Joe Wallace

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.

IBM SkillsBuild for Active Duty, Veterans, and Military Spouses

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When you make the jump from military service to a civilian career, the federal government has programs to make that transition easier. Two options for veterans and transitioning service members you should know? The Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program, and the VA-partnered IBM SkillsBuild.

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Military and Student Discounts for College Grads

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Earning a degree is a big achievement for anyone, but for those balancing their military service with the demands of a classroom, graduation carries a different weight. Whether you are transitioning out of the military or a veteran finally getting your degree, you’ll face a unique set of logistical hurdles. From coordinating travel for a spread-out family to finding a suit that fits your new civilian life, the costs of the milestone can stack up quickly.

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The Unlimited Yellow Ribbon Option

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The VA Yellow Ribbon program allows veterans to attend private universities and avoid excessive out-of-pocket education costs. While the Post-9/11 GI Bill typically provides full tuition benefits at public universities, it features a “ceiling” of benefits for private and foreign institutions. For institutions where tuition exceeds this ceiling, the Yellow Ribbon Program bridges the gap through school contributions and matching federal funds. Not all schools participate in Yellow Ribbon, but a large number of them do.

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Questions and Answers on Modified GI Bill Rules

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The Department of Veterans Affairs is automating the review process for more than one million veterans who may qualify for additional education benefits. This change in procedure follows recent court rulings that expand access to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30).

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VA Education Benefits for Dual-Military Couples

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When a married couple has served in the U.S. military together and qualify for VA education benefits, the transition to college life presents a unique opportunity to stack those benefits. For couples in which both spouses are veterans, the traditional “one household, one set of benefits” rules that often govern active-duty benefits, such as housing allowances, do not apply. This is an advantage for dual-veteran couples who are considering attending school simultaneously, because the VA treats each veteran as an independent applicant.

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VET TEC 2.0

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The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law in 2025, restored the VA program VET TEC. The act is considered a “formal reauthorization” and expansion of the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses program, which ended in April of 2024. But VET TEC is not quite open for applications yet, as we discuss below.

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Using DoD Skillbridge for AI Internships

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Transitioning service members enter a job market where Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills have become important to have on a resume, depending on the career field they choose, “on the outside”. The Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program offers a bridge between active duty and these growing technology roles.

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Using Artificial Intelligence to Translate Your Military Resume

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The 21st-century job marketplace is increasingly run by AI. There are artificial intelligence programs screening resumes, creating job titles and descriptions, and then there are the jobs that directly require expertise in artificial intelligence. When you are transitioning out of the military, you can use AI to translate your military skills to civilian ones, whether…

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What Is the BAH Gap for Veteran College Students?

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The BAH gap is the period between school semesters when student veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill stop receiving their Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). This happens during standard academic breaks, such as winter and summer holidays. Because the payment stops while living expenses, such as rent and utilities, continue, it creates a predictable and potentially stressful income gap. Learn more.

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Pros and Cons of Using AI for Your College Application

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The college application process can be a challenge. And many colleges have a requirement that prospective students submit a personal statement, a document meant to capture a student’s unique voice, character, and aspirations as part of that application process. Not all college applications require one, but for those who are required, there’s an important question. Is using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a personal statement a good idea?

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Non-VA Paid Work-Study Opportunities for Veterans

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While VA work-study can be an excellent opportunity to earn some extra cash while you are in school, it’s good to know that there are other, non-VA work-study options. Maybe you want to explore other jobs that are more consistent with your interests or more relevant to your career path. Here’s why these might be worth considering.

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