20 mobile apps for veterans and military families
AIMS for anger management: Based on the Anger and Irritability Management Skills Self-Help Course, this app provides education about anger, opportunities to find support, and ways to manage angry reactions.
App Annie: Receive automated text messages to remind you when to take medication, log your blood pressure, or follow other health routines you’ve discussed with your doctor.
ANC Explorer: Locate and view images of burial sites and other points of interest throughout Arlington National Cemetery. For those visiting in person, the app also provides step-by-step directions on how to get to specific locations within the cemetery grounds.
Commissioner’s Rewards: Save more when shopping at Military Commissaries by selecting and sharing digital coupons that can be redeemed when you scan your Commissary Rewards Card at checkout.
COVID Coach: Find tools for self-care and emotional well-being during the pandemic. COVID Coach tracks your mood and helps measure your growth towards personal goals.
couple trainer: Explore relationship assessments, learn about different approaches to relationship issues, and find resources available in your community.
Deal Patrol Military Discounts: Created by two veterans, this app aggregates military discounts based on user location. However, it is only available on the Google Play Store.
Preview timer: Access a free library of meditations, sleep programs and yoga classes. Topics are divided into over 200 sections, including benefits, discussions, types of reflection, and duration.
insomnia trainer: Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Insomnia Coach helps you follow a weekly workout plan to track and improve your sleep. The app provides sleep tips, personal feedback on your sleep, and 17 tools to get your sleep back.
LinkedIn: While Rallypoint can be useful for connecting with other veterans, LinkedIn is another resource to help you find a job and grow your career. Consider joining one of its many veterans groups to stay in touch with the military community.
MOVE! Coach: This 16-week program guides veterans, military personnel, and their families to successfully lose and manage weight through education and tools. Participants can receive progress reports on their weight, diet, and exercise goals.
Goal Zero: Military members and veterans struggling with mental health issues can connect anonymously to a volunteer support network via voicemail, video or text. The app can also help users find resources about mental health, wellness, and veterans.
PTSD Coach: Find PTSD information and professional care information, take a self-assessment test, and discover new ways to find support. Tools range from relaxation skills and positive self-talk to other self-help strategies.
Checkpoint: Join the social network created by and for military and veterans. In addition to staying in touch, there are also opportunities for peer mentoring, securing employment, and ways to meet other veterans based on common interests.
Sandboxx: Developed by veterans, Sandboxx has changed the way letters are written to recruits. With over 6 million letters sent to date, messages are first drafted online, then Sandboxx physically prints your mail (including back-to-back) and sends it to soldiers overnight. any recruiting base. It also provides news and content for veterans of all eras.
VA online planning: Provides a secure way to request, schedule, and track appointments at VA and community care facilities. The app accesses your VA electronic health record and allows you to view details of upcoming appointments.
VetsApp: This app streamlines access to VA benefits, services and websites. Veterans can manage their appointments, upload their records, renew their prescriptions and send messages to their health care providers. Users can also apply for GI Bill and VA home loans, explore jobs, and access discounts. (Note: the platform is not affiliated with the VA.)
VetCalc: Created by a former VA disability assessment specialist, this app can help you learn how the VA determines disability percentages and estimate your monthly disability benefit payment. This app is only available for iPhone users.
VetChange: This free self-management program is for service members concerned about their alcohol use by helping them learn skills to better manage their alcohol use, PTSD symptoms, and triggering emotions.
Veteran Login: Access your state’s veteran resources in education, employment, housing, and rehabilitation programs. Available only on iPhone.
Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He is also a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a Washington bureau correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency and worked in news gathering for USA today and Al Jazeera in English.
