LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s paid subscription service that unlocks additional features beyond the free version, such as more InMail messages, expanded search capabilities, and data insights. For active duty and veteran U.S. military members, LinkedIn offers a free one-year Premium subscription through their LinkedIn Premium for Veterans program.
Getting free LinkedIn Premium military access is easy if you’re eligible. Here’s what you need to know about getting and using your free LinkedIn Premium military subscription.
Who is Eligible for Free LinkedIn Premium Military?
To be eligible for the free Premium military subscription, you must:
- Be an active duty or reserve member of the U.S. military
- Be a U.S. military veteran who was honorably discharged
Both officers and enlisted personnel are eligible. You do not need to be a combat veteran to qualify.
Military Status Verification
When signing up, LinkedIn will verify your military status. You will need to provide either your military email address or upload documentation proving your active/veteran status.
Acceptable documents include:
- DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- DD Form 256 Honorable Discharge Certificate
- DD Form 257 General Discharge Certificate
- NGB-22 National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service
- A current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
- A current military ID card
Images or photocopies of your documents are acceptable. Make sure your name and service details are visible.
How to Sign Up for Free LinkedIn Premium Military
Signing up for the free Premium subscription is simple. Here are the steps:
- Go to the LinkedIn Premium for Veterans page and click “Get Started.”
- Log into your LinkedIn account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to join LinkedIn first before proceeding.
- Enter your military email address (e.g. @mail.mil). If you don’t have one, upload a document verifying your military status.
- Check the box confirming you are an active or veteran U.S. military member and agree to the terms.
- Click “Verify and Get Premium.” LinkedIn will send a verification email to your military email.
- Open the email and click the verification link inside. This will activate your free 12-month Premium subscription.
The verification process usually takes 1-2 business days. Once verified and approved, you’ll get confirmation from LinkedIn and can start using Premium features.
Using Your Free LinkedIn Premium Military Subscription
Once active, your free Premium subscription gives you access to all the same benefits as paid Premium, including:
More InMail Messages
Premium allows you to send up to 30 InMail messages per month instead of the standard 5 with free LinkedIn. InMail lets you directly contact anyone on LinkedIn, even if they’re not in your network.
Expanded Search
You can make advanced searches through LinkedIn’s extensive database of over 810 million members. Search by keywords, location, company, job title, skills, groups, school, etc.
Profile Badges
Display badges on your profile highlighting your military service, skills, volunteer work, education, and other achievements.
“Open” Networking
See the full list of people who viewed your profile. You can also see more profile visitor statistics to get insights on your networking impact.
Insights On Who’s Viewed Your Posts, Articles, Etc.
Get data on how many people are engaging with your posts, articles, and other content. See what types of content resonate best with your audience.
Learning Courses and Videos
Access over 17,000 business, technology, and creative skill courses and instructional videos. Take courses at your own pace to build your skills.
Salary Insights
Unlock salary data for specific job titles. See the salary range based on position, location, experience level, and field.
Visit LinkedIn’s full Premium Features page to see all the benefits available to you.
Renewing the Free Premium Subscription
The free Premium military subscription lasts for one year after activation. To continue using Premium after that, you’ll have to purchase a paid Premium subscription.
Fortunately, LinkedIn offers veterans a discounted Premium price after the free year ends. It comes out to about $14 per month instead of the standard $30 per month rate.
To take advantage of the discount, make sure you enter your military information again on the Premium upgrade page. You can also call LinkedIn Customer Support and they can process the discount for you if you verify your veteran status.
What Happens if I Leave the Military?
If you are active duty military when you signup for the free Premium subscription, it will remain active for the full 1-year period even if you leave the service during that time.
However, once the year ends, you won’t qualify for the discounted veteran’s rate. You’d have to pay the regular Premium monthly rate to continue.
Using Premium to Network and Land Jobs
A LinkedIn Premium subscription can be hugely valuable in helping you network, find job opportunities, and make connections with other veterans.
Here are some tips for how to maximize your free Premium to achieve your career goals:
Build a Strong Professional Profile
Use Premium profile branding tools to create an eye-catching profile highlighting your military service, skills, education, awards, volunteer work, etc. Make your profile 100% complete to unlock the “All-Star” badge.
Join Military Veteran Groups
Get involved in LinkedIn Groups specifically for veterans, military personnel, defense industry professionals, etc. Engage regularly in discussions and expand your network.
Follow Target Companies
Use advanced searches to find companies you want to work for. Follow their LinkedIn Company Pages to see job postings, company news, potential contacts at the company, and more.
Connect with Recruiters
Search for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals working in your target field. Send InMails to introduce yourself and inquire about open positions.
Expand Your Skills
Take LinkedIn Learning courses for free as part of your Premium subscription. Develop in-demand skills and add them to your profile.
Promote Your Brand as a Veteran
Share articles, posts, and media highlighting your military service and professional expertise. Amplify your message as a veteran to connect with the right opportunities.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn Premium for Veterans program makes it simple to get a free one-year Premium upgrade. Eligible active duty and former U.S. military members can unlock all of Premium’s features at no cost to enhance their networking and career opportunities.
Sign up using your .mil email or documentation of your service. Once verified, take advantage of expanded search options, extra InMails, profile branding, skill courses, and more. Use Premium to build connections, showcase your veteran status, and land your next position.