KEY TAKEAWAYS To transfer, you need at least 6 years of service and must agree to serve 4 more. Purple Heart recipients have no service requirement. You request the transfer through milConnect while you are still serving. VA can’t process it, and you can’t start a transfer after you separate or retire. Spouses can use the benefit right away but get no housing … [Read more...] about How to Transfer Your GI Bill to a Spouse or Child (2026 Rules)
Military Family
VA Benefits for Surviving Spouses of Veterans: Your 2026 Guide
KEY TAKEAWAYS The 2026 base DIC rate is $1,699.36 per month — a 2.8% increase effective December 1, 2025 — with additional amounts available for children, Aid and Attendance, and the 8-year provision. The "Widows Tax" was fully eliminated in 2023 — surviving spouses who receive both DIC and SBP payments no longer have their SBP reduced by the DIC amount. The 2026 Survivors … [Read more...] about VA Benefits for Surviving Spouses of Veterans: Your 2026 Guide
US Military Bases in Europe 2026: A Guide for Service Members and Families
KEY TAKEAWAYS The U.S. maintains more than 40 military installations across Europe, with the largest concentrations in Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Approximately 76,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed across NATO territory in Europe — near Cold War–era highs, following the surge after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Trump administration announced … [Read more...] about US Military Bases in Europe 2026: A Guide for Service Members and Families
Can a Grown Child of a Veteran Get Benefits? A Guide to Eligibility
You might be wondering, can a grown child of a veteran get benefits? It’s a common question with answers that might surprise you. While many associate veterans' benefits with the service member themselves, these benefits can extend to their families, even after the veteran passes away. Acknowledging a veteran's service and sacrifice doesn't end with them. It carries on, … [Read more...] about Can a Grown Child of a Veteran Get Benefits? A Guide to Eligibility