Benefits &
Family Resources
FREE HUNTING LICENSE
Members of the Washington National or State Guard may be eligible for a free annual licensing package that includes a big-game license (deer, elk, bear, and cougar with tags) and a small game license with a migratory bird permit. The package is available to Washington state residents who are active, full-time Guard members, or who participate in drill training on a part-time basis.
Applicants must submit a printed application to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), along with:
- Verification of Service
- A copy of your valid Washington State driver’s license
- A copy of your hunter education certificate
WASHINGTON STATE VETERAN BENEFITS
Washington State offers special benefits for service members, Veterans and their families including property tax exemptions, state employment preferences, education and tuition assistance, vehicle tags, as well as hunting and fishing license privileges.
Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and Veteran disability status.
Free National Parks Passes
The National Park Service offers a lifetime pass providing free entrance to national parks for Veterans and their families. The Interagency Military Lifetime Pass waives entrance fees for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites for current military service members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families.
Veterans and their families have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestyle—from serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing, camping, and much more.
Joint Services Support
The Joint Services Support (JSS) Directorate is designed to be a centralized support center for all Washington Guardsmen, reserve, veterans and family members offering family readiness programs and services.
They provide transition services, and a variety of state and family programs, including:
- mental/psychological health assistance
- financial guidance
- child & youth services
- employer/employee support relationship services
- employment transitioning
- a resiliency care team
- plus many additional programs and services that advocate for the well-being of the soldier and their family members.
Joint Services Support is Headquartered in Building #3 on Camp Murray, with additional locations at armories positioned across the state.
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
NGAW listened when Guard members told us about the struggle surrounding child care. It’s expensive. It may not be readily available in your area or for the hours you need.
To help you, we presented a resolution at the 50th EANGUS Conference in August 2021, suggesting the creation of a dedicated National Guard employee to assist Guardsmen with childcare needs.
We are also currently working with the national Drill Weekend Child Care Pilot program to help provide authorized drilling Army National Guard Soldiers with access to no-cost, hourly child care during Drill weekends.
Click the link below for a list of helpful resources and your WA state Soldier and Family Readiness contacts, as well as information about the current Upwards Drill Weekend Child Care pilot program.
WA National Guard Postsecondary
Education Grant
The National Guard Grant (NGG) helps members of the Washington National Guard get an approved degree or certificate.
Beginning with the 2022-23 academic year, this program is also available for graduate students. And beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the program has been extended to family members.
Participants commit to serving one year (served concurrently with contract) in exchange for each year of funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines dependent on term dates. See the application for exact dates.
Eligible participants must meet the following requirements:
- Be an active drilling member in good standing of the Washington National Guard.
- Have completed the current year’s FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application.
- Attend an accredited higher education institution in Washington State, or a Washington institution that provides training under the Montgomery GI Bill.
TUTOR.COM for MILITARY
Tutor.com offers no-cost, online tutoring and homework help for US Military members and their families.
Are your kids struggling in school? Are you studying to pass a professional exam? Or are you headed into the civilian workforce and need some help? Check out tutor.com to connect with expert tutors for on-demand, 1:1 help!
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The EANGUS We Care for America Foundation (WCFA) is a IRS 501(c)3 charity arm of EANGUS. It provides several opportunities: emergency financial grants; scholarships; and recognition awards. WCFA offers an opportunity to a current or former enlisted National Guard members who are in good standing and an EANGUS dues paying member (Life or Annual) who has experienced a catastrophic financial hardship and/or personal property loss, to apply for a Soldier & Airman Relief Grant for Emergencies.
Free Museum Admission
Blue Star Museums, in partnership with National Endowment for the Arts, offers FREE admission for military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Explore the wonders of history, art, and culture all summer long with your family.
More than 2,000 museums participate, including nature centers, zoos, and children’s museums, several in the northwest. Make some new memories together and celebrate the spirit of community. See you at the museum!
ARMY RETIRED
Army Retirement Services develops Army policies and oversees Army wide programs that educate Soldiers and their families about retirement, advise survivors of soldiers who die on active duty/inactive duty for training, advocate for and advise Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses until death in order to comply with federal laws and DoD and Army policies, convince Retired Soldiers to remain active Soldiers for life who help Veterans get hired, inspire the next generation to join the military, and connect Americans with the Army that defends them.
AIR FORCE RETIRED
The Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center is a major command direct reporting unit of Air Force Reserve Command with technical and policy guidance provided by the Chief of Air Force. HQ ARPC is the organization charged with executing policy created by Headquarters Air Force and the National Guard Bureau, as well as providing direct support to wing-level Force Support Staffs and Commander Support Staffs. HQ ARPC serves the Total Force, which includes Guard, Reserve, and active duty members.
CIVIL SERVICE RETIRED
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the Federal Government. OPM provides HR leadership and support to Federal agencies and helps the Federal workforce achieve their goals. OPM directs human resources and employee management services, administers retirement benefits, manages healthcare and insurance programs, oversees merit-based and inclusive hiring into the civil service, and provides a secure employment process.