Military Benefits Civilian Jobs Don't Offer

30 Days Paid Vacation

Most civilian jobs offer 10 days. You accumulate 2.5 days leave per month while serving active duty. During your career you can sell back unused leave up to a total of 60 days at the time of your re-enlistment or the completion of your active military contract.

10 Paid Holidays a Year - Most civilian jobs offer only 6. At the discretion of your supervisor you may also be granted special liberty (up to 3 days off with full pay and allowances). The Commanding Officer may grant up to 4 days special liberty - usually as an incentive or reward for hard work. Liberty can be given at any time and does not have to coincide with regular paid holidays.

Navy College Programs

Post 9-11 GI Bill

The Post 9-11 GI-Bill (911-gibill) will become effective August 1, 2009. There is no requirement to "buy" into this benefit as was required for the Montgomery GI-Bill (MGIB). Eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsibile for determining eligibility for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Generally, to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, individuals must serve on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, for at least 30 continuous days with a discharge due to a service connected disability; or an aggregate period ranging from 90 days to 36 months or more. Benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are based on a percentage, as determined by a Service Member's length of qualifying active duty service as shown in the table below.

* If aggregate service is less than 24 months, initial entry training does not count as qualifying active duty.

The 911-gibill will essentially pay the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school) while your serving on active duty. For honorably discharged veterans who qualify (not those still serving to complete their obligated service) the 911-gibill will pay the cost of tuition and fees AND it will also cover a monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you) and a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you).

If you served the required period of time post September 11, 2001, paid $1200 into the MGIB and elect to use the 911-gibill you may have the $1200 returned to you. If you have used a portion of the MGIB benefit the amount returned will be prorated, contact your local VA office for further information.

Find the policy requirements to transfer all or part of your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit to one or more of your eligible family members at this link - Policy for transferring you Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit..

Those who joined during the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) era but did not buy into VEAP and served the required time post September 11, 2001 ARE eligible for the 911-gibill.

Tuition Assistance

The Navy has an outstanding tuition assistance program. Tuition assistance pays the tuition and fees of the accredited centers of higher learning for course enrollments. TA pays 100% of tuition costs for the completion of a General Education Diploma or High School Diploma. For post high school a fiscal year credit limit of 16 Semester Hours (SH), 24 Quarter Hours (QH), 240 Clock Hours (CH) or 24 Continuing Education Units (CEU) per member. There is a limit of $4500 by the Department of Defense per fiscal year. Tuition and fee payments will not exceed the following caps:

• $166.67 per CEU
• $16.67 per CH
• $250.00 per SH
• $166.67 per QH

Complete and submit Tuition Assistance (TA) Application form, NETPDTC 1560/3 (pages 1 and 2), to Navy College Office / Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Center PRIOR to the start of the term. This TA Application Form may be submitted via email, fax or in person.

VA-Guaranteed Home Loans

VA-guaranteed loans are made by private lenders such as banks, savings and loan associations, or mortgage companies. To get a VA mortgage loan, you apply to the lender. If the loan is approved, VA guarantees the loan when it is closed. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you or a later owner fail to repay the loan.
Maximum VA Loan Amount - There is no maximum VA loan, except that the loan cannot exceed the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price, plus VA funding fee and energy efficient improvements, if applicable. However, lenders usually won’t make a no-downpayment loan larger than $417,000 ($625,500 in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands) due to secondary market limitations.

Lifetime Medical Care

Less than half of civilian employers offer retiree medical insurance. Tricare insurance is low cost to military dependents and retirees. The co-pay is very low compared to insurance available to civilians. Health insurance can be one of the most costly services you will pay for as a civilian.

Military Disability Coverage - In the Navy if you are injured and unable to work, you continue to receive your compensation indefinitely. In the civilian sector you cease to be paid when you exhaust your sick and vacation time. Disability insurance can be purchased but it is very expensive and pays only a percentage of your income.

Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services

The military is very concerned about the welfare and morale of Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen. The range of recreational services and assistance available to you by the military is unmatched by any civilian job. Some of the services/assistance include:

• Base Clubs
• MWR Events and Discounted Tickets
• Fitness Center, Pool, Tennis, Golf
• Discounted Equipment Rentals
• Flying, Sail, and Scuba Clubs
• Military Spouse Social Clubs
• Hobby Shops

Other Military Benefits

• Free Legal Services
• Space "A" Travel
• Discounted Child Care
• Military Spouse Employment Assistance
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Low cost life insurance for member through Service Group Life Insurance
• Low cost life insurance for spouse through Service Group Life Insurance