MIL News Weekly

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.