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Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly
for 7 - 13 September 2025, your essential

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guide to the latest news impacting
the military and veteran community.

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Whether you're currently serving in
uniform, a military retiree, a veteran,

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or a family member, this is your source
for the critical updates you need to know.

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Each week, we cut through the noise to
bring you the most important developments

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from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and
the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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We’ll cover everything from new
policies and pay raises affecting

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active and reserve forces, to changes
in healthcare and benefits for

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retirees, and the latest on VA services
and legislation for our veterans.

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Let's get you informed.

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Here’s what’s happened this past week.

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Issues That Affect Active and
Reserve Military Personnel

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Legislative and Policy Developments

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On September 10, 2025, the House of
Representatives passed its version

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of the Fiscal Year 2026 National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R.

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3838, by a vote of 231 to 196.

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The legislation, formally titled the
“Streamlining Procurement for Effective

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Execution and Delivery and National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal

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Year 2026,” includes a significant 3.8%

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pay raise for all military
members, which is slated to become

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effective on January 1, 2026.

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This increase is consistent with
the budget proposal submitted by

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the White House earlier in the year.

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The passage of the House bill,
however, was not without controversy.

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While the legislation contained bipartisan
agreements, such as a renewal of security

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aid for Ukraine, it also included several
amendments that alienated many Democrats.

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These contentious, largely party-line
provisions include a prohibition

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on TRICARE from covering gender
transition care and the repeal of

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the 2002 and 1991 authorizations
for the use of military force.

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Democratic criticism was particularly
vocal after the Republican-led House

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Rules Committee denied votes on a slate
of amendments that sought to address

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concerns about the administration's
politicization of the military.

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The inclusion of these highly
divisive amendments in a bill that

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has historically been a model of
bipartisan cooperation indicates

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that fundamental aspects of military
service are becoming battlegrounds

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for broader political agendas.

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This trend, where deeply personal
and social issues are woven into core

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defense legislation, could present
challenges for recruitment and retention,

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particularly as it may discourage service
members who value a more inclusive

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and less politicized environment.

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A separate, bipartisan effort
focused on military family welfare

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also gained traction this week.

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On September 12, 2025, U.S.

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Congressman Blake Moore announced
his support for a bipartisan,

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bicameral bill aimed at reducing food
insecurity among military families.

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The legislation, known as the Military
Food Security Act, would ensure military

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families have better access to affordable,
healthy food by excluding the Basic

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Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the
income calculations used to determine

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eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance.

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The legislation's sponsors argue that
many service members and their families,

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particularly junior enlisted personnel,
struggle to afford groceries due to

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outdated rules that fail to account for
the real financial challenges they face.

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This initiative is a practical,
non-ideological effort to address

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a persistent quality-of-life issue
that directly impacts readiness and

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morale by alleviating the financial
stress on junior enlisted families.

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The executive branch also made a
significant, if symbolic, move.

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On September 5, 2025, President Donald J.

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Trump signed an Executive Order
titled "Restoring the United

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States Department of War".

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The order authorizes the use of
"Department of War" as a secondary

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title for the Department of Defense and
"Secretary of War" for the Secretary

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of Defense in non-statutory contexts,
such as official correspondence

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and public communications.

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The order's stated purpose is to project
an image of strength and resolve,

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demonstrating a willingness to "fight and
win wars" to secure national interests.

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While the order directs the Secretary
of War to submit a recommendation

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for a permanent legislative name
change within 60 days, it explicitly

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states that statutory references to
the Department of Defense will remain

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controlling until changed by law.

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The order is a powerful symbolic
gesture meant to reframe the military's

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mission in the public consciousness,
but it lacks the statutory authority

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to effect a legal name change.

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The contrasting approaches
of the House NDAA (H.R.

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3838) with its tangible, if controversial,
policy changes, and the executive

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order's focus on messaging and symbolic
action, illustrate a bifurcated

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approach to military governance.

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Readiness and Operations News

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In a move to incentivize high-level
physical fitness, the Army has published

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a new directive that exempts soldiers
who score 465 points or more on the

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new Army Fitness Test (AFT) from
the service's body fat standards.

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To qualify for the exemption, soldiers
must score at least 80 points in

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each of the test's five events, and
no alternative events are permitted.

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This policy, which is effective
immediately and applies to all Army

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components, is a continuation of a
prior initiative under the former Army

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Combat Fitness Test and is intended
to reward performance and promote

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a culture of health and readiness.

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The new policy shifts the focus
from strict, sometimes arbitrary,

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body composition metrics
to a reward system based on

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demonstrated physical performance.

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This indicates a broader trend in military
policy that values demonstrable excellence

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over compliance with cosmetic standards.

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The U.S.

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Navy Reserve's Cyber Warfare Technicians
(CWT) and Maritime Cyber Warfare

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Officers (MCWO) are playing a critical
role in integrating cyber operations

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into the Operational Level of War
(OLW), seamlessly bridging the gap

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between strategic cyber capabilities
and tactical warfighting objectives.

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A press release from September 11,
2025, highlighted the Navy's strategic

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investment in this area, acknowledging
cyberspace as a decisive domain.

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By cultivating and deploying highly
trained CWTs and MCWOs, the Navy

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aims to project influence and defend
critical infrastructure in both

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physical and digital environments.

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The Navy's emphasis on a robust cyber
security Reserve Force highlights its

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commitment to maintaining operational
superiority in the face of escalating

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global tensions and increasingly
sophisticated adversary tactics.

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This focus on developing specialized
skills shows a recognition that

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modern warfare requires a highly
technical, adaptable force capable of

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operating effectively in all domains.

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New military hardware and technology are
also in development to enhance readiness.

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The Army is preparing to field a
new Launched Effects system across

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all divisions by the end of 2026,
with soldiers already participating

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in a special user demonstration for
short-range capabilities at Joint

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Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

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Meanwhile, the Marine Corps is seeking
new radar systems to pair with its

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mobile air defense capabilities,
the Marine Air Defense Integrated

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System (MADIS) and Light-MADIS.

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The desired radar is intended to detect
and track drones and manned aircraft, must

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have a technology readiness level of eight
or higher, and should not exceed $1.5

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million per unit.

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These developments in both
technology and policy demonstrate

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a clear military-wide commitment
to modernization and adaptation.

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Issues That Affect
Retired Military Personnel

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Federal and Military Retirement Matters

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Federal employees are nearing a critical
administrative deadline for the Deferred

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Resignation Program, with a final
resignation date of September 30, 2025.

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The program, which has been the subject
of legal challenges, allows eligible

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employees to submit a deferred resignation
letter in exchange for paid administrative

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leave until the end of the period.

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Employees who are eligible for normal or
early retirement before or on this date

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can still accept the deferred resignation
offer, and their retirement election

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will override the deferred resignation.

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These employees will continue to accrue
retirement benefits and service credit

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during the period of administrative leave.

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This program was designed to
facilitate "workforce restructuring

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and realignment efforts" to create
a "leaner, less expensive, less

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wasteful" federal workforce.

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However, the looming deadline could
place significant strain on the Office

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of Personnel Management (OPM), which
is already dealing with a backlog

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of federal retirement applications.

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In August alone, OPM saw 9,416 employees
file for retirement, indicating that

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the new policy could exacerbate an
existing administrative challenge.

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Financial projections for 2026
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) were

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also a major topic of interest this week.

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Based on the August 2025 Consumer Price
Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical

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Workers (CPI-W), the projected 2026 COLAs
for federal civilian retirees are 2.8%

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for the Civil Service Retirement
System (CSRS) and 2.0%

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for the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS).

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These projections are calculated
based on the increase in the average

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CPI-W between the third quarter of
2024 and the third quarter of 2025.

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The final COLA calculation will be
confirmed in October 2025, following

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the release of the September CPI-W data.

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These figures, while a measure
of relief, are based on a

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past inflationary environment.

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The fact that the final numbers are
determined in October and do not take

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effect until January 2026 means retirees
on a fixed income will have absorbed

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the full cost of inflation throughout
2025 without a commensurate adjustment.

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This illustrates a fundamental aspect
of the COLA system, which lags behind

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real-time economic conditions and can
place a financial burden on retirees

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during periods of rapid inflation.

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Healthcare and Benefits Updates

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TRICARE beneficiaries in the West
Region received a crucial reminder

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about the impending expiration of their
primary care manager referral waiver.

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As of September 8, 2025, beneficiaries
were notified that if they are seeing

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a specialist through the referral
waiver process, their care under that

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waiver will end on September 30, 2025.

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To avoid out-of-pocket costs and
point-of-service fees, beneficiaries

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must obtain a new referral from their
primary care manager to a network

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specialist, effective October 1, 2025.

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This reminder is particularly relevant for
beneficiaries in the six states—Arkansas,

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Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas,
and Wisconsin—that moved from the

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East to the West Region on January
1, 2025, and now fall under the new

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contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

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This administrative change requires
proactive management from beneficiaries

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and serves as a significant
example of how a failure to follow

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administrative guidance can lead
to unexpected financial burdens.

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Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs

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Legislative and Claims Processing Reforms

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Several key bills were active in
Congress this week, signaling a

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continued focus on veterans' issues.

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The Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee received two new

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bills on September 9, 2025: S.B.

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2737, which would require the
VA to implement a pilot program

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for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
for certain veterans, and S.B.

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2698, which seeks to reinstate Post-9/11
Educational Assistance for victims of

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sexual assault or domestic violence.

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In the House, new bills were
also introduced, including H.B.

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5203 on September 8, 2025,
which directs the VA to update

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directives on the management of
acute sexual assault, and H.B.

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5277 on September 10, 2025, which
aims to increase payments for

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transporting veterans to VA facilities.

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These legislative efforts demonstrate
a granular, issue-specific approach to

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veterans' care, addressing particular and
often niche problems faced by different

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segments of the veteran population.

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Beyond new bills, a significant
piece of legislation, the "Putting

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Veterans First Act of 2025" (S.1068),

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continues to advance.

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Introduced in the Senate on March 13,
2025, the bill aims to provide substantial

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protections for veterans and military
families who are federal employees.

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The bill's provisions include
limitations on hiring freezes at the

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VA and restrictions on closing VA
offices or changing telework policies

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without extensive prior notice.

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A particularly notable provision
would nullify any removal, demotion,

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or suspension of a veteran, military
spouse, caregiver, or reserve member

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from a civil service position that
occurred after January 20, 2025, with

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retroactive benefits and back pay.

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The bill also prohibits the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs from concurrently serving

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as the head of another federal agency,
whether on a permanent or acting basis.

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This comprehensive bill is part of
a broader, multi-pronged legislative

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strategy to support veterans by
protecting their employment rights

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and ensuring the stability of the VA.

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The VA announced a major administrative
achievement this week, having

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processed more disability and pension
ratings claims in fiscal year 2025

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than ever before, surpassing its
FY24 record nearly two months early.

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As of August 8, 2025, the VA had
issued 2,524,115 claims, a remarkable

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feat given that receipts were 10%
higher than the previous year.

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The VA has processed claims 17.8%

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faster in FY25 than in FY24, and
the backlog of veterans waiting

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for benefits has dropped by more
than 37% since January 20, 2025.

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These improvements are the direct result
of strategic policy changes, including

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the implementation of artificial
intelligence tools to accelerate claims

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processing and the expansion of weekend
and evening hours at regional offices.

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The VA's success in streamlining this
bureaucratic process demonstrates that

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strategic investment in technology and
human resources can lead to tangible,

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positive outcomes for veterans.

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Veteran Healthcare and
Benefit Enhancements

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Veterans with service-connected
disabilities can expect a boost

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in their monthly compensation.

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The 2025 VA disability compensation
rates have increased by 2.5%

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due to a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).

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For example, a veteran with a 100%
disability rating now receives a

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base monthly payment of $3,737.85,

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up from $3,652.83

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in 2024.

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Veterans with a spouse and two children at
the 100% rating can receive up to $4,196

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per month, all of which is tax-free.

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These payments, which for September
2025 were distributed on September 30,

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provide crucial financial stability
for veterans and their families.

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The VA has also made significant
improvements to the claims process

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by adding several new conditions
to its presumptive list for 2025.

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This change streamlines the process for
veterans who were exposed to burn pits

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and contaminated water, allowing them to
receive disability compensation without

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needing extensive medical evidence.

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Respiratory conditions and rare
lung diseases are now eligible for

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expedited processing for burn pit
exposure, while veterans exposed to

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contaminated water at military bases
can now file claims for kidney cancer,

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liver cancer, and multiple sclerosis
with a streamlined approval process.

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This proactive approach by the VA
demonstrates a clear commitment

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to addressing the long-term health
consequences of military service

00:15:16.969 --> 00:15:20.629
and reducing the burden on veterans
to prove their service connection.

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Healthcare access and education
benefits also saw enhancements.

00:15:25.223 --> 00:15:28.453
The VA has implemented major
improvements to healthcare access,

00:15:28.703 --> 00:15:33.003
including the expansion of its formulary
with over 200 new medications for

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conditions ranging from migraines
to advanced cancer therapies.

00:15:36.983 --> 00:15:40.203
New mobile medical units have also
been deployed to provide direct care

00:15:40.203 --> 00:15:42.193
to veterans experiencing homelessness.

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On the education front, the Senator
Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans

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Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
of 2025 brought significant changes,

00:15:51.413 --> 00:15:54.743
including a temporary expansion of
the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John

00:15:54.743 --> 00:15:58.743
David Fry Scholarship and the payment
of a full monthly housing stipend

00:15:58.743 --> 00:16:02.473
during a veteran's final semester,
regardless of their enrollment status.

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These improvements indicate a holistic
view of veteran well-being, recognizing

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that care extends beyond physical
health to encompass financial stability,

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housing, and educational opportunities.

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And that's your Weekly Briefing.

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Staying on top of these changes
is key to navigating your career,

00:16:19.732 --> 00:16:21.852
your retirement, and your benefits.

00:16:22.171 --> 00:16:23.051
Thank you for tuning in.

00:16:23.571 --> 00:16:27.291
Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your
podcasts, so you never miss an update.

00:16:27.791 --> 00:16:30.851
We’ll be back next week with another
roundup of the news that matters most

00:16:30.851 --> 00:16:32.771
to the military and veteran community.