MIL News Weekly

Latest Episodes:

MIL News Weekly 16-22 Nov (Episode 25) Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of MIL News Weekly, we cover key updates impacting military personnel, retirees, and veterans from November 16-22, 2025. Major topics include the aftermath of a government shutdown, which nearly disrupted pay for 2 million service members and highlighted vulnerabilities in military financial systems. The reopening restored retroactive pay for furloughed employees and lifted administrative freezes on personnel actions and travel orders. A significant Department of War policy overhaul aims to reduce non-essential training and improve fairness in discipline and retention. Legislative highlights feature progress on the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which boosts pay and leave protections, especially for reservists, and secures financial stability during budget impasses. Retired personnel received confirmation of a 2.8% COLA for 2026, offering vital economic relief. TRICARE’s open season encourages eligible families to review healthcare coverage. VA disability benefits remained stable despite shutdowns, with services resuming post-reopening. Persistent challenges remain with the VA claims backlog, while the VHA continues to advance preventive care and medical research.

MIL News Weekly 9-15 Nov (Episode 24) Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of MIL News Weekly, we recap critical updates for the military and veteran community from November 9-15, 2025. Highlights include the passage of HR 5371, which restored funding and readiness following a 43-day government shutdown, and the physical rebranding of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. The episode covers expanded U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, defense technology advances like the railgun, and crucial legislative news for military retirees and veterans. Notably, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act was passed, protecting benefits against inflation. At the same time, the VA introduced new copayments for whole health services—though severely disabled veterans remain exempt. The episode closes with updates on the resumption of key VA services and the ongoing effort to reduce claims backlogs.

MIL News Weekly 2-8 Nov 2025 (Episode 23) Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers the week of November 2-8, 2025, focusing on critical issues impacting military personnel, retirees, and veterans. We discuss the severe effects of the ongoing government shutdown on military pay, family financial stability, and logistics, including PCS moves and food assistance. Key legislative updates include the failure of the Shutdown Fairness Act in the Senate, proposed compensation reforms for junior enlisted ranks, and changes to housing allowances. The Department of Defense announced major acquisition reforms and the rollout of new cybersecurity requirements for contractors. For retirees, annuities and COLA adjustments are confirmed, with continued disparities between retirement systems. Upcoming open seasons for TRICARE and federal health benefits are highlighted, along with essential changes to plan coverage and regional contracts. Veterans receive reassurances on payment security but face significant changes in disability ratings and controversy over PACT Act coverage. Recent and pending legislation aims to improve fairness in compensation and strengthen VA workforce stability. The episode closes with updates on innovative proposals to support veterans’ medical debt relief ahead of Veterans Day.

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview
(00:40) - Issues Affecting Active and Reserve Military Personnel
(04:07) - Acquisition Overhaul and Defense Policy Shifts
(07:06) - Quality-of-Life Initiatives and Legislative Action
(08:24) - Legislative Update: S. 3012, The Shutdown Fairness Act
(09:20) - Issues Affecting Retired Military Personnel
(11:42) - Benefits Enrollment and Health Plan Changes
(13:49) - Issues Affecting Veterans Affairs
(14:07) - VA Disability Compensation: Payment Security and Rate Revisions
(16:37) - PACT Act Controversy and Congressional Oversight
(17:56) - Key Legislation Affecting Disabled Veterans
(18:58) - Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/333
(19:42) - Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/423
(20:20) - Conclusion and Farewell

MIL News Weekly 25 Oct - 1 Nov 2025 (Episode 22) Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers critical military and veteran news from October 26 to November 1, 2025. The government shutdown triggered an urgent pay crisis for active duty and reserve personnel, with stopgap funds running out and families facing financial strain. Legislative measures, such as the Pay Our Troops Act, were proposed to safeguard military compensation, but broader political gridlock left support services and civilian staff in jeopardy. Despite operational disruptions—such as service cuts, childcare closures, and threatened commissary shutdowns—retired military personnel saw continued benefit stability and a 2.8% COLA increase for 2026. The VA maintained most essential services and advanced PACT Act claims processing, though some non-essential programs paused. The episode also explored proposed bills for retroactive pay to furloughed federal civilians and addressed concerns around disability claims reform. Overall, the show highlights the ongoing financial uncertainty for active personnel versus the relative security enjoyed by retirees and veterans.

MIL News Weekly 19-25 October 2025 (Episode 21) Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly, covering October 19–25, 2025, highlights major issues affecting the military and veteran community. The ongoing federal government shutdown has created unprecedented financial uncertainty, with active-duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel facing missed paychecks, and stopgap measures sparking legal controversy. The Pentagon’s acceptance of a major private donation to fund personnel during the crisis adds a unique twist. Compensation updates include a 5.4% nationwide increase in Basic Allowance for Housing for 2025, while retirees see a statutory cost-of-living adjustment and need to prepare for healthcare coverage changes after transitioning out of active duty. Congress is advancing the Shutdown Fairness Act to guarantee back pay during future shutdowns, as well as the vital National Defense Authorization Act. In veterans’ affairs, the VA is rolling out expanded benefits for toxic exposure, new technology to support rural healthcare delivery, and significant hiring to meet rising demand. Policy oversight remains critical to defending entitlements and protecting equal access. Tune in weekly for essential updates shaping military careers, retirements, and benefits.

MIL News Weekly 12-18 Oct 2025 (Episode 20) Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers essential updates from October 12–18, 2025, focusing on the impact of the federal funding lapse on the military community. Active and Reserve service members faced delayed pay due to the shutdown, with financial institutions stepping in to offer support, while Coast Guard pay was safeguarded by special legislation. Military retirees saw stable payments thanks to protected trust funds, and Congress made progress on the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, preserving retiree benefits and advancing equity reforms. The VA maintained near full operations, ensuring uninterrupted disability, pension, and healthcare services to veterans, and significantly expanded benefits under the PACT Act for those affected by toxic exposures. New legislation (the PLUS Act) also aimed to protect disabled veterans from predatory claims assistance practices. VA and disability compensation rates reflected a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for 2025.

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview
(00:45) - Issues Affecting Active and Reserve Military Personnel
(01:09) - Financial Strain and Legislative Responses
(02:21) - Coast Guard Pay Exception
(03:45) - Issues Affecting Retired Military Personnel
(04:05) - Financial Continuity and Legislative Defense
(04:39) - Defense and Reform of Federal Retirement Benefits
(05:32) - Federal Retirement Fairness Act
(05:45) - Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1522
(07:04) - Cost of Living Adjustment Update
(07:48) - Issues Affecting Veterans Affairs
(08:10) - VA Operational Status During the Shutdown
(09:06) - PACT Act Implementation
(12:14) - Legislative Protection for Disabled Veterans
(12:41) - Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1656
(14:05) - VA Disability Compensation Rates
(14:37) - Conclusion and Farewell

MIL News Weekly 5-11 Oct 2025 (Episode 19) Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

This week’s episode covers the ongoing effects of the 2025 government shutdown on military personnel, with active duty and Reservists continuing to serve without pay until Congress finalizes appropriations. The Senate passed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, but pay will remain delayed until an appropriations bill passes. Key policy updates include an extension of TRICARE Reserve Select Survivor benefits and the Reserve Income Replacement Program, offering greater security for Reserve families. Retired personnel await the finalized 2026 cost-of-living adjustment, tied to CPI data due mid-October. The TRICARE West Region contractor transition requires retirees to update their information to avoid disruptions in care. Several central VA and veterans bills advanced in Congress, focusing on modernizing benefits, streamlining claims, and preserving telemedicine access. VA benefits continue despite the shutdown, thanks to advance funding. The VA shifted the PACT Act performance dashboard from monthly to quarterly reporting, impacting real-time claim visibility. The episode stresses staying updated to navigate military careers, retirement, and benefits successfully.

MIL News Weekly 28 Sep - 4 Oct 2025 (Episode 18) Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

Here are major updates impacting military families, retirees, and veterans. Key changes include the extension of TRICARE Reserve Select survivor benefits to three years, easing the financial burden for Reserve families. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) proposes a 3.8% military pay raise, increased family separation allowance, a focus on accurate housing and subsistence allowances, and significant funding for military personnel and construction. Retirees can expect a projected 2.7% COLA increase, with similar adjustments across retirement systems. For veterans, upcoming changes to VA disability ratings will tighten the criteria for sleep apnea and tinnitus, while shifting mental health evaluations towards symptom severity. The VA is also bolstering support for homeless veterans and pushing for expanded SNAP benefits for economically vulnerable vets. Women veterans’ health receives new legislative attention, particularly regarding menopause-related research.

MIL News Weekly 21-27 Sep 2025 (Episode 17) Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers critical military and veteran updates for September 21–27, 2025. The main story is the looming government shutdown and its impact on military pay, with a focus on the reintroduction of the bipartisan Pay Our Troops Act to ensure uninterrupted pay for service members and key civilian defense personnel. The episode also details major Pentagon restructuring designed to save millions for immediate defense and border security priorities. Updates include new Army retention bonuses, changes to Marine Corps NCO promotions, and legislative extensions for Reserve income stability. For retirees, the confirmed 2.5% COLA and ongoing processing delays at OPM due to a surge in retirement claims are discussed. Veterans receive news on VA Life insurance milestones, the critical SDVI transition deadline, digital login changes, and expanded access to rural healthcare. The VA’s switch to quarterly PACT Act reporting and congressional recognition of National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Gold Star Families Remembrance Weeks round out the briefing.

MIL News Weekly 14-20 Sep 2025 (Episode 16) Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

The top story is President Trump’s executive order restoring the Department of War as a secondary name for the Department of Defense, signaling a shift in national military philosophy. Congress is debating this change while also working on the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, with amendments focusing on casualty assistance, moving allowances, and service member quality of life. Retirees face the end of paper Social Security checks and a resumption of garnishments for defaulted student loans, plus a modest 2.5% COLA increase likely offset by higher Medicare premiums. The House passed multiple bipartisan veterans bills to improve access to telemedicine, streamline benefits, and expand women’s care. The VA announced tech-driven advances, including faster disability claims processing and enhanced telehealth satisfaction, but controversy surrounds HR 3132, which could let unaccredited groups charge fees for veterans’ claims assistance. The episode highlights ongoing legislative, administrative, and technological initiatives aimed at supporting the military community.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected