Dear Joe,

As summer is approaching, my plan is to spend more time outside reading books and less time watching TV. I used to go to the post library to check out books but now I don’t live close to an Army library, and my local library is very small. Is there a way to access more books as a Retired Soldier?

Reading more

Dear Reading,

All military ID card holders with MWR permissions, including Retired Soldiers and their family members, have access to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) libraries on any installation. That means of any military service, not just Army. If you are close to an Air Force, Space Force, Navy, or other military installations, you can use the physical libraries located there. If you have an e-reader or an app on your phone or computer, another great option is the DOD MWR Libraries Online (https://www.dodmwrlibraries.org/). You can register for an account using your DOD ID number on your military ID and get access to a wealth of online resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, children’s resources, biography and genealogy, and more. Be sure to sign up for the DOD MWR libraries, and not a service-specific library—follow the sign-up instructions carefully. Happy reading!

Joe

Dear Joe,

My high school senior’s DOD ID will expire soon. She is 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until after her high school graduation. Will we need to renew twice if we renew now?

A Military Parent

Dear Military Parent,

A military family member/dependent turning 18 doesn’t require additional action simply because the adolescent is reaching legal adult age. However, for surviving children of a fallen Soldier, it does trigger the end of DIC (https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Dependency-and-Indemnity-Compensation-(DIC)) benefits associated with that child once they are 18 and not a full-time student. Eighteen is also the age of eligibility for surviving children to apply for the Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) program (https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Survivors-and-Dependents-Education-Assistance-Program-(DEA)) or the Fry Scholarship (https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Fry-Scholarship---Marine-Gunnery-Sergeant-John-David-Fry-Scholarship). For other military family members/dependents, the first major status change begins at age 21 if the dependent is not a full-time student. Benefits are extended to age 23 while they are full-time students. To locate your nearest ID card office for renewals, visit the Department of Defense ID Card Office Online at: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/locator. I hope this helps as you prepare to transition your dependent into adulthood. Best of luck!

Joe