OpenAI offers free ChatGPT Plus access for U.S. servicemembers and veterans
OpenAI has announced that U.S. servicemembers and veterans will receive a free year of ChatGPT Plus, according to LinkedIn posts shared by David Sperry and Nicole Carter from OpenAI’s public sector and education teams.
The initiative applies to those within 12 months of leaving active duty or who have transitioned to civilian life in the past year. Eligibility will be verified through SheerID’s secure system, which confirms status for active-duty members and veterans.
Sperry, an AI Adoption Manager at OpenAI and a 20-year U.S. Army veteran, said the offer aims to help veterans navigate career change and upskilling using AI tools.
“When I left the military, I didn’t have a traditional tech background,” he wrote. “I relied on ChatGPT early on to bridge the gap, learning cloud concepts, translating technical jargon, and gaining the confidence to navigate a new career path.”
He added that his experience using AI during his own transition “ultimately brought me to OpenAI, where I work every day to help governments and public servants use frontier AI responsibly and effectively.”
Driven by veterans at OpenAI
Sperry said the initiative “was driven by veterans at OpenAI, including me, who’ve seen firsthand how these tools can make the transition to civilian life a little easier.”
He added: “If AI helped me build a new career, I know it can help others do the same. Proud to have helped bring this initiative to life — and excited for what it can unlock for those who’ve served.”
Carter, GTM for Education at OpenAI, described the initiative as a collaboration between veteran employees and internal teams across the company.
“Today, OpenAI is offering one free year of ChatGPT Plus access to U.S. service members who are within 12 months of separation or retirement, as well as veterans who have transitioned within the past 12 months,” Carter wrote. “Please spread the word.”
She added that veterans on the team “use ChatGPT every day and know firsthand how it can support the next chapter: building a civilian-ready resume, exploring new careers, starting a business, understanding benefits, financial planning, and so many more.”
Carter also encouraged users to explore a 30-minute video created by Sperry for the OpenAI Academy, which walks through best practices for using ChatGPT during the transition to civilian life.
