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Read MoreLeaving home to serve in the military is one of the biggest transitions a person can experience. Between basic training, tech school, and arriving at your first duty station, the distance from home can feel overwhelming. Travel costs can make visiting family seem impossible, especially for those just starting their military career.
The Ben Jackson Foundation was created to bridge that gap. This nonprofit organization helps newly enlisted service members afford a trip home through its Ticket Home Award program.
💡 What Is the Ben Jackson Foundation
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The Ben Jackson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides financial assistance to new service members through Ticket Home Awards. These travel awards cover airfare, train tickets, or other transportation expenses so service members can visit their families after arriving at their first permanent duty station.
The Foundation’s mission is simple:
The mission of the Ben Jackson Foundation is to help newly enlisted members of the United States military reunite with their families.
Hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines have already received support from this program, giving them a chance to reconnect and recharge before continuing their military journey.
🎯 Ticket Home Award Eligibility
You are eligible for a Ticket Home Award if you meet these conditions:
✅ You are an enlisted member of a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and
✅ You have been in the military less than four years, or you have not yet been home since arriving at your first permanent duty station.
Tickets Home are not necessarily restricted to those meeting the above requirements. The Foundation may, in some cases, provide awards to other service members as circumstances allow.
💵 How the Program Works
Submit an Application
Visit benjacksonfoundation.org and select “Apply for a Ticket Home Award.” The application takes around 10 minutes and asks for your basic information, branch of service, and travel details.Wait for Acceptance
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you are selected to receive a Ticket Home Award.Travel After Approval
Travel Awards can only be used after you have arrived at your first permanent duty station. They cannot be used while you are in tech school.Reimbursement is for travel that occurs after your application has been accepted and you have been selected for an award.
Receive Assistance
Approved recipients typically receive $500–$1,000 toward travel, depending on distance and need.Share Your Experience
Many awardees share a short message or photo after their trip to show what the opportunity meant to them.
🧭 Why This Program Matters
Your first duty station can be exciting, but it can also feel isolating. Being far from home for the first time, combined with early career pay, can make travel nearly impossible.
A single trip home can restore morale, strengthen family connections, and remind service members why they serve. The Ben Jackson Foundation provides that chance when it matters most.
❤️ How to Support the Foundation
Even if you are not eligible to apply, there are meaningful ways to help:
Donate: Every contribution goes directly toward helping service members return home. Donate here
Share the Program: Tell your squadron, shop, or First Term Airmen Course classmates about the Ticket Home Award.
Volunteer: Assist with outreach and fundraising events to expand the Foundation’s impact.
Nominate a Service Member: If you know someone who recently arrived at their first base and hasn’t been home yet, encourage them to apply.
🗣️ Final Thoughts
At Total Force Hub, we believe support for military members should go beyond duty requirements. The Ben Jackson Foundation is doing exactly that—helping new service members stay connected to the people and places that matter most.
If you are newly stationed and haven’t been home yet, this is your opportunity.
👉 Apply today at benjacksonfoundation.org
📧 Send Us A Message
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