{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"MIL News Weekly","title":"MIL News Weekly 29 Mar - 4 Apr 2026 (Episode 44)","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/fcfc0680\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":535,"description":"This episode of MIL News Weekly covers major developments in the military and veteran community from March 29 to April 4, 2026. Highlights include a significant leadership change as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth requested Army Chief of Staff General Randy George’s retirement, signaling new strategic directions at the Pentagon 00:44. A continued Department of Homeland Security shutdown is impacting Coast Guard pay, though President Trump has pledged to intervene 01:26. For retirees, updates include reminders about the 2.8% COLA adjustment, DFAS administrative changes, and the pending Major Richard Starr Act, which would end offsets reducing retirement pay for combat-injured veterans 03:23. The VISN Reform Act may restructure VA healthcare management 04:33. The VA’s 2026 budget request jumps to $441.2 billion, with major increases for toxic exposure care, disability benefits, and healthcare expansion 05:07. Proposed rule changes to disability ratings faced backlash and were rescinded 06:07. Key legislative updates cover improved home-based care, protections against claim “sharks,” and efforts to automatically enroll transitioning veterans in VA healthcare 07:34.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/RydQ4PN6zuu0h7iujLJkLcLTxHnl-_-F1j_dhyEM3ro/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wNDVk/M2VmZDkxNGQzNzkz/YjQzMzVkMTgyYmE1/MjZmMi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}