Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Is a Disabled Veteran Eligible to Shop on Base?

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A MilitaryShoppers reader recently asked if a disabled veteran was allowed to shop at the commissary. That’s a good question.

You would think the answer should be yes, a disabled veteran can shop at the commissary but it isn’t that simple.

There are a variety of categories of people who are allowed access to the commissary and unfortunately, being a disabled veteran does not automatically grant you shopping privileges.

The guidelines are clear — a disabled veteran must be 100% disabled to have those privileges. There are other categories the disabled veteran may fall under though that would allow him/her to use the commissary. We’ve gathered all the information below to help you determine who is eligible to shop on base.

Who is eligible to shop at the commissary?

Uniformed Personnel: this includes all military branches, the USPHS Commissioned Corps., the NOAA Commissioned Corps, members of the Reserve Components and cadets and midshipmen of the Military Service academies.

Retired Service Members: There are different categories of retired personnel that are entitled to commissary privileges:

All personnel carried on the official retired lists (Active and Reserve Components) of the uniformed services who are retired with pay, granted retirement pay for physical disability, or entitled to retirement pay whether or not such pay is waived or pending due to age requirement; or enlisted personnel transferred to the Fleet Reserve of the Navy and the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, after 20 or more years of active service.

Officers and crews of vessels, lighthouse keepers, and depot keepers of the former Lighthouse Service who retired.

Retired wage marine personnel, including retired noncommissioned ships officers, and crew members of vessels of NOAA and its predecessors (the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Environmental Science Services Administration).”

Medal of Honor Recipients:  All Medal of Honor recipients are granted commissary privileges.

100% Disabled Veterans: Honorably discharged veterans that have 100% service-connected disability or a 100% unemployability as classified by the Department of Veterans Affairs are able to shop at the commissary.

This unfortunately means if you are a 99% or less disabled veteran, you don’t qualify.

Authorized Family Members including dependent children, lawful spouse, former un-remarried spouse, surviving spouse, surviving family member and surviving spouses and dependents of veterans that were honorably discharged posthumously determined to have 100% service connected disability have shopping privileges.

DoD Civilian Employees Stationed Outside the United States and their families can use the commissary.

Official DoD and Military Services Organizations and Activities: Any official DoD organization can use the commissary.

Involuntarily Separated Uniformed Personnel: Any service member that is involuntarily separated from active duty, as long as it is not for adverse reasons, can shop at the commissary for 2 years from the time of separation. A Select Reserve that is involuntarily separated also has a 2-year grace period to use the commissary.

Service Members Who Receive Sole Survivorship Discharge are granted commissary privileges for 2 years after the date of separation or after 2 years from when they were notified they had that privilege.

Hospitalized Veterans: Honorably discharged veterans can use the commissary when they are hospitalized in a location that also has a commissary. Note that this does not include veterans getting outpatient treatment.

DeCA Employees: DeCA personnel can purchase items for personal consumption during working hours to be consumed during breaks.

DoD Presidentially Appointed, Senate-Confirmed (PAS) Officers.

American National Red Cross (ARC) Personnel: They may be granted shopping privileges by an installation commander.

United Service Organizations (USO): USO leaders and their families who are assigned to overseas can use the commissary.

There are a few more exceptions to overseas commissaries. You might be surprised that DeCA does not decide who can shop at the commissary. The government decides based on the compensation status the service member or their family receives.

You can stop by the Pass and ID office if you think you should be able to shop on base but did not find a category here that you fit under. They have information on military benefits and issue ID cards.

They can also supply a visitor’s pass for a guest to join you on base. If you have commissary privileges, you are allowed to bring a visitor to the commissary, but they are not able to make any purchases.

While this is a lot of information, to answer the reader’s question if a disabled veteran can shop on base, the answer is only if they are a 100% disabled veteran or if they fall under any other category.

How do you feel about the requirement that a disabled veteran be 100% disabled to shop at the commissary? Do you think a disabled veteran of any percent should be allowed to shop on base?

Do you have a question about the commissary? We’d love to answer it. Please post your question in the comments section.

How to Score a Military Discount on Your Hotel Room

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Military discounts are wonderful when traveling during the holiday season. Whether you’re taking a road trip with friends, flying in to see family or heading to a resort for a weekend getaway, don’t forget to ask for a military discount when booking your hotel room.

Here are 10 hotels and resorts that offer military discounts.

Best Western offers 10% off their best price for active and retired military and their families. You can book your hotel over the phone, through their website or in person. You need to show your military ID at check-in.

Choice Hotels guarantees discounts on both one- and two-person rates at more than 2,700 of their hotels. Active duty and retired military personnel can use the discount as well as their dependents.

Hilton Hotels and Resorts offers a military discount at more than 540 hotels and resorts in 78 countries. These are available to active duty service members as well as retirees and their families. You can access military rates here.

Hampton by Hilton offers a military discount to active duty, reserve, retirees and family members. You can find a participating hotel here. You will need your military ID at check-in.

La Quinta gives 12% off to military families and also offers a free hot breakfast. Dogs stay for free as well.  La Quinta has a special military program called La Quinta Returns Military Rewards™  that give military families extra benefits including 2 free nights a year.

La Quinta is also part of Hotels for Heroes, where individuals can donate their rewards points and the company will match it. These points are given to Fisher House Foundation which in turn is able to provide free accommodations for families of injured service members who are receiving treatment at medical centers where there isn’t a Fisher House nearby.

Hotels for Heroes also partners with these hotels: AmericInn, Best Western, Choice Hotels, Hilton, Marriott and Wyndham.

InterContinental Hotels Group includes InterContinental Hotels and Resorts as well as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Candlewood Suites to name a few.

There are 39 IHG Army Hotels on Army posts across America as well. They all offer military discounts to active and retired military as well as family members. You simply need to show your ID at check in.

Marriott has more than 4,000 locations around the world. Military families are eligible for a special discount; all you have to do is show your ID when you check in.

Wyndham offers up to 20% off the best available rate to all service members, veterans and their families. If making a reservation online, you need to click the verify with troop ID button to confirm that you are affiliated with the military. Then you will be redirected to the Wyndham site that has the military discount code. From there you can make your reservations.

Starwood Hotels offers a military discount to anyone with a valid military ID. You can make reservations over the phone or online.

Receiving a military discount on your hotel room may be as simple as asking for one. By choosing one of the hotels noted above, you know you are going to get a good military discount.

If you find a different hotel that doesn’t specifically list a military discount, call the hotel and ask for a military discount. They might not offer one, but it doesn’t hurt to ask and asking might just save you a few dollars.

Did we miss any hotels that offer a military discount? Please let us know about their discount and who can use it in the comments section.

How Tricare’s Pharmacy Provider Change Impacts Your Prescriptions

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On December 1, 2016, Tricare removed CVS, including CVS inside Target, from the Tricare retail pharmacy network and added Walgreens and Kroger.

That means that if you currently fill your prescription at CVS, you will need to move your prescription to another network pharmacy or pay full price for that medication.

You have options when it comes to filling a prescription. If you are one of the numerous beneficiaries that need to move your prescription, consider these options when switching.

Military Pharmacies

You can have your prescription filled at a military treatment facility. There is no change to military pharmacies at this time. Medication can to be filled at military treatment facilities free of charge. Call the closest one to you to see if they have the medication you need on hand.

Civilian Pharmacies

If you choose to fill prescriptions out in town, Tricare recommends Walmart, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Kroger as the largest pharmacies with the ability to obtain specialty medication. There are more than 58,000 retail pharmacies in network. This includes other national chains as well as pharmacies in grocery stores and independent pharmacies that you can fill your prescriptions at.

TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery

If you have maintenance medications, medicine that you take regularly, it is free to use the Tricare pharmacy home delivery system. You can order prescriptions online, over the phone or through the mail.

Even if you choose to have an initial prescription filled at a military treatment facility, you can still have the refills sent through Tricare home delivery.

A patient care advocate will contact your doctor if you need help getting your prescription transferred. Through Tricare pharmacy home delivery, you will receive a 90-day supply of your medication. Tricare recommends that you have 30 days of medicine before ordering to ensure there is plenty of time to get you properly put into the system and that the medication arrives before you run out.

Ordering your medication through Tricare pharmacy home delivery has many benefits including: automatic refills, free delivery, free generics and the option to talk to a pharmacist at any time.

Saving money is another benefit. As of February 2016, generic medications carry a $30 retail network co-payment, while home delivery does not have one at all. Formulary brand medications filled at retail network pharmacies have a $72 copay as opposed to $20 through Tricare home delivery. Non-formulary medications could cost you $150 at a retail network pharmacy, but would only be $49 through home delivery. These prices reflect a 3-month supply of medication.

Getting Reimbursed When Using Non-Network Pharmacies

If you choose to fill your prescription at a non-network pharmacy, you will be required to pay the entire price of the medication up-front. You then file a claim to get a reimbursement. The amount you get back however depends on your status and Tricare plan.

Active duty service members will receive complete reimbursement.

Dependents on Tricare Prime will get 50% of the cost share back.

Those on any other Tricare plans can expect to pay $24 or 20% of the cost, whichever one is higher, for formulary drugs. This is only after you have met your annual deductible.

If you are filling a non-formulary prescription, you will pay $50 or 20% of the cost, whichever is higher, after meeting your annual deductible.

Claims must be filed within one year of filling the prescription at a non-network pharmacy. Through Tricare’s website, you can access the Patient’s Request for Medial Payment (DD Form 2642), which you will need to fill out and mail in.

How to Transfer Your Prescription

Transferring your prescription is easy. You simply take your prescription bottles to a new pharmacy and have them call your previous pharmacy or you can call a new pharmacy and ask them to contact your old pharmacy.

Another option is to contact your doctor and ask them to send a prescription to your new pharmacy. You can also call Tricare home delivery (855-778-1417) to see if they carry your medication and then have it delivered to you.

Final Key Points to Know

There are no other changes to the Tricare Retail Network. If you do not currently fill your prescriptions at CVS, including CVS inside Target, then you do not need to change anything with your prescriptions. There is no change to Tricare copays.

There is no grace period. If you fill a prescription at CVS after December 1, 2016, you will pay for the entire medication and then need to fill out a reimbursement form.

To learn more about Tricare’s changes to the pharmacy provider list, click here.

Military Discounts for When Your Service Member Is Deployed

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Have you looked into military discounts and freebies for deployment items? I love free and discounted things. As yet another deployment looms shortly ahead for my service member, I, at least, have some of these military discounts to look forward to.

Here is a list of 11 military discounts and freebies you should consider while your spouse is deployed.

Create a Free Welcome Home Sign with Build a Sign

Build a Sign offers the option of 1 free welcome home vinyl banner, jumbo card or yard sign to present to your loved one at the end of their deployment. You only have to pay for shipping.

They suggest ordering 8 weeks before you need it, but you can choose a quicker shipping option. Expedited shipping costs more.

Free Lawn Care and Snow Removal for Military Spouses

Project EverGreen offers free lawn and landscape services and snow and ice removal for military spouses while their service member is on deployment.

I signed up for this service when my husband deployed after moving to an area where it snows. Being from the South, I’ve never shoveled snow. I was relieved to find local people and lawn care companies registered with the EverGreen Project to help me while my service member was on deployment.

Smile for a Free Family Portrait with HeartsApart

HeartsApart.org brings photographers from around the country together to provide service members with photography sessions, free of charge, with their families prior to deployment. The service member receives a portrait that is printed on a waterproof bi-folded card that can fit in his or her uniform pocket. Their family receives a DVD with the photos from the entire session with reproduction rights.

The program has recently increased to provide photos of newborn babies that are born when their father is on deployment.

Operation Love Reunited Captures Your Homecoming Kiss

Operation Love Reunited offers free photo sessions for military families worldwide when the service member will be on deployment for 4 months or more. Options include pre-deployment and mid-deployment sessions, homecoming photos and fallen loved ones sessions.

Two photo sessions are allowed per deployment. Pre-deployment photo sessions require the service member to be photographed in uniform. Fifteen prints will be shipped directly overseas.

Homecoming photos are taken at the time the military spouse and service member are reunited to capture the raw emotion of being reunited. Fifteen photos will be provided digitally.

Daddy Dolls Offers Comfort to Military Children During Deployments

Daddy Dolls started as comfort pillows for children with fathers on deployment. The front of the pillow is a picture of the service member. What makes Daddy Dolls unique is that the pillow is shaped like a person and the photo is full size to the pillow.

Many of my friends had them for their children and recommended Daddy Dolls to me. I bought one for our son during the last deployment and he has carried it all over town with him.

While there isn’t a specific military discount for these now, you can find discount codes online. They have also expanded their product selection and now offer items with similar sentiment.

Record a Bedtime Story with A Story Before Bed

A Story Before Bed is a wonderful website that allows deployed, or soon to be deployed, service members record a children’s book online with audio and video for free. A wonderful element to this is children can listen to the recording repeatedly on iPad, iPhone, Mac or PC.

Our Military Kids Pays Activity Costs for National Guard Children

This is a nonprofit organization that helps children between kindergarten and 12th grade that have at least one parent in the National Guard and Reserves on deployment. They offer grants to cover the cost of activities that could help children facing stress while their parent is away. The grants cover the cost of athletic fees, fine arts and tutoring programs. It is not available to children of active-duty parents.

Ask for a Military Discount on Your Auto Insurance

Active-duty service members can receive military discounts on auto insurance during deployment. USAA offers up to 60 percent off auto insurance if you choose to store your vehicle during deployment.

GEICO offers up to 15 percent military discount. Check with your insurance carrier to see if it offers a military discount during your service member’s deployment.

Interest Rates May Be Lowered to 6 Percent

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, you can request all interest rates and fees that you have paid on credit cards, mortgages, student loans and other loans be lowered to 6 percent per year.

Freeze Your Service Member’s Cell Phone Account

Many cell phone companies will lover your bill or even freeze your account for the period that a service member is deployed and not using the phone. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, those with at least 90-day orders to an area that does not have cell phone service can cancel their contract without penalty.

Ask Your Bank to Waive Fees

Many banks will lower or even completely waive fees while on deployment. USAA does not charge fees on credit card balance transfers or on convenience checks. Check with your bank to see if they will lower the APR on transactions.

Did we miss any military discounts on deployment items? Please tell us in the comments section.

8 Apps for Military Coupons

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Military coupons are in abundance if you know where to look. There are amazing apps for your phone full of military coupons and best of all, they’re free.

Here is a list of our favorite military coupon apps.

SCOUT Military Discounts

Looking for a large amount of military coupons in one place? Then SCOUT Military Discounts is the app you want. It has thousands of military coupons and discounts.

Not only does it have great military coupons, but it also has unique features that set it apart from other apps. These include USO locations, military-friendly charities and lists of freebies on Veterans Day.

Commissary Rewards App

Have you signed up for the Commissary Rewards Card?

Once you have, download the Commissary Rewards App and log in. With the Commissary Rewards App, you can clip military coupons on the go with just the tap of your finger.

There is a huge selection of military coupons in the app. When you check out, just scan your Commissary Rewards Card.

Military Cost Cutters

Military Cost Cutters brings together military-friendly businesses and veterans. The app was created by veterans for the military community. Through this app, you can search for military-friendly businesses and find military coupons and discounts.

Some of the perks of this app include: having a QR code scanning function, being able to search any location for specials, upload any military coupons or discounts you find and rate businesses.

They also have a rewards program where you can receive deals from businesses that you have shopped with.

Shop Savvy

The Shop Savvy app is the ultimate shopping partner. Not only does it have great military coupons, deals and specials, but you can also get cash back after shopping.

A great feature is the option to scan barcodes to compare prices from one store to another. If you’re a frugal shopper, you can set price drop alerts for a particular item so you’ll know when the best deal is available.

You can make your shopping list and do all of your shopping right in the app.

Discount Soldier

Discount Soldier is another great app for military coupons and discounts. It is a community where military families share military coupons and discounts they find.

Members of Discount Soldier can add discounts they find right to the app. This app has no in-app purchases to slow you down. They have a great website as well.

Ibotta: Cash Back App

Ibotta is an extremely popular cash back app. They have great deals ranging from clothing stores and craft stores to grocery stores, and don’t forget about military coupons.

The key feature of Ibotta is rebates. All you have to do is scan your receipts with your camera phone and when you’re ready to collect the rebates, they will pay you through PayPal or through a gift card.

To potentially earn more, you can shop with friends to unlock group discounts.

Pro-tip: Ibotta works with commissary receipts.

Checkout 51

If you can’t find a military coupon for something you’ve had your eye on, perhaps you can get cash back with Checkout 51. They give cash back from brand names. Every Thursday new offers are added to the list. You can purchase these products anywhere and then take a picture of your receipt to get cash back.

They will mail you a check when your rebate totals $20.  This app is also available in Spanish.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is an award-winning app and one of our favorites.

If there is a promo code, military coupon or discount available, RetailMeNot will have it.

With this one app you won’t have to search for a promotion code when purchasing products online or cut coupons at home. Simply type in the name of the business you are shopping at and it will show you the coupons available for it, both in store and online.

There are more than 50,000 retailers and thousands of restaurants with discounts and offers in RetailMeNot. Use the map that shows specials near you or set alerts for your favorite shops to see more deals.

These are our favorite apps for military coupons and discounts.

What apps do you use for military coupons?

Your Guide to Your Tricare Vision Benefits

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Did you know that Tricare offers vision benefits? If you have been avoiding having your eyes examined because you thought it would cost too much or you didn’t know what Tricare covered, this article is for you. We laid out the Tricare vision benefits for you.

Your Guide to Your Tricare Vision Benefits

What are your questions regarding Tricare vision benefits?

Tricare vision benefits vary based on your status: active duty, reservist, retired, military spouse or child of active duty, reservist or retired service member. Depending on the type of Tricare plan you have also makes a difference: Tricare Standard, Tricare Prime, Tricare Remote or Tricare for Life. Once you know which Tricare program you fall under, you can easily see what your options are.

What’s covered by Tricare?

Eye Exams

For the most part, Tricare covers routine eye exams. Those on active duty can have as many eye exams as needed to make sure they are fit to continue working.

The families of active duty service members can have an eye exam conducted once a year.

All other Tricare Prime beneficiaries are covered for an eye exam every 2 years. This includes retirees and their families. If however, the patient has diabetes, they can have their eyes examined once a year.

Tricare has a benefit called Well-child Care. Eye exams for children ages 3 to 6 are covered for an eye exam every 2 years at no cost, no matter which Tricare plan they fall under. These exams can also incorporate screening for amblyopia and strabismus.

Tricare Standard and Extra along with Tricare Prime and Tricare Prime Remote beneficiaries can have their eyes examined from any Tricare authorized provider. If they are a network provider, no referral is needed.

If you choose a non-network provider and you don’t get a referral from you PCM, you can find an optometrist in their point of service system. You will face a cost share however.

Glasses and Contacts

All active duty service members, including Guard and Reserve that are activated, are permitted one pair of standard issue glasses and one pair of sunglasses as well as one pair of glasses of their choice from a military hospital or clinic. These can also be ordered through the Navy Ophthalmic Support Training Activity Command. All non-activated Guard and Reserve members will have their glasses ordered through this system. If they become activated, they will receive the same glasses as active duty service members. Retired service members can also order their glasses through this system.

Tricare does not cover glasses or contacts for dependents except for those with specific diagnoses. This includes treating infantile glaucoma, corneal or scleral lenses for treatment of keratoconus and scleral lenses are also available to those that do not have normal tearing. Intraocular lenses, as well as contacts and glasses are available for those that suffer with loss of human lens function after intraocular surgery, ocular injury or congenital absence. Pinhole glasses are covered after surgery is performed for a detached retina.

Eye Surgery and Treatment

Tricare beneficiaries are covered for most eye surgeries as well as eye treatments. It does not cover everything however.

Tricare does not cover the following eye treatments:

  • refractive corneal surgery
  • orthokeratology
  • orthoptics vision therapy
  • eye exercises
  • eye therapy
  • epikeratophakia or intraocular lenses for correcting astigmatism
  • presbyopia

It also does not cover canaloplasty for the treatment of glaucoma or autologous serum eye drops.

Now that you know what is covered by the Tricare vision benefits, make an appointment to have your eyes examined. Make sure to schedule an appointment for your children as well.

To learn more about the Tricare vision benefits, visit the Tricare vision webpage.

Our Giant List of Veterans Day Deals

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Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor the men and women who have served in our military at any time. It has also become a day full of discounts and freebies for veterans.

More so, Veterans Day has turned in to an entire month dedicated to military appreciation. Many businesses don’t simply offer specials on Veterans Day, but also offer them throughout the month of November.

Our Giant List of Veterans Day Deals

Do you take advantage of these free deals offered on Veterans Day?

Here is our giant list of Veterans Day deals for 2016.

IHOP is giving out free Red, White and Blue pancakes. Some franchises will make it a combo plate including eggs, bacon and hash browns.

Bob Evans gives veterans and active military personnel the choice of a free breakfast item from a select menu, including a stack of hotcakes, the sunrise breakfast and mini sampler breakfast to name a few.

Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut and coffee and does not require an ID.

Lamar’s Donuts is also offering a free donut and a 12oz coffee for all veterans.

Cracker Barrel is offering veterans a free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake dessert.

Denny’s has a fantastic deal of all-you-can-eat pancakes for all active, inactive and retired military, or they can choose any build your own grand slam breakfast.

Applebee’s has a very popular freebie. Both veterans and active duty military get a free meal from a limited menu for Veterans Day. Military ID is required.

Hooters is providing a free meal to veterans and service members on November 11.

Arby’s offers 1 free roast beef sandwich on Veterans Day but only in certain areas including:
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

Bonefish Grill offers free Bang Bang Shrimp to all active and retired service members with a valid military ID.

Black Angus Steakhouse celebrates Veterans Day by giving all veterans and active duty a free steakhouse cheeseburger & fries.

Country Cookin is getting veterans in a day early by offering a free meal on the day before Veterans Day.

Buffalo Wild Wings celebrates Veterans Day by giving veterans and active duty military personnel one free order of small traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries.

California Pizza Kitchen will give all veterans and active duty military one free item from a special Veterans Day menu. This includes pizza, salads and pasta.

Golden Corral is calling their free meal a “thank you” dinner for veterans, retirees, and active duty members.

Carrabba’s is giving one free appetizer to veterans and active duty on November 11.

Cheeseburger in Paradise requires veterans and active duty to purchase a beverage in order to receive a complimentary Veteran’s Burger with fries and they must dine in.

IKEA is a great place to stop at for a free entrée.

Chili’s is providing a free meal to veterans and active duty military from a special Veterans Day menu.

The Honey Baked Ham Company is giving uniformed service members or those with a valid military ID a free sandwich, chips, cookie and drink.

Coffee Beanery is giving veterans and active duty a free tall cup of coffee with proper ID.

Country Buffet is giving active duty, reservists and retired military one free lunch when they dine in.

The Green Turtle is also offering a free meal on Veterans Day.

Friendly’s is offering a free breakfast, lunch or dinner from select menus on Veterans Day.

Krystal is giving veterans a free chicken or sausage biscuit.

Little Caesars is giving veterans a free crazy $5 hot-n ready lunch combo from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Logan’s Roadhouse offers a 10% discount all year to anyone with a military ID. On Veterans Day, they will also offer a free dessert to veterans.

The list of restaurants giving freebies on Veterans Day is much longer than this so check online with your favorite place for their deal if it isn’t listed here.

Free meals are not the extent of Veterans Day freebies. They also extend to hotels, retail stores, and services such as car washes, haircuts and more. Some examples of these are below.

Car washes are offered for free though multiple car wash businesses through the non-profit organization, Grace for Vets.

Salons and barbers around the country will offer free haircuts to veterans on November 11.

Free oil changes are available though most oil change car care locations for veterans such as Jiffy Lube.

AARP is giving a 20% discount on membership for veterans and their families.

Amazon will give 20% off certain patriotic apparel on Veterans Day.

Do you take advantage of these free deals offered on Veterans Day? Why or why not?

15 Corporations Looking to Hire Veterans

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Veterans Day, November 11, is quickly approaching. Soon restaurants will begin advertising free meals, stores will offer discounts and people will be making more of a point to thank veterans for their service.

These gestures are nice, but there is more businesses can do for veterans.

They can hire veterans.

There are currently more than 20 million veterans. That’s a lot of people to thank. The unemployment rate for veterans overall last month was 4.3 percent. That number has been much higher in recent years, but the government has been doing a lot to encourage businesses to hire veterans. They have also introduced programs, such as Joining Forces, to motivate businesses to hire veterans like never before and the rate of veteran unemployment has dropped.

15 Corporations Looking to Hire Veterans

If you are an unemployed veteran, use this list as a tool for finding the right job for you.

There are many companies that are military friendly. These businesses hire a large number of veterans. They specifically target veterans with their recruiting efforts. Most of them have special programs specifically for veterans and help them make an easy transition into civilian jobs.

Military-friendly companies also help develop veterans into leadership roles.

The following is a list of military-friendly companies verified by Military.com and Military Times. The former keeps a running list of military friendly businesses and each year Military Times puts out a list of their best employers for veterans.

If you are an unemployed veteran, use this list as a tool for finding the right job for you or pass it along to someone you know who is looking for a new career.

15 Corporations Looking to Hire Veterans

Verizon was ranked No. 1 by Military Times as the top military-friendly employer. They advertise that 85% of military jobs translate to Verizon jobs.

Union Pacific Railroad employs more than 9,800 veterans. They believe military service members bring a unique set of skills to the job and recruit military heavily.

USAA provides insurance, investments and banking products to veterans, service members and their families. They also employ a great deal of them.

PwC is a consulting firm that has received the Seven Seals Award and has been listed on numerous top lists for military-friendly businesses. They are also highly rated for military spouse employment.

BAE Systems is in the defense and aerospace industry. They offer jobs that allow veterans to continue doing jobs that are mission-centered.

Booz Allen Hamilton is committed to hiring veterans and wounded service members. They offer mentoring programs to help transition from military life to civilian. They employ more than 7,400 veterans.

Intuitive Research and Technology Corp. is growing in the engineering services sector. Fortune lists them as the No. 1 workplace to retire from.

The Boeing Co. employs more than 22,200 veterans. They have excellent track record of working with veterans helping them transition into long-lasting jobs. They are heavily invested in supporting military families.

CACI International focuses on information technology and provides IT services and solutions for defense, intelligence and homeland security. They have veteran advocates that help veterans make the transition to civilian life.

Capital One has excellent benefits for activated reservists. They are number 10 on Military Times list of top military-friendly employers. They are also in the top 100 for best companies to work for in 2016 according to Fortune.

Amazon has worldwide operations and is actively recruiting veterans. They employ thousands of veterans and military spouses. In May, they pledged to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses over the next 5 years.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has more than 40,000 jobs in 20 different career areas. They employ over 4,000 veterans and continue to hire more daily.

BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight rail transportation networks in America. They have been hiring veterans since the end of the civil war. BNSF Railway has hired more than 9,000 veterans since 2005 and have pledged to hire 5,000 more by 2018.

CSX Transportation is the largest eastern railroad and one of the top military-friendly employers. They are part of a group of more than 80 companies that have come together to collectively hire 100,000 veterans by 2020.

General Electric employs more than 10,000 veterans. Amazingly, one in 14 GE employees is a veteran. They have transition assistance programs, military employment programs and veterans networking.

Each of these companies has their own recruiting methods and veterans can apply to them directly.

There are many avenues veterans can use to seek help with preparing resumes, cover letters or with filling out applications such as the Veterans Employment and Training Service. Other groups include Feds Hire Vets, Hire Heroes USA, We Hire Heroes and the National Association of American Veterans.

Do you work for a company that is actively recruiting veterans as employees? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Consider Supporting These Veterans Organizations with the CFC

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The Combined Federal Campaign, CFC, is in full swing. You can show some love by donating to support your favorite charities through the program. The CFC is the world’s largest workplace giving campaign providing federal employees the opportunity to make donations to charities locally, nationally and internationally.

What is the CFC and why is it needed?

Charitable donation requests in the workplace were unregulated prior to 1961. Some offices pressured employees into making donations while others did not allow it at all. That changed when President John Kennedy officially mandated the U.S. Civil Service Commission create and regulate fundraising in the federal service sector. Formal authority was then given to allow fundraising at federal offices.

Over the years, the program has evolved. The CFC is now the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign with more than 200 CFC campaigns each year. The giving season runs from September 1 to December 15. Last year alone, federal employees donated more than $177 million to charities through the CFC.

The CFC is open to all federal employees, which includes military service members. Individuals can choose the charity or multiple nonprofit organizations to make tax deductible donations to.

There are over 18,000 charitable organizations on the CFC’s approved list. These include local charities, national nonprofits and international organizations.

You choose the amount you would like to donate and when you would like to have it deducted from payroll or if you want to make a one-time donation.

The goal of the CFC is to provide monetary support to non-profit organizations that support health and human services. The program is designed to help federal employees find efficient ways to make a difference.

Why should you give through the CFC?

If you plan on making a donation to a charitable organization during the year, using the CFC can make it quick and easy. They can spread your donation out over time so that your charity has a steady income throughout the year.

Unfortunately, dishonest people create elaborate scams to get your money. The CFC checks each nonprofit that applies to be on their approved list of charitable donations for authenticity. You can also do your own research through Charity Navigator. They evaluate charities sighting the actual money that is used for their purpose vs how much is spent on other things so that you can make an informed decision on which to donate to.

Who should you give to?

It is up to you and your family to decide which group to donate to. Military families tend to give to nonprofit military-related causes.

More than $2.5 billion annually is donated to the over 40,000 American charities with military-related missions.

Most of these organizations do wonderful work, but some are not very transparent, are not financially stable, are not accountable and do not help service members and veterans as much as they claim. Do your research to make sure your money is well spent.

Here are 6 military related charities you can trust to use donations appropriately.

Consider Supporting These Veterans Organizations with the CFC

It is up to you and your family to decide which group to donate to. Military families tend to give to nonprofit military-related causes.

The American Red Cross: Their goal is to respond to emergencies nationally and internationally. 90.1% of their donations go directly to the program. This includes providing food and shelter to people affected by disasters, collecting blood through blood drives, supporting troops and their families and training people in first aid.

Fisher House Foundation: 91.7% of their profits go directly to providing comfort homes to military and veterans’ families, at no cost to them, when they need to be close to a treatment facility for a family member. Amazingly, there is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center in America.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust: 95.8% of their donations go directly to their program to help physically and psychologically injured veterans. They provide food, shelter and necessities to homeless and at-risk veterans. They also provide accessibility and mobility items to veterans with vision or hearing impairments.

Southeastern Guide Dogs: They received a 97.34 rating, out of 100, on Charity Navigator. One of their programs is Paws for Patriots. This provides veterans with visual impairments guide dogs, veteran assistance dogs to veterans with PTSD, and facility therapy dogs to major military medical centers.

Hope For The Warriors®: Receiving a 94.18 rating, this group offers comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that help them with transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.

Our Military Kids: 94.1% of funds go directly to provide support through grants to the children of National Guard and Military Reserve personnel who are deployed, as well as to children of injured service members in all branches. Funds can go toward extracurricular activities, tutoring, and to programs that help nurture children while a parent is deployed or recovering from injury.

Which veterans’ organizations do you donate to through the CFC?

Now Is the Right Time to Transfer Your GI Bill to Your Kids

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A benefit for military service members is the GI Bill. While many take advantage of the great opportunity to go to college with this financial support, others choose to pass it on to their spouse or children.

This option wasn’t always available and might not remain so, which makes now a great time to decide if transferring your GI Bill is the right move for your family.

Now Is the Right Time to Transfer Your GI Bill to Your Kids

Talk to your spouse and children to see if transferring your GI Bill benefits to one or all of them is the right decision for your family. Don’t wait until politicians change, take away, or make receiving these benefits harder.

What is the GI Bill?

The GI Bill is a government program that helps service members meet the financial needs of continuing their education once they leave the military. It was initially only available to the service members who met certain qualifications. Over the years the rules and benefits have changed.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the latest form of the bill. It provides money for approved educational programs for up to 36 months of school for service members, which must be used within 15 years after leaving active duty.

In 2009, a law was passed to allow service members to transfer these benefits to their spouses, children or both.

Who is eligible?

Any service member that completed 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, that is on active duty, or that was honorably discharged or discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days is eligible.

What is covered?

Monetary funds are available to cover up to 36 months of educational courses for approved programs that include higher education, vocational training and now flight school for example. Other financial support may be provided to cover a monthly housing allowance, annual books and supplies and one-time rural benefits.

Am I eligible to transfer my GI Bill?

In order to transfer your GI Bill, service members must meet certain requirements. Anyone on active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and also meets these requirements may transfer benefits:

  • Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.
  • Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by service branch or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
  • Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the Armed Forces.

Why transfer your GI Bill now?

If you, as the service member, do not have any intention of using the entire 36 months of educational benefits, you might want to consider transferring some or all of the benefit to family members. The government started this program as a way of helping service members transition out of the military as well as an incentive to join the military. You have earned these benefits, so don’t let them go unused.

Last year Congress discussed changing the GI Bill benefit to make it more difficult to transfer to family members. They talked about increasing the number of years the service member must commit to in order to transfer the benefit. They also discussed limiting the scope of the benefit.

No legislation on this has been brought up, but the possibility is there. Why leave it to chance if you don’t have to?

How do I transfer my GI Bill?

Active duty service members may designate, modify and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) request on the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) website.

After approval, there is one more form to turn in before a family member can use these benefits. Family members are required to apply to use the transferred benefits by submitting a VA Form 22-1990e with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Is there anything else I need to know about transferring the GI Bill to my spouse or children?

Family members enrolled in DEERS that are eligible for benefits at the time of transfer are able to use the benefits.

Spouses are able to use the benefits at the time of transfer, but children must wait until the service member has completed at least 10 years of service. The child or spouse can use it while their sponsor is actively serving or after they leave the military.

Military children cannot use the transferred GI Bill until they finish high school, or an equivalent, or turn 18 years old. The child is entitled to the monthly housing allowance even while their sponsor is on active duty, but the spouse is not. A spouse has 15 years to use the benefits once the service member separates from active duty, but the child does not have this restriction. They do however age out of eligibility at 26 years old.

Talk to your spouse and children to see if transferring your GI Bill benefits to one or all of them is the right decision for your family. Don’t wait until politicians change, take away, or make receiving these benefits harder.

Has your service member transferred his or her Post-9/11 GI Bill to you or your children?