Military Support Services 

Being in the military can certainly be a difficult sacrifice at times. Being away from loved ones for long periods of time is stressful, and moving often is a way of life for many military families. While military life is often difficult, there are a number of available services to make being in the military a little bit easier. We’ve compiled a number of great resources for current military members, their spouses and family members, and those who have recently been discharged. These resources are a great place to start for finding the help you need.

Assistance for Military Families - Support for Discharged Troops - Support for Returning Military Members - Scholarships/Tuition Assistance for Military Members

Assistance for Military Families

  • Military OneSource: This free service from the federal government provides live phone help for military members and their families at any time. You can speak to representatives about relocating, parenting, or any other topic that might be affecting you right now.
  • Military Home Front: This is the Department of Defense’s site for military communities and families. Read about everything from adoption and counseling options to deployment and personal financial management.
  • Military Youth on the Move: The constant relocating involved with being in the military can be especially hard on kids. Check out this site from the Department of Defense that has helpful information for military kids in elementary, middle, and high school.
  • USA 4 Military Families: This site covers an initiative by the Department of Defense and U.S. states to enact wider provisions for military families. Learn about childcare, transition and deployment support, unemployment compensation, absentee voting, and more.
  • Voluntary Education – Lifelong Learning: Interested in the educational resources open to servicemembers and their families? This great site can point you in the right direction.

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Support for Discharged Troops

  • Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment: One thing many newly discharged troops worry about is finding a civilian job. The Department of Veterans Affairs has resources that can help.
  • Healthcare For Veterans: USA.gov has this great resource list on healthcare options for veterans. Learn about using your veteran’s benefits and finding programs near you.
  • National Veterans Foundation: This nonprofit organization was created solely to support veterans. You can call their toll-free hotline to discuss any veterans’ issues you may be facing, or you can use their site to find other helpful resources.
  • Feds Hire Vets: Interested in getting a job with the federal government? This site lists available positions.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: Mental illness is an issue that many discharged military members face. Use this website to learn more about common mental conditions among veterans.

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Support for Returning Military Members

  • Returning Veterans Project: Counselors and mental health professionals know that it’s never easy for military members returning to civilian life. This nonprofit initiative pairs returning veterans with healthcare practitioners who can provide counseling services free of charge.
  • Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: It’s not a pretty fact, but veterans are more likely to experience substance abuse issues than the general population. Find support and information on substance abuse issues here.
  • Coming Home: The National Resource Directory lists dozens of helpful resources for returning military members. Learn about the many programs out there to help you transition into civilian life.            
  • Resources for Returning Veterans: The Bookshare initiative has compiled this list of books that may be helpful for returning servicemembers. The list includes a variety of books, from memoirs by veterans to social science research about military service.
  • Ensuring Success For Returning Veterans: This booklet from the American Council on Education lists a number of great resources for veterans in the education realm. It discusses new ways that colleges and other educational institutions are striving to be veteran-friendly.

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Scholarships/Tuition Assistance for Military Members

  • AMVets Scholarships: AMVets is a nonprofit organization created to support veterans and their families. The group offers a number of scholarships to vets and high school seniors.
  • Army Women’s Foundation: If you’re a female servicemember looking for educational support, check out the Army Women’s Foundation. The group has a scholarship contest open to all Army women.
  • Military Officers Association of America: This military group lists a number of educational opportunities for military officers. They offer scholarships and student loans.
  • Scholarships & Fellowships: The Department of Defense veterans site lists a number of available scholarships. There are many government programs in different agencies dedicated to getting vets back in the classroom.
  • Veterans Upward Bound: If you’re a military member looking to complete your undergraduate education, check this out. The Upward Bound program awards scholarships to service members through the U.S. Department of Education.

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