Jim Absher

Jim Absher is Military.com's former benefits editor and columnist. He joined the Navy to see the world and later realized the world is two-thirds water. He also worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in field offices and Washington, D.C. before coming to Military.com in 2015.

Latest Articles

A woman holds a military discharge paper.

Understanding the Types of Military Discharge

A military discharge is when a service member is released from their military service obligations. More than 200,000 U.S...

Soldiers return from a 11 month long deployment in Kosovo.

Military Permanent Change of Station PCS Overview

The government will reimburse many costs associated with a PCS move. Here is an overview of what you can expect.

Future airmen take the oath of enlistment.

Everything You Need to Know About the Military Draft

What is the military draft and Selective Service? Here’s everything you need to know.

Airman & Son Place Flag on Veteran's Grave

When You Die, VA Will Provide a Free Grave Marker

The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world.

Military PCS Allowances

If you PCS, the government will either provide you transportation between duty stations or will reimburse your travel.

A housekeeper hangs clean towels at the General John K. Cannon Hotel.

PCS Spotlight: Temporary Lodging Allowances

Temporary lodging reimbursement will help to pay some of your expenses while occupying temporary quarters during a PCS move.

Ship Your Household Goods During a PCS Move

The government will ship your household goods when you are transferred to a new permanent duty station.

Ask the Right Questions Before Choosing a School

Deciding whether a school is right for you requires asking smart questions. This guide will help you become a smart consumer.

Social security card indicating retirement income

Can Veterans Get Social Security?

You can get both Social Security benefits and military retirement.

In a silhouette appearing mostly black and gray, an airman walks away from the camera while tossing a wrench in the air.

Air Force Tuition Assistance

The Air Force pays Tuition Assistance for up to 100% of the cost of college courses.

Your 2025 State Veteran Benefits

There are great federal benefits offered to veterans. Did you know there are also state-specific veteran benefits? Find out...

Why You Should Get a Veterans Designation on Your Driver's License

Most states offer a free veteran's designation on their driver's licenses, and if you want to get your full benefits as a...

The chest and arms of a soldier in a camouflage uniform, one hand holding a pen, appear poised over a textbook and note paper.

Army Tuition Assistance

The Army's Tuition Assistance (TA) benefit pays up to 100% of educational expenses for college courses.

Shundra Johnson returns a wedding ring to her husband Coast Guard Lt. Sancho Johnson after his seated discus practice Navy’s wounded warrior training camp. Shundra is also her husband’s caregiver. (DoD News photo by EJ Hersom)

What Benefits Are You Eligible For as a Spouse of a Disabled Veteran?

Spouses of disabled veterans are eligible for many benefits, but getting them can be difficult. We make it easy with this...

U.S. military retirees listen to guest speaker Mark E. Overberg, the Army Retirement Services director, as part of the Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, Retiree Appreciation Day, Sept. 30, 2023. (Chad Menegay/Army)

Hearing Aids for Military Retirees

DoD and VA offer programs to help military retirees get hearing aids.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia

Drill Sergeant Under Investigation After Having Soldiers Do Push-Ups Under MAGA Flag

The Army has launched an investigation after a drill sergeant posted a video showing soldiers being hazed beneath a MAGA flag...

Airman's boots and hearing-protective earphones lie on the ground

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The Pentagon has pulled a host of top military officials from attending a major security conference in Colorado that was set...

Latest Military Videos

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Investigations and Features

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Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

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A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Army National Guard’s Infantry Advanced Leaders Course

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Scientists and other workers rig the world's first atomic bomb.

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Navy News

MP Materials mine in Mountain Pass, Calif.

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Navy in Cleaning Phase of Red Hill Facility

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Air Force News

U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technician

Air Force Bomb Techs Will Take Gender-Neutral Fitness Tests Beginning Next Month

The changes come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered in a March memo that all combat arms positions "must be sex...

America's Only Rare Earth Producer Gets a Boost from Apple and Pentagon Agreements

They are important ingredients in everything from smartphones and submarines to EVs and fighter jets, and it's those military...

Space Force News

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody speaks from Space Florida headquarters in Merritt Island

Moving NASA HQ from DC to Space Coast Still on Lawmakers’ Minds

As newly elected President Trump announced laid out his plans to reduce workforce and waste, Florida politicians began...

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office

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Marine Corps News

California National Guard are positioned at the Federal Building

Pentagon Ends Deployment of 2,000 National Guard Troops in Los Angeles

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Joint Task Force-Southern Border, in the Yuma Sector

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Coast Guard News

U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer waves to spectators

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