What are the legal benefits of marriage?

I am married to someone who is retired from the Army. When they wanted to send him some place dangerous before we were married, I moved up the wedding. As a fiancé I had no rights should he have been hurt. As a wife I would have been notified and would have been able to see him. If we weren't married his mother would be considered next of kin and would have all the rights. Considering a the time she was not thrilled with me becoming his wife, i would have created some problems. Thankfully nothing happened and he came home safe, but the same is true if your significant other is hurt in an accident going to work.