The Army offers support for those who support you, offering a number of benefits for Soldiers' spouses, children, and family members.
Health Care Benefits Keep Your Family Covered
Families of Soldiers have access to TRICARE health care plans—the same low or no cost, high-quality ones offered to Soldiers—to ensure all members of the Army community can stay healthy and build strong futures. Coverage benefits include:
- Full-Time Soldiers Pay $0: Zero out-of-pocket costs for full-time Soldiers and dependents
- Part-Time Soldiers Pay Low Cost: Low monthly costs for part-time Soldiers and dependents
- Wide Range of Coverage Offered: Access dental, vision, pharmacy, mental health, and life insurance coverage
Parental Benefits To Help Your Kids Stay Happy and Healthy
The Army offers a variety of programs and services to support your family and childcare needs, whether you live on or off post.
Family Planning Services
Soldiers can stay at their current base for up to two years while they or their spouse pursues fertility treatment. For adoptive parents, eligible active-duty Soldiers may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per child they adopt, and up to $5,000 per year for multiple adoptions, for qualifying expenses related to adoption.
Paid Parental Leave and Maternity Care
With the parental leave program, you can get up to 12 weeks of paid leave to new parents, including options for birth mothers or fathers, same-sex couples, as well as adoptive and surrogate parents. Birthing parents get the medical services, treatments, and care needed throughout pregnancy, during delivery, and generally six weeks post-partum.
New Parent and Special Needs Support
The New Parent Support Program is staffed by nurses, social workers, and home visitation specialists to support expectant and current parents with home visits, prenatal and parenting classes, play groups, and more. The Exceptional Family Members Program (EFMP) works with other military and civilian agencies to provide support to families with special needs.
Child Care Options
Full-time, part-time, and hourly care is available to families with children from four weeks to 12 years of age for in-home and day care services. For school-age children, you can take advantage of before- and after-school care during the school year and camps during vacations.
Fitness and Deployment Deferments and More
The Army offers temporary exemption postpartum from body composition and physical fitness requirements like passing the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to allow time for healing and recovery. Special pregnancy and postpartum dress uniforms are provided for comfort. Also available: convalescent leave if you or your spouse experience a miscarriage or a stillbirth; lactation accommodations on posts; and deployment and duty assignment deferments for Soldiers who are parents (for up to a year after birth, adoption, or long-term foster care placement).
Youth Programs, Sports, and Community Groups
The Army's youth programs promote social interaction, support personal growth, and develop educational and recreational skills for children from infancy to high school. Team and individual sports, fitness groups, and outreach programs are also available to children up to 18 years old.
Education and Employment Benefits for Families
The Army supports the educational advancement of its Soldiers and extends support to family members through a number of financial and developmental benefits.
GI Bill
The GI Bill is a powerful tool typically used by Soldiers to pay for their education. However, you can also choose to use it to help pay for the education of your spouse or children.
Employment Readiness
Get career and employment counseling as well as assistance with résumé and job application preparation and computer-related skills. This helps keep family members prepared and competitive within their industry of choice.
Development Funds
The Army provides financial support for education, licensing and credentials, career counseling services, and employment readiness tools to assist spouses in their career advancement through programs like the Spouse Education & Career Opportunities (SECO) and My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA).
Business Partnerships
The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is an employment and career partnership connecting military spouses with more than 270 corporate partner employers who have pledged to recruit, hire, promote, and retain military spouses in flexible careers.
Financial Security
The Financial Readiness Program (FRP) provides educational and counseling programs to help Soldiers and their family members get a better understanding of personal finance and develop better habits to help them become as secure as possible.
Housing To Make You Feel At Home Wherever You Serve
Save on the cost of living with free, on-base Army housing and allowances. If housing is not provided, Soldiers and their families receive a stipend called a Basic Housing Allowance. Additional housing benefits include:
- The Community on Base: Living on an Army base provides a unique experience in which you'll have a strong support network and the benefits of a tight-knit community
- Support When It's Time to Move: The Army provides digital tools to walk you through everything you need to know when it's time to change post locations
- Home Loans: Soldiers can receive home loans from the VA which include premium rates and no money down
Save On Shopping, Travel, and Entertainment
There are a number of additional family benefits and aspects to life in the Army that ensure a high quality of life, from discounted or free recreational programs to savings on shopping and travel.
Don't worry, there's no obligation if you reach out.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
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Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.