Bootcamp · Family

Spouse and kids. The sponsor’s login is not your enrollment.

DEERS first. Then the product that matches: TDP, FSGLI, SpouseWorks, CHAMPVA, or DEA. A newborn is not automatic.

Do not enroll FEDVIP dental because a search result ranked it first — status decides the product.

1. Keys

   Do now

   Add the person in DEERS, then book the ID

   Marriage or birth certificate at RAPIDS / personnel. milConnect lies until the name is on the roster. Newborn: 90 days stateside / 120 overseas on TRS. Recut from TRICARE.mil.

   milConnectDEERS walkthroughAsk TOP about this

2. Keys

   This monthGap recut

   Family gets their own Login.gov

   Adult dependents should not share the sponsor’s inbox. VA family benefits and BENEFEDS will ask for a key that is theirs.

   Login.govLogin.gov walkthroughAsk TOP about this

3. Healthcare

   Do now

   Match the sponsor’s medical plan

   Active duty / AGR: usually auto-enrolled Prime or Select, then 90 days to change. Selected Reserve: TRS is member+family as a purchase. Gray area: TRR. Veteran: CHAMPVA if they qualify — Form 10-10d.

   VA family benefitsFamily hubAsk TOP about this

4. Healthcare

   This month

   Family dental is TDP while the sponsor is in

   Active-duty family buys TDP. Selected Reserve family usually does too. ADDP is the sponsor. FEDVIP dental is the retiree lane.

   TRICARE TDPTDP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

5. Healthcare

   When you need itGap recut

   FEDVIP vision on BENEFEDS — not dental while the sponsor is in

   Family on a TRICARE health plan can often buy FEDVIP vision. FEDVIP dental is the retiree / gray-area product. Own open season on BENEFEDS, not milConnect. Recut from BENEFEDS.

   BENEFEDSFEDVIP vision walkthroughAsk TOP about this

6. Healthcare

   This month

   CHAMPVA if the veteran is P&T (or died of SC)

   Not TRICARE. If they already have TRICARE, CHAMPVA usually is not the door. Apply 10-10d. Recut from VA.gov.

   CHAMPVAFamily hubAsk TOP about this

7. Education

   This monthGap recut

   SpouseWorks Scholarship (formerly MyCAA)

   Up to $4,000 for a license, certification, or associate degree. Recut 2026: open to eligible spouses of active duty, Guard, and Reserve on qualifying Title 10 — across ranks. Portal: mycaa.militaryonesource.mil. Career coach via 800-342-9647.

   SpouseWorks ScholarshipSpouseWorks walkthroughAsk TOP about this

8. Education

   When you need it

   DEA Chapter 35

   School money for qualifying spouses and kids. The veteran does not spend it on themselves. Comparison Tool, then the dependent application.

   Chapter 35GI Bill / DEAAsk TOP about this

9. Education

   When you need itGap recut

   GI Bill transfer is a sponsor election

   milConnect, with service obligation rules. The spouse cannot click it for the sponsor. Recut from milConnect help.

   milConnectGI Bill pageAsk TOP about this

10. Insurance

    Do now

    FSGLI on the spouse and kids

    Lives in milConnect next to SGLI. Spouse coverage is not max by default. It dies when the sponsor’s SGLI dies unless you convert.

    FSGLIFamily hubAsk TOP about this

11. Finance

    When you need it

    Military OneSource for eligible family

    Counseling, tax, career. Free. 800-342-9647. Type the .mil URL yourself.

    Financial counselingOneSource walkthroughAsk TOP about this

12. Healthcare

    ClockGap recut

    Newborn: 90 days stateside / 120 overseas

    Birth does not enroll the baby. DEERS first, then the sponsor’s plan. Miss the window and you buy coverage later. Recut from TRICARE.mil.

    90 days stateside / 120 days overseas from the date of birth

    TRICARE newbornsDEERS walkthroughAsk TOP about this

13. Healthcare

    ClockGap recut

    TRICARE Young Adult when the child hits 21

    Premium plan to age 26. Not automatic. Unmarried. Recut from TRICARE.mil TYA.

    Buy TYA when they age off the sponsor plan — usually 21, or 23 if enrolled in college (confirm on TRICARE.mil)

    TRICARE Young AdultTYA walkthroughAsk TOP about this

14. Healthcare

    This monthGap recut

    ECHO if the child has a qualifying disability

    Extended Care Health Option sits on top of TRICARE. EFMP enrollment usually comes first. Recut from TRICARE.mil ECHO.

    TRICARE ECHOFamily hubAsk TOP about this

15. Housing

    This monthGap recut

    Military Child Care waitlist / fee assistance

    The spouse does not get a CDC slot because the sponsor has orders. Request care. Recut from Military OneSource.

    Military child careChild-care walkthroughAsk TOP about this

16. Healthcare

    This monthGap recut

    EFMP — the sponsor enrolls the family member

    Specialty medical or educational needs. Mandatory when it applies. Recut from Military OneSource EFMP.

    EFMP / special needsFamily hubAsk TOP about this

17. Healthcare

    When you need itGap recut

    PCAFC if you are caring for a seriously injured veteran

    VA Form 10-10CG, filed with the veteran. Stipend, training, sometimes CHAMPVA. Recut from VA.gov.

    PCAFC caregiverCaregiver walkthroughAsk TOP about this

18. Finance

    Do nowGap recut

    DIC / survivors pension if the sponsor died

    VA Form 21P-534EZ. Casualty assistance helps if it was active duty. Not SBP. Not SGLI proceeds. Recut from VA.gov.

    VA DICFormsAsk TOP about this

19. Education

    When you need itGap recut

    Fry Scholarship / DEA if the sponsor died or is P&T

    Two school pots for qualifying survivors and dependents. Comparison Tool, then the dependent application. Recut from VA.gov.

    Fry ScholarshipGI Bill / DEAAsk TOP about this