Although many veterans choose to use their GI Bill benefits for themselves, others decide to transfer them to their family members. However, those who plan on taking this route will soon see changes in the military's policy. Starting August 1, servicemembers who plan on transferring their GI Bill benefits will have to serve an additional four years, even if they are closely approaching retirement, according to Stars and Stripes.

Most servicemembers have had to adhere to this rule since 2009, when they first became able to transfer their benefits. However, for the last four years troops nearing retirement were exempt from the four-year stipulation. In fact, some did not have to serve any additional time depending on how close they were to leaving the Armed Forces. That exemption is over at the end of July, officials say.

"It's across the board," Keith Davis, chief of education and training at the Ramstein education office, told the news source. "Effective Aug. 1, all members of the military, regardless of branch, will be required to serve a four-year active-duty service commitment at the time they elect to transfer benefits to a family member."

The Post-9/11 GI Bill has been a popular benefit among servicemembers and their families. According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 646,000 people made use of the benefits in 2012. 

Whether they are responding to a fire or leaping into action at a car accident, first responders put their lives on the line on a daily basis. Yet despite this selfless dedication to their job, their bravery often goes unrecognized, and one Massachusetts legislator is hoping to change that. Rep. Michael Capuano recently announced plans to introduce a new bill that would create a national holiday for first responders, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Close to home
Capuano was inspired to lead the charge due to recent events in his home state of Massachusetts. Specifically, after seeing the way emergency personnel responded to the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon he felt it necessary to recognize their service. He also decided to lead the charge thanks in large part to a petition launched by Andrew Collier, whose brother Sean – a MIT police officer- was allegedly shot and killed by the suspects. The petition called on Congress to create a day to honor for first responders and has more than 12,500 signature as of Tuesday.

"We've witnessed the bravery and heroism of these men and women time and again – from running into the Twin Towers on 9/11; to heading toward the sound of gunfire in Colorado, Connecticut, and too many other recent tragedies; and facing danger for our protection in every community, every day," Collier wrote.

Recognition on a smaller scale
While there has yet to be a national holiday for first responders, those who leaped into action at the marathon bombing have been honored by communities around the country. One of the most recent events of this kind was hosted by the Navy. Earlier in June, the branch paid tribute to around 400 first responders by giving them a free ride on the USS Constitution, one of the country's most well-known ships. 

More than Boston
Although the heroic efforts of the first responders in Boston helped shed a light on the work emergency personnel does on a daily basis, events in the months since have done the same. Most recently, firefighters in Colorado have been working around the clock to battle back flames that have been burning for more than two weeks. According to The Associated Press, the wildfires have caused at least $22 million in damage. 

Communities around the U.S. recognized June 22 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Day, but one of the most important observances was on the steps in front of the Capitol Building. Mental health advocates and veterans gathered to speak about the challenges associated with treating PTSD and traumatic brain injury in the military community, and while there are still obstacles to overcome, the Army is leading the charge with a multi-million dollar effort, according to Army News Service.

Collaborative effort
Although the Army is leading the way when it comes to studying PTSD and TBI, it is not alone. The branch is also taking part in a $60 million research study along with the National Football League, General Electric and Under Armour. The project comes is in addition to an executive order from the White House that diverted about $700 million to help the Department of Veterans Affairs work with other agencies to tackle the issue of PTSD and TBI. For Iraq veteran Brig. Gen. John M. Cho, who spoke at the Capitol over the weekend, such a broad approach is a good sign.

"The invisible wounds – post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury – are just as damaging as the visible ones," he told the gathered crowd. "They impact the families as well as the soldiers." He added that such initiatives can help remove the stigma often attached to the conditions. 

Far reaching impact
As Cho hinted, the effects of PTSD are often felt by more than just soldiers. Families can be touched by the condition, and that is especially true when it comes to the youngest members of the military community. According to the VA, there are several different ways children of parents with PTSD might respond. For one, they may echo symptoms similar to the ones present in their parent, but they may also exhibit behaviors ranging from problems at school to depression.

Although it remains to be seen whether the Army's collaborative effort pays off, it's certainly a step in the right direction. According to the American Psychological Association, an estimated 20 percent of veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq have symptoms of PTSD. That accounts for about 300,000 vets, and with the number of returning service members expected to grow in the coming years the need for attention is especially great. 

The lengthy claims backlog is arguably the biggest problem facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under pressure from Congress, the White House and veterans advocates, the department has taken significant steps to cut into the significant delays facing veterans looking for help with disabilities. There's still a long way to go, but the VA recently announced that it has made considerable progress. Officials say they have cleared 97 percent of claims that were at least two years old, Military Times reports.

A small step forward
VA officials cleared about 67,000 claims from the backlog, but there are many more veterans awaiting attention. An estimated 192,000 claims have been pending for between one and two years, and the VA maintains that it will address those next. The push is part of an ongoing initiative by the VA to ensure that all benefits claims are processed within 125 days by 2015. An ambitious goal to be sure, but likely a necessary one given the number of troops expected to separate from service in the coming years. 

"We have made great progress, but know much work remains to be done to eliminate the backlog," said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

A variety of causes
Before the latest push for the backlog's elimination, there were approximately 900,000 claims waiting to be processed, and there were a number of factors coming together that caused the inflation. One of the biggest reasons was the influx of veterans filing claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and the increasing number of claims related to Agent Orange after the VA changed its regulations in 2010. Analysts say that a high error rate may be causing the backlog due to lengthy appeals, according to U.S. Medicine.

Electronic records a must
Aside from an influx of veterans applying for benefits, the VA has also run into problems due to its outdated record keeping. The VA and Department of Defense kept entirely different records, so when troops left the service it was not always easy to transfer medical information between the two departments. However, work on a joint electronic records keeping system could better improve this transition and result in improved care and a shorter wait for troops, according to FCW.

Much of the focus on helping servicemember find jobs after leaving the military has been placed on connecting them to potential employment opportunities. However, there's much more to the job search than that, as veterans also need to sell their skills, and Google recently held a workshop in Washington, D.C. to provide tips on how to do just that, Stars and Stripes reports. 

The recent event, known as "Help a Hero Get Hired," welcomed 20 veterans and offered them assistance on everything from resume building to how to appeal to civilian employers. Among those who were there to lend a hand was Harry Wingo, a former Navy SEAL and current employee for Google. He says vets looking for jobs should focus on quantifying their achievements. 

"Use numbers," Wing told the news source. "[Say] 'I improved things this percent' or 'these are how many personnel I worked with,' 'this is the dollar value of some of the equipment that I used.' That translates. Numbers are the language of business."

Programs such as "Help a Hero Get Hired" seem to have been working. May statistics from the Department of Labor revealed the unemployment rate among post-9/11 vets dropped to 7.3 percent. 

It's not unusual to see wounded warriors go on to do great things after they've recovered from their injuries. Some eventually compete in the Paralympic Games while others even return to active duty. For, Army Capt. Christian Labra, recovery meant helping other soldiers who have gone through the same things he did. More than 10 years after being injured in Iraq, Labra has become a doctor in an effort to not only treat fellow wounded warriors but as a tribute to the skilled physicians and surgeons who helped him recover, according to American Forces Press Service. 

Tragedy to triumph
Labra had his pelvis and legs broken when he was hit by a collapsing wall. After being pulled from the rubble, he eventually was moved to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. It was there he saw firsthand how impressive the medical experts in the military are. When he returned stateside, he abandoned plans to pursue a law degree and instead headed to the world of medicine.

"I am where I am because people took really, really good care of me, and I am so incredibly grateful," Labra told the news source. "Now, as a doctor, I want to be the kind of ally who can lead someone through the dark. To be able to do that is really powerful. It is awesome when it works."

One of many
By the end of 2012, more than 50,000 troops had been wounded serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to figures from the Department of Defense. Labra's success story should serve as a clear indication that many of these injured servicemembers can achieve impressive levels of success. In fact, a group of wounded warriors recently began an impressive 3,000 miles trek from one end of the U.S. to the other.

The servicemembers are participating in the 32nd annual Race Across America event, which kicked off June 15. The course takes them through 12 states and is among the longest such races in the world. Many of the participants are riding hand-powered bicycles to make the trip due to injuries.

"Race Across America is opportunity for me to be an example and show that there is nothing combat wounded veterans can't do," said Cpl. Justin Gaertner, who lost both legs due to an improvised explosive device. 

Many troops make a point to enroll in college after separating from service. And why wouldn't they? The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers considerable tuition assistance, and earning a degree can make it that much easier for them to find a civilian job. Yet, while there are undoubtedly advantages to going to school after the military, there are challenges that extend beyond payment. Older vets may not fit in with the students who came straight from high school, but many colleges are taking steps to accommodate the unique needs of their veteran students, according to Military Times.

Indiana sets an example
Veterans who have enrolled at Indiana University have many services at their disposal. In addition to traditional amenities such as assistance with financial aid and academic guidance, the school is also home to a Office of Veterans Support Services. The office gives students who have served overseas the chance to meet with classmates who have experienced the same thing. 

"You have some students here who are 18, 19, who have never left the state of Indiana," Anthony Arnold, an Afghanistan vet, told the publication. "And their biggest concern is what they're wearing to the party Friday night. And then you have older students who have served in a war zone and fought in combat. And so their priorities are different."

Lessons to be learned
Indiana's legislature is in the process of approving a bill that would require schools to provide academic, career and financial counseling for veterans, and it's a move that states around the country should draw inspiration from. Already, some schools have taken steps to be more accommodating to veterans, a smart move especially as thousands of troops prepare to return home from Afghanistan. For instance, officials at Penn State University recently announced a plan that would provide servicemembers who have been honorably discharged with priority registration.

"They definitely deserve our gratitude, praise and admiration," said the school's president Rodney Erickson. "On a more practical note, our veteran students are tied to a set timeframe for degree completion, so this action provides them with the opportunity they need to gain an education."

Education important to vets
Servicemembers certainly are not letting their GI Bill benefits go to waste. According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2012 an estimated 500,000 people made use of the GI Bill. 

The military and college football have a strong relationship that dates back decades. Whether it's the annual Army-Navy game or the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, the Armed Forces and football are inextricably linked. Now, for the first time in NCAA history, a postseason bowl game will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. In 2013, the Military Bowl will move from Washington, D.C., to the home of the Midshipmen, according to CBS Sports. 

The Military Bowl is among the youngest postseason games in college football, with its history dating back  to 2008. Game officials say the change in location is the perfect way to honor the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.

"Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is truly a venue that is in line with our mission of supporting our nation's military and raising awareness for organizations supporting the Armed Forces. We expect a great matchup,"  DC Bowl Committee President and Executive Director Steve Beck said.

This isn't the only bowl game to pay tribute to the members of the military. The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, which last year featured Air Force, has been played every season since 2003. 

The role of women in the military has changed considerably in recent years. Previously, female troops were officially not allowed to serve in combat roles, but as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan proved that the line between these roles was very blurry, it became readily apparent a change had to be made. Earlier this year then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey removed these barriers, and this week the military is moving forward with plans to open up significantly more positions to servicewomen, according to The Associated Press. 

Women play a vital role
The last 10-plus years of war have changed the way a lot of people view combat, and that includes the role of women. More than 280,000 female troops have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or one of their neighboring countries, and women make up about 14 percent of the active military personnel. Although the Pentagon opened up about 14,500 combat positions to women last year, there were still hundreds of thousands that were not available due to a nearly 20-year-old policy that barred women from serving on ground combat units. However, that is about to change.

Plans in place
Military leaders recently presented Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel with a tentative schedule for opening up new positions to women. For instance, in the Army, leaders say they will have standards set by July 2015 so that servicewomen can train to be Army Rangers. There are also plans to open up channels for women to train to be Navy SEALs by March 2016. Special Operations Command also has plans in place.

Widespread praise
The move has been met with considerable applause from lawmakers and military leaders. Among the most vocal supporters of the change in policy is New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who says the decision will have far-reaching implications. 

"This decision finally opens the door for more qualified women to excel in our military and advance their careers, and obtain all of the benefits they have earned," she said in a statement. "Officially recognizing women in combat will strengthen our country both morally and militarily, and create promising opportunities for the brave women who serve our country, and the families that stand by them."

After leaving the military, many veterans may have a desire to continue their schooling at the collegiate level. If they do, career prospects and financial planning will likely be on their minds as they search for the right program.

What should come as welcome news to these individuals is that colleges and universities in Indiana will soon become more affordable to veterans, The Courier-Journal reported. Thanks to Act 177, which was recently passed by the state Senate, veterans who were honorably discharged, as well as active National Guard members from beyond Indiana's borders will be eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Not only is this a way to give back to the nation's veterans, but it will bring new talent to Indiana as well. Those who may never have considered pursuing a degree in Indiana could now make their way to the Hoosier State.

"They come here, get their degree, and then stay to join our workforce," Senator Jim Banks told the news source.

Of course, former servicemembers do not need to relocate to Indiana to receive help covering the costs of a college degree. Programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill also provide financial assistance for education to individuals who have received an honorable discharge, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.