Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 19-25 October 2025, 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.
Weâll 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.
Hereâs whatâs happened this past week.
Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
The most pressing issue for active duty and reserve forces between October
eighteenth and October twenty-fifth was the financial uncertainty created by the
prolonged federal government shutdown, which commenced on October first due to a
failure in congressional appropriations.
The Government Shutdown, Executive Authority, and Pay Stability
The primary concern was the rapidly approaching financial
cliff for military personnel.
Although the Trump administration had previously intervened to cover
the October fifteenth pay date, this stopgap measure relied on the
controversial repurposing of Department of Defense funds, and the protection
it offered was nearing its expiration.
The Looming Threat of Missed Compensation
Analysts warned that without congressional action, October thirty-first, two
thousand twenty-five, represented the projected date when members across
all military branches would miss a paycheck for the first time in
history due to a government shutdown.
The scope of the population affected included approximately 1.3
million active-duty personnel and more than 750,000 National Guard
and reserve personnel who were required to continue serving without
guaranteed immediate compensation.
Crucially, while the media spotlight focused intensely on active-duty
military pay, the financial uncertainty was already acute for other critical
components of the defense apparatus.
Roughly 730,000 federal employees, many of whom are essential DoD and VA civilian
workers, were required to report to duty as "excepted" personnel, but without pay.
For many civilian employees, the first pay date resulting in zero pay had already
occurred on October twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty-five, severely impacting
the local economies and military communities that rely on these wages.
Furthermore, reserve component personnel often rely on military drill pay to
supplement civilian income, making the uncertainty surrounding continued
compensation particularly disruptive for their ability to maintain operational
readiness and financial stability.
Legal Controversy over Executive Funding Maneuvers
The administrationâs previous action to fund active-duty pay for the mid-October
cycle involved repurposing a reported $8 billion in Department of Defense
research and development (R&D) funds.
This unilateral decision, while intended to alleviate immediate
hardship for service members, generated widespread legal condemnation.
Experts specializing in the separation of powers argued that this action was
taken without any specific congressional authorization for troop payment for the
new fiscal year, constituting a breach of fundamental federal appropriations law.
Legal scholars characterized the move as a highly significant
encroachment upon Congress's constitutional "power of the purse".
The repurposing of R&D funds for salary payments was explicitly called "super
duper duper illegal" by critics, who cited violations of the Antideficiency Act.
This violation occurs when funds appropriated by Congress for one
specified purpose (such as R&D) are used for another unauthorized
purpose (such as compensation).
The significant danger cited by legal analysts is not merely the technical
violation, but the dangerous precedent it establishes: if the executive branch can
unilaterally reallocate funding to cover military pay during a budget lapse, it
weakens congressional oversight and could set the stage for future presidents to
fund other controversial decisions without legislative approval, including the
domestic deployment of military forces.
Adding another layer of complexity to the funding solution, the Pentagon
confirmed during this period that it accepted a contribution of $130
million from a reclusive billionaire identified as Timothy Mellon, accepted
under the DoD's general gift acceptance authority, intended to further supplement
military pay during the shutdown.
This blending of executive action, repurposed defense appropriations,
and private philanthropy underscored the unique depth of the fiscal crisis
confronting the military community.
Compensation Outlook: The 2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
Amidst the fiscal uncertainty of the shutdown, the Department of Defense
delivered clarity regarding future compensation by formally releasing
the two thousand twenty-five Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates.
The DoD announced that the two thousand twenty-five BAH rates are scheduled
to increase by an average of 5.4
percent nationwide, with the new rates taking effect on January
first, two thousand twenty-five.
This adjustment is projected to distribute an estimated $29.2
billion to approximately one million Service members.
This figure represents a robust effort to align housing allowances with
prevailing market costs, which have risen significantly across the country.
The BAH rate-setting process is comprehensive, relying on the
analysis of 299 military housing areas (including Alaska and Hawaii).
The computation integrates data from diverse sources, including the U.S.
Census Bureau survey data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer
Price Index, commercial rental cost databases, and direct input from local
military installation housing offices.
This rigorous methodology ensures that median market rents and average utility
costs (covering electricity, heat, and water/sewer) are accurately factored
into the housing costs determined for six different housing profiles based on
dwelling type and number of bedrooms.
It is important for service members to recognize that despite
the significant average increase in BAH, the DoD maintained the
established five percent national average housing cost-sharing element.
This means that service members must continue to contribute a portion of
their housing costs out of pocket.
For the two thousand twenty-five rates, these required monthly contributions
vary by pay grade and dependency status, ranging from $90 to $202.
This sustained cost-sharing element means that the allowance, though
generous and necessary, does not fully cover 100 percent of housing costs
for all service members, requiring careful personal financial planning.
Legislative Action and Geopolitical Context
Congressional activities during this week focused both on
immediate fiscal stabilization and long-term defense planning.
Addressing Funding Instability: The Shutdown Fairness Act (S.3012)
Senate Bill S.3012,
known as the Shutdown Fairness Act, was identified as
active in the 119th Congress.
This bill is intended to provide legislative certainty to the
compensation crisis experienced in October two thousand twenty-five.
If enacted, S.3012
would ensure that all federal employees, encompassing active duty, reserve
military personnel, and civilian federal staff, receive full pay and back pay
for any time worked or furloughed during future government shutdowns.
This legislation directly targets the uncertainty plaguing the
workforce and aims to prevent future military families from facing
the threat of missed paychecks.
Senate Bill S.2296,
the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, continues to
advance through the legislative process.
The NDAA is the crucial annual legislation that sets the policy and
budgetary framework for the entire Department of Defense, including
personnel compensation, healthcare benefits, and deployment authorities.
Its eventual passage is mandatory for ensuring military readiness
and guaranteeing the scheduled pay raises and benefit structures for
active duty and reserve personnel in the upcoming fiscal year.
The necessity of passing a fully funded NDAA (S.2296)
is underscored by global security assessments.
Research confirmed during this period that the Russian Ministry
of Defense is significantly scaling up its missile procurement programs
despite Western sanctions targeting its defense industrial base.
Procurement documents indicated orders for hundreds of advanced cruise and ballistic
missiles, including 303 Iskander-K cruise missiles and 450 Kalibr sea-launched
cruise missiles, scheduled for delivery through two thousand twenty-seven.
This aggressive domestic production capacity, coupled with the observed
use of weapons systems like the Lancet loitering munition against Ukrainian
unmanned surface vehicles in the Black Sea, necessitates sustained US military
modernization and robust funding to maintain deterrence and global stability.
The continued provision of high-value systems, such as the Patriot air
defense platform to allies like Ukraine, remains a critical requirement
driven by this geopolitical reality.
Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
The Two Thousand Twenty-Five Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
Military retirees are scheduled to receive a statutory Cost of Living Adjustment
(COLA) for two thousand twenty-five, designed to offset inflationary pressures.
This adjustment translates to an increase of $25 for every $1,000 of military
retirement pension received each month.
This mandatory COLA is also extended to survivors receiving payments
through the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), ensuring their financial
stability is similarly protected.
An important detail for those recently separating from service is the prorated
nature of the COLA for those who retired in two thousand twenty-four.
Their adjustment in two thousand twenty-five will be reduced based
on the specific calendar quarter (January-March, April-June, etc.)
in which they retired, which may also be modified based on
their entry date into service and their selected retirement plan.
This annual COLA provides essential financial certainty, acting as a
vital fiscal anchor against economic instability for fixed-income retirees.
The legislative attempt to stabilize federal operations, the
Shutdown Fairness Act (S.3012),
holds importance for retired personnel as well.
Although the billâs most immediate impact addresses
active pay, the passage of S.3012
would inherently reinforce the security of all federally administered annuities and
pensions, including military retired pay.
By legally mandating continuous and prompt compensation during future appropriations
lapses, the bill acts as a protective layer, mitigating the risk of bureaucratic
processing delays or interruptions to benefit dispersion, thereby guaranteeing
the flow of established retirement income.
This legislative effort validates the principle that earned benefits should
not be susceptible to political gridlock.
Navigating Healthcare Transitions: TRICARE Changes
Service members transitioning out of active duty and into military retirement
in two thousand twenty-five must undertake comprehensive healthcare planning to
avoid substantial gaps in coverage.
Critical Loss of Benefits
The shift from active-duty status to retiree status results in the
immediate termination of several important TRICARE benefits.
Retirees must be prepared for the loss of the Extended Care Health
Option (ECHO), a crucial resource for family members with special needs.
The loss of this benefit can create immediate financial and logistical stress
for families relying on specialized care.
Furthermore, routine hearing aids and hearing aid services cease under standard
retiree TRICARE coverage, although alternatives are available through the
Department of Veterans Affairs or the Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program.
Similarly, access to chiropractic care through military hospitals
or clinics ends upon retirement.
Routine eye exams are also discontinued unless the retiree opts for TRICARE
Prime or proactively enrolls in the Federal Employees Dental and
Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
These necessary transitions emphasize that military retirement, while
signifying a new chapter, demands careful administrative preparation, including
keeping current information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
(DEERS) to ensure continuity of coverage through available alternative programs.
Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was focused on executing historic
policy expansion and adopting new technology, offering substantial
relief and modernization for disabled veterans and their caregivers.
The two thousand twenty-five updates to the Sergeant First Class Heath
Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics
(PACT) Act represent a monumental commitment to toxic-exposed veterans.
The most critical announcement involves the addition of 23 new presumptive
conditions that automatically qualify veterans for compensation benefits.
This comprehensive expansion addresses a wide spectrum of severe illnesses,
including several cancers that were previously difficult to link definitively
to service, various respiratory illnesses, specific neurological conditions,
and certain autoimmune disorders.
This simultaneous addition of 23 conditions constitutes a fundamental
shift in the claims process.
Veterans who served in specific, designated locations during certain
time periods are now legally presumed to have been exposed to toxic substances,
thereby eliminating the immense burden of proof that historically forced
veterans into "exhausting battles" to establish service connection.
This lowered threshold means that thousands of previously denied claims
can now be successfully reconsidered and approved, finally translating
policy reform into tangible justice.
Financial Relief, Family Support, and Implementation Timeline
The VA has outlined a clear schedule for implementing these two thousand
twenty-five PACT Act expansions.
Crucially, the process for retroactive payment processing is scheduled to
commence in July two thousand twenty-five.
This is intended to provide compensation dating back to the
veteranâs original claim date for those whose illnesses were previously
denied but are now deemed presumptive.
Furthermore, the two thousand twenty-five updates recognize the
sacrifices of military families by expanding benefits to include enhanced
caregiver support and new educational benefits for dependents of veterans
who have service-connected conditions.
The VA is supporting this rapid benefit expansion with significant
infrastructure commitments.
To manage the anticipated surge in claims and healthcare needs, the VA
is committed to hiring over 2,000 new healthcare providers dedicated
specifically to PACT Act cases.
This demonstrates a systemic dedication to increasing long-term
capacity, ensuring that the legal expansion of eligibility translates
effectively into timely healthcare access and compensation distribution.
The implementation timeline is phased throughout the year: initial expansion
of presumptive conditions begins in January two thousand twenty-five; new
application processing systems launch in March two thousand twenty-five;
expanded eligibility requirements are phased in between April and June
two thousand twenty-five; retroactive payments begin in July two thousand
twenty-five; the complete deployment of new healthcare provider teams is set for
September two thousand twenty-five; and the final phase of benefit expansions
is scheduled to be fully implemented by December two thousand twenty-five.
Technological Advancement in Veteran Healthcare Delivery
The VA demonstrated its commitment to modernizing healthcare delivery,
especially in underserved regions, with the introduction of new mobile technology.
On October twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty-five, the VA announced
the implementation of the Oracle Health Community Care app, which
was formerly known as Mobile Care.
This application is designed specifically to support Home-Based Primary Care
(HBPC) teams that serve veterans in remote or rural areas where internet
connectivity is frequently unreliable.
The app provides HBPC staff with a secure, read-only mobile capability that
allows them to access critical patient information in an offline environment.
This vital data includes documentation, current orders, medications,
labs, and comprehensive histories.
This technological enhancement dramatically improves the
efficiency and consistency of care.
Previously, HBPC staff were forced to rely on cumbersome workflows involving
logging into laptops, connecting to hotspots, and accessing virtual private
networks (VPNs) to reach patient records.
Now, staff can open patient charts directly at the point of care,
which saves significant time and reduces clinical disruptions.
Furthermore, the app improves data security by eliminating the need for
staff to print out sensitive patient charts or take handwritten notes, reducing
the risk of data loss or mishandling.
By making health information visible to veterans on the device during
visits, the app also supports stronger engagement, helping veterans better
understand trends in their health and the importance of their treatment plans.
Policy Oversight and Defense of Entitlements
Congressional oversight of the VA remained active during this period, focusing on
protecting veteransâ access to earned benefits and maintaining policy integrity.
Ranking Member Takano publicly criticized a media series that he argued unjustly
"scapegoated" veterans who were collecting "long overdue" benefits, emphasizing that
the focus should remain on delivering compensation to those who have earned it.
Furthermore, political scrutiny was applied to administrative proposals
that were perceived as discriminatory.
Ranking Member Takano and other Healthcare Practitioners from the
House Committee on Veteransâ Affairs (HVAC) publicly contested potential
moves by the Trump VA that might discriminate against veterans based on
marital status or political viewpoints.
Such actions emphasize the ongoing need for robust legislative defense
of the principles of equal access and non-discrimination within the VA system.
The legislative and oversight process is essential to ensuring that policy shifts
maintain data transparency and fairness for all veterans and their families.
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.
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Weâll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most
to the military and veteran community.