It may have come later than usual, but the Senate recently approved a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for millions of veterans and survivors. Pending a signature by President Barack Obama, the 1.7 percent increase in benefits will go into effect on December 1, reports Military Times.

The passage of a COLA each year has become tradition, but Congress was dragging its feet this time around. Legislators failed to pass the bill when they went on recess due to the election, and there were fears that perhaps lawmakers would not be able to reach an agreement on this common measure.

"Particularly in this difficult economy, our veterans deserve a boost in their benefits to help make ends meet," Sen. Patty Murray, chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said in a statement. "I am so glad we were finally able to move forward with passage of this bill. Caring for our nation’s veterans should never be a partisan issue."

While those fears were ultimately not affirmed, the delay does highlight the fact that they may want to consider revising how COLAs are passed each year. Some members of Congress believe the increase should be automatic, much like similar changes to Social Security, according to the publication.

Social and professional networks have become a vital tool for the public to build their professional sphere, and two vets recently launched a website designed primarily to help servicemembers do the same. RallyPoint went live on Veterans Day, giving troops the opportunity to connect with fellow soldiers across the globe, according to Stars and Stripes.

The website, which has already mapped out 20,000 military units, was created by Yinon Weiss and Aaron Kletzing, both of whom served in Iraq. The duo, who enlisted the help of Tom Barr, hopes the website allows soldiers to reconnect with people they served with and also build their professional network during and after their time in the Armed Forces.

"With RallyPoint, we are trying to make it much easier to map out your network within the military and see who you would like to connect with," Barr, a former Marine, told the publication.

While RallyPoint may not approach Facebook's 1 billion active users, there are certainly a large number of troops who could benefit from a social network designed specifically for them. The Department of Defense estimates that approximately 300,000 soldiers are going to separate from service each year for the next four years.

The stress of war and military life can lead to a variety of harmful medical conditions that sometimes go undiagnosed. New guidelines from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) say that medical professionals need to focus on asking veterans the right questions

The push by the AANP is part of the organization's role in the Joining Forces initiative, which was started by first lady Michelle Obama. AANP officials say it's important for general physicians, not only those employed at VA hospitals, to ask questions covering topics from their patient's military service to whether they have been experiencing nightmares or feelings of isolation.

"Many veterans choose to see health providers in their own communities rather than at VA centers where personnel are specially trained to recognize issues associated with military service," said Angela Golden, president of the AANP. "As primary health care providers, nurse practitioners are committed to doing everything we can to help these heroes."   

Being more vigilant about picking up on subtle symptoms of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can help get troops the treatment they need. While there are no hard statistics, some experts estimate that 20 percent of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD or TBI.

Finding a job is a chief concern among many of the 1 million veterans expected to separate from military service in the next three years, and many of them are taking matters into their own hands. A growing number of financial experts believe that vets should start their own business upon leaving the military, according to The Street.

It's not unusual for servicemembers to start their own businesses. In fact, according to the Kauffman Foundation, in 1996 about 12.3 percent of all entrepreneurs were veterans, and although that number fell to about 6 percent in 2011, it still is a viable route to consider.

Entrepreneurship is an especially attractive option for veterans because of some of the resources available to them. The Small Business Association operates an Office of Veterans Business Development, which can lend a hand when it comes to financing, business training or mentoring. Veterans are often well-suited to run their own business thanks to skills learned in the Armed Forces.

"Successful franchises run on proven and structured systems, and members of the military are used to implementing systems, following procedures and striving for operational excellence, which leads to success in franchising," International Franchise Association president Steve Caldeira told the news source.

Veterans thinking about starting their own businesses should turn to a bank, such as AFBA's 5Star Bank, that recognizes the unique challenges of serving in the military.

One of the biggest obstacles in the way of helping veterans find jobs once they enter civilian life is that many in-demand jobs require licenses. Even if troops learn skills in the field that translate perfectly into a civilian job, they need to go through certification. However, a bill signed into law last month will make it a bit easier for some troops to land a job.

The law, the Military Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Act of 2012, can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for troops to be certified for their CDL. The legislation includes a number of changes, including one that allows soldiers to substitute two years of safe driving of "military equivalents of commercial vehicles" for the skill portion of the CDL test. It also eliminates the need for troops to return to their home state to get certified. The policy shift could have a positive impact on two fronts.

"Our nation is facing a critical truck driver shortage that could explode within the next decade, sending consumer product prices skyrocketing and devastating the economy," said Christopher Grant, CEO of Truck Jobs Today. "If a small percentage of the 1.6 million Armed Forces personnel returning home from active duty chose a trucking career, they could turn this shortage around."

The law may also help reduce the unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans, which stands at about 10 percent. Veterans looking for assistance with the job hunt can visit AFBA's Career Center, which helps pair employers and recruiters with qualified servicemembers.

Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters paid tribute to wounded warriors recently by enlisting their help for a benefit concert. Waters was flanked by 14 soldiers on stage at the recent Stand Up for Heroes event at New York's Beacon Theater, according to The Associated Press.

Waters and the musically-inclined soldiers met at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and have spent much of the last few days rehearsing for the concert, which benefited returning veterans and their families. Waters, who is from England, said there are few duties more important than supporting the troops.

"I never talk about the politics because it's not relevant to me. I'm not interested in it," he told the AP. "What I am interested in is the burdens these guys bear and would never question motives or even dream of talking about any of the politics."

Waters is just one of many famous musicians who have made paying tribute to the Armed Forces a priority. In fact, actor Gary Sinise formed the Lieutenant Dan Band specifically to play for troops at military bases at home and abroad.

With Veterans Day quickly approaching, the nation's focus is squarely on the more than 22 million men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Not only do they deserve the respect of their fellow countrymen, but organizations such as Goodwill Industries International are calling on legislators and all Americans to do more this year.

The need for veterans advocacy will come into clear focus in the near future, with more than 1 million troops expected to enter civilian life over the next three to five years as the war in Afghanistan winds down. As a result, lowering the unemployment rate and making sure they have a smooth transition is imperative.

"In order to meet the debt we owe our veterans, we must make a large-scale, year-round commitment to both them and their families," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Helping them find employment and secure economic self-sufficiency is a top priority."

Goodwill has been one of the leading organizations helping lend a hand to veterans. In the last four years, it has employed more than 1,600 former servicemembers while also helping more than 55,300 others through financial education programs and health screenings.

There are many emotional challenges that come along with being part of a military family, but some of the greatest obstacles are financial in nature. This is especially true for soldiers who are deployed overseas. Managing money from afar can be difficult, but being proactive can make things run a bit more smoothly, according to U.S. World News and Report.

Financial experts suggest using companies that are familiar with the unique financial situation of troops and their families. Organizations such as AFBA's 5Star Bank offer personal online banking and credit card account management. There are also other services available through AFBA, such as term life insurance, that are well-suited for military families.

Bill payment and retirement contributions may not seem like much to civilian families, but to those in the Armed Forces they can be easy to overlook. Experts suggest automating both during deployment so troops have one less thing to keep track of.

"It's less for you and your spouse to have to worry about, and it gives you less opportunity to make financial mistakes," financial planner Jason Hull told the publication.

It's very common for military families to struggle with financial obstacles. According to a survey taken in 2010, approximately 27 percent of military families had $10,000 or more in credit card debt.

This weekend marks the observance of Veterans Day, and some cities across the country are honoring America's servicemembers in a variety of ways. Private businesses are also getting in on the action, with many of the country's biggest chains offering veterans free food during the entire three day weekend, USA Today reports.

The participating restaurants cover a wide swath of food providers. For instance, on Monday, family breakfast staple Denny's is offering veterans all-you-can-eat pancakes, while Krispy Kreme is giving out free doughnuts and a small coffee to vets on Sunday.

The benefits extend beyond breakfast, of course. Sit-down dining establishments are participating as well, with TGI Fridays offering vets a free lunch on Monday and other establishments such as Applebee's and Chili's doing the same on Sunday.

"It's good food meets goodwill," PR expert Derek Farley told the publication. "There are 24 million veterans and troops, and they all remember who feeds them for free on their day of respect."

Veterans Day is officially recognized on November 11, which falls on Sunday this year, but many organizations are marking the occasion in a number of different ways. For instance, the NCAA college basketball season kicks off on Friday night from Germany's Ramstein Air Force Base.

After victories in nearly all crucial battleground states, President Barack Obama won a second term on Tuesday night. His re-election has far-reaching implications for much of the United States, and that is especially true for the Armed Forces, who will see changes in everything from foreign policy to the size and role of the troops, according to Military Times.

Size of the military
Former Governor Mitt Romney had pledged to increase Pentagon spending, something Obama steadfastly opposed. In the budget he sent to the Department of Defense earlier this year, it was clear that Obama wanted to shift the focus of the Armed Forces from the sheer number of ground forces available to a military that is more streamlined and capable.

There is likely to be reduction in the number of soldiers serving in both the Army and the Marine Corps. Experts estimate that when American forces leave Afghanistan in 2014, the number of troops in the Army will drop to 490,000 over the subsequent five years. The number of Marines will drop to about 186,000.

Foreign policy
Obama's re-election also denotes a shift in where the Armed Forces will turn their attention. For the last decade, the United States has been bogged down in the Middle East, but the president has made it clear he is interested in pivoting away from that region and focusing more on Asia.

"I think Obama will have to clarify a bit more just what he means by the pivot. He will have to put some substance behind the rhetoric and really explain it early on in the second term," Christopher Preble of the CATO Institute told Military Times.

On the home front
The re-election also has some ramifications for servicemembers leaving the Armed Forces, their families and veterans. One of the chief goals of Obama's first term was employment and homelessness among vets. So far, it has made considerable progress, but there is still a long way to go.

With his second term, Obama may try to get the veterans jobs bill through Congress that failed earlier this fall. The legislation would have made it easier for vets to enter the workforce but it was blocked by Republicans who had issues over how to pay for it.

Obama will also have to address the threat of sequestration, across the board budget cuts to military spending, if a deficit reduction plan is not agreed upon. The deep slashes could impact military benefits for thousands of troops.