MIL News Weekly

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.