As a military spouse, I have been blessed to experience the numerous benefits and perks that come along with being married to someone who is active duty in the United States military.
Before marrying my husband, no one ever clearly explained to me some of the benefits that military spouses are offered. While doing my own research, most sites provided information about military spousal benefits that were frankly old-fashioned. A lot of the benefits detailed on these sites did not seem like perks since anyone who isn’t married to a military member could still access these same “so-called” benefits.
In this blog, you will learn all about the resources, perks, and privileges of being a military spouse.
This post is all about the 5 Military Spouse Benefits That Are Realistic
5 Military Spouse Benefits That Are Realistic
1. Travel Opportunities
As a travel lover, this benefit is by far my favorite. The travel opportunities as a military spouse are truly endless. The United States has an estimated 750 military bases around the world. Each of these bases opens the doors for you to explore a new culture and see new things. Currently, my family and I live in Naples, Italy. I can honestly say that without the military, it is questionable whether my family and I would have been able to make this significant move.
To be completely transparent, there are some downsides to this military spouse benefit. The downsides of this military spouse benefit consist of: you are constantly moving, you can never truly get settled, and you’re constantly away from your family and friends. However, the longer you are married to your spouse and they remain in the service, the constant moving becomes normal. Whether you and your family desire to move somewhere in the United States or you are up for an adventure overseas, the travel opportunities are endless as a military spouse.
2. Healthcare
It is a well-known fact that one of the best military spouse benefits is the affordable healthcare that is offered through the military. Tricare is the popular and well-known healthcare option that is offered to all military spouses. Several different Tricare insurance plans are offered to military spouses depending on what works best for their healthcare needs. The type of Tricare provided to military spouses is also dependent on whether your spouse is active duty, reservist, or retired. The two most popular Tricare insurance plans that most military spouses speak about are Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. I’ve included some additional resources breaking down my experience with both Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. Whether you decide to sign up for Tricare Prime or Tricare Select, either one provides good healthcare at an affordable cost.
Related Blog Post: The #1 Crucial Benefit of Tricare Select While Pregnant
3. Military Spouse Education Benefits
The military is always trying its best to provide programs to military spouses, as well as military families. One of the many ways the military can assist military spouses is by providing resources for school. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a four-year degree or a vocational education, the military has programs to assist with your educational efforts. Some of the military spouse education benefits range from utilizing your spouse’s GI bill to pay for school, the Dependent Educational Assistance (DEA) program, grants, scholarships, and some states provide funds that specifically target and seek to help military spouses.
4. Job Opportunities and Military Spousal Preference
Along with education, the military also strongly emphasizes assisting military spouses with starting a career. The military offers several programs that help military spouses find jobs within the federal government. The United States Military understands that being a military spouse requires spouses to sacrifice their career endeavors to support their spouse. Because of this, the military has created special programs to ensure military spouses maintain employment. Some of the programs include Priority Placement Program (PPP), Military Spousal Preference, and Military Spouse Employment Program (MSEP). If you are a military spouse who is looking to maintain a career of your own, then rest assured that there are options to support you.
5. Cost of Living Reduction
This benefit is hit or miss depending on how your household is set up. However, I believe that having a spouse who is active duty in the military comes with the benefits of a reduced cost of living. Being a military spouse allows you the privilege of being insured under Tricare. Depending upon which Tricare option you select, you will receive free or reduced healthcare.
My family and I are currently stationed overseas in Naples, Italy. Since we are stationed overseas we receive a housing stipend that pays for our monthly rent. As a military spouse, once you receive your military spouse dependent ID card, you will have commissary privileges. Commissary privileges provide some discounted options on grocery items that can be a higher price at other grocery stores. The military is always looking out for military spouses and trying to provide the best deals on popular items.
This post was all about the 5 Military Spouse Benefits That Are Realistic