Benefits

JULY 22, 2024 – Beginning in 2026, the legacy Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card will no longer be accepted for access to benefits, privileges, or DoD bases. According to the DoD Common Access Card website, USID cards are issued to retired military and Reserve members, dependent family members of uniformed Service members, and other eligible individuals in accordance with DoD policy. On July 31, 2020, the DoD started issuing the Next Generation USID cards at select DoD ID card facilities with a phased implementation for all facilities which was completed in December that year. Tech. Sgt. Marlene Chavez, noncommissioned officer…

AUGUST 19, 2021 – U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-03) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced legislation to provide federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone and may have been exposed to deadly herbicide, also known as Agent Purple or Agent Orange, which was used by the military in this area during the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. This legislation, championed by Slidell, Louisiana based Military-Veterans Advocacy (MVA), will recognize that veterans within the Panama Canal Zone were exposed to lethal herbicide. Under the Panama Veterans Herbicide Relief Act, veterans who served in or near the…

OCTOBER 1, 2018 – The VMET (Verification of Military Experience and Training), or DD Form 2586, documents and verifies service member military experience and training. Therefore, it is useful when you are considering civilian occupations related to your military service, as well as in translating military terminology and training into civilian terms. The VMET form is available to all eligible departing service members, including those in the National Guard and Reserve. Although VMET is not an official transcript, it assists you in verifying your military experience and training to potential employers, helps you write resumes, interview for jobs, negotiate credits…