MIL News Weekly

During the second week of July 2025, the U.S. military and veterans affairs landscape was marked by significant policy shifts and legislative action. The Pentagon introduced a new doctrine to accelerate the use of small drones by reclassifying them as "expendables," empowering lower-level commanders with purchasing authority. This move is influenced by lessons from the war in Ukraine. 

The White House issued executive orders to reinstate service members discharged over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and eliminate all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices. In Congress, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed the Senate, allocating more funds for housing, childcare, and the drone industry. 

For retirees, a major change now allows National Guard soldiers mobilized under 12304b authority to receive early retirement credit retroactively to 2012. The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for retirement and disability pay was set at 2.5%. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a plan to cut 30,000 jobs through attrition, sparking concern among advocacy groups about potential impacts on service quality. Simultaneously, the VA expanded burial benefits for veterans in hospice care and discounted life insurance premiums.