Everyone knows about the federal benefits available to veterans, but did you know many states also offer additional great benefits to their veterans?

Click the link below then go down and click on your state that is highlighted in blue.

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From rags to spit-and-polish boots, from scratchy blue wool to the new operational camouflage pattern, from tricorn hat to helmet, the Army uniform has changed drastically through the years. In honor of the U.S. Army’s 240th birthday, and the launch of the Operational Camouflage Pattern, Soldiers takes a look at the evolution of battle dress from the Revolution through today.

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Leaving the military is a life-changing transition, but don’t make it harder by not educating yourself on your benefits.

We’ve all heard senior leaders in the military chastise their younger troops for not planning ahead. Some of us have been those troops on the receiving end of theses reprimands. “Why did you buy that brand new pick-up truck from the used car lot right off post? Weren’t you thinking about your future?”

Short answer: No, I wasn’t. Long answer: I’ve always wanted the truck; I finally have a steady income, and I work a dangerous job. You only live once.

Look, it’s going to be nearly impossible to stop these kinds of things when troops put on the uniform, but what about when they are about to take off the uniform for good? Can we do better?

Over the past few years, Congress and the military have made a tremendous investment in transforming the way in which we prepare transitioning service members for civilian life. The new training is much more robust, and best (or worst) of all, it is mandatory, stomping out the ages-old “nobody told me” excuse. Continue reading →

Army and Marine first sergeants have to talk a lot, considering their duties as company-level senior enlisted leaders. While they primarily act as advisors to company commanders and deal with administrative issues, they sometimes say things that drive troops crazy.

1. “It would behoove you …”

Often used by first sergeants to tell troops that it would be a good idea to do something — “it would behoove you to wear your eye-pro on the range” — it’s often overused and mispronounced as “bee-who-of-you.”

2. “Hey there, gents”

Short for gentlemen, first sergeants sometimes refer to their troops as gents. Of course, this is totally fine and not a big deal, except when you are called a gent all of the time.

3. “Utilize”

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, “utilize” means to use. So stop making a word choice so complicated and just freaking say use.

4. “All this and a paycheck too!”

In the Army and Marine Corps, you get to work out, shoot stuff, and blow things up, and you get paid for it. It’s often pretty fun — who doesn’t love explosives?! — but the “all this and a paycheck too!” comment from the first sergeant doesn’t usually come at these moments. It comes at halfway point of a 20-mile hike when you are sucking wind and hoping for death.

Also, you make way more than everyone else here. And is that a pillow in your rucksack? Continue reading →