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Friends & Extended Family

Parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, friends and loved ones of service members are a part of their service member’s network of support – as well as part of the extended military community. It’s honorable to have a warrior in your family or friend network. You may feel pride for your service member’s call to serve and even concern or curiosity about your service member’s military experiences. Military OneSource is committed to helping friends and extended family members better understand military life, military culture and the resources available to your service member.

Find information, insight and tips to help you support your service member and stay connected to military life, no matter where your service member is in the world or their military career.

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LATEST CONTENT

Service members and spouses during naturalization ceremony
US Immigration Rules for Military Family Members
July 26, 2021, 2:50 p.m. 4 minute read 353 views

The U.S. government extends certain immigration benefits to close family of service members. Learn about these provisions and whether you might qualify.

service members having their temperatures taken
How is the Military Protecting My Service Member During COVID-19?
July 21, 2021, 8:34 a.m. 3 minute read 3,674 views

The DOD continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government agencies to respond to the outbreak and prevent its spread. The DOD offers free resources through Military OneSource. Each program helps with different military-life challenges or seasons.

hands holding wallet with credit cards
Beyond Your Service Member’s Pay: The Benefits of Military Service
July 20, 2021, 6:53 a.m. 6 minute read 6,063 views

As a member of your service member’s support network, you may have heard the good news that both active duty and reserve military personnel received a 3.1% military pay raise in 2020 – among the biggest in a decade. Beyond the salary bump, you’ll be glad to know that your loved one has several ways to be financially fit.

Gold Star on blue shirt
Stepsiblings Now Included in Gold Star Lapel Button Program
July 7, 2021, 9:24 a.m. 5 minute read 93 views

The Gold Star Lapel Button Program has expanded to include stepsiblings among survivors eligible for the honor of receiving and wearing a pin recognizing the loss of their service member.

Service members walk towards their next location.
Deployment Basics for Friends and Family
June 25, 2021, 7:40 a.m. 6 minute read 65,052 views

The deployment cycle is the period of time from the notification of a deployment, through pre-deployment training, through the deployment, and immediately after deployment. Every deployment cycle is different, but here are some general things to know.

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