Navigating military benefits can feel like a daunting, confusing battle—but it doesn't have to be, and you don't have to do it alone.

In this episode of Pulse Check, we sit down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Jeff Newton, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA). With 41 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force and Alabama National Guard, Commissioner Newton now commands a new mission: making Alabama the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.

Commissioner Newton breaks down the critical differences between the state and federal VA, details how processing times for claims have drastically dropped to under 90 days, and warns families about deceptive "claim sharks" looking to take a cut of their hard-earned retroactive pay. We also dive into the staggering hidden benefits available right here in the state, including incredibly affordable $24-a-day around-the-clock nursing care at state veterans' homes and entirely free burial plots for National Guard and Reserve members.

• Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA): Accessible at va.alabama.gov or by calling 334-242-5077.
• The Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC): The state's brand-new public-private "one-stop shop" hub located at 100 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.