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The Veterans Administration offers many perks and benefits to Veterans and Servicemembers and their families, including many financial benefits and assistance. The VA offers, for example, VA-backed home loans for qualifying military personnel that help Servicemembers apply for and insure home loans. These home loans often give certain benefits, such as lower or no down payments, better terms, and less strict credit checks. However, in addition to these VA-backed home loans, the VA also offers refinancing options that help Veterans make home payments at monthly payments lower than traditional loans and with lower interest rates. Understanding VA Loan Refinancing: Which Option is Right for You? VA loan refinancing is a wonderful way to negotiate better terms for your VA-backed home loan. There are many reasons why you might seek VA refinance options for your home loan. You might be experiencing financial hardship and need a lower monthly payment, or there might be better interest rates available. Also, if you want to transfer other home loans with variable rates to a lower fixed rate on a VA loan, then VA refinancing is an option. The VA loan refinancing program offers many options, including Interest Rate Reduction Refinance

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is the base of operations for over 20 Marine units. Established in April 1941, it was the first Marine base in the area, named after John A. Lejeune upon his death. Sadly, it was discovered that between 1953 and 1987, there was serious contamination of the drinking water at the facility, leading to Marines and their families bathing and drinking in water with contaminations at concentrations of up to 3000 times more than permitted by safety standards. This was partially due to a lack of regulation in the safe disposal of solvents used in various operations and the improper dumping or burning of these materials near the base wells for several decades. It was ordered in the 1980s that the wells be shut down, but they were placed back online in violation of regulations at the time. Many ill health effects have since been linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune, including birth defects and health effects in pregnant and nursing mothers. The information was not made public for over two decades, until several advocacy groups formed to inform possible victims of the contamination at

It is unfortunate that many Veterans and Servicemembers, who take an oath to defend the country frequently work in hazardous conditions and environments. Operating military bases and conducting war activities often pose significant risks, and many military personnel may experience long-term health effects because of their service. Occasionally, Servicemembers may unintentionally meet hazardous and toxic materials while serving. When the US military withdrew from an area, they ordered those stationed overseas to burn materials to prevent enemy combatants from using them, resulting in clouds of toxic smoke. Furthermore, improper disposal of hazardous materials used in military operations often unknowingly exposed Servicemembers to hazardous materials on US military bases and training facilities, as evidenced by the contamination of Camp Lejeune’s drinking water between the 1950s and 1980s. The PACT Act was a piece of legislation that sought to address the issue of Veterans and Servicemembers exposed to toxic materials, primarily burn pits and Agent Orange. The PACT Act broadened the scope of VA healthcare law and benefits, particularly for Veterans who met these criteria, and extended it to include Servicemembers stationed at Camp Lejeune during the period of toxic water exposure. Understanding the PACT Act and the

One of the many benefits of serving in the military is the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program. This is a program that provides support services and activities for US military personnel and their families. Some of the services include family and youth programs, recreation and entertainment programs, travel and leisure discounts, military-specific lodging at several resort locations, and a financial readiness program that assists military families with debt and money management. For military families looking to take advantage of the MWR benefits offered at the Disney theme parks, you are in luck! Disney provides a wealth of services for military families, such as the Shades of Green resort at Disney World, discounted tickets, and special military family days at its properties, as well as MWR Disney tickets and MWR Disneyland tickets at discounted MWR Disney tickets 2024 rates. Disney military tickets MWR specials are also available in November during Veterans Day weekend specials. What Are MWR Disney Tickets? Did you know that Disney provides special MWR Disney tickets 2024 rates on tickets for military families? MWR Disney tickets and MWR Disneyland tickets allow access to the Disney parks at a discounted rate, along with exclusive benefits only

The National Park system is one of the many crowning jewels of the USA. Made up of thousands of preserved vistas of natural wilderness, historical landmarks, and educational facilities, these visitor destinations, maintained by the US government, are usually family-friendly, affordable to visit, and contain a wealth of information about many aspects of American history. In partnership with Operation Live Well, the NPS looks to give back to military personnel and their families by giving them free annual passes to the nation’s National Parks. Overview of National Park Passes for Veterans The National Park Pass for Veterans is a special pass to the US National Parks that allows military members and their dependents free access to the parks, museums, and facilities of the NPS. The military National Park pass is available to all members of the US Armed Forces and their families, including the branches of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, National Guard, and Gold Star recipients. The VA National Park pass is for both active duty and Reserves, and for Servicemembers and their spouses and dependents. These passes are available at the National Parks themselves, online, or at federal recreation sites. The lifetime

Following World War 2, the US government created the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 to assist Veterans in transitioning from military to civilian life. In its present incarnation, it offers educational benefits, unemployment insurance, housing assistance, career assistance, and low-interest loans for businesses. Anyone who has ever served in the US military qualifies for at least a portion of the GI Bill, primarily for educational benefits. While the type and number of benefits vary based on your length of service and commitment, in general, Servicemembers coming out of the military have the opportunity to take advantage of the GI Bill to help finance their education. The Post 911 GI Bill Chapter 33 is one of the more popular aspects of this piece of legislation. The VA Chapter 33 GI Bill section oversees the educational benefits available to those who served in active duty after September 10, 2001, primarily. What Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)? A portion of the Servicemen’s Act known as Post 911 GI Bill Chapter 33 offers financial assistance to military members who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. It differs from other sections of the GI Bill, such as

The Veterans Administration provides several benefits to Servicemembers and Veterans, as well as their families. One of the more popular benefits is the “GI Bill”, a piece of legislation that provides military personnel with educational opportunities, including full tuition reimbursement and materials funding in some cases, depending upon the type and length of service. Not only that, but these benefits also extend to the Servicemember’s family and, in some cases, allow for the transference of educational benefits to someone other than the Servicemember, provided they qualify and meet eligibility requirements. This transference of educational benefits is also known as “GI Bill Transferability”. Understanding GI Bill Transferability The Servicemen Readjustment Act of 1944, more commonly referred to as the “GI Bill,” is legislation that provides financial assistance to Veterans and Servicemembers, allowing them to pursue job training, education, and certification with the purpose of helping military personnel to readjust to civilian life after military service. By assisting Servicemembers and Veterans in their education after their service, the military provides a valuable resource for those who took an oath to defend the country, completed their service, and now must forge a new life for themselves outside of the military. Of

Most people who join the military are aware of the many benefits offered to Servicemembers on the part of a variety of businesses and agencies, specifically in education, insurance, and travel. But did you know that individual retailers offer their own in-house benefits for qualifying military personnel? American retailers love to show their support of the country in a variety of ways, in everything from 4th of July sales to donations to Veteran organizations on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Another way retailers show appreciation for the nation is to offer special bonuses and discounts to military personnel. Home retailer Kohl’s is one such retailer who seeks to give back to those who serve the country by offering “Military Mondays”, in which Servicemembers and their families can take advantage of special Kohl’s Veteran discounts in Kohl’s retail outlets on select merchandise. What is Kohl’s Veteran Discount? Kohl’s retail stores across the nation take part in “Military Mondays,” a promotional period of each week in which the retailer offers up to 15% discounts on select items to qualifying military members, such as active military, Veterans, retirees, and their immediate family members. Its purpose is to provide specific discounts

There are many benefits to serving in the United States armed forces, some of which include education, insurance, travel benefits, and discounts. Within the United States, many private industries like to show appreciation to those who have made the choice to defend the country by offering specialized discounts for members of the military. Many retailers enjoy giving back to military Servicemembers on special holidays like Veterans Day, while others offer year-round bonuses. If you are a frequent shopper at Lowe’s home improvement stores, then you’re in luck. Lowe’s offers members of the military special benefits and discounts through Lowe’s military discount program. Understanding Lowe’s Military Discount Program Lowe’s military discount aims to offer specific benefits to Servicemembers when they purchase items from the store, both in-person and online. The purpose of the military discount at Lowe’s is to express gratitude to the military by offering opportunities such as holiday sales and military discounts online to various Servicemembers and their families through the Veteran discounts at Lowe’s program. For military Servicemembers, Veterans and their families, with Veteran discounts at Lowe’s up to 10% on Lowe’s products along with the seasonal Lowe’s military discount, this ranks as one of

Anyone who serves in the military knows that Servicemembers are not the only important support to the nation’s defense. Military spouses play an important role in helping to maintain work-life balance for military personnel by tending to home and family, providing emotional support and encouragement, and quite literally holding down the fort during periods of deployment. The Department of Defense offers numerous benefits to spouses of active military, reserve, and Veteran personnel. Education assistance is one of these important benefits. There are several scholarships and educational opportunities specific to the spouses of military Servicemembers. The goal of these programs is to provide support and funding to military families in their educational pursuits. To find out if you are eligible for army spouse scholarships or scholarships for military dependents, read on. Types of Scholarships Available There are several scholarships for military dependants, each with their own eligibility requirements and benefits. Typically military dependents scholarships cover some or all of educational tuition, some supplies such as books or other materials, or necessary certification, and training for other types of careers. American Military University This online university is open to all military personnel, their spouses, and dependents. The university