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1014 articles to help with your military transition
Expert guides covering VA disability claims, C&P exam preparation, military-to-civilian career transitions, retirement planning, state veteran benefits, and more. Written for active duty service members, reservists, and retirees navigating life after the military. Browse by category or search for topics specific to your transition.
The VA OIG flagged systemic cases of appeals closed administratively without notifying the veteran — meaning your clock may be running on an appeal you think is still alive. How to check your real appeal status in 10 minutes, the warning signs, and exactly what to do if yours was affected.
Veterans start businesses at higher rates than civilians but face predictable pitfalls. Here are the most common veteran entrepreneur mistakes and how to avoid them before they cost you.
VA loans have significant advantages — no down payment, no PMI — but they're not always the better choice. Here's how to compare VA and conventional loans for your specific situation.
Some states make license transfers fast and nearly seamless for military spouses. Here's which states lead on military spouse licensing accommodations and why it matters for your PCS decisions.
Military life creates unique financial emergencies — PCS costs, deployment disruptions, gap periods at separation. Here's how to size and store your emergency fund for military-specific needs.
When you leave the military for a civilian job, you'll likely encounter a 401(k). Here's how it compares to TSP on fees, investment options, matching, and flexibility.
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BAH rates change annually and can increase or decrease. Here's how DoD sets BAH rates, what the rate protection rules are, and how to plan for rate changes.
Going through MEB/PEB doesn't automatically give you your VA rating. Here's how military medical separation and VA disability claims interact — and how to protect your benefits.
VBOCs provide free business training, counseling, and mentoring to veteran entrepreneurs. Here's what they offer, where to find one, and how to use them effectively.
Separating from the military changes your banking situation significantly. Here's what to do with your accounts, direct deposit, and financial setup during transition.
Starting the license transfer process before your PCS — not after — is the key to working sooner. Here's a step-by-step approach that applies to most licensed professions.
If you've been targeted by a predatory lender or had your MLA rights violated, here's exactly how to file complaints and what happens after you do.
Withdrawing from TSP before age 59½ typically triggers a 10% penalty plus income taxes. Here are the legitimate exceptions and strategies to access your TSP without the penalty.
BAH timing during a PCS can leave gaps where you're paying for housing before your allowance kicks in. Here's how to navigate housing costs during a move.
The documents you collect before your Medical Evaluation Board determine what conditions are evaluated and how strong your case is. Here's exactly what to gather and why.
Leverage SkillBridge to gain civilian internship experience while still in military. Step-by-step guide to applying, selecting programs, and maximizing the benefit.
The DoD SkillBridge partner directory has 3,000+ approved companies. Most are noise. Here's the top-tier list by industry — defense, big tech, finance, federal contractors, logistics, healthcare, trades — with verified hire rates where available.
Branch-specific regulations, time-in-service requirements, and approval-authority levels for DoD SkillBridge — Army MILPER 25-116, Navy NAVADMIN 064/23, USMC MARADMIN 280/24, AFI 36-2671, USCG COMDTINST 1040.7A. What to present, who approves, and why commands deny.
Your full active-duty pay continues during SkillBridge — DoDI 1322.29 forbids the host company from paying you. Here's exactly how base pay, BAH, BAS, and special pays work during the 180-day internship, with FY2026 rates and the special-pays-that-stop list.
Three different DoD programs that veterans confuse constantly. SkillBridge gets you a civilian job tryout. Branch CSP is the regulatory framework that authorizes it. DoD COOL pays for civilian certifications. Side-by-side comparison + branch-specific URLs.