WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.070 --> 00:00:04.760 Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 18-24 January 2026, your essential 00:00:04.760 --> 00:00:08.140 guide to the latest news impacting the military and veteran community. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.409 Whether you're currently serving in uniform, a military retiree, a veteran, 00:00:12.460 --> 00:00:16.520 or a family member, this is your source for the critical updates you need to know. 00:00:16.897 --> 00:00:20.527 Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important developments 00:00:20.527 --> 00:00:24.107 from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 00:00:24.527 --> 00:00:27.807 We’ll cover everything from new policies and pay raises affecting 00:00:27.807 --> 00:00:31.467 active and reserve forces, to changes in healthcare and benefits for 00:00:31.467 --> 00:00:35.997 retirees, and the latest on VA services and legislation for our veterans. 00:00:36.457 --> 00:00:37.377 Let's get you informed. 00:00:37.677 --> 00:00:39.097 Here’s what’s happened this past week. 00:00:39.427 --> 00:00:42.347 Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel 00:00:42.681 --> 00:00:47.131 The biggest story of the week dropped on Friday, 24 January 2026. 00:00:47.531 --> 00:00:51.321 The Department of War—recently renamed from the Department of Defense—released 00:00:51.451 --> 00:00:56.861 the unclassified version of the 2026 National Defense Strategy, or the NDS. 00:00:57.571 --> 00:01:00.161 If you want to understand the direction the military is heading, 00:01:00.501 --> 00:01:02.111 this document is the roadmap. 00:01:02.861 --> 00:01:07.191 In a memorandum to senior leadership, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth set the tone 00:01:07.191 --> 00:01:10.011 with three simple phrases: "America First. 00:01:10.311 --> 00:01:11.321 Peace Through Strength. 00:01:11.571 --> 00:01:12.361 Common Sense". 00:01:12.768 --> 00:01:16.008 The 2026 NDS represents a massive shift. 00:01:16.448 --> 00:01:20.718 For the first time, "Homeland Defense" is listed as the military’s top priority. 00:01:21.108 --> 00:01:25.238 This includes a heavy focus on border security, counter-unmanned aerial 00:01:25.238 --> 00:01:29.478 threats, and a concept called the "Golden Dome" for missile defense. 00:01:29.928 --> 00:01:33.228 The strategy also outlines a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe 00:01:33.228 --> 00:01:37.298 Doctrine, prioritizing the Western Hemisphere and ensuring military 00:01:37.338 --> 00:01:41.438 and commercial access to key terrain like the Panama Canal and Greenland. 00:01:41.809 --> 00:01:44.829 When it comes to the global stage, deterring China is now the 00:01:44.829 --> 00:01:48.969 second priority, with a focus on "strength, not confrontation". 00:01:49.609 --> 00:01:53.449 Interestingly, the strategy calls for opening more military-to-military 00:01:53.449 --> 00:01:56.959 communication with China to support stability and de-escalation, 00:01:57.249 --> 00:01:59.409 which is a bit of a departure from the more restricted 00:01:59.409 --> 00:02:00.999 contacts we’ve seen in the past. 00:02:01.371 --> 00:02:05.151 But a strategy is only as good as the people executing it, 00:02:05.611 --> 00:02:08.911 and this week we learned that the military is growing again. 00:02:09.621 --> 00:02:13.151 Congress has authorized a total increase of more than 30,000 00:02:13.231 --> 00:02:15.061 active-duty service members. 00:02:15.531 --> 00:02:17.321 This growth isn't uniform, though. 00:02:17.661 --> 00:02:21.991 The Army is set to grow to 454,000 active-duty personnel, 00:02:22.221 --> 00:02:24.051 an increase of 11,700. 00:02:24.621 --> 00:02:28.701 The Navy is getting the largest bump with 12,300 new slots, bringing 00:02:28.701 --> 00:02:30.431 its end strength to 334,600. 00:02:30.501 --> 00:02:35.671 The Air Force will add 1,500 personnel, and the Space Force will 00:02:35.671 --> 00:02:38.041 see a modest increase of 600 members. 00:02:38.551 --> 00:02:43.021 The Coast Guard is also expanding significantly, jumping to 50,000 members 00:02:43.021 --> 00:02:46.381 to help with Arctic surveillance and border security, while the Marine 00:02:46.381 --> 00:02:49.521 Corps is staying steady at 172,300. 00:02:49.917 --> 00:02:51.337 Now, let’s talk about your wallet. 00:02:51.507 --> 00:02:54.587 As of this month, active-duty troops and drilling Guard and 00:02:54.587 --> 00:02:56.807 Reserve members are seeing a 3.8 00:02:56.877 --> 00:02:58.447 percent basic pay raise. 00:02:58.847 --> 00:03:01.897 To give you an idea of what that looks like on a monthly check, an 00:03:01.897 --> 00:03:05.457 enlisted E-1 with less than two years of service is seeing a bump 00:03:05.457 --> 00:03:11.237 of about 88 dollars, bringing their monthly basic pay to 2,407 dollars. 00:03:11.667 --> 00:03:16.777 For an O-4 with over six years of service, that raise is about 305 dollars 00:03:16.777 --> 00:03:20.517 a month, for a total of 8,332 dollars. 00:03:20.846 --> 00:03:22.546 It’s not just basic pay, either. 00:03:22.886 --> 00:03:27.506 The Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, is going up by an average of 4.2 00:03:27.506 --> 00:03:30.736 percent, although that varies depending on where you're stationed. 00:03:31.226 --> 00:03:35.436 The Basic Allowance for Subsistence, or BAS, is up 2.4 00:03:35.436 --> 00:03:38.526 percent, which brings the monthly payment for enlisted members 00:03:38.526 --> 00:03:41.186 to 476 dollars and 95 cents. 00:03:41.626 --> 00:03:44.586 And for those of you dealing with deployments, the Family Separation 00:03:44.586 --> 00:03:49.456 Allowance has received its first increase since 2002, jumping 20 percent from 00:03:49.456 --> 00:03:52.206 250 dollars to 300 dollars per month. 00:03:52.571 --> 00:03:55.871 On the legislative front, the House of Representatives was busy this week. 00:03:56.191 --> 00:03:59.761 On 22 January 2026, they passed H.R. 00:03:59.761 --> 00:04:05.601 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, with a 341 to 88 vote. 00:04:06.061 --> 00:04:08.261 This bill locks in that 3.8 00:04:08.261 --> 00:04:12.081 percent pay raise and allocates 855.7 00:04:12.081 --> 00:04:13.861 billion dollars for the Department of War. 00:04:14.341 --> 00:04:15.731 They also passed H.R. 00:04:15.731 --> 00:04:20.611 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which 00:04:20.611 --> 00:04:24.261 funds the Coast Guard and reinforces border enforcement technology. 00:04:24.648 --> 00:04:26.418 There was some controversy this week, though. 00:04:26.848 --> 00:04:31.038 On 22 January 2026, the Pentagon announced it is taking greater 00:04:31.038 --> 00:04:34.608 control over the independent military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. 00:04:35.028 --> 00:04:39.028 Spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media that the paper would move away 00:04:39.028 --> 00:04:43.698 from what he called "woke distractions" and refocus on "war fighting, weapons 00:04:43.698 --> 00:04:45.988 systems, fitness, and lethality". 00:04:46.558 --> 00:04:50.548 This has raised some concerns about the paper's editorial independence, which 00:04:50.548 --> 00:04:52.818 Congress has protected for over 30 years. 00:04:53.158 --> 00:04:55.538 Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel 00:04:55.862 --> 00:04:59.802 First, let’s talk about the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. 00:05:00.312 --> 00:05:04.962 As of 1 January 2026, Social Security recipients, military 00:05:04.962 --> 00:05:09.412 retirees, and veterans receiving disability checks saw a 2.8 00:05:09.472 --> 00:05:10.332 percent increase. 00:05:10.552 --> 00:05:14.352 However, there is a bit of a disparity here that has people talking. 00:05:14.902 --> 00:05:17.212 While those under the Civil Service Retirement System, 00:05:17.402 --> 00:05:20.122 or CSRS, got the full 2.8 00:05:20.122 --> 00:05:24.342 percent, those under the Federal Employee Retirement System, or FERS, 00:05:24.342 --> 00:05:26.782 are only seeing a 2 percent increase. 00:05:27.332 --> 00:05:31.902 This is due to a law that caps FERS COLAs when inflation is between 2 and 3 percent. 00:05:32.392 --> 00:05:35.462 Groups like the National Treasury Employees Union are pushing for 00:05:35.462 --> 00:05:37.482 the Equal COLA Act to fix this gap. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:40.390 Healthcare is another area seeing major changes. 00:05:40.830 --> 00:05:45.400 The Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, released the 2026 premium rates for 00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:49.380 the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, and the news is a bit tough: 00:05:49.810 --> 00:05:52.290 premiums are up by an average of 10.2 00:05:52.290 --> 00:05:52.820 percent. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:57.340 OPM says this is being driven by the rising cost of care and the 00:05:57.340 --> 00:06:01.800 increased use of expensive prescription drugs, especially GLP-1 medications 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:03.310 for weight loss and diabetes. 00:06:03.704 --> 00:06:07.784 There are also some significant policy shifts in these 2026 plans. 00:06:08.224 --> 00:06:12.494 For instance, coverage for medical or surgical modification of sex traits, 00:06:12.634 --> 00:06:16.254 including gender transition procedures, has been removed for all ages. 00:06:16.664 --> 00:06:20.804 On the other hand, plans are now required to cover FDA-approved HIV PrEP 00:06:20.804 --> 00:06:24.694 drugs and related monitoring with no cost-sharing, and they must provide at 00:06:24.694 --> 00:06:27.414 least one opioid rescue agent at no cost. 00:06:27.803 --> 00:06:31.123 If you are just now transitioning out of the military, pay attention. 00:06:31.663 --> 00:06:36.393 On 22 January 2026, the Defense Health Agency issued a reminder that 00:06:36.393 --> 00:06:38.863 retirement is a "Qualifying Life Event". 00:06:39.353 --> 00:06:44.033 This means you have exactly 90 days from your retirement date to 00:06:44.033 --> 00:06:46.123 enroll in a TRICARE health plan. 00:06:47.113 --> 00:06:50.483 Your coverage does not continue automatically, and if you miss that 00:06:50.483 --> 00:06:52.653 window, your claims could be denied. 00:06:53.123 --> 00:06:56.373 You’ve got options like TRICARE Prime or Select, and if you’re 00:06:56.433 --> 00:07:00.043 eligible for Medicare, you’ll be looking at TRICARE For Life. 00:07:00.311 --> 00:07:04.361 On the tax front, the 2026 filing season is the first to include 00:07:04.361 --> 00:07:07.951 the benefits from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" signed last year. 00:07:08.431 --> 00:07:13.341 This includes a new 6,000-dollar "seniors deduction" for those 65 and older. 00:07:13.911 --> 00:07:17.291 The standard deduction has also increased, which could cut taxes for 00:07:17.291 --> 00:07:20.401 married taxpayers by up to 555 dollars. 00:07:20.794 --> 00:07:23.904 For those still in the workforce or planning their future, the Thrift 00:07:23.904 --> 00:07:29.014 Savings Plan contribution limit has increased to 24,500 dollars for 2026, 00:07:29.394 --> 00:07:32.634 and the IRA limit is up to 7,500 dollars. 00:07:32.934 --> 00:07:36.544 And if you’re thinking about "buying back" your military service time for federal 00:07:36.544 --> 00:07:41.104 retirement credit, the interest rate for that has dropped slightly to 4.25 00:07:41.104 --> 00:07:42.924 percent for 2026. 00:07:43.145 --> 00:07:44.895 Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs 00:07:45.295 --> 00:07:50.215 The goal of the reorganization, which was launched on 15 January 2026, is 00:07:50.215 --> 00:07:54.685 to strip the VHA Central Office of its day-to-day operational duties and let it 00:07:54.685 --> 00:07:57.125 focus on high-level policy and oversight. 00:07:57.795 --> 00:08:00.885 Decision-making power is being pushed down to local hospital 00:08:00.885 --> 00:08:02.465 directors and regional networks. 00:08:02.905 --> 00:08:05.895 Secretary Collins said the current structure is "riddled with 00:08:05.895 --> 00:08:07.805 redundancies" that slow down care. 00:08:08.275 --> 00:08:12.245 This is expected to take 18 to 24 months to fully implement, but the 00:08:12.245 --> 00:08:16.185 VA says it won't result in staff reductions at your local medical centers. 00:08:16.529 --> 00:08:20.439 In another major move, the VA published a ruling on 13 January 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:25.119 2026, that will change how disability benefits are "apportioned". 00:08:25.609 --> 00:08:30.379 Starting on 9 February 2026, the VA will stop making new "need-based" 00:08:30.629 --> 00:08:34.089 apportionments, which is when a portion of a veteran’s check is 00:08:34.089 --> 00:08:35.899 sent directly to a dependent. 00:08:36.449 --> 00:08:39.659 The VA argues that state family courts are better suited to 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.349 handle these financial matters. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.559 They will still allow apportionments in cases where a veteran is incarcerated 00:08:45.649 --> 00:08:49.419 or institutionalized, and those who are already receiving these payments 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:53.079 won't be affected, but no new claims will be granted after the deadline. 00:08:53.315 --> 00:08:55.795 Access to care is also getting a fresh look. 00:08:56.395 --> 00:09:01.535 On 23 January 2026, the VA released a request for proposals for a new round 00:09:01.535 --> 00:09:03.335 of Community Care Network contracts. 00:09:03.895 --> 00:09:07.685 Community care now makes up about 40 percent of all VA medical care, 00:09:08.025 --> 00:09:11.535 and these new contracts are designed to improve quality by letting 00:09:11.535 --> 00:09:15.055 multiple health plans compete for a veteran's business in each region. 00:09:15.451 --> 00:09:19.791 On 20 January 2026, the President signed three important bills into 00:09:19.791 --> 00:09:21.501 law that veterans need to know about. 00:09:22.061 --> 00:09:23.221 First is H.R. 00:09:23.281 --> 00:09:28.571 224, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, which requires that service-connected 00:09:28.601 --> 00:09:33.061 disability compensation be excluded when determining if someone qualifies 00:09:33.061 --> 00:09:35.101 as "low income" for housing support. 00:09:35.661 --> 00:09:36.861 Then there's H.R. 00:09:36.941 --> 00:09:42.191 1823, which requires the VA to report on budget shortfalls, and H.R. 00:09:42.191 --> 00:09:46.811 4446, the FAST VETS Act, which updates how vocational 00:09:46.811 --> 00:09:48.631 rehabilitation plans are developed. 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:52.230 There’s also some exciting legislation moving through the House right now. 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:55.110 Representative Abe Hamadeh introduced H.R. 00:09:55.110 --> 00:09:59.620 7103, the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.450 Act, on 15 January 2026. 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:06.980 This bill would expand the VET TEC program to include training in high-growth 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:10.600 fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. 00:10:11.090 --> 00:10:13.690 Meanwhile, Representative Nancy Mace’s H.R. 00:10:13.690 --> 00:10:18.460 6755, the Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act, aims to give the VA 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:23.080 Secretary more flexibility to hire outside experts for senior roles and hold 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.860 leadership accountable for performance. 00:10:25.167 --> 00:10:28.197 Financially, the VA is in a strong position for the coming year. 00:10:28.717 --> 00:10:33.437 The Consolidated Appropriations Act, which we mentioned earlier, provides 115 billion 00:10:33.437 --> 00:10:36.627 dollars for VA medical care—that’s 2.3 00:10:36.627 --> 00:10:38.267 billion dollars more than last year. 00:10:38.637 --> 00:10:40.417 It also includes 52.7 00:10:40.417 --> 00:10:43.797 billion dollars for the Toxic Exposures Fund to support veterans affected 00:10:43.797 --> 00:10:45.487 by burn pits under the PACT Act. 00:10:46.037 --> 00:10:50.297 There’s also 342 million dollars specifically for rural health to improve 00:10:50.297 --> 00:10:52.347 access to transportation and telehealth. 00:10:52.789 --> 00:10:54.379 And that's your Weekly Briefing. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.659 Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:01.019 your retirement, and your benefits. 00:11:01.347 --> 00:11:02.267 Thank you for tuning in. 00:11:02.717 --> 00:11:06.437 Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. 00:11:06.907 --> 00:11:09.957 We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most 00:11:09.957 --> 00:11:11.827 to the military and veteran community.