Active Duty Benefits & Total Compensation 2026

This guide was built by Em, a retired U.S. Navy Commander (Medical Service Corps, 20+ years). Page 214 is free, privacy-first, and entirely client-side. Authority for the active-duty benefits covered here: 37 U.S.C. Chapter 7 (allowances including BAH at § 403 and BAS at § 402); 10 U.S.C. Chapter 55 (TRICARE for active duty and dependents); 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606 and 5 U.S.C. §§ 8431–8479 (Thrift Savings Plan, including the Blended Retirement System 5% government match under FY2016 NDAA Section 631); 38 U.S.C. Chapter 19 (SGLI/FSGLI/TSGLI life insurance); 10 U.S.C. § 2007 and DoDI 1322.25 (Tuition Assistance program); 38 U.S.C. Chapter 37 (VA Home Loan Guaranty — eligibility from 90 continuous days of active duty under § 3702); 10 U.S.C. § 2484 (commissary system — the cost-savings authority); DoDI 1015.10 (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs and exchange privileges); 10 U.S.C. § 1044 (legal assistance through JAG offices); DoDI 5154.31 (Space-Available travel on military aircraft); and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. §§ 3901–4043) covering rate caps, lease termination, and stay of proceedings. Special-pay authorities at 37 U.S.C. Chapter 5 (HFP, IDP, jump pay, dive pay, flight pay, sea pay, etc.); the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion at 26 U.S.C. § 112. 2026 base pay tables sourced from DFAS (effective Jan 1, 2026, 3.8% raise per FY2026 NDAA); BAH rates set annually by DoD using market analysis. Total compensation calculations are estimates — tax-free advantage value depends on filing status and location; healthcare market value is a planning estimate, not a quoted number.