Honorable medical discharge after 1 year & GI Benefits

[dgcango]

My son finished his 4c at the USCGA and had a great year academically and with his sport. During the 2023-2024 year he found he was going to be recommended for a medical discharge. We appealed this decision and just found out the appeal was denied. He will be discharged from the Academy in September with an honorable discharge. It stinks. Anyhow, we were researching benefits he may be entitled to, and it appears
that since he was in USCGA from June of 2023 through September of 2024 that he will get 60% of the full benefits of the GI bill. Does anyone have any insight on honorably discharged cadets from the Academy and what GI Bill benefits they received? He can only apply for education benefits once he gets his DD214 which he hasn't year received. Any insight or information would be greatly appreciate.

 

[Capt MJ]

My son finished his 4c at the USCGA and had a great year academically and with his sport. During the 2023-2024 year he found he was going to be recommended for a medical discharge. We appealed this decision and just found out the appeal was denied. He will be discharged from the Academy in September with an honorable discharge. It stinks. Anyhow, we were researching benefits he may be entitled to, and it appears
that since he was in USCGA from June of 2023 through September of 2024 that he will get 60% of the full benefits of the GI bill. Does anyone have any insight on honorably discharged cadets from the Academy and what GI Bill benefits they received? He can only apply for education benefits once he gets his DD214 which he hasn't year received. Any insight or information would be greatly appreciate.

There have been several threads on this over the years.

One of your son’s best resources is a certified VA counselor in VA benefits. He can get accurate, current advice, rather than trying to figure out the benefits himself from the massive website of the VA or unofficial forums such as this, except to get some handy pointers.

These can be found at the big veteran service organizations, such as VFW, American Legion, AMVETS. Contact the local chapter or post. Also, DAV offers this service. All volunteer, no cost, no requirement to join the organization.

States and big metro area counties will often have veterans affairs offices (can have a variety of names) with similar certified counselors. Search their websites.

Additionally, every state has its own veterans benefits program. Look at your state name.gov website for the veterans affairs agency, department, division, etc. - it can go by a variety of names but will be recognizable. Browse through that for the state benefits. They will be unique to the state and different from the VA federal benefits. You might also find where the state benefit counselors hang out. They also know the fed benefits.

A few examples:
- We had a USNA sponsor mid alumni grad who returned to home state after being honorably separated after a year and found he could attend a choice of 3 state universities for his Master’s, tuition-free.
- DH is a veteran who met our state benefit criteria for being fully exempted from property tax (yay) and being able to register all vehicles in his name for free.

Resources - just to get your son started on the research to find out what organization is most convenient to assist him.
DAV (I became a life member, because they were so helpful to me when I retired. Again, membership is not required to use their services. Wonderful volunteers across all these organizations.)

Get Help Now

DAV offers free services for veterans, including veteran employment services and help with VA benefits. Get help now.

www.dav.org

American Legion

Veterans Benefits Center | The American Legion

The American Legion helps veterans and families understand and apply for benefits.

www.legion.org

VFW

VA Claims & Separation Benefits

The VFW’s nationwide network of VFW Accredited Service Officers and Pre-Discharge Representative are experts at navigating the VA system. These trained professionals assist veterans filing for their VA claims and help these veterans get the benefits they deserve.

www.vfw.org

AMVETS

Free Help Filing VA Claims | AMVETS National Site

www.amvets.org

As noted above, look for your state or county veterans benefits counseling resources at your state government website. That website typically lists the benefits.
Here’s my state of MD as an example;

State and Federal Benefits

veterans.maryland.gov

These days, colleges, universities and community colleges have someone in admissions or the bursar’s office who is trained and certified to work with veterans using their educational benefit. They are trained on applying the benefit, not necessarily on applying for it.

And, the DD-214 form is the all-important document. That is the key to validating his status, type of discharge, time in military service. Do not lose this! He will get this on or about his last day.

Down the road, if he is looking at federal service as a civilian, he may have disability hiring points. Veterans have their own hiring portal to the USAJOBS federal civilian job site.

FedsHireVets - OPM.gov

Welcome to opm.gov

www.opm.gov

I am sorry this door closed for your son. May many more windows open!

DoD STEM Scholarships & Grants - SMART Scholarship

The SMART Scholarship Program provides STEM students with full tuition, annual stipends, & employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) after graduation.

www.smartscholarship.org

SFS

Start your cybersecurity career with the U.S. government

sfs.opm.gov

Assume he is back on your healthcare plan. He is probably eligible to use the VA for his primary care provider. That’s another big benefit area he should explore with a counselor. He can read about is on va.gov.

 

[Capt MJ]

And welcome new member of less than an hour!

 

[USMC Crayons]

There have been several threads on this over the years.

One of your son’s best resources is a certified VA counselor in VA benefits. He can get accurate, current advice, rather than trying to figure out the benefits himself from the massive website of the VA or unofficial forums such as this, except to get some handy pointers.

These can be found at the big veteran service organizations, such as VFW, American Legion, AMVETS. Contact the local chapter or post. Also, DAV offers this service. All volunteer, no cost, no requirement to join the organization.

States and big metro area counties will often have veterans affairs offices (can have a variety of names) with similar certified counselors. Search their websites.

Additionally, every state has its own veterans benefits program. Look at your state name.gov website for the veterans affairs agency, department, division, etc. - it can go by a variety of names but will be recognizable. Browse through that for the state benefits. They will be unique to the state and different from the VA federal benefits. You might also find where the state benefit counselors hang out. They also know the fed benefits.

A few examples:
- We had a USNA sponsor mid alumni grad who returned to home state after being honorably separated after a year and found he could attend a choice of 3 state universities for his Master’s, tuition-free.
- DH is a veteran who met our state benefit criteria for being fully exempted from property tax (yay) and being able to register all vehicles in his name for free.

Resources - just to get your son started on the research to find out what organization is most convenient to assist him.
DAV (I became a life member, because they were so helpful to me when I retired. Again, membership is not required to use their services. Wonderful volunteers across all these organizations.)

Get Help Now

DAV offers free services for veterans, including veteran employment services and help with VA benefits. Get help now.

www.dav.org

American Legion

Veterans Benefits Center | The American Legion

The American Legion helps veterans and families understand and apply for benefits.

www.legion.org

VFW

VA Claims & Separation Benefits

The VFW’s nationwide network of VFW Accredited Service Officers and Pre-Discharge Representative are experts at navigating the VA system. These trained professionals assist veterans filing for their VA claims and help these veterans get the benefits they deserve.

www.vfw.org

AMVETS

Free Help Filing VA Claims | AMVETS National Site

www.amvets.org

As noted above, look for your state or county veterans benefits counseling resources at your state government website. That website typically lists the benefits.
Here’s my state of MD as an example;

State and Federal Benefits

veterans.maryland.gov

These days, colleges, universities and community colleges have someone in admissions or the bursar’s office who is trained and certified to work with veterans using their educational benefit. They are trained on applying the benefit, not necessarily on applying for it.

And, the DD-214 form is the all-important document. That is the key to validating his status, type of discharge, time in military service. Do not lose this! He will get this on or about his last day.

Down the road, if he is looking at federal service as a civilian, he may have disability hiring points. Veterans have their own hiring portal to the USAJOBS federal civilian job site.

FedsHireVets - OPM.gov

Welcome to opm.gov

www.opm.gov

I am sorry this door closed for your son. May many more windows open!

DoD STEM Scholarships & Grants - SMART Scholarship

The SMART Scholarship Program provides STEM students with full tuition, annual stipends, & employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) after graduation.

www.smartscholarship.org

SFS

Start your cybersecurity career with the U.S. government

sfs.opm.gov

Assume he is back on your healthcare plan. He is probably eligible to use the VA for his primary care provider. That’s another big benefit area he should explore with a counselor. He can read about is on va.gov.

To add onto a litany of great points, I highly encourage that once the DD-214 is in hand to go and record it at your local courthouse. Be sure it's the Member-4 copy. Not as big of a deal as it used to be now that everything is digitized, but always great as a backup if you need a copy later down the road. You would not believe how much this comes up with Vets trying to purchase a home.

 

[Impulsive]

To add onto a litany of great points, I highly encourage that once the DD-214 is in hand to go and record it at your local courthouse. Be sure it's the Member-4 copy. Not as big of a deal as it used to be now that everything is digitized, but always great as a backup if you need a copy later down the road. You would not believe how much this comes up with Vets trying to purchase a home.

It IS NOT recommended to record your DD-214 in Public Records! With all the data breaches and identity theft going on, you will be putting all your personal info out there for all to see in public records. Just make copies of your DD-214, and if you need new ones an SF-180 will get it to you in like three weeks.

Almost all recorded documents become public immediately, including your DD-214 and ALL the info contained therein. NOT recommended! And any info needed for benefits purposes, VA can upload your DD-214 directly from NPRC when you file a claim for benefits.

As for VA benefits, if you are "Medically Separated" prior to completing ADSO, your GI Bill may or may not be approved. If you get a Med Board rating of 50% or higher, it is generally considered a "Medical Retirement" and you can garner more VA benefits that a simple separation. The SPN code contained in your DD-214 will tell any VSO what you are entitled to.

Highly recommend you seek out an (accredited) Veterans Service Officer once the separation is done and you get your DD-214 and find out if you can get VA compensation and benefits in conjunction with your medical separation.

 

[USMC Crayons]

It IS NOT recommended to record your DD-214 in Public Records! With all the data breaches and identity theft going on, you will be putting all your personal info out there for all to see in public records. Just make copies of your DD-214, and if you need new ones an SF-180 will get it to you in like three weeks.

Almost all recorded documents become public immediately, including your DD-214 and ALL the info contained therein. NOT recommended! And any info needed for benefits purposes, VA can upload your DD-214 directly from NPRC when you file a claim for benefits.

As for VA benefits, if you are "Medically Separated" prior to completing ADSO, your GI Bill may or may not be approved. If you get a Med Board rating of 50% or higher, it is generally considered a "Medical Retirement" and you can garner more VA benefits that a simple separation. The SPN code contained in your DD-214 will tell any VSO what you are entitled to.

Highly recommend you seek out an (accredited) Veterans Service Officer once the separation is done and you get your DD-214 and find out if you can get VA compensation and benefits in conjunction with your medical separation.

Just because you record it does not make it public record. You realize that there are several types of documents that are recorded at the courthouse that cannot be accessed by the public correct? I cannot speak for every state, but a DD-214 recorded in my state is a restricted document.

 

[Impulsive]

Just because you record it does not make it public record. You realize that there are several types of documents that are recorded at the courthouse that cannot be accessed by the public correct? I cannot speak for every state, but a DD-214 recorded in my state is a restricted document.

If you "Record" it is IS public record, some states may allow you to restrict access to your public records for certain reasons, but for heavens sake MAKE SURE you can restrict access to it. A DD-214 contains a ton of info on you and not real smart to "record" that. What is the reason you want it recorded? If you restrict access to it, then hopefully no one can see it, so why put it there? Again, strongly recommend NOT recording your DD-214, just keep a copy, I have not heard of anyone having issues with providing a non-recorded DD-214 to get discounts or show proof of service to a non-service organization. JMHO!

And remember, government has too many "data breaches" where supposedly secure records and files are attacked and gathered by hackers.

 

[USMC Crayons]

If you "Record" it is IS public record, some states may allow you to restrict access to your public records for certain reasons, but for heavens sake MAKE SURE you can restrict access to it. A DD-214 contains a ton of info on you and not real smart to "record" that. What is the reason you want it recorded? If you restrict access to it, then hopefully no one can see it, so why put it there? Again, strongly recommend NOT recording your DD-214, just keep a copy, I have not heard of anyone having issues with providing a non-recorded DD-214 to get discounts or show proof of service to a non-service organization. JMHO!

And remember, government has too many "data breaches" where supposedly secure records and files are attacked and gathered by hackers.

You record it, because that is the easiest way to obtain a copy if the ones in your possession are lost or burn up in a fire, etc. It also makes it easier to obtain by your family when you pass away for burial benefits. And btw, since I am intimately familiar with how recordation works, you must surely know that just because something is recorded at the courthouse does not make it viewable to the public. The circuit court in my city (and every other locality that I know of) considers military records as confidential. You don't have to make a request that it is a protected document.

 

[SamAca10]

Hey OP! Have your son fight this. He could get a medical retirement vs a medical separation. Wayyy more benefits to this. For instance - tricare for life. If you child is medically retired they also get access to the FULL GI Bill. In order to be considered medically retired, they need a 30% rating or more from a service connected or service aggrevated disability.

Don't let the Academy short-change them with a medical separation. They'll likely qualify for Veteran Readiness & Employment.

My recommendation would be to:
1. Pursue a medical retirement (Tricare for life they'll be covered for health insurance forever + their future familiy)
2. Apply for VR&E (will cover undergraduate education w/ Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH and not spend down GI Bill)
3. Save the Post 9/11 GI Bill for a masters + MBA, med school, etc.

You can pay my consulting fee later

 

[Capt MJ]

Hey OP! Have your son fight this. He could get a medical retirement vs a medical separation. Wayyy more benefits to this. For instance - tricare for life. If you child is medically retired they also get access to the FULL GI Bill. In order to be considered medically retired, they need a 30% rating or more from a service connected or service aggrevated disability.

Don't let the Academy short-change them with a medical separation. They'll likely qualify for Veteran Readiness & Employment.

My recommendation would be to:
1. Pursue a medical retirement (Tricare for life they'll be covered for health insurance forever + their future familiy)
2. Apply for VR&E (will cover undergraduate education w/ Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH and not spend down GI Bill)
3. Save the Post 9/11 GI Bill for a masters + MBA, med school, etc.

You can pay my consulting fee later

Medical retirement benefits are not my wheelhouse, so I will defer to those with deep expertise.

I thought people with a medical retirement (before regular non-medical retirement years of service or statutory age) became eligible for TRICARE Prime for retirees (and spouse, of-age dependents), which has a monthly premium or annual, at a low cost compared to any civilian healthcare plans. There are co-pays unless being seen at a military treatment facility (MTF). Military pharmacy benefits are free. They are eligible to participate in the federal retiree dental plan, with multiple civilian dental provider plans available. If someone is still working after age 65 for an employer offering full healthcare, they can defer starting Medicare payments.

Generally, at age 65, retirees then start paying Medicare Part B, which becomes their first healthcare payer. Medicare premiums are tied to taxable income tiers. TRICARE for Life (TFL) is then triggered in DEERS to become the secondary payer, acting as a premium-free Medigap-type plan. Medicare typically covers 80% of a covered procedure, and TFL picks up the rest. Co-pays and other fees disappear. Military pharmacies are still no-cost. There are mail order options available. TFL is still free, though every budget cycle, factions try to go after it and want to start charging premiums for it. Military Coalition government relations (lobbyists) from the major veteran service organizations and associations keep a careful eye on erosion of benefits.

https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring/MedicalRetirement

The above is all non-VA-related. The VA has its own disability rating system, healthcare system, and benefits. A parallel world.

I have to say, I now fully appreciate 26 active duty years of paying zip for medical and dental care, then paying under $200/year, and then under $300/year, for TRICARE Prime for retirees (which astonished civilian colleagues paying hundreds monthly for civilian healthcare plans, with additional for pharmacy, high co-pays, etc.).

I now find myself faintly annoyed but resigned to paying Medicare premiums where a monthly payment is more than I paid annually for TRICARE Prime for Retirees. This is a first-world problem though, because we use Johns Hopkins Healthcare, and the quality of care is cutting-edge, particularly in advanced specialties with leading providers. My PCM is a top-10 med school/residency/board certified/multi-fellowshipped internal medicine doctor specializing in adult primary care. She collaborates closely with all my other JH caregivers to solve problems and support my health and QOL, and I am grateful beyond words for this benefit of military retirement. Relatively soeaking, I still pay very little.

Kudos to @SamAca10 for suggesting it might be worthwhile to explore the possibility of medical retirement vs medical separation. I do not know what the triggering criteria, policy and precedent is.
? @GoCubbies thoughts?

 

[SamAca10]

Medical retirement benefits are not my wheelhouse, so I will defer to those with deep expertise.

I thought people with a medical retirement (before regular non-medical retirement years of service or statutory age) became eligible for TRICARE Prime for retirees (and spouse, of-age dependents), which has a monthly premium or annual, at a low cost compared to any civilian healthcare plans. There are co-pays unless being seen at a military treatment facility (MTF). Military pharmacy benefits are free. They are eligible to participate in the federal retiree dental plan, with multiple civilian dental provider plans available. If someone is still working after age 65 for an employer offering full healthcare, they can defer starting Medicare payments.

Generally, at age 65, retirees then start paying Medicare Part B, which becomes their first healthcare payer. Medicare premiums are tied to taxable income tiers. TRICARE for Life (TFL) is then triggered in DEERS to become the secondary payer, acting as a premium-free Medigap-type plan. Medicare typically covers 80% of a covered procedure, and TFL picks up the rest. Co-pays and other fees disappear. Military pharmacies are still no-cost. There are mail order options available. TFL is still free, though every budget cycle, factions try to go after it and want to start charging premiums for it. Military Coalition government relations (lobbyists) from the major veteran service organizations and associations keep a careful eye on erosion of benefits.

https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring/MedicalRetirement

The above is all non-VA-related. The VA has its own disability rating system, healthcare system, and benefits. A parallel world.

I have to say, I now fully appreciate 26 active duty years of paying zip for medical and dental care, then paying under $200/year, and then under $300/year, for TRICARE Prime for retirees (which astonished civilian colleagues paying hundreds monthly for civilian healthcare plans, with additional for pharmacy, high co-pays, etc.).

I now find myself faintly annoyed but resigned to paying Medicare premiums where a monthly payment is more than I paid annually for TRICARE Prime for Retirees. This is a first-world problem though, because we use Johns Hopkins Healthcare, and the quality of care is cutting-edge, particularly in advanced specialties with leading providers. My PCM is a top-10 med school/residency/board certified/multi-fellowshipped internal medicine doctor specializing in adult primary care. She collaborates closely with all my other JH caregivers to solve problems and support my health and QOL, and I am grateful beyond words for this benefit of military retirement. Relatively soeaking, I still pay very little.

Kudos to @SamAca10 for suggesting it might be worthwhile to explore the possibility of medical retirement vs medical separation. I do not know what the triggering criteria, policy and precedent is.
? @GoCubbies thoughts?

@Capt MJ I'd love to hear your thoughts on if the Reserves are worth it for SA grads. I have a lot of classmates who are wondering whether to kick it in the reserves for the remainder of the 20. Seems like Tricare Reserve is fairly cheap with a ~$200/month premium and no deductibles.

Tricare Retired Reserves is around $1500/month though for the premium which is drastically higher. Which has me questioning is the reserves "worth" it with a demanding career that is non-GS related. Lots of unpredictability with deployments and disruption with weekend drills.

Can you explain how Medicare Part B works? It seems like Tricare for Medicare-eligible retirees must elect it, and Tricare acts as a secondary insurance. Does that amount to how it works? If a retired reserve member only has 5 years between age 60 and age 65, not sure if the healthcare benefits are worth it for reservists who become "gray area retirees" as DFAS calls them.

One of my classmates was medically retired a year or two ago, and they are a full retiree. Have the USID Retiree ID, tricare, etc. They're not at 100% according to the VA (at 90% VA), so they get a percentage of their retirement pay from the USCG, which a certain amount is considered tax free.

Medical retirees do not receive CRDP - Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay - that's reserved for those who do twenty years active and reserves. HOWEVER, a 20+year retiree who is medically retired may be eligible for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), which provides tax-free payments to the equivalent of their retiree pay.

A useful tidbit as CRSC is not only tax free, but also, like VA compensation, not a divisible asset in divorce court.

When I went through the VA claims process, I was awarded a 100% rating. I'm incredibly thankful that I was acknowledged by the VA rating system, and that I have access to VA healthcare and all of the state benefits (no property tax, etc.) that my state offers. Paired with the GI BIll and a service academy education, I'm sitting ok. I'll have access to Ch 35 DEA and CHAMPVA for my dependents if I ever have them as well.

It's funny, when I joined this forum years ago I never realized the amount of benefits we were signing up for by signing that blank check

 

[SamAca10]

@dgcango This will be helpful for the Post 9/11 too:

Here's a table:

| **Active Duty Service** | **Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable** | **Yellow Ribbon Program Eligibility** |
|------------------------------------------------- |------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 90 days to less than 6 months | 50% | Not Eligible |
| 6 months to less than 18 months | 60% | Not Eligible |
| 18 months to less than 24 months | 70% | Not Eligible |
| 24 months to less than 30 months | 80% | Not Eligible |
| 30 months to less than 36 months | 90% | Not Eligible |
| 36 months or more | 100% | Eligible |
| Service-connected disability discharge after 30 days | 100% | Eligible |

 

[Capt MJ]

@Capt MJ I'd love to hear your thoughts on if the Reserves are worth it for SA grads. I have a lot of classmates who are wondering whether to kick it in the reserves for the remainder of the 20. Seems like Tricare Reserve is fairly cheap with a ~$200/month premium and no deductibles.

Tricare Retired Reserves is around $1500/month though for the premium which is drastically higher. Which has me questioning is the reserves "worth" it with a demanding career that is non-GS related. Lots of unpredictability with deployments and disruption with weekend drills.

Can you explain how Medicare Part B works? It seems like Tricare for Medicare-eligible retirees must elect it, and Tricare acts as a secondary insurance. Does that amount to how it works? If a retired reserve member only has 5 years between age 60 and age 65, not sure if the healthcare benefits are worth it for reservists who become "gray area retirees" as DFAS calls them.

One of my classmates was medically retired a year or two ago, and they are a full retiree. Have the USID Retiree ID, tricare, etc. They're not at 100% according to the VA (at 90% VA), so they get a percentage of their retirement pay from the USCG, which a certain amount is considered tax free.

Medical retirees do not receive CRDP - Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay - that's reserved for those who do twenty years active and reserves. HOWEVER, a 20+year retiree who is medically retired may be eligible for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), which provides tax-free payments to the equivalent of their retiree pay.

A useful tidbit as CRSC is not only tax free, but also, like VA compensation, not a divisible asset in divorce court.

When I went through the VA claims process, I was awarded a 100% rating. I'm incredibly thankful that I was acknowledged by the VA rating system, and that I have access to VA healthcare and all of the state benefits (no property tax, etc.) that my state offers. Paired with the GI BIll and a service academy education, I'm sitting ok. I'll have access to Ch 35 DEA and CHAMPVA for my dependents if I ever have them as well.

It's funny, when I joined this forum years ago I never realized the amount of benefits we were signing up for by signing that blank check

A lot to unpack here. I don’t usually use that current phrase, but it is apt!

Think I will DM you later with thoughts on various points. Let me leap to one point - my closest Navy friend is a retired USNR CDR. She continued to work at a firm through age 65 and just used their employee healthcare benefit after comparing her options with Reserve TRICARE and then Retiree Reserve - but she also received an executive healthcare package from her company. I think that is an individual cost comparative analysis for every individual/gamily. What she was REALLY happy about was when her Reserve Retired pay kicked in at age 60 - rank of Commander - you have to look at that as a lifelong income not dependent on market fluctuations like a 401K might be.

TFL is a gift that gives until end of life, 10, 20, 30, years after 75. I go to the dermatologist for regular check-ups. Q

@Capt MJ I'd love to hear your thoughts on if the Reserves are worth it for SA grads. I have a lot of classmates who are wondering whether to kick it in the reserves for the remainder of the 20. Seems like Tricare Reserve is fairly cheap with a ~$200/month premium and no deductibles.

Tricare Retired Reserves is around $1500/month though for the premium which is drastically higher. Which has me questioning is the reserves "worth" it with a demanding career that is non-GS related. Lots of unpredictability with deployments and disruption with weekend drills.

Can you explain how Medicare Part B works? It seems like Tricare for Medicare-eligible retirees must elect it, and Tricare acts as a secondary insurance. Does that amount to how it works? If a retired reserve member only has 5 years between age 60 and age 65, not sure if the healthcare benefits are worth it for reservists who become "gray area retirees" as DFAS calls them.

One of my classmates was medically retired a year or two ago, and they are a full retiree. Have the USID Retiree ID, tricare, etc. They're not at 100% according to the VA (at 90% VA), so they get a percentage of their retirement pay from the USCG, which a certain amount is considered tax free.

Medical retirees do not receive CRDP - Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay - that's reserved for those who do twenty years active and reserves. HOWEVER, a 20+year retiree who is medically retired may be eligible for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), which provides tax-free payments to the equivalent of their retiree pay.

A useful tidbit as CRSC is not only tax free, but also, like VA compensation, not a divisible asset in divorce court.

When I went through the VA claims process, I was awarded a 100% rating. I'm incredibly thankful that I was acknowledged by the VA rating system, and that I have access to VA healthcare and all of the state benefits (no property tax, etc.) that my state offers. Paired with the GI BIll and a service academy education, I'm sitting ok. I'll have access to Ch 35 DEA and CHAMPVA for my dependents if I ever have them as well.

It's funny, when I joined this forum years ago I never realized the amount of benefits we were signing up for by signing that blank check

I’ll DM you soon. A lot to respond to in someone’s else’s query.

 

[OldRetSWO]

@Capt MJ I'd love to hear your thoughts on if the Reserves are worth it for SA grads. I have a lot of classmates who are wondering whether to kick it in the reserves for the remainder of the 20. Seems like Tricare Reserve is fairly cheap with a ~$200/month premium and no deductibles.

Tricare Retired Reserves is around $1500/month though for the premium which is drastically higher. Which has me questioning is the reserves "worth" it with a demanding career that is non-GS related. Lots of unpredictability with deployments and disruption with weekend drills.

Can you explain how Medicare Part B works? It seems like Tricare for Medicare-eligible retirees must elect it, and Tricare acts as a secondary insurance. Does that amount to how it works? If a retired reserve member only has 5 years between age 60 and age 65, not sure if the healthcare benefits are worth it for reservists who become "gray area retirees" as DFAS calls them.

I am a retired reservist who did 7 active after SA graduation and then 20 in the reserves.
I did enjoy much of my time in the reserves but it was often not easy to fit in with busy home and work life. The pension that started when I
turned 60 is pretty nice though.
Plusses: I did get to go to sea many times, did real world stuff at sea as well as (later) doing Staff type stuff in afloat command centers. The pay was also pretty nice.
Tricare for reservists was not a thing until late in my career and I didn't know anyone who used it as my contemporaries used health insurance through their full time jobs. In the last years prior to Medicare for me, I was on my wife's insurance from her university job and it was pretty good but Medicare with TFL is better. Like CaptMJ, I'm not a fan of paying for something that was supposed to be free based on my service but its manageable and the TFL takes the place of a Medicare Supplement which most of my non-military peers pay for.

 

[SamAca10]

I am a retired reservist who did 7 active after SA graduation and then 20 in the reserves.
I did enjoy much of my time in the reserves but it was often not easy to fit in with busy home and work life. The pension that started when I
turned 60 is pretty nice though.
Plusses: I did get to go to sea many times, did real world stuff at sea as well as (later) doing Staff type stuff in afloat command centers. The pay was also pretty nice.
Tricare for reservists was not a thing until late in my career and I didn't know anyone who used it as my contemporaries used health insurance through their full time jobs. In the last years prior to Medicare for me, I was on my wife's insurance from her university job and it was pretty good but Medicare with TFL is better. Like CaptMJ, I'm not a fan of paying for something that was supposed to be free based on my service but its manageable and the TFL takes the place of a Medicare Supplement which most of my non-military peers pay for.

Great data points and experiences....thanks for your service. I wonder though - did you file through the VA claims process at all? Would you have stayed in the reserves if you were awarded a high rating through the VA? I went through the process and was awarded 100%. I can go be seen at the VA for all my medical needs, and I would have CHAMPVA as primary/secondary insurance if I ever get married and/or have children.

It's actually interesting - I hold an HDHP + HSA through my employer. As a single person, the HDHP monthly premium is less than $100 per paycheck. Whenever I get seen down at the VA for primary care, they reduce my deductible and I don't pay any of it. Since I don't have Tricare I can hold a HSA account which is nice.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Great data points and experiences....thanks for your service. I wonder though - did you file through the VA claims process at all? Would you have stayed in the reserves if you were awarded a high rating through the VA? I went through the process and was awarded 100%. I can go be seen at the VA for all my medical needs, and I would have CHAMPVA as primary/secondary insurance if I ever get married and/or have children.

It's actually interesting - I hold an HDHP + HSA through my employer. As a single person, the HDHP monthly premium is less than $100 per paycheck. Whenever I get seen down at the VA for primary care, they reduce my deductible and I don't pay any of it. Since I don't have Tricare I can hold a HSA account which is nice.

When I left Active Duty it was NOT standard procedure to get an immediate VA physical/start a claim and I really didn't know anyone who did. Since I got a job with good medical insurance right off, the VA was closed to me and then they started means testing as well. Decades later I came down with a cancer that my doctor and other doctors believe came from an exposure that I had as a DivO to a carcinogen that the Navy then removed from the inventory BECAUSE it was a carcinogen. My cancer came decades later but there was no other causal factor that we could find. I've actually started a claim with the VA and they rejected it. I will provide more info and have people ready to assist when I get the required data.

I do not intend to shift to VA healthcare though as what I do have is one of the best hospitals in the US and really good docs.