Book Annexes
Annex 1 -- List of Resources for Veterans and Spouses
The resources listed below represent our selection of the best of what we found out there. The list follows roughly the order of the chapters of this book. We have been necessarily selective in what made it to this list. Our criteria included what is most practical, what offers more avenues for information or research on topics and what we would turn to as consumers of this kind of information. To give you some idea, there are over 45,000 nonprofits in the United States that are dedicated to helping veterans and their families, and hundreds of private foundations, companies, blogs, websites, books, and other resources. We have not included in the list below references to organizations or resources that served only a small or discrete focus on selected veterans’ issues or group. If you don’t find what you need below, we encourage you to search and believe you will find it.
Hotlines for Help
Veterans Crisis Line:
Telephone Number: 988 and press 1 or text 838255
Website address: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/call
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Telephone Number: 1-800-662-4357
Website address: https://www.samhsa.gov
Free, National and 24-Hour Drug Addiction and Substance Abuse Hotline:
Telephone Number: 405-251-6474
Crisis line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Website address: https://drugabuse.com/addiction/hotlines
Military One Source:
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://www.militaryonesource.mil
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Telephone Number: 877-739-3895
Website address: https://www.nsvrc.org
VA Mental Health Resources:
Telephone Number: 800 698 2411
Website address: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov
Caregiver Support: Resources for family members or friends of veterans
Telephone Number: 1-855-260-3247
Website address: https://www.caregiver.va.gov
Coaching into Care: Provides assistance to veteran’s family members and friends to encourage a reluctant veteran they care about to reach out for support with a mental health challenge.
Telephone Number: 1-888-823-7458
Website address: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching
Homeless Veterans Call Center:
Telephone Number: 1-877-424-3838 and press 1
Website address: https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp
Lifeline for Vets: Suicide & Other Resources
Telephone Number: 888-777-4443
Website address: https://nvf.org/lifeline-for-vets
Real Warriors: A program through the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
Telephone Number: 1-866-966-1027
Website address: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/Psychological-Health-Center-of-Excellence/Real-Warriors-Campaign
War Vet Call Center:
Telephone Number: 1-877-927-8387
Website address: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/media/Call-Center-PSA.asp
Women’s Veterans Call Center:
Telephone Number: 1-855-829-6636
Website address: https://www.va.gov/womenvet
Health and Wellness
Clinical Providers of the Veteran Wellness Alliance:
Cohen Veterans Network: Assists veterans in overcoming the challenges of transitioning from active military service to civilian life and beyond. They have clinics that offer specialized therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, transition challenges and other concerns. Their website advertises marriage counseling, relationship counseling and help with children’s behavioral issues. Go to cohenveteransnetwork.org to make an appointment.
Telephone Number: 844-336-4226
Website address: https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org
Cornerstone’s Military Services: Provides a full range of mental health and substance use disorder services to help you get through the tough times and live your best life.
Telephone Number: 877-467-3123
Website address: https://centerstone.org/get-help-now
Marcus Institute for Brain Health: Offers comprehensive care for the physical, emotional and cognitive changes that can accompany trauma to the head. They have partnerships with the University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Medicine.
Telephone Number: 303-724-4824
Website address: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/mibh
SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center: A comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for active duty or separated service members who have served in the U.S. military since September 11, 2001, and who are experiencing symptoms of or have a diagnosis of moderate brain injury or concussions and any co-occurring psychological or behavioral health concerns, including PTSD. SHARE Military Initiative provides hope, assistance, support, and education to service members and their families during their recovery, treatment and beyond.
Telephone Number: 404-603-4313
Website address: https://www.shepherd.org
Headstrong project: Provides mental health care to members of the military service-connected community.
Website address: https://theheadstrongproject.org
Hope for the Warriors: Provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.
Telephone Number: 877-246-7349
Website address: https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org
Project Sanctuary: Assists military service members by reconnecting the family unit through a holistic approach. Their program heals the traumatic effects of military service, treating all family members at their level of need and enabling the service members to reintegrate into their families and communities in a healthy and sustainable manner. Project Sanctuary’s work seeks to preserve the family unit, strengthening the community, the military, and the country.
Telephone Number: 720-561-9193
Website address: https://projectsanctuary.us
Veteran Check-In:
Website address: https://www.veterancheckin.org
Veterans Wellness Alliance of the Bush Institute
Telephone Number: 214-200-4300
Website address: https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/veteran-wellness-alliance-best-in-class-peer-based-networks-and-care-providers-addressing-veterans-mental-health-barriers
Wounded Warrior Care Network:
Telephone Number: 877-832-6997
Website address: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
PTSD and TBI Specific Resources
Avalon Action Alliance, which is affiliated with the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, the Boulder Crest Foundation, the Warrior PATHH Program and various other programs for TBI and PTSD.
Telephone Number: 417-812-6035
Website address: https://www.avalonactionalliance.org/contact-us
Center for Brain Health: Designed to focus on strengths, proactive prevention, and preservation of brain health. Admiral McRaven (Ret.) and Mrs. McRaven are its National Spokespersons. It is a part of the University of Texas Dallas.
Telephone Number: 972-883-3400
Website address: https://www.centerforbrainhealth.org
Center for Disease Control
Telephone Number: 800-232-4636
Website address: https://www.cdc.gov/index.htm
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
Telephone Number: 1 800-870-9244
Website address: http://www.dvbic.org
Home Base Program, operated under the auspices of the Massachusetts General Hospital
Telephone Number: 617-724-5202
Website address: https://homebase.org/about-us
Make the Connection—Effects of Traumatic Brian Injury
Telephone Number: 800-698-2411
Website address: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/tbi/index.asp
Mayo Clinic
Telephone Number: 480-301-8484
Website address: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international
Marcus Brain Institute for Brain Health
Telephone Number: 1-303-724-4824
Website address: https://www.barrowneuro.org/about/contact-us
Military Health System’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence;
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/gov/defense-center-of-excellence-for-traumatic-brain-injury
National Intepid Excellence (NICoE) Center of
Telephone Number: 1-800-600-9332
Website address: https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/NICOE
National Brain Injury Information
Telephone Number: 1-800-444-6443
Website address: https://www.biausa.org/brain-injury/about-brain-injury/nbiic/contact-nbiic
Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence
Telephone Number: 1-800-600-9332
Website address: https://health.mil/About-MHS/Contact-Us
Veterans Administration, VA Care for TBI
Telephone Number 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
Website address: https://www.va.gov/health/
Recommended Books
Dr. Edward Tick, Warriors Return: Restoring the Soul After War and War and the Soul
Dr. Charles Hogue, Once a Warrior – Always a Warrior: Navigating the Transition From Combat to Home Including Combat Stress, PTSD, and mTBI
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Jen Satterly, Arsenal of Hope: Tactics for Taking on PTSD Together.
Nickerson, Mark I. with Goldstein, Joshua S., The Wounds Within: A Veteran, A PTSD Therapist and A Nation Unprepared
Tom Satterly, All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier’s Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and on the Home Front
Places for Veterans to Meet and Community Resources
America Serves: Provides veterans and their families access to a straightforward way to access a range of supportive services in their communities.
Telephone Number: 315-443-0141
Website address: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/community-services/americaserves
Ariel: Using Storytelling to Help Veterans Share and Heal: The Homefront Foundation, in partnership with Ariel, teaches veterans and servicemembers how to tell their complex stories using unique storytelling techniques. In doing so, they help themselves and their communities make sense of their experiences.
Telephone Number: 781-288-8696
Website Address: https://www.arielgroup.com
Brookfield Institute -- Homefront Storytelling Project: Program that uses trained volunteers to help service members, veterans, and their family members, (SMVF), share and record their stories. This is a proven method for reducing Post Traumatic Stress, (PTS), that also helps family members, friends and neighbors understand their loved ones better.
Telephone Number: 508-499-9589
Website address: https://brookfieldinstitute.org/our-stories
Community Integration Resources (CIR) for Military Life Cycle Module -- will instruct service members where to get help to find and use resources.
Telephone Number: 1-800-325-4715
Website address: https://tapevents.mil/courses/241
National Resource Directory: Resource website that connects wounded warriors, Service members, their families, caregivers and survivors to programs and services.
Telephone Number: 1-800-342-9647
Website address: https://nrd.gov
The Veteran View: Provides individuals and service providers with strategies and tools to effectively serve and build rapport with veterans and their families.
Telephone Number: 630-416-4191
Website address: http://www.veteransview.com
Website address: https://www.arielgroup.com/using-storytelling-to-help-veterans-
Vets Town Hall is a non-profit organization created and run by Sebastien Junger, which promotes town hall-style meetings of veterans to allow them to speak about what it was like to serve their country. The principle behind it is that humans are resilient when part of a community and fragile when they are not. The Vets Town Hall website points out that while veterans are more likely to be connected to each other rather than their families and communities, that is not healthy.
Telephone Number: 88-1504-1516
Website address: https://vetstownhall.org
Veterans Network -- Veterans Data Storytelling Project: The purpose of the project is to advance an evidence-informed policy agenda. TVMI, VETS, and other data sources will be used for creation of data visualizations and storytelling about post-9/11 veterans’ experiences and outcomes.
Telephone Number: 877-382-9185
Website address: https://veteranetwork.psu.edu/projects/veterans-data-storytelling
Veteran Coalition International: Its motto is “Fight Together, Heal Together,” an organization that seeks to coordinate veterans healing across countries.
Telephone Number: 13-4148-824
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/TIVCMG
Veterans Voices Project -The Moth: A nonprofit organization that celebrates the commonality and diversity of human experience through the art and craft of true, personal storytelling. Its partners include Achilles International, Armed Services Arts Partnership, Bronx Veterans Administration, Minnesota Humanities Center: Veterans’ Voices, New Orleans Airlift, NYC Veterans Alliance and the Writers Guild Initiative: Wounded Warriors Project.
Telephone Number: 212-742-0551
Website address: https://themoth.org/community/stories-of-veterans
The Mission Continues (Community Volunteerism): Offers the opportunity for veterans and civilians to give back to their community and become more engaged citizens. It is a collective effort that empowers veterans to serve in new ways, solve tough challenges and mobilize communities to serve alongside them.
Telephone Number: 314-588-8805
Website address: https://www.missioncontinues.org/get-involved
General Programs
Academy of United States Veterans, which hosts an annual recognition/awards event
Telephone Number: 202-330-4515
Website address: https://www.ausvfoundation.org/contact
Army Career and Alumni Program
Website address: https://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2013/07/26
Coast Guard: Work-Life Staff
Telephone Number: 206 595-6435
Website address: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Director-of-Operational-Logistics-DOL/Bases/Base-Seattle/
Code of Support Foundation: Free case coordination assistance to providers & veterans -- helps those in need navigate and access critical services by providing one-on-one support. Through our digital PATRIOT link platform and our direct Case Coordination services, COSF connects veterans and caregivers to the people and resources they need to live full, healthy lives.
Telephone Number: 571-418-6339
Website address: https://www.codeofsupport.org
Marine Corps: Career Resource Management Center Specialist at the Personal Services Center.
Telephone Number: 619-524-8640
Website address: https://sandiego.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/military-family-life/family-member-employment-assistance-program
Marine Corps Alumni Association
Telephone Number: 866-622-1775
Website address: https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/MCU-Alumni-Association/
Military Transition Assistance Office - Each branch has their own Transition Assistance Office:
Army: Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP)
Telephone Number: 1-800-325-4745
Website address: https://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2013/07/26
Air Force: Transition Assistance Staff or Career Consultant at the Family Support Center
Telephone Number: 1-800-525-0102
Email address: AFPC.cmi.workflow@us.af.mil
Navy: Command Career Counselor at the Fleet and Family Support Center
Telephone Number: 757-203-3024
Website address: https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Operational-Support/CWG-6/Organization/Fleet-and-Family-Support-Center
National Veterans Foundation
Telephone Number: 310-642-0255
Website address: https://nvf.org
National Resource Directory (NRD): With the combined effort of the Departments of Veteran Affairs, Defense, and Labor, NRD is a massive online tool founded to give thousands of services and resources meant to mobilize rehabilitation, community reintegration, and recovery, both physically and mentally.
Telephone Number: 1-800-827-1000
Website address: https://nrd.gov
The American Legion
Telephone Number: 800-433-3318
Website address: https://www.legion.org
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): offers three-day workshop programs with the goal of helping to reintegrate veterans, especially those who are disabled, into civilian life predominantly through teaching all the components of how to search for jobs and other VA benefits.
Telephone Number: 800-959-8277
Website address: https://www.taps.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Telephone Number: 816-756-3390
Website address: https://www.vfw.org
Programs for Injured Veterans
Break Line provides education and coaching for veterans, including those that have disabilities, among others.
Website address: https://www.breaklineeducation.org
Centers for Independent Living: Profit those with injuries support, including about employment and help employers find qualified candidates.
Telephone Number: 414-937-2020
Website address: https://www.cfihope.org
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): A leader in connecting veterans with employment, hosting job fairs and providing resources. If you have a service-connected disability that you feel has become more debilitating since leaving active duty, or you wish to file a new claim, the DAV can be of assistance and help you with the required medical screening and paperwork.
Telephone Number: 877-426-2838
Website address: https://www.dav.org
Department of Defense’s Operation Warfighter: Internship program that matches qualified wounded, ill and injured service members with non-funded federal internships.
Website address: https://www.dhs.gov/operation warfighter.org
Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP): A briefing from the VA and DoD that provides separating veterans specific information about VA and VR&E benefits in regard to employment and service-related injuries. Contact your local Transition/ ACAP office to find out where and when these briefings will occur.
Website address: https://va.org/the-dtap-or-the-disabled-transition-assistance-program
Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP): Provides job and training opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities, by working with employers, veterans’ organizations, the VA, the Department of Defense, and community-based organizations. There is no single DVOP organization but multiple ones.
Federal Recovery Coordination Program: The FRCP is a joint effort between the VA and DoD to help provide federal, state, and local benefits, including rehabilitation and reintegration, for the veterans who are ‘seriously’ wounded, ill, and or injured.
Website address: https://rwtf.defense.gov/Portals/22/Documents/Meetings/m12/101frcp.pdf
Job Boards that seek to connect employers with injured veterans:
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Career Center: job board for companies seeking qualified injured candidates
abilityJOBS
AbilityLinks
Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD)
disABLEDperson Inc.
Diversity Jobs
Getting Hired
Job Opportunities fior Disabled Veterans (JOFDAV)
OurAbility Connect
RecruitDisability.org
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass: Disabled Veterans eligible for free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass
Telephone Number: 1-888-275-8747
Website address: https://news.va.gov/60590/disabled-veterans-eligible-free-national-park-service-lifetime-access-pass
Paralyzed Veterans of America: PVA helps paralyzed and disabled Veterans regain their independence after injury or diagnosis.
Telephone Number: 800-424-8200
Website address: https://pva.org
Soldier Strong (prosthetics): Provides revolutionary technology, innovative advancements and educational opportunities to veterans to better their lives and the lives of their families.
Telephone Number: 888-898-3235
Website address: https://www.soldierstrong.org
USA.Gov: The VA’s Careers and Employment section can help you find work as a vet if you have a service-connected disability.
Telephone Number: 1-844-872-4681
Website address: https://www.usa.gov/veteran-employment
There are numerous federal, state, and local agencies and non-profit companies that provide information and services to those with injuries and disabilities, such as the Employment Networks, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation National Employment Team, state vocational rehabilitation agencies and Employment Referral Resource Directory maintained by the` Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Female Veteran Resources
American Women Veterans Foundation (AWVF)
Telephone Number: (202) 436-0678
Website address: https://americanwomenveterans.org
American Women Veterans Sorority:
Telephone Number: 1-855-829-6636
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanWomenVeteransSorority
Association of Veteran Women, Inc.
Telephone Number: 817-461-5116
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/aovwinc
Center for Women Veterans: To provide a unique social network of women Veterans to foster connections and build relationships in local communities and across the nation.
Telephone Number: 800-698-2411
Website address: https://www.va.gov/womenvet
eMentor: A cutting-edge online mentoring program for military personnel, veterans, and military spouses. eMentor connects individuals for dynamic mentoring experiences that powerfully move them forward in their personal and professional lives.
Telephone Number: (800)-476-6112
Website address: https://www.ementorprogram.org/home/about
Fatigues to Fabulous:
Telephone Number: 404-282-1450
Website address: https://www.fatiguestofabulous.com
Final Salute
Telephone Number: 703-224-8845
Website address: https://www.finalsaluteinc.org/Home.html
Foundation for Women Warriors
Telephone Number: 310-733-2450
Website address: https://foundationforwomenwarriors.org
Grace After Fire: Provide the means for women veterans to gain knowledge, insight and self-renewal.
Telephone Number: 210-864-2959
Website address: https://www.graceafterfire.org
LadyVeteran
Telephone Number: 859-806-4297
Website address: https://lv-connect.org
Leaning Women Veterans
Email Address: press@leanin.org
Website address: https://leanin.org/circles-network/lean-in-women-veterans
Mentoring Women's Network
Telephone Number: 877-582-4868
Website address: https://engagementoring.com/software/project-lead-for-women-leadership-mentoring-program
Military Women Across the Nation (Formerly WAVES)
Website address: http://www.milwomen.org
Minority Women Veterans Organization
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/Minoritywomenveterans
Ms. Veteran America
Website address: https://www.msveteranamerica.org
National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW)
Telephone Number: 516-360-0494
Website address: https://www.nabmw.org
National Association of State Women Veteran Coordinators (NASWVC)
Telephone Number: 855-260-3274
Website address: https://www.naswvc.org
National League of Female Veterans, Inc. (NLFV)
Website address: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-national-league-of-female-veterans/about
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Telephone Number: 877-739-3895
Website address: https://www.nsvrc.org
National Women Veterans of America (NWVA)
Website address: https://wvanational.tripod.com
National Women Veterans United (NWVU)
Telephone Number: 872-731-2150
Website address: https://nwvu.org/about-us
One Savvy Veteran: Encourage, educate and empower women veterans with the skills needed to successfully navigate the transition from military service to civilian life.
Telephone Number: 708-4622682
Website address: https://onesavvyveteran.wixsite.com/womenwarriors
Operation Reinvent: We are a non-profit organization that helps women veterans’ transition from the military to civilian life.
Website address: https://www.instagram.com/operationreinvent/?hl=es
Service Women’s Action Nework (SWAN)
Telephone Number: 27-1316232 27-1316232
Website address: https://www.servicewomensactionnetwork.org/about
Swords to Plowshare: Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all veterans every step of the way, health and wellness, housing, legal and Jobs for vets.
Telephone Number: 415-727-8387
Website address: https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org
Therapeutic Health Services: Women Veterans Program (Washington)
Telephone Number: 206-461-3222
Website address: https://ths-wa.org/mental-health/veterans-services
Vietnam Veterans of America Women Veterans Committee
Telephone Number: 301-585-4000
Website address: https://vva.org/what-we-do/outreach-programs/women-veterans/
Vietnam Women Veterans, Inc. (non-nursing field)
Website address: http://ww1.vietnamwomenveterans.us
Women Vets USA
Telephone Number: 1-877-424-3838
Website address; https://www.womenvetsusa.org
Women Veterans Alliance
Telephone Number: 1 530-830-1915
Website address: https://www.womenveteransalliance.com
Women Veterans Call Center: Will help you navigate VA, point you in the right direction, and connect you with the Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VA medical center.
Telephone Number: 855-829-6636
Website address: https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/wvcc.asp
Women Veteran Network: Provides a unique social network of women Veterans to foster connections and build relationships in local communities and across the nation.
Telephone Number: 877-449-6836
Website address: https://www.wovenwomenvets.org
Women Veterans Unconference
Website address: https://womenveteransunconference.com
Women Veterans of the American Legion
Telephone Number: 800-433-3318
Website address: https://www.legion.org/womenveterans
Women Under Fire
Website address: https://womenunderfire.net
Women Veteran Social Justice
Telephone Number: 678-681-5640
Website address: https://www.wvsjnetwork.org/index
Women Veterans Connect, Inc. (WVC)
Website address: https://goldstarlegalfunding.com/women-veterans-connect/
Women Veterans Housing (Resources for Women with Military Service Experiencing Homelessness or At Risk of Homelessness)
Website address: https://homelesswomenvets.wordpress.com
Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)
Telephone Number: 800-827-1000
Website address: https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/52390/
Women Veterans Interactive Foundation (WVIF)
Telephone Number: 202-810-2118
Website address: https://womenveteransinteractive.org/CCV
Women Veterans ROCK
Telephone Number: 215-836-4262
Website address: https://womenvetsrock.org
Women Veterans' Meetups
Website address: https://www.meetup.com/topics/women-veterans
Veterans Affairs Department Women’s Resources:
Telephone Number: 877-222-8387
Website address: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/resources/index.asp
LGBTQX+ Resources
Fighting with Pride: The LGBTQ + Military Charity
Website address: https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk
Transgender American Veterans Association
Telephone Number: 516-828-2911
Website address: https://www.transveteran.org
The Modern Military Association of America
Telephone Number: 202-328-3244
Website address: https://modernmilitary.org
Veterans for Equal Rights (formerly known as Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America)
Telephone Number: 678-596-1311
Website address: https://aver.us
Veterans Administration Resources: Veterans can utilize no-cost DAV benefits advocates to learn more about available veterans’ benefits, programs and services. More information on the VA’s LGBTQ+ veterans policies and programs can be found in the website.
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VA_LGBT_Policies.asp
The VA has also made available the following fact sheets to identify health care topics for sexual and gender minorities:
VA Office of Health Equity: Health Equity Action Plan
Website address: https://www.va.gov/HEALTHEQUITY/Health_Equity_Action_Plan.asp
VA Office of Health Equity: Health Equity Coalition
Website address: https://www.va.gov/HEALTHEQUITY/Health_Equity_Coalition.asp
VA Patient Care Services: Research Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Veterans
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/Research.asp
LGBTQ+ VETERAN HEALTH CARE Trans Men and Masculine of Center (MOC) Veterans Health Care (PDF)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-transgender-male.pdf
LGBTQ+ VETERAN HEALTH CARE Trans Women and Transfeminine Veteran Health Care (PDF)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-transgender-female.pdf
LGBTQ+ VETERAN HEALTH CARE Male Veterans: Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Health Care (PDF)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-gay-bisexual-men.pdf
LGBTQ+ VETERAN HEALTH CARE Female Veterans: Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Health Care (PDF)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/va-pcs-lgbt-factsheet-lesbian-bisexual-women.pdf
LGBTQ+ VETERAN HEALTH CARE Nonbinary Veterans (PDF)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/docs/LGBTQ-factsheet-nonbinary-Veterans.pdf
Swords to Plowshares
Telephone Number: 415-727-8387
Website address: https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org
VA Facilities with LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (LGBTQ+ VCC)
Website address: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp#California
Homelessness Resource
Homeless Veteran Stand Downs/Operation Reveille (Calendar of nationwide recurring events linking veterans to housing, health care, & other services)
Website address: https://www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp
Soldier On (Housing & Services)
Telephone Number: 413-582-3059, 413-236-5644
Website address: https://wesoldieron.org
Transitional Housing in Communities/At Risk of/Experiencing Homelessness
Website address: https://www.womenvetsusa.org/benefits-services/housing/homelessness.php
Education and Training Resources
Check your local universities or the university you wish to attend for financial aid. Example of University financial aid: Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) of Syracuse University -- delivers programs in career, vocational and entrepreneurship education, and training. Annex 2 also contains more information about scholarships and related things.
Telephone Number: 315-443-0141
Website address: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu
Eligibility: Student must be a veteran already getting benefits at the 100% benefit rate payable, a transfer-of-entitlement-eligible dependent child, or a transfer-of-entitlement-eligible spouse of a veteran. The school must also agree to the VA’s invitation to this program.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship: This scholarship allows the children of service members who died in the line of combat or after.
Website address: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
The Montgomery GI Bill, Veteran Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and others. Be sure to know the term limit on these benefits, how to transfer them to your children, and if they expire.
Website address:
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty
https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11
VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E), formally the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits
Website address: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab
Marine Corps University:
Telephone Number: 703-784-6836
Website address: https://www.usmcu.edu
Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program: This program was created to help veterans pay off their education bills therefore supplementing the GI Bill tuition benefits by reducing the required school’s tuition payments down to 50% of what it originally was in the best scenarios and whatever the reduction of required payments is the VA will match that.
Website address: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/yellow-ribbon-program
WSA.Gov: The government offers many programs to help vets find and keep civilian jobs. This website can direct you to federal jobs for veterans.
Telephone Number: 1-844-872-4681
Website address: https://www.usa.gov/veteran-employment
Programs for Job & Career Search
American Corporate Partners: Program Overview | American Corporate Partners (acp-usa.org)
Telephone Number: 212-752-0700
Website address: https://www.acp-usa.org/
American Job Centers.
Telephone Number: 1-877-889-5267
Website address: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/onestop
Apprenticeship Programs
There are many federal government and civilian apprenticeship programs for veterans, and the VA provides benefits that cover costs related to some training and apprenticeships.
Boots to Business: Boots to Business (B2B): An entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. It begins with a two-day “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course, and after completing that course, participants may further their study through the B2B Revenue Readiness online course, delivered through a partnership with Mississippi State University.
Website address: https://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-platform/boots-business
Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Cool): Help service members find information on certifications and licenses related to their Military Occupational Specialties, enhancing the chance to transition effectively to the civilian workforce.
Website address: https://www.cool.osd.mil
Department of Defense Skillbridge Program: A DoD-sponsored program that allows service members the opportunity to gain experience in apprenticeships and internships with companies during their last 180 days (about 6 months) of service.
Website address: https://skillbridge.osd.mil
Department of Labor’s Veteran Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides employers with assistance in finding qualified transitioning service members, which may offer a list of participating employers for veterans
DANTES DoD VoLEd Programs. DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support): Provides no-cost education and career planning programs for U.S. Armed Forces military members. Licensing and Certification: If you want to use the knowledge you accrued in your specific military occupation in civilian life for your new job, you will be required to obtain a new license and or certification.
Website address: https://www.dantes.doded.mil
Entrepreneur Programs
Boots to Business
Bunker Labs
Enrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (YEP)
Patriot Boot Camp
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepeneur Investment Program
VETRN
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) of the US Small Business Administration
Veteran Institute for Procurement
The Rosie Network’s Service2CEO Program
For Federal Government Jobs: A reliable source is the Federal Resume Guidebook by Kathryn Kraemer Troutman and Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career by Lt. Colonel Matthew J. Louis (U.S. Army (Ret.)).
Feds Hire Vets of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Telephone Number: (202) 606-1800
Website address: https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/
FourBlock: A nationwide community of veterans and employers dedicated to assisting veterans in the transition process to civilian life regarding jobs and careers.
Telephone Number :46-3575713
Website address: https://fourblock.org/about
G.I. Jobs: Discover Your Post-Military Career Offers Tremendous Opportunities
Green Beret Foundation (GBF): Offers a program designed for Army special operations professionals
Telephone Number:78-216-7723
Website address: https://greenberetfoundation.org/
Helmuts to Hardhats: Connects veterans with training and career opportunities in the construction industry
Telephone Number: 1-866-741-6210
Website address: https://helmetstohardhats.org/contact-us/
Hire Heroes USA: A non-profit that provides job search assistance
Telephone Number: 646-786-6886
Website address: http://www.hireheroesusa.org/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=idealist
Hire Veterans: Jobs for Americas
Telephone Number: 81-2397022
Website address: https://vetjobsamerica.org/
Honor Foundation: Sponsors a transition program for special operations professionals
Telephone Number: (619) 916.6421 ext. 702
Email address: info@honor.org
Job Boards: these are online platforms where employers list job openings and job seekers apply for positions. There are many of them, in general, and the following ones are for veterans (among others):
Fastport
FedsHireVets
GI Jobs
HireMilitary
HirePurpose
HireVeterans
Hotjobs.net
Military.com
Military Hire
Military Times
National Veterans Foundation
RallyPoint
Recruit Military
VetJobs: sponsored by Corporate America Supports You (CASY)
There are also job-matching sites, such CareerBuilder, Indeed, Monster, Purepost and ZipRecruiter.
Job or Career Fairs and Conferences: There are many job or career fairs and conferences, in general, and those that are, in particular, designed for veterans. Here is a small sampling:
American Legion veterans career fairs
American Veterans Center Annual Conference
Academy Women’s Officer Women Leadership Symposium
Cleared Job job fairs
Corporate Gray job fairs
Elite Meet conferences
Job Zone job fairs
MBA Veterans Conference
Military.com job fairs
Military Officers Association of American (MOAA) career and education events
National Labor Exchange Career Events
National Association of State Workforce Agencies Veterans Conference
RecruitMilitary veteran job fairs
Service Academy Career Conferences
Soldiers for Life – Transition Assistance Program job fairs
Student Veterans of America National COnferencerence
Veteran Recruiting job fairs
Womens Veterans Alliance Unconference
Local Veterans;’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) Program are state employees located in state employment offices that provide veterans with job assistance
MilitaryHire.Com
Mynextmove.org
National Veterans Foundation
Veteran Job Search Tool by Military.com
Military Times Reboot Camp. A good resource for purchasing homes, tops for spouses and reducing stress.
Website address: https://www.militarytimes.com/tags/reboot-camp
Program Overview | American Corporate Partners (acp-usa.org)
Website address: https://www.acp-usa.org/mentoring-program/program-overview
Veterans Employment Toolkit of the VA. This is aimed at helping veterans find employment.
Veteran Jobs Mission (formerly known as 100,000 Veteran Jobs Mission)
Website address: https://www.veteranjobsmission.com
Vets Intech: a resource for veterans interested in the technology industry.
Website address: https://www.vetsintech.com
Vets2Industry Foundation: Acts as a free resource library for the military community and lists companies with opportunities for veterans
Telephone number: 800-324-0026
Website address: https://www.vets2industry.org
Workshop for Warriors: Provides training and education for veterans interested in advanced manufacturing.
Website address: https://www.wfw.org
Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE): This is part of an initiative to allow veterans and their families to become business entrepreneurs.
Telephone Number: 315-443-0141
Website address: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/ideation/strive/?q=/strive&q=/programs/entrepreneurship/ideation/strive/&
State Employment Services: At Workforce Career Centers or One-Stop Centers veterans can obtain employment information, job counseling, job search workshops, resume preparation, and specialized employment for disabled vets.
Website address: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wotc/contact/state-workforce-agencies
Transition Assistance Program, now referred to as Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success) is designed to build skills that allow service members to depart “career ready” and meet mandatory Career Readiness Standards (CRS).
Telephone Number: 1-866-487-2365
Website address: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap
TAP offers three-day workshop programs with the goal of helping to reintegrate veterans, especially those who are disabled, into civilian life predominantly through teaching all the components of how to search for jobs and other VA benefits.
Unemployment Compensation: By contacting the nearest state employment office, veterans who have left the military and have not obtained employment yet may receive, for a limited time only, weekly unemployment checks.
USO Pathfinder Program: helps veterans prepare for jobs.
Telephone Number: 1 (888) 484 3876
Website address: https://www.uso.org/programs/uso-transition-program
Veterans' Preference for Federal Job: If you are the widow of a veteran, an honorably discharged disabled veteran, or an honorably discharged veteran who served during specific time periods or military campaigns, you legally have the privilege to be chosen over others for certain competitive job listings working in the federal government.
Veterans Workforce Investment Program: The VWIP provides veterans who are recently separated and have service caused disabilities, or ‘significant’ barriers to employment, or who “served on active duty during a period in which a campaign or expedition badge was authorized”, the opportunity to receive assistance from their state employment office.
Website address: https://www.federalgrants.com/Veterans-Workforce-Investment-Program-VWIP-4750.html
Veterans Employment Toolkit. This is aimed at helping veterans find employment.
Website address: https://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs): In partnership with the SBA, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services, such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals. Services include pre-business plan workshops, concept assessments, business plan preparation, entrepreneurial training, mentorships, and more. There are 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.
Website address: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program
Veterans on Wall Street – Honoring and Employing Our Veterans
Website address: https://veteransonwallstreet.com
Spouses & Families Resources
4-H Military Partnerships
Telephone Number: 785-532-2036
Website address: https://4-hmilitarypartnerships.org/
Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs
Telephone Number: 609-491-3149
Website address: https://amseagency.com
Attend a spouse Transition & Readiness Seminar (“STARS”)
Telephone Number: 928-269-2680
Website address: https://yuma.usmc-mccs.org/activity/bd4eacab-27f5-4c58-bacf-c736bb8b92e1
Back from the Front: Combat Trauma, Love, and the Family. (ISBN 1886968187)
Aphrodite Matsakis is a psychotherapist with a special interest in PTSD. Her book aims to help partners and Veterans understand the effects of combat trauma on relationships and family life. It also includes resources to help every member of the family.
Bunker Labs helps Military Spouses with jobs
Telephone Number:47-1474802
Website address: https://bunkerlabs.org
Boys and Girls Club of American Military Partnership
Telephone Number: 404-487-5700
Website address: https://www.bgca.org/about-us/military
Department of Defense Military Family and Community Policy, the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State
Telephone Number: 1-877-382-9185
Department of Labor, Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition Options: A great resource on the Department of Labor website with an interactive map: military spouse Interstate License Recognition Options | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
Website address: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses/license-recognition
Family Centers: When leaving the military, veterans can receive help from Family Centers which refer veterans to programs, offices, and other services, such as the Spouse Employment Assistance Program, the Exceptional Family Member Program, the Relocation Assistance Program, and the Personal Financial Management Program. The family centers vary based on each respective branch: Army Communication Service Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Fleet and Family Support Center, and Marine and Family Services.
Financial Planning: there are many advisors and financial institutions that offer veterans and their families financial planning. One such firm that advised us on the financial planning Annex contained on our website is:
Seide Financial Group
Telephone Number: 610-280-9330
Email Address: Todd W. Cottingham at twc@seidefinancial.com
Installation Youth Centers
Telephone Number: 912-320-5051
Website address: https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/about/news/installation-youth-centers-re-open
Website address: https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu
Journey of Veterans Map may be a helpful resource for military family service professionals. This map covers the ten life stages any veteran may encounter, from pre-service to end of life.
Website addresses: https://www.va.gov/ve/docs/journey-map-veteran-2016.pdf https://www.va.gov/ve/docs/VeteranJourneyMapBlank.pdf
Kognito: Transitions: Supporting Military Children is an interactive role-play simulation for educators and after-school staff that builds understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by military-connected youth, and prepares users to lead real-life conversations with any youth who are struggling to adjust socially.
Telephone Number: 212-675-9234
Website address: https://kognito.com
Making the transition from service easier for military families (militarytimes.com -- article)
Telephone Number: 800-408-00309
Website address: https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2022/05/01/making-the-transition-from-service-easier-for-military-families
Military-Transition.Org. This helps service members, veterans, spouses and employers better understand and prepare for the transition process.
Telephone Number: 513-486-4362
Website address: https://www.military-transition.org
MyStep Military Spouse Transition Program. This provides trusted and reliable information, videos and links to assist your family and their transition.
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/mystep-military-to-civilian-transition
Military and Veteran Caregiver Experience Map -- a map to document the military caregiver journey and its impact on the caregiver’s physical, psychological, financial and social wellbeing.
Military Child Education Coalition Student 2 Student Program
Website address: https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
Website address: https://caregiverjourney.elizabethdolefoundation.org
MySECo: a DoD spouse Education and Career Opportunities program that provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide.
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal
Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce
Website address: https://milspousechamber.org
National Retiree Councils: Military Retiree Councils offer a “link” between retired veterans, their families, and surviving spouses with leaders of their military branches. The councils have yearly meetings in which they conclude what the most pressing issues are with the retiree benefits and relay them to their military branch. The Air force Retiree Council writes letters throughout the year to Air Force offices that can offer solutions to the issues.
Website address: https://www.liuna.org/nationalretireecouncil
Operation Sisterhood: a New Jersey-based program for female veterans.
Telephone Number: 973-538-5260
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/CFP4Vets
Onward to Opportunity (020): A collaboration among the DoD, the Schultz Family Foundation and the Institute for Veteran and Military Families at Syracuse University to bring career training to eligible military members and their spouses.
Telephone Number: 315-443-0141
Website address: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/career-training
Stepping Beyond | military spouse Transition Program (MySTeP) | MySECO (militaryonesource.mil)
Website address: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/mystep/stepping-beyond
Transitional Health Care for You and Your Family
TAMP offers health care, transition assistance, and TRICARE coverage to eligible veterans leaving the military and their eligible family members limited to 180 days.
To be eligible you must have been involuntarily separated from active duty, a Reserve Component veteran who was taken out of active duty and ordered to assist a contingency operation for a timeframe of more than thirty days, or voluntarily separated from active duty post signing an agreement to stay active for less than one year to support a contingency mission.
If you wish to re-enroll in TAMP after the 180 days, you must contact your servicing personnel center to complete an enrollment application.
Transition Employment Assistance for military spouses and Caregivers (EAMS) is a series of Department of Labor (DOL) employment workshops that extend the Department’s Transition Assistance Program to assist military spouses and caregivers as they plan and prepare for their job search in pursuit of their employment.
Telephone Number: 1-866-487-2365
Website address: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/teamsworkshops#:~:text=Transition%20Employment%20Assistance%20for%20Military%20Spouses%20and%20Caregivers%20(TEAMS)%20is,in%20pursuit%20of%20their%20employment
Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
After the DoD approves the TOE, your children or spouse can be approved for a maximum of 36 months’ worth of tuition payments, housing payments, and books and supplies payments.
Website Address: https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/veterans/Transfer%20of%20Entitlement.pdf
The following article: Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life & The Effects of PTSD (asymca.org)
Website address: https://www.asymca.org/blog/transitioning-from-military-to-civilian-life
Youth Sponsorship Program
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/parenting/children-youth-teens/youth-sponsorship
Telephone Number: 1-877-382-9185
Website address: https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu
Some Resources for Military Kids:
Military Spouse (an online site)
Website address: https://www.militaryspouse.com
Sesame Street for Military Families Military OneSource; has tools to help you help children understand the transition to civilian life
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/parenting/family-life/sesame-street-for-military-families
Transitioning from a Service Member to Veteran or Retiree - Blog | CCGC (claritycgc.org)
Telephone Number: 210-616-0300
Website address: https://www.claritycgc.org/transitioning-from-a-service-member-to-veteran-or-retiree-challenges-that-military-connected-families-face-and-how-to-overcome-them
Legal Resources
American Bar Association: for national pro bono (free) legal services
Telephone Number: 800-285-2221
Website address: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/milvets
Justice for Vets
Telephone Number: 703-575-9400
Website address: https://justiceforvets.org
Legal Services (National Pro Bono Resources)
Telephone Number: 800-285-2221
Website address: https://www.militaryspouse.com
State Veteran Benefits
Telephone Number: 22202-3531
Website address: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory.html?ESRC=banner.nl
Stateside Legal
Telephone Number: 207-622-1460
Website address: https://statesidelegal.org
Veterans Legal Services Initiative (VetLex)
Telephone Number: 312-832-2157
Website address: https://www.militaryspouse.com
Zimmermann & Zimmermann, PLLC: defense lawyers. They handle trials and appeas in state, federal and military courts. Contact Terri R. Zimmermann, Esq.
Telephone: 713-552-0300
Email Address: terri@texasdefenselawyers.com
Veterans Administration Resources
Association of County Veterans Service Officers offers a directory to locate the nearest one near you
Concierge for Care (C4C): A new healthcare enrollment initiative where VA staff members will contact newly separated service members to answer questions, process applications and schedule their first VA medical appointment, if necessary.
Telephone Number: 866-584-7191
Website address: https://www.veteranaid.org
County Veteran Service Officers: Helps veterans, their families and their caregivers access government benefits and community support services. The National Transition and Care Management Team – at the local VA Medical Centers, this helps connect post-9/11 veterans to patient health care services and assists veterans in navigating the VA health care system.
Department of Veteran Affairs:
Telephone Number: 1-877-222-8387
Website address: https://www.va.gov
VA’s Vet Center Program – provides community-based readjustment counseling to eligible Service members, veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors to facilitate successful transition to civilian life.
Telephone Number: 888-726-1772
Website address: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov
Small Businesses and Contracts: The VA Center for Veterans Enterprise assists veterans in starting businesses and or growing them. Contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at to receive help.
Telephone Number: 866-584-2344
Website address: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/veteran-owned-business-support
VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program: Helps veterans who are disabled due to their military service achieve employment, maintain employment, or obtain independence in daily living by offering education, job training, vocational and personal training, and financial assistance for approximately 48 months. Your eligibility depends on if you have been awarded a monthly VA disability compensation or if you are about to be discharged due to a service-related disability.
Website address: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocreha
VA Health Administration Center: To submit new health care claims and receive more details on benefits regarding service-related disabilities contact the VA Health Administration Center.
Telephone Number: 877-327-0022
Website address: https://www.va.gov/health
VA Healthcare Eligibility: Depends on several factors, including if your discharge was honorable or dishonorable, your time serving, the VA’s opinion on any service-related disabilities, one’s income level, and the availability of VA resources.
Telephone Number: 800-827-1000
Website address: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility
Stichman, Barton F., Abrams, Ronald B. and Sparato, Richard V. (Eds), Veterans Benefits Manual: National Veterans Legal Services Program. This book is written by NVSLP attorneys and aims to be a practical guide for veteran’s benefits advocate, with critical information to navigate benefits issues.
Additional Insurance and Healthcare Resources
Convert SGLI, VGLI or FSGLI to a Commercial Policy: Life Insurance (va.gov).
Website address: https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/converting.asp
Life Insurance: Your veterans Group Life Insurance and Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage expires 120-days after leaving the military. Veteran can convert their coverage to Veterans Group Life Insurance (CGLI) and is less expensive than other civilian options.
Under certain conditions, the option to convert to a commercial insurance policy is extended to persons covered under the SGLI and CGLI programs, as well as spouses covered under FSGLI.
Website address: https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli
Predischarge Program: This is a combined effort with DoD, BDD, CONUS, and the VA to allow veterans, 180-60 days prior to their retirement, the ability to file claims for disability compensation along with other benefits. If you are scheduled to retire from the military in less than 60 days or are unable to perform the examinations and or provide the records of your disability, then the Quick Start Program is the next best thing as it offers similar benefits.
Standard means you are responsible for filing your own claim, you are required to pay an initial fee and yearly deductible and then pay cost share fees once the deductible has been reached. You can contact the Health Benefits Advisors for further help.
Website address: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/pre-discharge-claim
TRICARE for retirees: The health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families around the world. TRICARE provides comprehensive coverage to all beneficiaries, including: health plans, special programs, prescriptions, dental plans.
Website address: https://www.tricare.mil/About
Additional Resources
The VA recognizes approximately 100 Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) that are organizations that aid and serve veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors. We have provided a list of several in this annex, but you can do an accredited search through the VA website: www.va.gov/ogc/recognizedvsos.asp
AMVETS (American Veterans):
Telephone Number: 301-459-9600
Website address: https://www.amvets.org
Air Force Association
Telephone Number: 703-247-5800
Website address: https://www.afa.org
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Telephone Number: 202-265-0991
Website address: https://www.goldstarmoms.com
Coast Guard Foundation:
Telephone Number: 860-535-0786
Website address: https://coastguardfoundation.org
Catholic War Veterans
Telephone Number: 703-549-3622
Website address: https://www.cwv.org
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc
Telephone Number: 1-888-751-6350
Website address: https://www.goldstarwives.org
Jewish War Veterans
Telephone Number: 202-265-6280
Website address: https://www.cwv.org
Korean War Veterans Association
Telephone Number: 217-345-4414
Website address: https://kwva.us
Military One Source
Telephone Number: 800-342-9647
Website address: https://www.militaryonesource.mil
National Guard Association of the United States
Telephone Number: 202-789-0031
Website address: https://www.ngaus.org
Non-Commissioned Officers Association of America
Telephone Number: 210-653-6161
Website address: https://www.ncoausa.org
The Honor Foundation, open to all Special Operations. They also accept support personnel and enablers currently attached to a SOCOM command or unit, with strong recommendations from the SOF community.
Telephone Number: 619-916-6421
Website address: https://www.honor.org/gclid=Cj0KCQiAx6ugBhCcARIsAGNmMbhvPvvePl3lKACRO5loLoVXGXoHHulAguBTy8VJ_2IPww0n0ySraWoaAmk1EALw_wcB
Vietnam Veterans of America: Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam Veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
Telephone Number: 301-585-4000
Website address: https://vva.org
Women's Army Corps Veterans Association
Telephone Number: 256-820-6824
Website address: https://www.armywomen.org
Annex 2 - Guidelines for Applying to College
There are many good reasons for veterans to consider going to college after they leave the military. A college education still brings many benefits, including higher wages, increased job and career options, greater financial stability and, for some, greater job satisfaction. At the same time, many veterans question their ability to get into and finish college. We are here to tell you that it is achievable. In fact, we would encourage you to aim high when considering going to college and to which colleges to apply. At the same time, it may make sense, depending on your situation, to create the conditions for your Success by first attending a community college so you can get your academic sea legs back first and then transferring to a four year college. Get some advice before you embark on these choices.
As discussed in other parts of this book, you also should take the transition seriously—it will have its ups and downs, moments of discouragement and challenge and success and victory
It is also important to be clear with yourself why you are seeking to go to college. This will fuel your thinking about what kind of college you would like to go to, what you would like to study, what would you like to do afterward and sustain you in the challenging moments. We also note that going to college with the goal of getting a degree is different than taking courses at a college.
1. Prepare in Advance & Know Your Application Deadlines.
Figuring out to what colleges to apply and embarking on the steps needed to do that takes time and advanced preparation. Most civilian high school seniors start that process in beginning of their 11th grade year to get into colleges in their 12th grade year—meaning, they start in August or September of the year before they actually apply, though it can be done more quickly, depending on your situation. In other words, it is ideal to start at least one if not two years in advance.
Assuming you start preparing in the Fall of Year 1, here are some rough time guidelines, assuming you start and admissions goal in the Fall of Year 2
Overview:
August 1, Year 2: the date most applications at colleges will open for students applying for Fall 2024 enrollment
November Year 2—February Year 3: general range when most apply—with decisions mailed usually in March or April Year 3
Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision & Rolling Admissions Options:
There are a variety of early application options at most colleges. You don’t have to use them, but they are usually to your advantage in doing so.
Early Decision: deadline is usually November 1 or 15, Year 2—with decisions mailed December Year 2. When one applies Early Decision, you agree to go if you are admitted and sign a contract to that effect up front. While ED applicants tend to receive a higher percentage of admissions of the incoming class and it does increase ones chances, you have to be sure you are willing to go if accepted.
Early Action: like Early Decision, this is an accelerated college application process in which applicants typically complete their applications in November and hear back in December. Unlike ED, it is non-binding.
Regular Decision: most regular decision deadlines are between December 1 and January 15—with decisions mailed March or April Year 3
Rolling admissions: the timing varies but usually starts in August—with decisions are mailed 4-6 weeks later.
2. Create a Target List of Schools.
Colleges vary in size, distance from home, curriculum and majors offered, housing, activities, financial aid, the degree to which they offer veterans academic credit and the school’s success in placing graduates in jobs or other post-graduate programs. Whether you are applying to your local community, state college or a more competitive school, you will need to think through your choices.
Here are some basic considerations when it comes to creating a list of target schools:
There are many ways to learn about colleges, from online resources to books, to friends to visits. Take your time to learn about these things. For anyone applying to college, this is its own journey and what one thought of as initially a clear choice in schools often changes as one goes through the process. Now is the time to investigate.
As mentioned above, depending on your situation, it may make sense to first start off going to a local community college to re-aclimate yourself to the rigors of academic life and then apply to transfer to a four year college. Get advice about this from folks who know you and the terrain of college.
You might want to apply to your local state school.
If you are considering more competitive schools, think about limiting your list to 10-15 schools. Each one takes some investigating. Today, these schools value the “demonstration of interest,” which includes visits, interviews and attending tours. If you go this route, create your list so it has reach or tougher schools to get into, your targets and your safety schools. Think about creating a chart that lists schools across the top and how you rank them by all the criteria that are important to you. And, you can change your list of schools as you go through the process.
How much does the average college admission cost?
Visit colleges. This will give you a more concrete sense of what the school, students, activities, veterans programs and other things are like. In addition, at competitive schools, arranging a visit in advance, with a tour and interview are a way to demonstrate interest in the school, which can be a factor in their admissions process.
Some colleges have programs for veterans and are more veteran-friendly than others. See if the schools have an active veteran center or community, military-specific academic assistance, strong financial support for veterans and military-specific career resources.
Consider applying Early Decision or Early Action, as described above. There is a lot of strategy involved in these choices, about which we recommend you get advice.
3. Get Organized: Assemble A Checklist of What Materials You Will Need & Pursue Them.
High School Transcript: call your high school to get your high school transcript. You will need to arrange to have it be part of your Common Application (so-called “Common App”).
Letters of Recommendation: figure out how many letters of recommendation you need and then speak with the high school teachers and coaches and commanding officer who could write them for you. Ideally, letters of recommendation should form a part of—should round out—the story your overall application tells. So, consider people who can write your letters who can speak to different aspects of you as a candidate in a way that tells a different but also consistent story about you. Again, you will need to arrange to have these letters of recommendation be a part of your Common App.
Military Service Record: collect your military service record (Form DD 214), which will form a part of your application.
Take the ACT or SAT—if needed:
Consider whether the schools to which you are applying require or allow the submission of standardized test scores. Many but not all do require these tests. Many schools that require them only require one but not both of these tests.
The College Board publishes online information about these tests, including the dates and locations at which they are given.
Some colleges use these test results in different ways—for example, some allow you to use your combined highest scores from one test date. There are variations on how colleges will allow you to mix and match scores.
For those applying to competitive schools, we urge you to study in advance, with practice books and tests and even a tutor if you can afford it.
Get A Common App Account. The Common App (or Common App) is an online portal through which one applies to most colleges in the US today. Several hundred colleges accept the Common App, but not all colleges in the US do. So, you should figure that out early on in your process. You register for it online, as are almost all college admissions things. See www/commonapp.org.
4. Prepare Your Essays & Application Answers.
Invest time in your application essays. They give you a chance to talk about your experiences and personality in a way that grades and test scores do not reflect. “Veterans and servicemembers offer something unique that the admissions staff won’t find in most of the other application packages. These essays can provide a refreshing sense of variety. Applicants want to stand out for the right reasons, and taking about one’s time in the service is one such way to do that,” according to Andy McCarty, Director of Northeastern University’s Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers.
5. Build a Support Network & Get Advice.
“Do not be reluctant to seek help, and say yes when others offer it. While the military promotes collaboration and teamwork, sometimes veterans are so self-reliant that it verges on impediment. Someday you will be in a position to offer help to others. Until that point, accept the generosity of people in such positions” advised Robert Henderson, who got into his dream school and made the transition successfully.
Here is a list of those that can be a great help to you:
Find an advisor. This can be an academic advisor or college guidance counselor from your high school or just someone who can walk you through the process.
Have someone review and proof your essays and application answers.
Compare Notes with other veterans and friends applying.
Speak with the Admissions Department of the colleges to which you are applying. Some may be willing to speak with you to help you figure out whether you are eligible to receive college credit for your military training, exempting you from taking some required courses, financial aid and other things about the college that may not be clear to you.
Some colleges have a veteran’s resource center.
Several non-profit programs, such as Veterans Upward Bound and the Warrior-Scholar Project, provide tutoring, counseling and instruction for veterans to assist them in preparing for and attending college.
Service to School links veterans who are currently attending college with a veteran seeking higher education. The student veteran can be a mentor, to guide the veteran applying through the process.
6. Look into Financial Aid.
There are many sources of financial aid available to veterans for college. It is critical that you start the process of checking out these programs early. Also consult a student financial advisor or a Veteran Service Officer if the schools have one.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers benefits and [covers the cost of tuition for state universities]. See benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Yellow Ribbon Program: this program is sponsored by colleges and offers veterans educational benefits under the Post 9-11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act that are in addition to benefits under that statute. The program acts as a bridge between the VA and high-level institutions who combine their resources to offer competitive tuition assistance to veterans.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) awards grants and loans. See Fafsa.gov.
Many schools offer scholarships.
Research veteran non-profits that offer scholarships to veterans, such as the Pat Tillman Foundation scholarship.
7. Arrange for Transfer Credits.
Some colleges will accept transfer credits from courses you took before at a college, including a community college, and also some military class credits. This will allow you to skip certain educational requirements.
You may still be able to get credit for training and experience through CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams, even if you don’t qualify for credit from prior courses or military ones.
8. Apply: don’t forget this part. That may sound silly, but you got to hit send and get a confirm.
9. Keep Track of When You Will Hear Back & Response Deadlines.
First off, don’t take rejection letters too seriously—unless it’s from the only school to which you applied. All you need is one school you would be happy to attend.
Keep track of response timing from the schools. If you were expecting to hear but have not, contact the Admissions Department to ask.
10. Considerations for Once You Get Admitted & Start College.
Contact your Academic Advisor. That person should be well-positioned to help you map out your courses and other things before school begins. If you develop a good relationship with that person, that academic advisor can be a great source of information, wise advice and support throughout college
Seek Out Veterans. If there are veterans’ resources, go check them out. Seek out other veterans—they will be undergoing the same transition that you are making.
Anticipate the Transition. Recognize that you are making two major transitions, the one out of the military and the one into a civilian college, with most fellow students and professors coming from the civilian world. Anticipate these transitions and that, at times, they will stress you and maybe make you question your choice to go to college. We urge you to consider all of the strengths, resilience, discipline and courage you learned in the military and apply those great strengths to your current terrain’s challenges. Read Chapter 5 on how to apply these things in the context of a job, which is very similar to going to college.
Get Support If You Need It. If you are finding that you need support, whether academic or other, go get it and get it early. Don’t let difficulties fester. The earlier difficulties of any kind get addressed, the easier they are to solve. The challenge for the veteran transitioning by going to college can be difficult, but many have done it successfully. So can you.
Annex 3 - Guideline for Preparing a Financial Plan
There are many kinds of financial plans. This guideline is meant for those just starting out. We are not writing for those with more experience or sophistication in financial matters. With that in mind, we list below the our nine things to do for those transitioning to civilian life and want to engage in financial planning. But, please bear in mind that every financial plan should be tailored to your objectives and needs. There are many online resources available to help with financial planning. Getting the professional advice of a financial advisor is also invaluable—even for folks who consider their means modest.
1. Have Your Financial Plan Support Your Larger Vision.
How does money and a financial plan serve your larger life vision? The questions that come from this kind of a discussion can be valuable in framing the larger picture and purpose for you. If this sounds too academic to you, skip to creating a budget.
2. Set Financial Goals.
Develop a series of specific financial goals.
Consider breaking up financial goals into time frames, such as for the first year, year 2-5 and 10 years out.
What are the target dates, how critical is it to hit your savings and other goals?
Depending on your financial resources and needs, consider setting aside money and investing it for specific financial goals, like to pay for children’s schooling or to buy a house.
When it comes to paying for children’s college, we recommend you look into tax-advantaged plans, like state 529 plans (which allow contributions to them on a tax advantaged basis). Beware that every state has its own 529 plan with its own rules.
3. Create a Budget.
A budget is as simple as a list of your sources of cash (salary) and your expenses, done on a monthly or yearly basis. We know of no other way to plan for the future and to live within your means.
Any effective financial plan, be it for a person, family, or a business, looks first at cash flow and then your assets and debt.
Your cash flow is best evaluated by looking at monthly averages and tracking the following:
What is coming in (income)
What is going out (expenses)
What is being held for the future (savings)
What is going to taxes (federal, state, local )
Your inventory of assets is captured with the following:
Value of accounts you own
Bank accounts
Savings Accounts
Retirement Accounts
Brokerage Accounts
Value of property you own
Personal assets like a vehicle
Value of a home or real estate
The assets above are balanced by any debt or outstanding loans
Credit Card balances that carry over from month to month
Mortgage
Car Loans
There are several ways to create a budget. Our suggestion for folks starting out is to simply track for the first few months to one year out what your income is and make a list of every category of expense. Every month record these things and check them for their accuracy—are there expenses that you did not anticipate or remember? Revise your simple budget and build it out in the course of your first year of planning. You can develop more sophisticated budgets later.
4. Plan For Taxes.
While at taxes are an expense (and therefore part of a budget), they need to be anticipated separately. You can estimate your yearly income and, with a little self-tutoring including with online tools and programs, what your yearly taxes will be.
5. Build An Emergency Fund.
Veterans know all too well the importance of planning and the reality that things do not always go as planned. One of the best ways to maintain financial independence is by being prepared for emergencies. Putting away cash for an emergency is critical and provides peace of mind. Your budget will demonstrate how much you need each month for your living expenses (i.e. rent/mortgage, bills, food, insurance, etc). Ideally, an Emergency Fund will have between 3 and 6 months of living expenses. That can be a lot of money, so it is great to start small ($500) and build your way up over time to having an emergency fund for larger difficulties.
6. Manage Debt.
One of the benefits of an emergency fund is avoiding the use of high interest credit cards or paycheck loans when money is tight due to unexpected circumstances. Whether due to short term challenges or larger issues, high cost debt (i.e. high interest rates) is one of the biggest wastes of money and sources of financial anxiety. is debt that is unmanaged, with high interest rates, such as credit card debt. One of your first moves should be to pay that off with lower interest rate options. Consult with your bank or a friendly financial advisor. If you review your Inventory of Assets (#3 above) you can review your debts to determine which have higher interest rates that will give you the best savings if paid off sooner.
7. Protect Your Financial Well Being With Insurance.
Insurance is an important part of protecting you and your family against financial downside. Insurance includes health insurance, disability insurance, auto and home owners insurance and life insurance. You can research and get the best rates on insurance with simple online research.
8. Plan For Retirement.
Retirement from working may sound far off for some. It’s not and those than plan ahead and save for retirement uniformally are more likely to be able to retire comfortably compared to those that don’t. In this regard, the single most important financial facts are the so-called time “value of money” (meaning a dollar in your hand today is more valuable than a dollar in your hand in the future because of your ability to invest it today and have that investment grow over time) and the compounding effect of investing (so you earn interest on previously earned interest on the principal amount of money invested). See the chart below for a graphic illustration of these principles. The best advice we can give you is to start saving and investing money for your retirement today. In addition, specific financial planning for retirement includes employer 401(k) and retirement account programs. These are programs that allow you to invest cash today in a way that is a tax-advantaged for withdrawal later when you retire.
9. Create an Estate Plan.
Planning for your own passing away is often overlooked because it is too scary to consider, but it is one of the most loving and smart things to do for those you love. It should a will, having beneficiaries to your life insurance and bank and retirement accounts and powers of attorney for financial and health care decisions. If you can plan these things while you are still in the military, you may be able to get your local JAG officer to help with them. If not, a good trusts and estates attorney can help put these things in order.
Annex 4 - Sample Resumes, Cover Letters and Thank You Notes
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Sample Cover Letter
[Insert Your Name & Address][insert the date]
[Insert Name Title name of company and company address]
Dear _____ [insert name],
I am writing you to apply for a job as a ____________________ [insert]. I have attached my resume for your consideration.
I believe I can make a contribution to [insert company name] for the following reasons: [list them but no more than 3—with sample ones below:
I have successfully managed and lead complex organizations.
From my research about your company, I believe I could make a contribution to it because _______ [insert].
I have successfully solved problems, under difficult circumstances, for the past ten years and believe that I could help do that at your company.]
I would be grateful to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
My best regards,
[insert your name]
Sample Thank You Note
[Insert Your Name & Address] [insert the date]
[Insert Name Title name of company company address]
Dear _____ [insert name],
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. I am grateful for your time.
I am very interested in pursuing our discussion and in the [job][describe the job].
I believe I can make a contribution to [insert company name] for the following reasons: [list them].
I look forward to hearing from you and continuing our discussion.
My best regards,
[insert your name]
ENDNOTES
i Tim Stobierski, 12 Tips for Veterans Going to College After the Military (Boston: Northeastern University, August 12, 2020), https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/tips-for-veterans-going-to-college/
ii Stobierski, ibid.
iii Samantha Costanzo Carleton, Applying to College After the Military: What You Should Know (Boston: Northeastern University, October 26, 2021). https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/applying-to-college-after-military/
iv Robert Henderson, The Secret to Applying to Colleges as a Military veteran (New York: Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, LLC, May26, 2016), https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/after-service/201605/the-secret-applying-college-military-veteran