Veterans have the ability to self-finance by transferring the rights to their pensions to a 3rd party. You would transfer the pension cash flow for 8 years in return for a lump sum. After 8 years the contract has been fulfilled and you resume receiving payments.
While you do not 'own' your pension, you do 'own' the rights the the pension's cash flow (payments). It is your asset, you should at least have the knowledge to leverage it if needed.