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Military Life Cycle

New to the Military

Getting Settled

New to the military? That means new surroundings. New digs. New routines. You’ll want to get up to speed on your new living arrangements, rules and ways to get rooted in your new military community.

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Latest Content

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Understanding the Roles of Military Officers and Enlisted Service Members

September 11, 2020 @ 5:43 PM | 7 Min Read | 1 Views

More than 80% of the U.S. military is made up of enlisted members, with officers making up the rest of the military population of the armed forces. Officers are trained to be managers and leaders. They plan missions, provide orders and assign tasks, while enlisted members are technical experts and leaders that hold the specific skills necessary to complete the mission
Newly-recruited Marines eat a meal at a mess hall table.

Six Things New Service Members Should Know About Their First Duty Station

September 8, 2020 @ 3:04 PM | 6 Min Read | 0 Views

You went through weeks learning basic military skills, then months learning your military job. Finally, it’s time to take your place in the military at your first duty station
Child high fiving adult at community event

Military Housing: Living on an Installation for the First Time

September 2, 2020 @ 1:37 PM | 3 Min Read | 39734 Views

Moving is an exciting time, and moving on to a military installation for the first time can be a great opportunity to become part of a service-oriented community. You’ll likely have many things in common with your new neighbors, and save some money by living in more affordable housing provided to you by the military.
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TRICARE 101: Military Health Benefits Basics in Five Minutes or Less

August 11, 2020 @ 3:10 PM | 8 Min Read | 23282 Views

TRICARE is the health care program for almost 9.4 million service members, retirees and their families around the world that provides military health benefits and health care support to ensure mission readiness
Two men working out outdoors

Supporting Your New Recruit’s Preparation for Basic Training or Boot Camp

July 7, 2020 @ 3:25 PM | 5 Min Read | 0 Views

Getting in shape for basic training starts at home. Find out how you can help your new recruit start off with strength and stamina.
Service members sit in classroom

Military Pay 101: Basic Pay, Allowances and S&I Pay

May 8, 2020 @ 11:49 AM | 11 Min Read | 181289 Views

As an active-duty service member, you receive many benefits and entitlements like free access to Military OneSource services and support. One of the primary benefits to working in the military is a steady paycheck and tax-free allowances. Here’s a summary of the different military pay elements you might see on your monthly Leave and Earnings Statement.
Service members walk with their equipment.

Military Leave: What It Is and How It Works

May 6, 2020 @ 8:59 PM | 8 Min Read | 34642 Views

As part of the military pay and benefits package, military service members earn 30 days of paid leave per year. You start at zero and for every month of military service, 2.5 days of leave get added to your leave account. It doesn’t stop, but the most you can carry over from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year is 60 days, except in certain, very limited situations where you can carry over more.
Military Financial Support

On Your Side: Military Financial Support

April 23, 2020 @ 3:45 PM | 6 Min Read | 42647 Views

Service members and their families have access to substantial resources to save money and manage your expenses. Learn more about ways to save and protect your family’s financial health with the following programs:
Four new service members do push-ups in front of a line of their peers.

What to Pack for Basic Training

April 14, 2020 @ 2:07 PM | 4 Min Read | 150163 Views

You'll need to take only a few basic things when you head off to basic training - everything else will be provided for you. Your recruiter will give you a list of what you must take and what you definitely shouldn't pack.
basic combat training

Life After Basic Army Combat Training

April 14, 2020 @ 1:56 PM | 5 Min Read | 4191 Views

Following your Army basic combat training, you’ll take one of two paths, advanced individual training or Officer Candidate School to advance in your military career.
Man in a military uniform shows a stack of twenty dollar bills.

Managing Your Money as a New Service Member

April 8, 2020 @ 6:02 PM | 4 Min Read | 30167 Views

You're learning a lot of new skills in the military, and money management should be one of them. As a service member, you may earn more, get special duty pay or have new expenses. It's your money. Make the most of it by creating a financial plan. Staying on top of your finances is important for your security clearance, your career and your future.
army basic training

The New Army Combat Fitness Test

April 8, 2020 @ 5:12 PM | 3 Min Read | 101003 Views

Starting October 2020, all soldiers will be required to pass the new Army Combat Fitness Test, which will replace the Army Physical Fitness Test. You will be expected to meet ACFT requirements regardless of age or gender, as part of your military training.
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The Military's A+ Financial Benefits to Protect Your Future

April 6, 2020 @ 4:58 PM | 6 Min Read | 0 Views

As a service member, you've earned financial benefits to help protect your future.
marine corps staff sgt takes the oath of allegiance

Your Military Service Offers a Faster Track to US Citizenship

April 3, 2020 @ 6:28 PM | 11 Min Read | 45091 Views

Every year, thousands of foreign-born service members and their family members become U.S. naturalized citizens. Learn more about steps to become a U.S. citizen and how you can use your military service to speed up the process and save money for processing fees.
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Beyond Military Pay: Your Service Member’s Robust Military Benefits Package

March 24, 2020 @ 2:23 PM | 6 Min Read | 3307 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.
Service members playing a game of pool

Housing for Your New Service Member: Living in the Barracks

March 23, 2020 @ 5:11 PM | 4 Min Read | 13007 Views

During basic training and initial job training, all enlisted service members are required to live in the barracks. When service members move to their permanent duty station, only single members are required to live in unaccompanied housing, or barracks.
Military pay technician examines a financial document.

Your Leave and Earnings Statement

February 21, 2020 @ 7:11 PM | 3 Min Read | 65721 Views

Your monthly Leave and Earnings Statement, or LES, is one of the most important financial documents you have for mastering your money and achieving your financial goals. Here's how to decipher the code.
servicemember counting cash

Deductions, Allotments and What Comes Out of Your Military Pay

January 8, 2020 @ 6:16 PM | 5 Min Read | 17476 Views

Like a coin, there are two sides of your military paycheck. There’s what goes into your paycheck – basic pay, allowances and special and incentive pays – and there is what comes out. You can see your deductions and allotments listed on your Leave and Earnings Statement, or LES. Here are some of the more common items you’ll see listed on your LES.
U.S. Army Soldiers conduct their two-mile run during the Army Physical Fitness Test

Meeting Military Fitness Standards

May 13, 2019 @ 5:25 PM | 3 Min Read | 41072 Views

Physical fitness is a big part of life in the military. It’s required. Each service member is regularly tested. A Military OneSource Health and Wellness Coach can help you get or stay fit.
How to Open a Bank Account and an Introduction to TSP

Military Pay 101: How to Open a Bank Account and an Introduction to TSP

April 22, 2019 @ 2:14 PM | 5 Min Read | 10604 Views

When you’ve received your first Leave and Earnings Statement, or LES, that means you’ve been paid for your service in the Armed Forces. We’ve got some tips on how you can make the most of your basic pay – from the most important parts of your actual pay stub, to picking the right bank account, to even getting a “raise” by increasing your Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, contributions.
Airman working

Military Jobs: Your Future Career in the Armed Forces

April 22, 2019 @ 11:18 AM | 12 Min Read | 7206 Views

Enlisting in the military can help you achieve your career goals. In fact, there are even some jobs that you can only do as a service member, like drive a tank or fly a fighter jet. Here’s what you need to know about your future military career.
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