MIL News Weekly

This episode of MIL News Weekly covers the key developments impacting military personnel, retirees, and veterans for February 15–21, 2026. We highlight the Senate’s passage of the 2026 defense appropriations bill, which includes historic pay raises—3.8% for all service members and a targeted 10% increase for junior enlisted ranks—plus major investments in readiness and modernization. The episode also explains the new Shutdown Fairness Act, which protects pay during government shutdowns, and improved TRICARE pharmacy coverage for remote families. Retirees learn about a 2.8% COLA increase, crucial enrollment steps for TRICARE after retirement, pending dental/vision premium changes, and the Veteran and Military Families First Act offering job security for federal employees. For veterans, the show unpacks the controversial shift in disability ratings based on managed symptoms, changes to VA apportionments, new career training bills, and recent medical research linking Agent Orange exposure to skin cancer. The episode wraps up with news on legislative efforts to anchor veterans’ rights and improve transition services.