Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 23-29 November 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
Institutional Transformation: The Return of the Department of War
The week of 23 November 2025 also served as a major implementation phase for
Executive Order 14347, which formally restored the Department of Defense's
historic moniker: the Department of War.
Symbolic and Doctrinal Shift
President Trump signed Executive Order 14347 on 05 September 2025,
but the material changes accelerated during this reporting period.
The Executive Order explicitly states that the name "Department of War" is
chosen to "sharpen the Department's focus on our own national interest"
and demonstrate a "willingness to wage war" rather than merely defend.
This is not a semantic change but a doctrinal one.
It signals a move away from the "stabilization and reconstruction"
mindset that characterized the post-9/11 era toward a focus on
lethality and decisive victory.
For active duty officers and senior NCOs, this shift is manifesting
in revised training guidance that prioritizes offensive operations and
high-intensity conflict capabilities.
During this week, physical changes to the Pentagon became visible, with new bronze
signage bearing "United States Department of War" installed at key entrances.
The digital transition also advanced, with the primary web
domain shifting to war.gov.
Internal estimates reported during the week suggest the total cost of this
rebranding could reach $2 billion.
This figure encompasses: Replacement of signage at thousands of installations
globally, Updating digital infrastructure and cybersecurity certificates for
the new domain, and reprinting of official stationery, identification
cards, and doctrinal publications.
Critics argue these funds would be better spent on readiness or personnel
welfare, while proponents view it as a necessary investment in restoring the
martial culture of the armed forces.
Legislative Analysis: Bills Affecting Active Duty Personnel
The legislative landscape this week was characterized by maneuvering
around the appropriations deadline to prevent a government shutdown.
H.R.
5371, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 passed
the House and Senate this week.
This bill is essential for preventing a government shutdown by extending funding.
Its most critical impact for active duty and reserve personnel is ensuring
that active duty pay and operational funds continue without interruption.
The legislation explicitly prioritizes "entitlements and other mandatory
payments," which effectively insulates military pay from political gridlock.
H.R.
6326, the Accelerating Access to SCIFs Act, was introduced on 28 November 2025.
This bill aims to speed up the accreditation of Sensitive Compartmented
Information Facilities (SCIFs).
For intelligence officers and units working with industry, this
addresses a significant bottleneck in accessing classified workspaces,
potentially accelerating the deployment of new technologies.
H.R.
6325 was also introduced on 28 November 2025 and referred to the
House Armed Services Committee.
While the full text is emerging, it requires the Secretary of
Defense to report on the use of other transaction authority.
Its introduction alongside SCIF reform suggests a package of defense
industrial base reforms aimed at agility.
Analysis: The passage of H.R.
5371 was the most immediate concern.
Without it, the Department of War would have faced a shutdown crisis
immediately following the holiday.
Meanwhile, H.R.
6326 reflects the department's frustration with its own security bureaucracy,
attempting to legislate efficiency where administrative policy has failed.
Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
Referral and Authorization "Cliff"
Another critical detail highlighted this week is the expiration of referrals.
Any referrals or pre-authorizations issued by the outgoing contractor
(Health Net) that have expiration dates after 30 September 2025 are
no longer valid under TriWest.
A retiree receiving ongoing care (e.g.,
physical therapy, chemotherapy) with a Health Net referral must obtain
a new referral from their provider that is processed by TriWest to
ensure coverage continues into 2026.
Ignoring this will result in Point-of-Service charges, which
can be substantial (usually 50% of the billed amount).
TRICARE and FEDVIP Open Season
Concurrently, the annual Open Season is in full swing, running from 10
November 2025 to 09 December 2025.
This is the sole window for retirees to switch between TRICARE Prime (managed
care, lower out-of-pocket, restricted network) and TRICARE Select (PPO style,
higher deductibles, freedom of choice).
Retirees must also manage their dental and vision coverage through
the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Unlike medical, dental coverage is not automatic.
The Open Season for FEDVIP closes one day earlier, on 08 December 2025.
The Defense Health Agency released the 2026 pharmacy copayment
schedule during this period.
Copayments for brand-name drugs at retail pharmacies and via Home
Delivery will increase by $1 to $9.
Costs for generic drugs at network pharmacies remain unchanged.
This pricing structure is designed to aggressively steer retirees toward generic
equivalents and the Home Delivery system.
Financial Outlook: Pay and Taxes
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issued several
updates crucial for retiree financial planning as the year concludes.
Retirees can plan for a 2.8%
Cost of Living Adjustment effectively starting 01 December 2025.
This figure is derived from the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W)
from the third quarter of 2025.
While lower than the inflationary spikes of previous years, it represents
a stabilization of purchasing power.
The increase will first appear in the check received on 31 December 2025.
December Pay Schedule Anomaly
Retirees must be aware of the pay calendar quirk for December 2025 to
avoid liquidity issues in January.
November Entitlement will be paid on 01 December 2025.
December Entitlement will be paid on 31 December 2025.
January Entitlement will not be paid until 01 February 2026
(or the closest business day).
Retirees will receive two payments in the calendar month of December 2025
and zero payments in January 2026.
Budgeting for this 30+ day gap is essential, particularly for those with
mortgages or rent due on 01 January.
Tax Statement Availability
The schedule for 2025 tax forms (1099-R) was finalized with t h
e online (myPay) will be available starting 17 December 2025.
Paper copies will not be mailed until mid-to-late January 2026.
DFAS will not process requests for lost 1099-Rs until 10 February 2026.
This policy underscores the department's push to move all retirees
to the digital myPay platform.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
The SBP continues to be a pillar of security for military families.
The 2.8%
COLA also applies to SBP annuities.
However, annuitants (survivors) operate on a slightly different pay schedule.
Their increased payment will arrive on 02 January 2026 (the
first business day of the month).
Unlike TRICARE, there is no annual "Open Season" for SBP.
Enrollment is generally a one-time decision at retirement.
However, retirees in their 25th to 36th month of retirement have
a statutory window to discontinue coverage if they choose, though
this requires spousal concurrence.
Legislative Analysis: Bills Affecting Retirees
H.R.
6321, the Lung Cancer Biomarker Testing Act, was introduced on 28 November 2025.
This bill amends the Social Security Act to mandate Medicare coverage
for lung cancer biomarker testing.
This legislation is vital for retirees over 65 who are TRICARE
for Life and Medicare eligible, particularly those who may have
had toxic exposures during service.
Early biomarker testing allows for precision medicine treatments.
Analysis: H.R.
6321 represents a bridge between civilian healthcare innovation and veteran needs.
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of death for the Vietnam
and Gulf War generations.
By mandating Medicare coverage for biomarker testing, this bill ensures that
retirees using TRICARE for Life can access state-of-the-art diagnostic tools without
facing claim denials, aligning their care with the latest oncological standards.
Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
Operational Reform: The CHAMPVA Breakthrough
The most significant positive development for disabled veterans and their families
was the announcement on 24 November 2025 regarding the Civilian Health
and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).
CHAMPVA provides health coverage to the spouses and children of veterans who
are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability.
For years, the program was plagued by a backlog exceeding 70,000
applications, with processing times stretching over five months.
Secretary Collins announced that the application backlog
has been reduced to zero.
New applications are now processed within days.
This was achieved through a "surge" strategy that combined mandatory
overtime for processors with the deployment of a new automated optical
character recognition (OCR) system that digitizes paper applications instantly.
For the families of disabled veterans, this means immediate access to
healthcare coverage rather than months of financial uncertainty.
The backlog of appeals was also reduced from 20,000 to under 1,000.
Workforce Restructuring: Union Contract Termination
In a move that has sparked outrage among labor organizations, the VA
formally terminated its collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the
unions representing its workforce.
Effective immediately during this reporting week, the VA voided contracts
with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National
Nurses United (NNU), and others, affecting over 350,000 employees.
The administration invoked Executive Order 14251, which reclassifies the
VA as a national security agency.
This designation allows the Secretary to exempt the agency from the Federal Service
Labor-Management Relations Statute.
Rationale: Secretary Collins argued that the existing union
contracts protected underperforming employees and created bureaucratic
hurdles that delayed veteran care.
The move is framed as "redirecting millions in wasteful union
spending back to Veterans".
AFGE President Everett Kelley condemned the action as "illegal retaliation"
for the union's opposition to proposed facility closures and staffing cuts
(the "AIR Commission" recommendations).
The unions warn that stripping protections will silence whistleblowers
who report patient safety issues, ultimately harming veterans.
Elimination of DEI Offices
Concurrently, the VA announced the dismantling of its Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) infrastructure, cancelling $14 million in associated spending.
The administration asserts that these offices fostered division and that the VA
will return to a "colorblind" meritocracy focused solely on clinical outcomes.
Legislative Analysis: Bills Affecting Veterans
Several bills advanced this week that address specific gaps
in veteran care and benefits.
S.
423, the PRO Veterans Act of 2025, passed the Senate in April
and is pending House action.
This bill focuses on retaining top-tier medical talent at the VA by
authorizing "critical skill incentives" (bonuses) for senior clinicians.
It includes strict oversight to ensure these funds go to
providers, not administrators.
H.R.
1458 saw a CBO estimate released this week.
The bill modifies GI Bill contributions and independent study rules.
The CBO estimates this will increase long-term direct spending but improve
access to education for veterans pursuing non-traditional degrees.
The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act was
championed by the Military Order of the Purple Heart this week.
It seeks to expand benefits for the caregivers of catastrophically
injured veterans, addressing gaps in the current Caregiver Support Program
for families providing 24/7 care.
H.R.
6321, the Lung Cancer Biomarker Testing Act, was introduced on 28 November 2025.
While primarily a Medicare bill, it directly impacts elderly veterans.
It mandates coverage for biomarker testing, crucial for veterans
with service-connected respiratory cancers who rely on dual-eligibility
(VA/Medicare) for care.
Analysis: S.
423 is a critical piece of the puzzle for the VA's workforce strategy.
As the agency sheds union contracts, it is simultaneously seeking statutory authority
to pay higher bonuses to retain doctors, attempting to shift from a tenure-based
model to a performance-based one.
Meanwhile, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Act highlights the
continued struggle of caregivers who often fall through the cracks of
the VA's complex eligibility rules.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart's strong endorsement this week
signals a push to get this passed before the end of the legislative session.
And that's your weekly briefing.
Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career,
your retirement, and your benefits.
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to the military and veteran community.