MIL News Weekly

Latest Episodes:

MIL News Weekly 25-31 Jan (Episode 35) Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers key military and veteran news for January 25-31, 2026. Major highlights include the release of the 2026 National Defense Strategy, which pivots toward homeland defense and industrial capacity over emerging technologies, as well as sizeable increases in active-duty force numbers and a 3.8% military pay raise. There's accelerated aircraft development for Pacific operations, new base commander authority to counter drone threats, and ongoing impacts of a partial government shutdown. For retirees and veterans, updates include a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment, revised TRICARE fees, and increases in education benefits. The VA is launching the RISE Initiative for system-wide reorganization and improved infrastructure. Several bills in Congress aim to affect military structure, education accreditation, veteran privacy, and rural access to benefits. The episode delivers a comprehensive rundown on policy changes, benefits, and strategic shifts shaping the military and veteran community.

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview
(00:39) - Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
(05:46) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/538
(06:50) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7280
(07:40) - Retired Military Personnel Updates
(11:00) - Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
(13:35) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9638
(14:03) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3466
(14:29) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3951
(14:52) - Conclusion and Sign-Off

MIL News Weekly 18-24 Jan 2026 (Episode 34) Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

This week on MIL News Weekly, we cover the major developments impacting the military and veteran community for January 18–24, 2026. The Department of War released the new National Defense Strategy, prioritizing homeland defense, border security, and missile defense, while increasing force size across most branches. Active-duty members received a 3.8% pay raise, and new legislation secured funding increases for the Department of War and Homeland Security. Military retirees saw a 2.0%-2.8% COLA increase, with some disparities for federal retirees, and health plan premiums have risen sharply. The VA announced significant changes: decentralizing decision-making, altering disability payment apportionments, and inviting competition in its Community Care Network. Three veteran-focused bills became law, including one that expands housing and tech training opportunities. The episode wraps with a reminder on Tricare enrollment deadlines for recent retirees, tax updates, and increases in Thrift Savings Plan and IRA contribution limits.

MIL News Weekly 11-17 Jan 2026 (Episode 33) Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of MIL News Weekly, we provide a comprehensive update on key military and veteran news for January 11–17, 2026. Highlights include a 3.8% basic pay raise and a 4.2% increase in housing allowance for service members, new retention and fitness standards in the Marine Corps, and extended National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C. Major Congressional bills discussed aim to secure service member pay during government shutdowns and prohibit federal funds from being used in NATO country invasions. Retirees benefit from a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment and expanded Thrift Savings Plan catch-up limits. The VA announced limits on benefit apportionment and improvements to programs supporting disabled and homeless veterans. Several legislative efforts also address retiree pensions, benefit notifications, and funding for veteran services.

(00:00) - Introduction to MIL News Weekly
(00:38) - Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
(05:43) - Key Congressional Bills for Active and Reserve Personnel
(07:36) - Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
(10:14) - Key Congressional Bills for Retired Personnel
(11:28) - Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
(15:04) - Key Congressional Bills for Veterans
(16:54) - Conclusion and Farewell

MIL News Weekly 4-10 Jan 2026 (Episode 32) Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of MIL News Weekly, we provide key updates impacting the military and veteran community for the week of January 4–10, 2026. Highlights include a 3.8% pay raise for active-duty and Reserve service members, increased allowances to offset the rising cost of living, and legislative developments, such as the Pay Our Troops Act, to protect service members' pay during government shutdowns. The episode covers new military construction funding, a shift in defense contractor oversight, global deployment updates, and changes to retirement and veteran benefits—including a 2.8% COLA increase and adjustments to TRICARE pharmacy copays. We also discussed ongoing efforts to improve veteran healthcare and the push for the Major Richard Starr Act, which seeks to end the current offset of retirement pay for combat-injured veterans. The briefing closes with emphasis on staying informed to navigate changes in career, retirement, and benefits.

MIL News Weekly 28 Dec 2025 - 3 Jan 2026 (Episode 31) Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of MIL News Weekly, we cover key updates impacting military members, retirees, and veterans for the week of December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Highlights include a 3.8% basic pay raise for active and reserve personnel, adjustments to housing and subsistence allowances, and the disparity between military and civilian federal pay increases. For retirees, new COLA rates are explained along with higher TRICARE and FEHB healthcare costs. Veterans benefit from increased VA disability compensation and significant reforms, including a reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration and more competitive private care options. Legislative updates feature the NDAA for FY2026, tuition fairness for reservists, and improved protections for veterans with VA home loans. The episode emphasizes how these changes affect financial, healthcare, and educational aspects of the military and veteran community.

MIL News Weekly 21-27 Dec (Episode 30) Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers the key military and veteran developments from December 21-27, 2025. Highlights include the distribution of the Warrior Dividend—a one-time, $1,676 tax-free payment to over 1.45 million active and some Reserve service members to boost holiday morale. The funding was reallocated from housing supplements, sparking debate about its impact on military housing.

Internationally, the U.S. launched Operation Hawkeye in Syria against ISIS and intensified the Venezuelan maritime quarantine targeting smugglers, leading to diplomatic and legislative tensions. Domestically, the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act was enacted, boosting military pay, allowances, and housing rates, while placing limits on troop reductions in Europe. For retirees, a 2.8% cost-of-living increase was announced, though rising TRICARE fees offset some of the gains. The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act offers foreclosure relief for veterans, and a legislative package modernizes VA services, including telemedicine, streamlined claims, and expanded clinic capacity. The episode closes with an ongoing debate over expanded community care and concerns about the privatization of VA health services.

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview
(00:40) - Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
(00:43) - The "Warrior Dividend": Financial Morale in the Holiday Season
(03:35) - Operation Hawkeye and Escalation in the Middle East
(05:18) - Operation Southern Spear: The Venezuelan "Quarantine"
(07:21) - Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Implementation
(10:49) - Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
(15:23) - (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1815)
(16:17) - Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
(17:54) - (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3481)
(18:48) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1107
(19:36) - (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3579)
(20:05) - (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3854)
(23:27) - Conclusion and Sign-Off

MIL News Weekly 14-20 Dec (Episode 29) Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of MIL News Weekly, we cover significant developments impacting the military and veteran community for the week of December 14–20, 2025. Key updates include the distribution of a one-time “warrior dividend” bonus to 1.5 million junior and mid-level service members, passage of the $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a 3.8% military pay raise, funding for infrastructure improvements, and new physical fitness standards for Marines. The episode also highlights recent legislative actions affecting retirement pay, veterans’ education benefits, TRICARE enrollment changes, federal employee pay increases, and administrative shifts at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including a major VA healthcare restructuring and protections against fiduciary fraud. Edward emphasizes the importance of staying informed as legislation and policy continue to evolve for active duty, reserve, retired, and veteran personnel.

MIL News Weekly 7-13 Dec (Episode 28) Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers key military and veteran updates for December 7-13, 2025. Highlights include passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes nearly $900 billion in defense spending, offers a 3.8% pay raise for all active duty and reserve personnel, mandates increased transparency in housing allowances, and raises the Family Separation Allowance. The episode also discusses the tightening of rules for troop withdrawals in Europe and South Korea, controversial exclusions such as expanded TRICARE infertility coverage, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the DoD. Updates on basic housing allowance rates, legislative actions affecting military retirement pay taxes, and changes to TRICARE fees are provided. For veterans, Edward details VA health care modernization initiatives, expanded caregiver support, new legislation streamlining travel and claims processes, and research linking sleep apnea to higher Parkinson’s risk. The episode closes with reminders about ID card transitions and a call to stay informed for future changes.

MIL News Weekly 30 Nov-6 Dec 2025 (Episode 27) Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers military, retiree, and veteran news from November 30 to December 6, 2025. Highlights include the extended deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., under a hybrid federal-state framework, and the unveiling of the $1 billion Drone Dominance Program, which aims to scale up loitering munitions rapidly. Fiscal updates feature President Trump’s extension of government funding to January 2026 and negotiations on the NDAA, with a notable 15% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel and a 3.8% military-wide pay increase. Retirees will see a 2.8% COLA, and Medal of Honor recipients will gain a significant pension boost. Healthcare costs for TRICARE users are set to rise, incentivizing mail-order prescriptions. Veterans’ issues center on HR6047, a controversial bill expanding benefits for severely disabled vets but reinstating home loan funding fees for some. Another act, HR4077, proposes cost recovery from private insurers for VA care. Public health initiatives focus on opioid crisis response, suicide prevention, and lifeline cybersecurity.

MIL News Weekly 23-29 Nov (Episode 26) Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers crucial military and veteran updates for November 23–29, 2025. Highlights include the Pentagon’s rebranding from the Department of Defense to the Department of War, signaling a doctrinal shift toward offensive readiness and a $2 billion budget for the rebrand. Key legislation, such as HR 5371, averts a government shutdown while safeguarding military pay. New bills aim to streamline secure workspace accreditation and reform defense industry practices. For retirees, Edward discusses changes to healthcare referrals, TRICARE/FedVIP open season deadlines, a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, and a pay schedule anomaly that requires careful financial planning. The VA eliminated union contracts and DEI programs, redirecting funds and reshaping the workforce while rapidly improving CHAMPVA application processing. Recent bills focus on expanded medical coverage, caregiver support, and GI Bill reforms. The episode wraps up emphasizing the importance of staying informed to manage military careers and benefits.

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