IG10069 — Servicemember to Veteran Transition

/ Information as of December 20, 2024. Prepared by Kristy N. Kamarck, Specialist in Military Personnel; Sidath Viranga Panangala, Specialist in Veterans Policy; and Jamie Bush, Visual Information Specialist. For more information, see CRS Report, R44757, Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members (https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44757), and the CRS Issue Areas page on veterans (https://www.crs.gov/iap/veterans). Individuals who serve on active duty in one of the six U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard) experience a range of career pathways. From the point of entry as an officer or enlistee, servicemembers become eligible for certain benefits under the Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS, for the Coast Guard) and also eligibility for certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While some servicemembers may leave active service after their initial commitment (typically four to six years), others will remain 20 years or longer and become eligible for a lifetime retirement annuity from their military department based on longevity of service. Some may sustain injuries that confer earlier eligibility for disability retirement from their military department and/or disability compensation from the VA. Injured in Line of Duty Those who are injured in the line of duty at any point after entering service may take a detour from their career pathway for rehabilitation and recovery. Some of them will be declared _t for duty and will resume service, and some will be medically separated or retired. Who Is Considered a Veteran? All who serve a minimum period of active duty are considered "veterans." Those who are eligible for retired pay from DOD are also considered military retirees—all military retirees are veterans, but not all veterans are military retirees. 20 Years Eligible for Retirement Active duty servicemembers become eligible for longevity retirement after completing a minimum of 20 years of service, though some stay longer and continue to accrue credit toward retired pay. Typical Timeline of Service Enlistment/Commissioning Eligibility begins for DOD or DHS pay and benefits, including basic pay, housing allowance, subsistence allowance, health care, and other support services. Individuals are also eligible for certain VA benefits while serving. Eligible to Separate After Initial Commitment Medical Separation Eligible to Receive Disability Retirement Eligible to Retire After 20 Years of Service Those with service-connected disabilities rated less than 30% are not eligible for disability retirement, but they may be discharged with disability severance pay. Those with a permanent, stable disability rated at 30% or more may be eligible for a disability retirement. Eligible retirees begin receiving monthly retired pay from the military retirement fund after leaving service. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is required for all servicemembers separating or retiring from active service and provides an introduction to benefits and services that the member may be eligible to receive from DOD/DHS, VA, and other federal agencies. (See CRS Report R48114) Selected VA Benefits Selected DOD or DHS Benefits VA Benefits VA Benefits DOD or DHS Benefits Separate Retire from Military Compensation for Service-Connected Disabilities or Death Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected Deaths Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death or For Service Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care Life Insurance Benefits for Homeless Veterans Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans Burial Benefits Educational Assistance Programs Housing and Small Business Loans Employment and Training of Veterans Retired Pay Health Care Services (TRICARE) Survivor Benefits Plan Commissary and Exchange* Space-A Travel* *Certain veterans who are not retirees are also eligible for these Benefits Entry into Active Service Servicemember to Veteran Transition

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