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

How to Change or Update Your VA Direct Deposit Information

Learn how to change the bank account where your VA disability payments get deposited in four simple steps.

Piggy bank with letters "TSP" on in symbolizing the Thrift Savings Plan

Don't Lose Out on TSP Matching Funds

It may be tempting to max out your TSP as soon as you can, but beware you may end up losing money if you do.

Should You Sell Back Leave or Take Terminal Leave When You Get Out?

In the final months of active duty, one of the biggest decisions isn’t about paperwork or moving logistics — it’s whether to...

Do Veterans Benefits Expire?

Did you know that many of your VA benefits have an expiration date? If not, you are not alone. Most veterans aren't aware of...

Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance Increase Announced

The benefit will increase by the same percentage as retirement pay every year from now on

The GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program Explained

The Yellow Ribbon program is designed to help students avoid up to 100% of their out-of-pocket tuition costs

Graduate mortarboards, one decorated, pictured from the rear with a row of flags representing the military services on a stage in the foreground.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers greater benefits than ever, but figuring out who gets what can be very confusing.

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.

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...

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.

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Most Popular Military News

Ex-Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill sued a pair of podcasters for $25 million, claiming that they have tarnished his reputation going back to the raid, killing of Osama bin Laden. (Robert O'Neill website)

The Latest in Ex-Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill's $25 Million Defamation Lawsuit

The $25 million defamation lawsuit by ex-Navy SEAL Rob O'Neill could be decided by a jury in state or federal court.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks about the impending winter weather during a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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With a Jan. 30 funding deadline approaching, Congress faces a familiar standoff. Here’s when a shutdown could begin, what a...

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A disabled veteran who received a Department of Veterans Affairs automobile grant decades ago can now apply for another one.

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Howard woke up around midnight in a hospital in Cherbourg, France. He was among the lucky ones. On that Christmas Eve in 1944...

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Free and Discounted Tax Preparation for Military

Military personnel and their families have access to a variety of tax preparation and filing services for free.

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The 48-year-old Democrat was arguably the most anti-communist voice in Congress. He had introduced legislation to ban all...

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Investigations and Features

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Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

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

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Families of the 67 people who died in an aircraft collision last January gathered to mark the first anniversary, just one day...

Army veteran Keith McCarter works out at the Madison, Wisconsin VA hospital. (Submitted photo)

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After finding out his heart was failing at age 25, Army veteran Keith McCarter finally found the path to get healthy again.

Navy News

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The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying warships have arrived in the Middle East.

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Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels threatened new attacks on ships traveling through the Red Sea corridor, likely trying to...

Air Force News

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Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, warned the United States and Israel “to avoid any miscalculation.”

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Irish Lawmaker Wants Legislation Requiring US Military Aircraft Inspections

Conor Sheehan, an Irish Labour Party politician, called Ireland's lack of aircraft inspections "troubling."

Space Force News

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The Space Force offers guardians multiple education pathways, from automatic enrollment in the Community College of the Air...

President Donald Trump holds top a signed executive order as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth watches in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Trump’s 2025 executive actions reshape how the current administration defines national security.

Marine Corps News

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After being forced to leave the Marine Corps with an injury, comedian Michael D'Angelo ignited a new passion by bringing much...

Coast Guard News

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Two Coast Guard cutters — the Mackinaw and the Neah Bay — broke ice so other ships could continue moving or reach safe harbor...

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Station South Padre Island Receives Record $200M Facelift From Coast Guard

Multi-million-dollar renovations near the U.S.-Mexico border will deter illegal migrants in southern Texas, officials said.