The largest currently-living U.S. veteran cohort. Eligible for the most generous benefit package — Post-9/11 GI Bill, PACT Act presumptives, expanded healthcare access.
Era dates
Sept 11, 2001 – present
Cohort size
~3.5 million U.S. servicemembers
Healthcare
Free VA healthcare for 5 years after separation (Priority Group 6).
Operations + qualifying service
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation New Dawn (OND)
Operation Inherent Resolve
Operation Freedom's Sentinel
Era-specific presumptive conditions
PACT Act burn-pit presumptives (24+ conditions): asthma, COPD, brain cancer, kidney cancer, glioblastoma, all respiratory cancers, etc.
Mental health: PTSD, TBI, depression, anxiety
Toxic exposure-related cancers
GI Bill / education benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) — 36 months of tuition (paid to school) + housing allowance + $1,000/yr books stipend. Yellow Ribbon for high-tuition private schools.
In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Available regardless of era, character of service, or VA enrollment status.