MIL News Weekly

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.