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

Gold Star Lapel Buttons

These gold star lapel buttons are a visual reminder of a family's sacrifice. Read more.

Survivor Support Organizations

In times of tragedy and personal need there are many organizations available to provide aid and support.

FILE -- A Pfc. gives helpful hints to her teammate holding four excess gunpowder bags that weren’t needed for the three-increment charge during live-fire training on the M119A3 howitzer, Fort Sill, March 1, 2016. (U.S. Army photo/Cindy McIntyre)

Women Veterans

VA has created several specific programs for the growing female Veteran population.

(Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sergeant Jerry Fleshman)

Benefits for Former Prisoners of War

It's estimated that more than 500,000 Americans were captured and interned as Prisoners of War since the American Revolution.

Can You Really Be Recalled to Active Duty at Any Time?

Here’s everything veterans need to know about involuntary military extension, active-duty recall and military stop-loss.

Man working on air conditioning compresser

VA Accepting Applications for New In-Demand Job Training Program

The program will give veterans a monthly housing allowance and pay for the training

A veteran's hat sits on a table during a breakfast event.

Veteran-Owned Food Businesses Get Priority in New Cash Assistance Program

Two previous programs ran out of money quickly. This time, veterans get first crack at the funding.

Computer keyboard with "insurance" written on a key

VA Insurance: Getting Help

If you need help with government life insurance, call the VA Insurance Center

A U.S. Marine receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Where Veterans and Military Members Can Get Freebies After Their COVID Vaccines

From national to local, many retailers are offering discounts and free stuff to those who have gotten the COVID vaccine.

Tricare Dental Premiums Increasing Soon

The rates will increase in May, the beginning of the new contract year.

People holding smiling mouth photos in front of their faces

Tricare Dental Is Giving You More Insurance for Free

The plan, for active duty and reserve dependents, is giving policyholders a break

VA Dental Care

In some instances, VA may provide dental care, in most cases they do not

Study of 400,000 Female Vets Links PTSD to Heart Disease

Female veterans with PTSD are more than twice as likely as male veterans to suffer from ischemic heart disease than those...

computer screen with "fraud Alert" warning on screen

SCAM ALERT: Beware of Test Prep Scams

There have been several complaints regarding test preparation companies selling highly questionable products and services.

New Partnership Battles Cybercrime Targeting Military and Veterans

Military members and veterans are more prone to fall for scams than civilians are.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

Recovering service members and caregivers take an evening break

Caregivers Sue VA over Denial of Benefits

Survivors of veterans who died from service-connected conditions have filed a class action seeking changes to a VA practice...

Marine Corps Ranks: A Complete Guide to Enlisted and Officer Ranks

Explore U.S. Marine Corps ranks from private to general. Learn rank structure, pay grades, insignia and promotion paths in...

Contractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clean up a property damaged by wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California.

Homeowners Say the Army Corps and its Contractors Mishandled LA Fire Debris Cleanup

More than 800 complaints were submitted to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hotline dedicated to the agency's debris removal...

Japan Marks End of World War II as Survivors Remember Wartime Emperor's Surrender Speech 80 Years Ago

A national ceremony will begin at Tokyo’s Budokan hall at noon, the same time then-Emperor Hirohito’s 4½-minute prerecorded...

KC-46 Pegasus aircraft taxis at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Flights Restricted over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit

North American Aerospace Defense Command issued a statement saying it would be enforcing Federal Aviation Administration...

Judge Weighs Whether Trump Violated Federal Law by Deploying National Guard to Los Angeles

A federal judge in San Francisco is weighing whether the Trump administration violated federal law by sending National Guard...

Latest Military Videos

US Discusses Possible Deployment of More Missile Launchers to the Philippines

The United States is discussing the possible deployment of more missile launchers to the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against...

Judge Weighs Trump's Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles

A federal judge in San Francisco is weighing whether the Trump administration violated federal law by sending National Guard...

China and Japan Commemorate World War II Anniversary on Different Dates

Eighty years after the end of World War II, China and Japan are marking the anniversary with major events...

US Vice President JD Vance Addresses Troops at RAF Fairford in the UK

U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke during a visit to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the UK on Wednesday...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

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

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Gold Star Widow Fighting to Be Buried Next to Husband Has New Evidence

A Vietnam War veteran’s widow and her family have uncovered a letter they say provides irrefutable evidence that she had a...

Homeowners Say the Army Corps and its Contractors Mishandled LA Fire Debris Cleanup

More than 800 complaints were submitted to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hotline dedicated to the agency's debris removal...

Navy News

The USS Essex transits the Gulf of Oman.

San Diego Espionage Trial Begins for Sailor Accused of Spying for His Native China

Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, 25, is accused of seven counts of conspiracy, espionage and charges related to unlawfully sending...

USS Higgins conducts freedom of navigation operations

US Briefly Deploys 2 Warships to a Disputed South China Sea Shoal After Chinese Collision

Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia...

Air Force News

Federal law enforcement agents question a couple in Washington DC

Man Charged with Assaulting Border Patrol Agent with Sandwich in DC Is an Air Force Veteran

A man accused of throwing a sandwich at an immigration enforcement officer during President Donald Trump's federal takeover...

Flights Restricted over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit

North American Aerospace Defense Command issued a statement saying it would be enforcing Federal Aviation Administration...

Space Force News

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama) speaks to the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber.

Alabama Congressman ‘100% Sure’ US Space Command Coming to Huntsville

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama) said he has been assured by President Donald Trump that U.S. Space Command is coming to...

U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Brian Denaro, newly appointed U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, gives a speech

First Leader of Space Force Pacific Command Ends Tenure

The first leader of the U.S. Space Force’s Pacific command officially ended his tenure in Hawaii in a change of command...

Marine Corps News

Marine Corps Ranks: A Complete Guide to Enlisted and Officer Ranks

Explore U.S. Marine Corps ranks from private to general. Learn rank structure, pay grades, insignia and promotion paths in...

California National Guard members are positioned at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles

Trial to Start on Whether Deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles Violated Federal Law

A federal judge in San Francisco will consider evidence and hear arguments on whether the Trump administration violated...

Coast Guard News

Some of the 32 survivors of the stricken tanker Pendleton that broke up and sank in a northeast storm near Chatham, Mass., Feb. 18, 1952, are pictured as they were rescued by a Coast Guard vessel.

How the Coast Guard Pulled off One of its Greatest Rescues During a Nor'easter

A menacing nor'easter pummeled the SS Pendleton on Feb. 18, 1952, causing the oil tanker to be broken in two a mile off the...

.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis crew stand during the commissioning ceremony

Coast Guard Commissions New Icebreaker, Sends it Directly to Sea

The scheduled ceremony corresponded with the largest deployment ever of Chinese research vessels to the Arctic.