One of the most consistent findings in military family surveys is that spouses systematically underuse the benefits they're entitled to, not because they don't want them, but because nobody gave them a clear list. The welcome brief covers TRICARE enrollment and where the commissary is. It rarely covers legal assistance, MyCAA scholarships, tax advantages, counseling services, or the SCRA protections that could save you thousands of dollars.

This is that list.

First step for every new military spouse: Get enrolled in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) immediately after marriage. Every benefit in this article requires an active DEERS enrollment and a valid military dependent ID (DD Form 1173). Without it, you cannot access any of these programs. Visit your nearest ID card facility or Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site to enroll.

Healthcare Benefits

Healthcare

TRICARE Health Insurance

Military spouses are eligible family members (EFMs) covered under the service member's TRICARE enrollment. Main plan options include TRICARE Prime (HMO-style, low out-of-pocket, requires primary care referrals), TRICARE Select (PPO-style, more provider flexibility, higher cost-share), and TRICARE for Life (for those 65+ with Medicare as secondary payer).

Costs are significantly below civilian health insurance equivalents. TRICARE Prime has no enrollment fee for active-duty family members and very low copays. TRICARE Select has modest premiums and copays with access to a broader network of civilian providers.

Tip: Enroll in TRICARE immediately after DEERS registration, coverage is not automatic even after enrollment in DEERS. Choose your plan during open season or when experiencing a qualifying life event (PCS, marriage, childbirth).
Dental

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP)

Dental coverage is separate from TRICARE health insurance. The TRICARE Dental Program provides dental coverage for active-duty family members at substantially reduced premiums compared to civilian dental insurance. Coverage includes preventive, basic restorative, and major restorative care with varying cost-share percentages.

Tip: Enrollment is optional but strongly recommended. The cost savings compared to civilian dental plans are significant, especially for families with children requiring orthodontia.
Mental Health

Military OneSource Counseling (Free)

Military OneSource provides 12 free, confidential counseling sessions per issue per year for service members and their families, including spouses. Sessions are with licensed counselors and can be accessed in-person, by phone, or video. This benefit is separate from TRICARE and does not require a referral or copay.

Tip: This is one of the most underused benefits in the military family system. You do not need to be in crisis to use it. Many couples use it proactively during PCS transitions and post-deployment adjustment. Call 1-800-342-9647 or visit militaryonesource.mil.

Shopping and Daily Life Benefits

Grocery

Commissary Access

Military spouses with valid dependent ID can shop at DeCA (Defense Commissary Agency) commissaries on military installations. Commissary prices are typically 20-30% below commercial grocery stores. A 2% surcharge applies (replacing sales tax), but savings still substantially exceed this. Commissary access is available at installations worldwide.

Tip: The savings on a family's monthly grocery bill at a commissary vs. commercial grocers typically run $150, $400/month depending on family size and location. Use it consistently.
Retail

Exchange Shopping (BX / PX / NEX)

Military spouses can shop at exchanges (Army/Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange) on installations and online. Exchange shopping is tax-free at most locations and offers competitive pricing on electronics, clothing, home goods, and more. Online access at ShopMyExchange.com is available to all authorized patrons regardless of proximity to an installation.

Tip: The tax savings on large purchases (electronics, appliances) are substantial. A $1,500 laptop purchased tax-free at an exchange saves $90, $150 in state sales tax depending on your state.
Recreation

MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Facilities

Military spouses have access to MWR facilities on installations, gyms, pools, bowling alleys, movie theaters, golf courses, outdoor recreation equipment rentals, and more. Costs are heavily subsidized. MWR also administers fitness center memberships, outdoor recreation programs, and travel discounts through Armed Forces Vacation Club and similar programs.

Tip: MWR gym access alone is worth hundreds of dollars annually compared to commercial gym memberships. Take the time to explore the full range of programs available at your installation.

Education and Career Benefits

Education Funding

MyCAA Scholarship (Up to $4,000)

The My Career Advancement Account program provides up to $4,000 in tuition assistance for qualifying military spouses pursuing portable career fields through licenses, certificates, or associate's degrees. Eligibility: spouses of active-duty E-1 through E-5, W-1 through W-2, and O-1 through O-2. Apply through MySECO at myseco.militaryonesource.mil. Includes free career coaching and job search support.

Tip: Many eligible spouses don't know this exists. If you qualify, apply before your service member is promoted out of the eligible pay grades, eligibility ends when they promote above O-2/E-5/W-2.
Federal Employment

Military Spouse Hiring Preference (Executive Order 13473)

Qualifying military spouses are eligible for non-competitive appointment to federal positions, allowing direct hiring without competing through the full public application process. Applies when accompanying a service member on a PCS move. Filter USAJOBS searches by "Military Spouses" to find eligible positions. Authority is time-limited, 2 years from PCS date.

Tip: Federal employment near military installations is abundant and highly portable. A GS-7 or GS-9 federal position carries competitive pay, excellent health benefits, and transfers to the next duty station, a career that moves with you.
Legal Services

Free Legal Assistance (JAG / Legal Assistance Office)

Every military installation has a Legal Assistance Office staffed by Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorneys providing free legal services to service members and their dependents. Services include will and trust preparation, powers of attorney, notarization, lease review, consumer protection advice, tax preparation assistance, and family law guidance. This is a high-value benefit most families don't use until they have a crisis.

Tip: Get your wills and powers of attorney completed at the legal assistance office before your service member deploys. Also, if you're breaking a lease for a PCS move, JAG can confirm your rights under the SCRA, civilian landlords often aren't aware of these protections.
Financial Protection

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Protections

The SCRA provides financial and legal protections to active-duty service members and, in many cases, their dependents. Key protections relevant to military families: interest rate cap of 6% on pre-service debts, lease termination rights (both housing and automobile leases can be terminated without penalty with orders), protection from eviction while deployed, and foreclosure protections. The SCRA extends to dependent spouses in many of its provisions.

Tip: When PCSing, you can legally terminate your current housing lease with 30 days written notice and a copy of PCS orders, regardless of your lease terms. Many landlords are unaware of this. JAG can provide a letter confirming your rights if needed.
Tax Benefits

Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA)

The Military Spouse Residency Relief Act allows military spouses to maintain their state of legal residence (the same as their service member) for tax and voting purposes, regardless of where they physically reside. This prevents military spouses from being taxed in a new state every time they PCS, a significant financial protection that eliminates double taxation and residency compliance headaches.

Tip: File a MSRRA exemption certificate with your employer's HR when you PCS to a new state. This prevents incorrect state tax withholding. Consult a military tax professional for the specific filing requirements in your state.

Support Services

Family Support

Family Readiness Groups (FRG) and Family Support Centers

Every military unit maintains a Family Readiness Group, an officially sanctioned peer support network for military families. Installation Family Support Centers (Army), Airman & Family Readiness Centers (Air Force), Fleet and Family Support Centers (Navy), and equivalent organizations at Marine and Coast Guard installations offer free workshops, financial counseling, employment assistance, crisis support, and community connection programs.

Tip: FRGs vary enormously in quality by unit. The installation's Family Support Center is consistently staffed and resourced regardless of the unit. If your FRG isn't active, go directly to the Family Support Center for the same services.
Childcare

Priority Childcare and CDC Access

Military spouses have priority access to Child Development Centers (CDCs) on installations, which provide subsidized childcare at rates significantly below civilian providers. Fee assistance is income-based, and active-duty families receive the highest priority placement. The Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program also subsidizes childcare at civilian providers near installations where CDC capacity is limited.

Tip: CDC waitlists at desirable duty stations can be very long, put your name on the list before you PCS or as soon as you arrive, even if you're not immediately ready to use it.

Tools for Staying Organized

Between DEERS enrollment, TRICARE paperwork, PCS orders, and MyCAA deadlines, the paperwork side of military spouse benefits can pile up fast, especially across multiple moves. A few organizational tools make it easier to keep everything accessible when you need it.

A note on links: some links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We only recommend items military families consistently say are worth having.

1. Expanding accordion file organizer

Keeps DEERS, TRICARE, and PCS paperwork in one place

Between ID card renewals, TRICARE enrollment forms, orders, and legal documents from JAG, benefit paperwork adds up quickly, and multiplies with every PCS. A labeled accordion folder keeps everything sorted and easy to grab when you need to prove eligibility for a benefit on short notice.

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2. Fireproof & water-resistant document bag

Protects the originals you can't easily replace

Marriage certificates, powers of attorney, Social Security cards, and military IDs are hard to replace quickly, especially mid-PCS or during a deployment. A fireproof document bag keeps the originals secure while copies live in your everyday organizer.

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3. Undated weekly planner

Tracks MyCAA deadlines, appointments, and PCS to-dos

MyCAA eligibility windows, TRICARE open season, CDC waitlist check-ins, and legal appointments all run on their own timelines. An undated planner you can start anytime helps you track deadlines that don't show up on a normal calendar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do military spouses get TRICARE?
Yes. Military spouses are covered as eligible family members (EFMs) under the service member's TRICARE enrollment. Coverage begins the day of marriage but requires active registration in DEERS. Dental is separate through the TRICARE Dental Program. Coverage continues for a transition period after the service member's separation or retirement.
Can military spouses use the commissary and exchange?
Yes. Military spouses with valid military dependent ID (DD Form 1173) can use commissaries, exchanges (BX/PX/NEX), and MWR facilities. Commissary prices are typically 20-30% below commercial retail. Exchange shopping is tax-free at most locations. Online exchange shopping is also available to authorized patrons.
What happens to military spouse benefits after divorce?
Divorce terminates most military spouse benefits. The "20/20/20 rule" allows former spouses to retain full benefits if the marriage and service each lasted 20+ years with 20+ years of overlap. Outside this rule, TRICARE and exchange access end on the date of finalization. The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act governs division of military retirement pay in divorce proceedings.
Can military spouses get free legal help?
Yes. Every installation has a Legal Assistance Office providing free legal services to service members and dependents, including spouses. Services include will preparation, powers of attorney, lease review, consumer protection, family law guidance, and notarization. This is one of the most valuable and least-used benefits available to military families.
Are military spouses eligible for VA benefits?
Spouses of active-duty service members are generally not eligible for VA benefits in their own right. However, spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the VA Caregiver Support Program, Chapter 35 education benefits, and VA home loan guarantees if the veteran is deceased or totally disabled.