Benefits: An important part of your 'Reserve' life Published Dec. 24, 2009 By Lt. Col. Michael Burns 302nd Mission Support Group commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- When was the last time you took a look at the benefits available to you as a Reservist? Even though AF Reserve duty is a part-time commitment for some, Reserve benefits are available all of the time. These benefits are part of your service to our country. It's important that each of us realize what's available to us and our families. Many of these benefits can help save or make better use of your money. You can save on groceries and household items by shopping at the commissary and the base exchange. Are you paying gym membership fees? You don't have to with access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities on base. Peterson has other facilities that provide entertainment for families such as a swimming pool, bowling alley, library and a free movie theater. Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance is a low-cost alternative to private life insurance. You even have access to legal assistance and a thrift savings plan. Have you checked out what the Airman and Family Readiness Center has to offer? Several programs are available to help with deployments and struggling Airmen and their families. These programs start with pre-deployment briefings and continue until the Airman is fully-transitioned back into his or her pre-deployment routine. They also offer financial planning, home buying seminars, beginner's investing, estate planning and budgeting services. Medical and dental care are also available to Reserve members. Annual medical physicals and dental check-ups are performed for free, as are vaccinations and flu shots. There are many different TRICARE programs available that could save you and your family medical insurance premiums. Educational benefits are a great way to pursue your learning goals. The G.I. Bill and Post 9/11 G.I. Bill help make attending college more affordable for members and their dependents. Tuition assistance is also available for Reserve members. Many trade and technical schools can also be funded through this program. An Airman can even transfer some of their tuition benefits to family members if they have deployed or have been on Active Duty since Sept. 11, 2001. Education should be a life-long commitment and the Air Force provides avenues to help bring down the cost of your education. Another benefit to mention is travel, and not only the travel associated with TDYs and deployments. Space-available flights on a variety of mobility aircraft are a great way to see other parts of the U.S. on the cheap. When you arrive at your destination, take advantage of military lodging. They usually have a better deal than can typically be found elsewhere. If you haven't checked into travel and discount opportunities, you're missing a great benefit. I recently returned from Disney World in Orlando, Fla., with my family staying at a Department of Defense resort where we saved a lot of money and experienced world-class service. How about staying at Rocky Mountain Blue resort at nearby Keystone? There is even an Armed Forces Vacation Club that gets you condos all over the world for a little more than $300 a week that we, as Reserve members, can enjoy the full benefit. I'm sure many Airmen don't think twice about all the benefits afforded them. It's important to explore the possibilities. They can positively affect many aspects of your life, from family to health to finances. Take time to educate yourself on what is available to you. It may take a little research on your part, and we'll help you get a handle on many of them in this edition of the Front Range Flyer. The benefit package you receive in the military is unlike anything you could partake in the private world, but the sacrifices made by Airmen are unlike anything outside the military.