Official - Adjective. 1  As an adjective, official often, but not always, means pertaining to the government, as state employee or having state recognition, or analogous to governance or to a formal (especially legally regulated) proceeding as opposed to informal business.
Tricare (styled TRICARE), formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System.
Tricare is like any other commercial insurance. Unlike active duty soldier, family member can choose a different insurance carrier. My father was active duty, and I am now. I have a 24 year old brother who is getting his masters degree and neither one of us want him to join not even for the benefits.