Guides

Home / Guides

Use Tuition Assistance Without Burning Your GI Bill

Education · 12 min read

Learn 2026 military TA caps, branch deadlines, Top-Up tradeoffs, and a degree sequence that preserves GI Bill months for school after service.

Which Military Branch Should You Join? Honest Comparison

Enlistment · 12 min read

Compare all six military branches by mission, deployments, jobs, promotion, housing, and basic training before you sign an enlistment contract.

Military Divorce Rules for Pay, Benefits, and Custody

Legal · 13 min read

Learn how military retired pay, 20/20/20 benefits, BAH support, PCS custody, deployment rules, and DFAS orders work during divorce.

Terminal Leave and Permissive TDY: Rules and Sequencing

Transition · 11 min read

Sequence permissive TDY and terminal leave correctly, compare leave sell-back pay, start civilian work legally, and prevent health coverage gaps.

USERRA Rights for Guard and Reserve Members

Legal · 12 min read

Learn USERRA notice rules, return deadlines, promotion rights, health premiums, and how to file an ESGR request or formal VETS complaint.

TDIU Explained: Qualify for VA Pay at the 100% Rate

VA Benefits · 12 min read

Learn the TDIU rating thresholds, extraschedular route, work-income exceptions, required VA forms, and evidence needed for 100% compensation.

Medicare Does Not Qualify You for Lifeline. Medicaid Does.

Guides

Medicare alone won't get you the Lifeline phone discount, but Medicaid, SSI and the 135% income route can. How seniors on Medicare can still qualify.

Military TSP Playbook: Capture the BRS Match at Every Stage

Pay & Money · 11 min read

Use the BRS 5% match, choose Roth or Traditional TSP, invest by career stage, handle combat-zone pay, and avoid separation tax mistakes.

Changing Your Name Without Losing Your Lifeline Benefit

Guides

Marriage, divorce or a court order can break the database match Lifeline depends on. Here's the order to update your records so your benefit survives.

MEPS Medical Disqualifications: What Can Get Waived

Enlistment · 11 min read

A MEPS disqualification may still qualify for a service waiver. See no-waiver conditions, asthma, ADHD, orthopedic rules, forms, and next steps.

SBA microloans: borrowing small when banks say no

Guides

SBA microloans put up to $50,000 in the hands of small businesses banks turn away. How the nonprofit lenders work, what the money can buy, and how to apply.

Surviving a Deployment as the Spouse at Home

Family · 12 min read

Set up legal authority, emergency contacts, free counseling, household systems, and a realistic 90-day reintegration plan before deployment.