida (Tampa) - 2,500+
3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - 1,500+
4. University of Florida (Gainesville) - 1,500+
5. Florida State University (Tallahassee) - 1,500+
6. Florida International University (Miami) - 1,200+
7. University of West Florida (Pensacola) - 1,000+
8. Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton) - 900+
9. University of North Florida (Jacksonville) - 800+
10. Keiser University (multiple campuses) - 750+

Florida Community Colleges (Low-Cost Options)

Florida's 28 state colleges offer affordable education options with GI Bill coverage:

Popular options:

• Miami Dade College (largest in Florida)
• Valencia College (Orlando area)
• Broward College (Fort Lauderdale area)
• Hillsborough Community College (Tampa)
• St. Petersburg College
• Palm Beach State College
• Polk State College

Typical cost with GI Bill: $0 out-of-pocket (GI Bill covers tuition + BAH)

Transfer pathways: All Florida state colleges have guaranteed admission agreements with state universities for AA graduates

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)

Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disabilities of 10% or higher

Benefit: Up to 48 months of education/training benefits beyond GI Bill

Covers:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and supplies
• Housing stipend
• Employment counseling
• Job placement assistance

How to apply: VA.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation

Apprenticeship Programs

Use GI Bill benefits for registered apprenticeships in skilled trades:

High-demand fields in Florida:

• HVAC technician
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Welding
• Industrial maintenance
• Information technology
• Nursing

GI Bill coverage: Monthly housing allowance while working (starts at 100% of BAH, decreases over time as wages increase)

Contact: Florida Department of Education, Division of Career and Adult Education

Employment Resources for Florida Veterans

State Hiring Preference

Florida law provides employment preference to veterans applying for state government positions.

Who qualifies:

• Honorably discharged veterans
• Spouses of veterans who have service-connected total and permanent disabilities
• Spouses of veterans missing in action, captured in line of duty, or forcibly detained

How it works: Veterans who meet minimum qualifications receive preference over non-veterans in hiring and retention

Where to apply: People First (Florida's job portal)

State of Florida employs 100,000+ people across all agencies

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Employment Services

Employment Services Team Phone: (727) 319-7400 Website: FloridaVets.org

Services:

• Resume preparation
• Employment goals assessment
• Job matching with veteran-friendly employers
• Career counseling
• Skills translation (military to civilian)

CareerSource Florida (State Workforce System)

CareerSource Florida centers throughout the state provide priority services to veterans:

• Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists
• Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER)
• Interview preparation
• Resume writing assistance
• Job and training referrals
• Assistance to homeless veterans

Find your local CareerSource center: FloridaJobs.org

Employ Florida Vets: State's online jobs portal to match veterans with employers

Phone: (850) 245-7424

Major Employers Hiring Veterans in Florida

Defense Contractors

MacDill Air Force Base Area (Tampa)

Major contractors:

• L3Harris Technologies
• Raytheon Technologies
• Lockheed Martin
• General Dynamics
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• CACI
• SAIC

Mission focus: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

Typical roles: Intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, program management, logistics, communications

Eglin Air Force Base Area (Panhandle)

Major contractors:

• Lockheed Martin (F-35 program)
• Boeing
• Raytheon
• L3Harris
• Northrop Grumman
• BAE Systems

Mission focus: Air Force test and evaluation, weapons development

Typical roles: Engineering, test and evaluation, program management, logistics

Tyndall Air Force Base (Panama City)

Focus: F-22 and F-35 training

Contractors: Multiple defense contractors supporting fighter training operations

NAS Jacksonville

Mission: Master jet base, P-8 Poseidon operations, helicopter squadrons

Major employers: Boeing (P-8 support), various defense contractors

Aerospace and Aviation

Blue Origin (Cape Canaveral) Typical roles: Aerospace engineering, manufacturing, launch operations

SpaceX (Cape Canaveral) Typical roles: Engineering, manufacturing, launch operations, mission control

Lockheed Martin Space (multiple Florida locations) Typical roles: Satellite systems, space operations

Boeing (Kennedy Space Center, other locations) Typical roles: Space systems, engineering

Embraer (Melbourne) Typical roles: Aircraft engineering, manufacturing

Healthcare (VA and Private)

Veterans Health Administration (seven medical centers + clinics) Hiring: Nurses, physicians, therapists, administrative staff, IT professionals

HCA Healthcare (largest healthcare employer in Florida) AdventHealth (Central Florida) Baptist Health (Jacksonville, South Florida) Cleveland Clinic Florida Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville)

Healthcare employers actively recruit veterans, especially with military medical training

Logistics and Transportation

Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Port of Miami Port of Tampa Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT)

All major ports hire veterans for logistics, security, operations roles

CSX Transportation (railroad) FedEx (hub at Miami International Airport) UPS (multiple distribution centers) Amazon (30+ fulfillment centers statewide)

Technology

Lockheed Martin (Orlando - simulation/training systems) Harris Corporation (Melbourne - RF communications) Tech Data (Clearwater) Various cybersecurity firms (especially near military installations)

Hospitality and Tourism

Walt Disney World (Orlando) - 75,000+ employees, active veteran recruiting Universal Orlando Resort SeaWorld Parks Marriott International Hilton Worldwide

Veterans Heroes Work Here - Disney's veteran hiring program

SkillBridge Programs

Florida hosts numerous SkillBridge partnerships allowing active-duty service members to train with employers during their final 180 days of service.

Major SkillBridge partners in Florida:

• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin
• JPMorgan Chase
• Amazon
• Disney
• Microsoft
• Oracle
• Many others

Find programs: SkillBridge.osd.mil

Veteran Entrepreneurship

Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program

Services:

• Business plan development
• Mentorship from successful veteran business owners
• Access to capital and financing information
• Networking opportunities

Phone: (727) 319-7400 Website: VeteransFlorida.org

Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Free consulting for veteran entrepreneurs at locations throughout Florida

Federal Employment

Major federal employers in Florida:

• Department of Defense (military installations)
• Veterans Health Administration
• Department of Homeland Security (CBP, TSA, Coast Guard)
• NASA (Kennedy Space Center)
• National Park Service
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• U.S. Marshals Service

Veterans' preference applies to federal hiring

Where to apply: USAJobs.gov (filter for veterans' preference eligible positions)

Support Services

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

VSOs provide free assistance with VA claims, appeals, and benefits navigation.

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Headquarters: 11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K, Largo, FL 33778 Phone: (727) 319-7400 Website: FloridaVets.org

Services: VA claims assistance, benefits counseling, state benefits information, employment services, education counseling

County Veterans Service Officers: Available in all 67 Florida counties

Find your county VSO: FloridaVets.org

Major VSO chapters in Florida:

• American Legion - 200+ posts
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - 300+ posts
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - 75+ chapters
• Vietnam Veterans of America - 50+ chapters
• AMVETS - 60+ posts
• Military Order of the Purple Heart - 25+ chapters

Homeless Veteran Programs

VA Homeless Programs Hotline: 1-877-424-3838

Grant and Per Diem Program: Transitional housing in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and other cities

HUD-VASH: Housing vouchers paired with VA case management - available statewide

Stand Down Events: Annual events in multiple cities providing services, clothing, medical care, benefits assistance

Homeless veteran population in Florida: ~2,000 (down significantly from previous years due to aggressive outreach)

Mental Health Resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1 (24/7) Text: 838255 Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net

All seven VA medical centers provide mental health services including:

• PTSD treatment
• Depression and anxiety treatment
• Substance abuse programs
• Military sexual trauma counseling
• Suicide prevention
• Family counseling

Vet Centers (16 locations statewide) provide specialized readjustment counseling - see list above

Legal Assistance

Florida Bar Military and Veterans Legal Assistance Project

Free legal services for qualifying veterans and military families

Phone: (850) 561-5600 (Florida Bar referral)

Services:

• Discharge upgrades
• VA benefits appeals
• Veterans court representation
• Family law
• Housing issues

Bay Area Legal Services (Tampa Bay area) Legal Aid Society (various Florida locations)

Both offer veteran-specific legal assistance programs

County and Regional Veteran Resources

Broward County (Fort Lauderdale Metro)

• Veteran population: 120,000+ (largest county by raw numbers)
• VA facilities: Fort Lauderdale CBOC, Pembroke Pines CBOC
• Closest VAMC: Miami (30 miles south)
• Major employers: Port Everglades, defense contractors, healthcare

County Veterans Service Office: (954) 357-4944

Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach Metro)

• Veteran population: 100,000+
• VA Medical Center: West Palm Beach VAMC
• VA Clinics: Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Pierce
• Major employers: Healthcare, aerospace (Pratt & Whitney), technology

County Veterans Service Office: (561) 616-6775

Miami-Dade County (Miami Metro)

• Veteran population: 90,000+
• VA Medical Center: Miami VAMC (Bruce W. Carter)
• VA Clinics: Homestead, Key West
• Major employers: Port of Miami, healthcare, aviation, cruise lines

County Veterans Service Office: (305) 375-4714

Hillsborough County (Tampa Metro)

• Veteran population: 85,000+
• VA Medical Center: James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (largest in Southeast)
• Military installations: MacDill Air Force Base
• Major employers: Defense contractors, VA, healthcare, finance

County Veterans Service Office: (813) 272-6200

Orange County (Orlando Metro)

• Veteran population: 75,000+
• VA Medical Center: Orlando VAMC (newest, fourth-largest in nation)
• VA Clinics: Kissimmee, Clermont, Ocoee
• Major employers: Disney, Universal, Lockheed Martin, EA Sports, defense contractors

County Veterans Service Office: (407) 836-4065

Duval County (Jacksonville Metro)

• Veteran population: 70,000+
• VA Clinics: Multiple Jacksonville CBOCs
• Closest VAMC: Gainesville (75 miles)
• Military installations: NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport
• Major employers: Navy, Boeing, defense contractors, CSX, healthcare

County Veterans Service Office: (904) 255-5890

Key Takeaways

Florida offers outstanding veteran support:

1. Healthcare access is unmatched - 7 VA medical centers, 50+ clinics, more facilities than any other state
2. Education benefits are solid - In-state tuition for all veterans using GI Bill, Purple Heart tuition waiver, strong Yellow Ribbon programs
3. Employment opportunities are robust - Massive defense contractor presence, strong aerospace industry, veteran hiring preference
4. Support infrastructure is comprehensive - VSOs in every county, 16 Vet Centers, extensive homeless veteran programs

Action items:

1. Enroll in VA healthcare immediately upon arrival (even if you have other insurance)
2. Connect with your county veterans service officer to file claims
3. Research SkillBridge opportunities if you're still active duty
4. Apply for in-state tuition waivers if using GI Bill
5. Target defense contractors near military installations for employment

Florida's veteran population of 1.4 million creates a strong community and ensures the state maintains robust support services.

Resources

• Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs: (727) 319-7400 | FloridaVets.org
• Find VA Facilities: VA.gov/find-locations
• CareerSource Florida: FloridaJobs.org | (850) 245-7424
• GI Bill School Comparison: VA.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool
• Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1 | Text 838255
• County Veterans Service Offices: FloridaVets.org/contact-us/county-veterans-service-offices

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Information current as of January 2025. Contact facilities directly to verify hours, services, and eligibility requirements.