Libraries HomeResources for Veterans Active Military Guard Reserve Soldiers and Families
Resources for Veterans, Active Military, Guard & Reserve, and their Families
General | Education | Employment | Families | Financial | Health | Legal | Veterans' Resources
Acknowledgement: Much appreciation to David Durant of East Carolina University for assembling a lot of this information and sharing it with colleagues.
General Service Resources
- A comprehensive portal for military benefits and assistance programs. Includes 24/7 access to (non-medical) counseling via phone and online. Also includes specialized portals for "National Guard and Reserve" and "Military Families".
Army OneSource
Portal for US Army programs, benefits, services, etc.
Marine Corps Community Services
Information on, and help with, Marine life, family and retiree issues, employment, and more. Includes a 24/7 "DSTRESS" line -- phone and live chat.
MilitaryHelpline.org
Anonymous, free help for veterans, members of the military, and their families. Includes links to resources, online chat help, and a 24/7 telephone hotline.
My Army Benefits
Allows soldiers to find benefits by category (Education, Family Services, etc.), component (Active, Guard, or Reserve), or by state/territory. Just go to "Benefit Library".
National Guard Bureau Joint Services Support
Benefits and assistance portal specifically for Army and Air Guard service members. See "Our Programs" for resources by category, or use the "ResourceFinder" to locate by geography.
Navy Personnel Command: Support and Services
Provides a variety of support and services to Sailors, both on and off the job. Among other things, the site strives to: "Empower sailors to make informed career decisions; Promote physical and mental wellness of Sailors; Provide personalized attention to families."
Education Resources
- Includes online application tool, benefits calculator, advice on choosing a school, general information on available benefits, and contact information for questions.
Oregon Veteran Educational Aid Program
UO Office of Veterans Affairs
A lot of information on scholarships, financial aid, etc., with links to outside sites as well.
Online Library Resources
- As a registered UO student, faculty, or staff member, you have access to many online library resources. However, eligible service members and their families also have free access from any location to a number of databases subscribed to by DoD's network of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Libraries. Only eligible service members and their dependents may use these resources:
- Military OneSource: DoD MWR Library Resources Includes access to MasterFile Premier, Academic OneFile, General OneFile, netLibrary, and several dozen other databases. Free registration and login is required.
- Army Knowledge Online (AKO) The Army's official enterprise portal. All soldiers, dependents, and retirees have, or are eligible for, accounts. All of the databases available through Military OneSource plus several others are available here. Also includes QuestionPoint online reference service and subject bibliographies. Other services have similar portals.
Employment Resources
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
- ESGR is a DoD organization "designed to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment." Offers information for both employers and service members and offers assistance with USERRA issues.
UO Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity - Veterans Information
Employment Opportunity Websites:
Vet Success.gov
VA website offering job search assistance. Includes tips on resume writing, interviewing, and filling out applications. Free registration required to view job postings. Also find local Vet Success offices and request assistance.
Cleared Connections.com
Federal agency and contractor jobs requiring security clearance.
Feds Hire Vets
"Federal employment information for veterans, transitioning military service members, their families, and Federal hiring officials."
Military Spouse Employment Partnership
Financial Resources
Save and Invest.org - Military
Investment and financial information for service members and their families.
VA Mortgages & Loans
This page from MortgageLoan.com gives useful information and guidance, with links to relevant VA sites.
Taxes:
IRS.gov: Tax Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
Oregon Dept. of Revenue: Military Personnel Filing Information
Oregon Dept. of Revenue: Property Tax Exemption Information
Health Resources*
*including resources on PTSD, TBI, reintegration issues, etc.
Tricare Reserve Select
Military health and dental plans available to Guard and Reserve members not currently on active duty (and their families.) Basic information on premiums, deductibles, and how to apply.
VA Health Care
In addition to those who have had active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve members who have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible for 5 years of free VA health care for any service-related condition. Use the VA Health site to get health information, find your nearest VA health center, apply for benefits, and contact the VA with any questions.
Pleural Mesothelioma - information for vets
The main cause of Pleural Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and many veterans have been exposed, particularly those who served in the Navy. This site has useful information and links.
PTSD Coach: Mobile App for Android and iPhone
"PTSD Coach was designed for Veterans and military Service Members who have, or may have, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This app provides users with education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help users manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD."
Real Warriors.net
The Real Warriors Campaign is an initiative launched by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) to promote the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families. The site includes "real advice" podcasts, various sources of help (phone, chat), a mobile site, news, and more.
Legal Resources
Department of Justice website: Servicemembers.gov
DoJ site devoted to helping service members with enforcement of SCRA, USERRA, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act of 1986 ("UOCAVA").
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
- Federal law covering all active-duty service members, including mobilized Guard and Reserve members. The bill limits interest on pre-existing debts (credit cards, mortgages, loans, etc.) to 6% (must request SCRA protection in writing.) Provides protection against property seizures, foreclosure, eviction, and default judgments.
Military OneSource: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
A good SCRA overview for service members and their families.
United States Courts: SCRA: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
- Federal law protecting the civilian employment rights of Guard and Reserve members called to active duty.
ESGR: USERRA
Information and guidelines including the text of the statute and relevant regulations. ESGR offers and Ombudsman service to mediate USERRA disputes.
U.S. Dept. of Labor. Veterans' Employment and Training Service: USERRA Information
Detailed information for both employers and service members. Includes instructions for filing a USERRA complaint.
U.S. Office of Special Counsel - USERRA page
Handles USERRA legal actions where the employer in question is US federal agency.
Veterans' Resources
Federal Benefits:
Department of Veterans Affairs
New! VA mobile web site Created for use on all mobile devices.
eBenefits
VA portal site for obtaining benefits information. Apply online, obtain copies of health and services records, calculate your benefits, or find your nearest VA facility.
State Benefits:
State of Oregon Veteran Benefits Programs
Includes educational aid, emergency grants, employment information, ORVET home loan, veteran discounts.
Obtaining Military Records:
The National Archives allows former service members and next of kin (if veteran is deceased) to request copies of their service records. Requests can be submitted electronically. Instructions and further information can be found at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/
Family Resources
Military HOMEFRONT
DoD portal for information and resources on military family life, including all their programs to assist troops and their families.
Real Warriors.net - Families section The Real Warriors Campaign is an initiative launched by the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) to promote the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families. This section will help you to prepare a pre-deployment checklist, gather important documents and identify community and military resources, and even find tips on helping your children cope with Mom or Dad’s separation.
United We Serve: Veterans and Military Families
Lists and links to relevant resources.
American Red Cross
Select "Getting Assistance" and then "Serving Military Families". Includes a special section for Reserves and National Guard. Services provided include emergency communication with deployed service members, financial assistance, and counseling.
