Trump promises to bring back troops booted for refusing COVID vaccine
Both Trump and his pick to lead the Pentagon have promised back pay for troops dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pentagon & Congress
Lawmakers again push to ease firing rules for misbehaving VA staff
Punishing underperforming VA workers was a priority during Trump's first term. Congressional leaders want to zero in on the problem again.
Multi-year outreach blitz helped bring more vets into VA services
Department leaders have used high-profile partnerships and ad campaigns to reach out to veterans perviously leery of VA programs.
Pentagon report backs quality-of-life tweaks, not major pay changes
The periodic review of military compensation called troops' pay "strongly competitive" when compared to civilian wages.
Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon spars with Dems at confirmation hearing
Former FOX News host Pete Hegseth billed himself as an unconventional pick to shake up Pentagon operations.
Confirmation hearing for Trump’s VA Sec pick delayed over FBI check
The confirmation hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday morning, but will now be held next week.
New Senate Vet Affairs chair plans focus on care access, mental health
Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran will lead the chamber's veterans policy committee for the second time.
Trump picks Senate candidate Sam Brown to head VA memorial affairs
The comabt wounded Army veteran will oversee VA cemetery operations and policies if confirmed to the new role.
New Tricare contracts bring health care changes
Beneficiaries can expect easier transfer of medical referrals when they move, among other things, with the new Tricare contracts.
Expecting mothers overseas now have doula coverage in Tricare test
Starting Jan. 1, Tricare expanded doula and lactation services to expectant mothers overseas. The services are part of a test that runs through 2026.
TriWest switch sparks ‘deluge of misdirected calls,’ Health Net says
Health Net is seeing a 200% increase in calls to their claims center, many because of problems reaching the new West Region contractor.
Vets won’t see disruptions in VA services amid White House changes
VA leaders have pledged to keep services operating normally, even as several senior staffers depart office.
VA eases benefits rules for cancers from Post-9/11 service, K2 tours
Gulf War veterans and Post-9/11 vets suffereing from leukemia and bladder cancer will get presumptive benefits status under a new decision by VA.
Military’s Tricare transition to TriWest a ‘fiasco,’ some say
Some beneficiaries in the West Region are complaining of website glitches and overloaded call centers.
Advocates reach deal with DOD on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ dismissals
The new deal could help tens of thousands of veterans previously kicked out of the ranks under the military's former 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.
Some vets get 12 extra months of college benefits under new VA rules
Veterans Affairs officials are updating their GI Bill eligibility rules in response to a Supreme Court ruling last spring.
New Orleans attack suspect identified as Army vet ‘inspired by ISIS’
The man who reportedly drove a truck into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 15, has been identified as a U.S. Army veteran.
