Curiosity: let's say a 25 year old married American man with one kid enlists, goes to war...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

...and gets killed with 2 1/2 years of service.

What does his family get? Money-wise, as in a pension.

And what if it's less than one year?

[Oceansaway]

1. a flag & gold star..?....nt

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. I'm talking $$$. Pension. Do they get a pension? -nt

[Oceansaway]

3. don't know, sorry...nt

[shraby]

5. I would guess they get a social security check that covers

children (I think) up to age 18 who lose their father for whatever reason.

[HillbillyBob]

4. It has been 30 yrs since I was booted , but then the death bene was 10g

one time payment. Wife and kids might possibly get some food stamps that'll really help them out. Im on ssd i get a whole 8$ in food stamps. I don't even bother with the ebt card its not worth the embarrassment

[pinboy3niner]

6. According to DVA:

Department of Veterans Affairs
January 2009

Deaths on Active Duty - Survivor Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a variety of programs to assist the survivors of military personnel who die on active duty. Most of these provisions apply equally to those serving on active duty inside or outside a combat theater.

Summary of Benefits

Survivors receive certain payments or benefits regardless of whether the in-service death is due to combat, accident or disease, including:

• Burial benefits for the deceased servicemember, which include a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, perpetual care of the grave at no cost to the family, a government headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a U.S. burial flag.

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation at the monthly rate of $1,154 for a surviving spouse, with additional benefits for dependent children.

• Life insurance, which most military members carry at the highest level, $400,000.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/fs_survivor_benefits.pdf

[bluedigger]

7. I believe the current payout is $50,000.

Service members can also buy policies up to $400,000 additional. http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/SGLI/mythsRumors.htm