MIL News Weekly

MIL News Weekly 12-18 Apr 2026 (Episode 46)
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[00:00:00] Welcome and Overview
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Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 12-18 April 2026, your essential guide to the latest news impacting the military and veteran community. Whether you're currently serving in uniform, a military retiree, a veteran, or a family member, this is your source for the critical updates you need to know.

Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important developments from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. We’ll cover everything from new policies and pay raises affecting active and reserve forces, to changes in healthcare and benefits for retirees, and the latest on VA services and legislation for our veterans. Let's get you informed. Here’s what’s happened this past week.

[00:00:40]  Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
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Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel

We begin this week with a look at the personnel who comprise the sharp end of the spear. The week of 12 April to 18 April 2026 has been defined by the continuing implementation of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Trump signed into law [00:01:00] late last year. The ripple effects of this legislation are being felt in every paycheck and every barracks across the globe.

For active-duty troops and drilling members of the National Guard and Reserve, the primary news this week continues to be the stabilization of the 3.8 percent basic pay raise that took effect on 1 January 2026. While the raise has been in effect for several months, the 119th Congress has spent this week evaluating the long-term impact on recruitment and retention. For an enlisted E-1 with less than two years of service, this raise resulted in a monthly basic pay of 2,407 dollars. For mid-grade officers, such as an O-4 with over six years of service, the monthly basic pay has reached approximately 8,332 dollars.

But pay is only one part of the equation.

[00:01:49] BAH Changes and Transparency
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We are also tracking significant adjustments to the Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH. For 2026, the Department of War is paying an estimated 29.9 billion [00:02:00] dollars in housing allowances for approximately one million service members. The average increase of 4.2 percent across the force is designed to keep pace with a volatile rental market, though the impact varies by location. For example, in Norfolk, Virginia, an E-5 with dependents saw a 4.5 percent increase, bringing their monthly allowance to 2,430 dollars.

However, the Department of War has noted that about one million troops still absorb between 93 and 212 dollars of their housing costs monthly due to the cost-sharing element that remains at five percent of the national average.

Crucially, the 119th Congress has mandated a new level of transparency regarding these calculations. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Secretary of Defense to publish a clear, accessible document explaining exactly how BAH rates are determined. This provision, secured by lawmakers like Senator Tim Kaine, is a response to years of complaints from military families [00:03:00] that BAH rates often lag behind actual rental costs in high-demand areas. Furthermore, the Department of Defense is now required to develop an alternative methodology for calculating BAH based on the typical cost of housing units by number of bedrooms, with a pilot program currently being briefed to Congress during this reporting period.

[00:03:19] Reserve Promotions Spotlight
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While the financial side of the force is modernizing, so is the leadership. On 1 April 2026, the Marine Corps authorized the promotion of a new cohort of Staff Noncommissioned Officers across the Reserve components. Per MARADMIN 117/26, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve saw 4 promotions to Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant, 10 to First Sergeant and Master Sergeant, 15 to Gunnery Sergeant, and 23 to Staff Sergeant. For the Active Reserve, the numbers included 2 Master Gunnery Sergeants, 3 Master Sergeants, 6 Gunnery Sergeants, and 20 Staff Sergeants.

These promotions represent the vital backbone of the Marine Corps Reserve, but they come with strict [00:04:00] administrative requirements. Marines were required to have an expiration of service or contract date of no earlier than 31 March 2028 to be eligible for these April advancements. This week, commanders are continuing to process these promotions, ensuring that those who lead our reserve forces are professionally qualified and committed to long-term service.

[00:04:20] Drone Defense Training
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Technological adaptation is another major theme for the active-duty force this week. At Fort Buchanan, the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command has been spearheading new initiatives to equip soldiers with cutting-edge technology to counter emerging threats. On 16 April 2026, training reports highlighted a major shift in how soldiers are being prepared for the modern battlefield, particularly regarding small unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS.

The training teaches soldiers that on today's battlefield, even a small, commercially available drone can present a serious threat. Soldiers are learning to identify, report, and respond to these aerial dangers using both kinetic [00:05:00] and non-kinetic means. This training aligns with Section 373 of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes increased funding for the protection of military installations from unmanned aerial systems.

[00:05:13] SkillBridge Cuts and Bonuses
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However, not all personnel news this week has been about growth and modernization. The Department of the Air Force has officially cut the transition window for civilian job training programs, such as SkillBridge. This move is part of a broader effort to balance the needs of separating airmen with the requirement to maintain operational readiness in the face of persistent pilot shortages. To counter this, the Air Force has begun offering retention bonuses of up to 600,000 dollars for aviators to stay in service, a massive financial commitment that underscores the desperation of the service to retain its most experienced flyers.

[00:05:47] Bills Affecting Service Members
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Legislatively, the 119th Congress is currently considering several bills that would dramatically change the lives of active-duty and reserve personnel:

1. The Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act

Bill Number: H.R. [00:06:00] 475 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/475)

This bipartisan measure would extend TRICARE dependent coverage to age 26 at no additional cost to the service member. Currently, TRICARE Young Adult premiums can reach as high as 794 dollars per month for Prime. This bill would align military healthcare with the standards required of civilian insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, providing a major financial relief for active-duty families with adult children.

2. The Closing the Benefits Gap Act (H.R. 6796)

Bill Number: H.R. 6796 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6796)

Introduced by Representatives Jack Bergman and Gill Cisneros, this bill aims to simplify the complex duty status categories for reservists. Currently, there are 30 different categories, which often leads to administrative errors where families are kicked off TRICARE during short-term activations. The bill would reduce these to four main categories: Contingency Duty, Training and Support, Active Duty, and State Active Duty. [00:07:00] This would ensure that as soon as a reservist is activated, they have the same status and benefits as their active-duty counterparts.

3. The Major Richard Star Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1282 / S. 344 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1282)

This legislation would end the "concurrent receipt" offset for combat-injured veterans who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service. Currently, these veterans see a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their retirement pay for every dollar of disability compensation they receive. This bill would allow them to receive both full Department of War retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently.

[00:07:36]  Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
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Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel

[00:07:39] COLA and Equal COLA Act
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Retirees are managing the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. For 2026, military retirees and survivors received a 2.8 percent increase to their monthly checks. While this is lower than the high inflationary adjustments of recent years, it still represents a meaningful 28 dollar increase for every 1,000 dollars of military retirement [00:08:00] pay. However, a point of contention remains for those who retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS. Under current law, when the COLA is between 2 and 3 percent, FERS retirees are capped at a 2.0 percent increase. This week, lawmakers have reintroduced the Equal COLA Act to eliminate this disparity and ensure that all federal retirees are protected against inflation equally.

[00:08:23] TRICARE Costs and Prime Pilot
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Healthcare remains a top priority for the retired community, and 2026 has brought several significant shifts in TRICARE coverage and costs. For working-age retirees and their families, TRICARE costs generally rose between 2 and 3 percent as of 1 January 2026.

However, the Department of War has introduced several pilot programs this week aimed at improving access for retirees. Most notably, the TRICARE Prime Pilot Program in the Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida, metro areas is now fully operational. Administered by CareSource Military and Veterans, this program covers more than [00:09:00] 146,000 beneficiaries and—in a major departure from traditional TRICARE Prime—allows users to see an in-network specialist without a referral from a primary care manager. To encourage participation, enrollment fees for retirees and their survivors were waived for the first year of this program.

Retirees also have access to new benefits in 2026, including coverage for weight loss medications like GLP-1s, provided they are part of a comprehensive obesity treatment plan. Furthermore, the TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit has seen its distance threshold reduced from 100 miles to 75 miles. This means that retirees and their families who must travel more than 75 miles for specialty care can now be reimbursed for their travel expenses—a vital change for those living in rural areas or near smaller military installations.

[00:09:49] TSP SECURE 2.0 Changes
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For those planning their financial legacy, 2026 has also brought changes to the Thrift Savings Plan under the SECURE 2.0 Act. High-income participants—those earning over [00:10:00] 145,000 dollars—must now make their "catch-up" contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis. This week, financial advisors within the veteran community are urging retirees who are still working in federal service to review their contribution strategies to avoid tax penalties.

[00:10:16] Retiree Legislation and QLE
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On the legislative front, several bills are being tracked this week that directly affect the retired and survivor population:

1. The Equal COLA Act

Bill Number: H.R. 491 / S. 624 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/491)

This bill would require that cost-of-living adjustments for FERS retirees be calculated in the same manner as those for CSRS and military retirees, ensuring that the purchasing power of these annuities is not eroded over time by the current 2 percent cap.

2. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2148 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2148)

Sponsored by Representative Joe Morelle, this bill was reported out of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on 12 February [00:11:00] 2026. It would provide critical support for the caregivers of catastrophically disabled veterans, including bereavement counseling and assistance in transitioning back into the workforce or into retirement after their caregiving duties have ended.

3. The FAIR Act (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates)

Bill Number: H.R. 493 / S. 126 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/493)

Introduced by Representative Gerry Connolly and Senator Brian Schatz, this bill calls for a 4.1 percent average pay increase for federal employees in 2027 to help close the 27 percent pay gap between federal workers and the private sector. While it primarily affects current employees, it also impacts the eventual retirement annuities of those currently in service.

Finally, for those who recently retired during this specific week in April 2026, policy experts are emphasizing that retirement is a "Qualifying Life Event". You have exactly 90 days from your date of retirement to enroll in a TRICARE health plan. If you miss this window, you will lose access to civilian care through [00:12:00] TRICARE and will be restricted to care at military hospitals and clinics only—and only if space is available.

[00:12:06]  Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
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Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs

[00:12:08] VHA Reorganization Plan
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On 14 April 2026, the VA officially announced its intent to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration, or VHA. The goal of this reorganization is to eliminate administrative hurdles and grant local hospital directors greater autonomy over their facilities. Under the new plan, the VHA Central Office in Washington, D.C., will take over the responsibility for setting high-level policy goals, managing finances, and conducting oversight.

Meanwhile, the Veterans Integrated Service Networks, known as VISNs, will take direction from the Central Office to develop operational, quality, and performance standards at the regional level. Secretary Doug Collins has stated that this is not a reduction in force, but rather a modernization effort to ensure that VA policies are applied consistently throughout all 1,300-plus facilities. The Disabled American [00:13:00] Veterans organization has noted that they will be watching this reorganization closely to ensure that the autonomy granted to local directors actually translates into better outcomes for those with service-connected injuries.

Complementing this structural shift is a massive infrastructure investment. The VA is spending nearly 5 billion dollars in 2026 to modernize and repair its aging medical facilities. Approximately 2.8 billion dollars is dedicated to repairing outdated infrastructure systems like HVAC, elevators, and electrical grids, while 1 billion dollars is earmarked specifically for the maintenance of electronic health record systems.

[00:13:38] EHR Rollout Restarts
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And that leads us to a major breakthrough this week: the restart of the Federal Electronic Health Record, or EHR, rollout. On 11 April 2026, the new system went live at four major VA facilities in Michigan: Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw. This marks the first new deployment since the program was paused in 2023. [00:14:00] The Michigan launch is the first of 13 planned deployments for 2026 under an accelerated schedule.

The goal of this system is to create a unified, interoperable record between the Department of Defense and the VA, so that a veteran’s medical history follows them seamlessly from active duty into the VA system without the need for manual file transfers. Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, who personally oversaw the Michigan rollout, noted that the VA has eliminated the unwieldy "council-based" decision-making process that caused past delays, replacing it with a single council that answers directly to top leadership.

[00:14:34] Claims Backlog Drops
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On 15 April 2026, the VA released another historic report: a dramatic reduction in the disability claims backlog. According to the press release, the average time to complete a disability claim has fallen to 80.7 days—a 43 percent reduction since early 2025. The VA also reported a 94 percent accuracy rate, the highest in two years. Furthermore, the backlog of initial Veterans Pension claims has been [00:15:00] slashed by 98 percent, falling from over 3,500 claims to just 71.

While the VA credits focused leadership and overtime for these gains, some veteran groups have raised alarms. On 15 April, discussions on veteran-focused platforms indicated a fear that the increased "speed" is being achieved through automatic denials of complex claims, which veterans must then spend years appealing.

[00:15:23] Veteran Bills in Congress
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This week has also seen a flurry of activity in the 119th Congress regarding veteran-focused legislation:

1. The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6047 (119th Congress)

( https://veterans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7862)

This landmark bill, lead-sponsored by Representative Tom Barrett, seeks to provide a massive increase in benefits for catastrophically disabled veterans and Gold Star families. It would increase monthly compensation by 10,000 dollars annually for veterans requiring round-the-clock care and raise the base-rate of survivor support payments by 1.5 percent over two years. The [00:16:00] bill is named after Sharri Briley, the widow of a Blackhawk pilot killed in 1993, and Sergeant Eric Edmundson, who was left non-verbal and paralyzed by an IED in 2005.

2. The Veterans STAND Act (Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act)

Bill Number: H.R. 6835 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6835)

This bill would require the VA to offer annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. It specifically focuses on increasing access to assistive technologies, such as non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation, and requires the VA to provide training and follow-up for these technologies through telehealth.

3. The Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act

Bill Number: H.R. 3482 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3482)

Also sponsored by Representative Barrett, this bill aims to modernize the scheduling process for veterans seeking care in the community. It would require the VA to establish a comprehensive standard for the timing between a referral and an actual [00:17:00] appointment, ensuring that veterans are not lost in the bureaucratic gap between the VA and private providers.

4. The Representing our Seniors at VA Act

Bill Number: H.R. 785 (119th Congress)

( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/785)

This bill, sponsored by Representative Jen Kiggans, would expand the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee within the VHA to include a representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes. This ensures that the specific needs of elderly veterans in state-run homes are represented at the highest levels of VA policy-making.

[00:17:30] VA Rights and Guardianship
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Beyond the halls of Congress, the VA has made two significant policy announcements this week that touch on constitutional and legal rights. First, on 17 April 2026, Chairman Mike Bost applauded a new VA policy that restores Second Amendment rights to veterans in the Fiduciary Program. For decades, veterans who needed help managing their benefits were automatically reported to the FBI’s background check system as "prohibited persons." The VA has now ended this practice, acknowledging that [00:18:00] needing a fiduciary is not a legal basis for depriving a veteran of their right to bear arms.

Second, the VA and the Department of Justice signed a memorandum of understanding on 11 March 2026, the effects of which were highlighted this week as the program became fully operational. This agreement allows VA attorneys to be appointed as special assistant U.S. attorneys, giving them the legal authority to initiate state court guardianship proceedings for vulnerable, homeless, or incapacitated veterans who have no family. This "lifeline" allows the VA to transition these veterans from acute hospital beds into more appropriate long-term care settings while ensuring their legal rights are protected.

[00:18:37] Disability Rating Rule Pause
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Finally, we must address a brewing controversy that came to a head this week. On 17 February 2026, the VA published a rule that would have changed how disability ratings are calculated for veterans whose symptoms are managed by medication. This rule would have potentially lowered ratings for veterans with conditions like PTSD or hypertension if their symptoms were successfully controlled by [00:19:00] drugs. Following a massive outcry from groups like the American Legion and the DAV—with over 10,000 public comments submitted in just 60 hours—the VA suspended enforcement of the rule during this reporting period. However, the rule has not been formally rescinded, and veterans with pending claims are being urged by advocates to monitor the situation closely, especially as the court case Ingram v. Collins continues to wind through the federal appeals process.

[00:19:26] Wrap Up and Subscribe
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And that's your Weekly Briefing. Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, your retirement, and your benefits.

Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most to the military and veteran community.