Charles Levine, a 59-year-old Army veteran, is facing more than $40,000 in moving costs after completing 30 years of military service. He was shocked to learn in February that the Army would not pay for his final relocation, a benefit usually given to retiring soldiers. Levine and his wife had relied on this support and were left without options when it was suddenly denied.
Levine served in the Army and National Guard from 1995 until 2025. He completed five deployments and held key leadership roles, including commanding an airborne infantry company in Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned multiple medals and spent his final six years teaching at West Point. He became eligible to retire in 2022 but agreed to continue serving in the Army Reserve at the request of military leaders.
He believed his continued service would not affect his retirement benefits. However, just before his official retirement in March 2025, he learned the Army would not pay for his household move. The cost to move from West Point to Virginia was estimated at $42,000. Since then, he and his wife have been paying double rent—$2,800 for an apartment in Charlottesville and $4,400 to stay at West Point—because they cannot afford to move and cannot afford to stay.
Levine said his decision to serve longer now feels like a mistake. He missed many family moments during his deployments, including holidays and the birth of his first grandchild. Now, the financial and emotional stress is adding to that toll. His wife has been collecting used boxes from neighbors to save money and described the experience as painful and degrading.
According to the Army, service members who leave active duty and join the Reserve have only six months to use their moving benefits. Those who retire directly from active duty get three years. Levine believes his situation qualifies as involuntary separation, which would give him three years. He also believes a clause in military policy should extend the benefit up to four years because he is pursuing advanced education.
Despite months of appeals, the Army has not changed its decision. Levine and his wife are now using their savings to pay for the move. Their monthly income includes his $5,000 pension and her severance pay, which ends in September. They now carry debt for the first time in their marriage.
Levine looks back on his career with pride, but the final chapter has left him disappointed. His retirement ceremony in February was filled with joy and recognition, but that feeling didn’t last. Now he’s focused on getting through the move and adjusting to life after service.
The situation highlights a broader problem with benefit rules and communication within the military system. Soldiers who serve longer or shift into Reserve roles may unintentionally lose access to important end-of-service support. Advocates are calling for clearer policies and better guidance for retiring service members to avoid these outcomes.
