15 Amazing Freebies and Discounts for Military and Veterans

Hubby spent 22 years in the US Navy which has benefited both of us in a whole bunch of money-saving ways.  As a veteran, he--often we--are entitled to a whole bunch of fabulous, money-saving things including:

1. This long list of military discounts.
2. Military medical benefits for life (hubby walked into the hospital having a heart attack and walked out with four stents and a boatload of medicine that he will have to take for life for a grand total of $0!).
3. $0 down VA home loans (we have bought two houses using this wonderful program; did you know if you use a VA home loan you don't pay PMI even if you put zero down?).
4. Our county offers an exemption program for veterans which saves us about $150 on our car registration each year.
5. Both active duty military and vets qualify for a variety of education benefits (hubby learned how to weld with his education benefits after he retired).
6. A military pension for life (on top of this, many states don't tax military pensions so it's kind of like an extra discount).
7. Free tax return preparation (I do our taxes myself but it's good to know this benefit is available).
8. Free legal assistance (we had our wills prepared for free and the base legal office provides other free legal services as well).
9. Free airline flights (the Space A program offers free flights all over the world to military members, veterans, and their dependents).
10. Veterans get a whole bunch of job benefits--from extra points towards civil service jobs to assistance with starting their own business).
11. In our local area, several casinos offer free buffets for active duty, veterans, and their dependents for both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day.
12. Local casinos also offer special benefits for veterans including discounts on buffets and beverages, free parking, etc.
13. I haven't checked out the military death/funeral benefits yet but this is another good money-saving benefit.
14. Unfortunately there are a lot of homeless veterans on the streets these days but the military has several programs to help them.
15. Access to all kinds of base resources.  If you are a veteran and live near a military base you can access the gym and swimming pool for free, watch movies on base, shop at the commissary and BX, take advantage of MWR programs, etc.

Being in the military isn't easy and if you retire after 20+ years from the military you are pretty much guaranteed to miss everything from the birth of your kids to birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacations, and holiday but, on the positive side, there are a lot of good benefits that military members get to enjoy.