WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.060 --> 00:00:05.310 Edward: Welcome to the MIL Weekly Briefing 22-28 June 2025, your essential 00:00:05.310 --> 00:00:08.920 guide to the latest news impacting the military and veteran community. 00:00:09.440 --> 00:00:13.390 Whether you're currently serving in uniform, a military retiree, a veteran, 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:18.050 or a family member, this is your source for the critical updates you need to know. 00:00:18.373 --> 00:00:21.893 Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important developments 00:00:21.893 --> 00:00:25.263 from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 00:00:25.683 --> 00:00:29.083 We’ll cover everything from new policies and pay raises affecting 00:00:29.133 --> 00:00:32.903 active and reserve forces, to changes in healthcare and benefits for 00:00:32.903 --> 00:00:37.273 retirees, and the latest on VA services and legislation for our veterans. 00:00:37.573 --> 00:00:38.513 Let's get you informed. 00:00:38.813 --> 00:00:40.263 Here’s what’s happened this past week. 00:00:40.588 --> 00:00:43.188 Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military 00:00:43.471 --> 00:00:44.791 In the past week, U.S. 00:00:44.791 --> 00:00:47.931 military forces were deeply involved in international 00:00:47.931 --> 00:00:49.901 operations and readiness activities. 00:00:50.311 --> 00:00:51.801 Most prominently, U.S. 00:00:51.801 --> 00:00:56.391 warplanes struck Iran’s underground nuclear facilities (Operation “Midnight 00:00:56.391 --> 00:01:02.341 Hammer”), using two B-2 stealth bombers to drop 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster 00:01:02.341 --> 00:01:04.021 bombs on the Fordow enrichment site. 00:01:04.369 --> 00:01:06.329 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:10.559 Dan Caine briefed reporters on June 26, calling the strike “historically 00:01:10.559 --> 00:01:15.259 successful” and saying it “obliterated, destroying, Iran’s nuclear capabilities”. 00:01:15.634 --> 00:01:20.084 Iran retaliated on June 23 by firing a small salvo of ballistic missiles 00:01:20.084 --> 00:01:22.844 at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar; U.S. 00:01:22.844 --> 00:01:27.514 and allied defenses shot down 13 of 14 missiles, and no American 00:01:27.514 --> 00:01:28.774 casualties were reported. 00:01:29.168 --> 00:01:32.538 President Trump, who brokered the Israel–Iran truce, called Iran’s 00:01:32.538 --> 00:01:36.288 volley “very weak” and noted that a ceasefire remained in effect. 00:01:36.628 --> 00:01:41.068 With these actions, the 12-day Israel–Iran war ended in ceasefire as of late June. 00:01:41.458 --> 00:01:44.188 The unfolding Middle East conflict also affected U.S. 00:01:44.188 --> 00:01:44.798 deployments. 00:01:45.218 --> 00:01:47.858 For example, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. 00:01:47.858 --> 00:01:52.318 Ford departed Norfolk on June 24 for a routine deployment – already planned 00:01:52.318 --> 00:01:56.248 before the strikes – which will position its strike group near Israel if needed. 00:01:56.567 --> 00:02:00.607 Nearby, NATO leaders meeting in the Netherlands agreed at the June NATO summit 00:02:00.887 --> 00:02:05.937 to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP, a commitment Secretary Hegseth hailed as 00:02:05.937 --> 00:02:08.437 ensuring “Europe will no longer force U.S. 00:02:08.437 --> 00:02:11.117 taxpayers to foot the bill” for continental security. 00:02:11.714 --> 00:02:14.494 (He said allies’ new pledges “make NATO great again”). 00:02:14.798 --> 00:02:15.638 Meanwhile, U.S. 00:02:15.638 --> 00:02:19.358 forces at home and in training continued routine readiness activities. 00:02:19.748 --> 00:02:22.948 In California, Army Reserve and Army National Guard units 00:02:22.948 --> 00:02:29.208 completed Operation Mojave Falcon (6/20–29/2025), a large-scale exercise 00:02:29.208 --> 00:02:31.658 incorporating new data-analytics tools. 00:02:32.198 --> 00:02:36.678 Reserve “citizen-soldiers” working as part of an Operational Data Team helped 00:02:36.678 --> 00:02:41.678 commanders use real-time data dashboards to track logistics and training outcomes. 00:02:42.138 --> 00:02:46.278 Overall, leaders emphasize bolstering recruiting and modernization even 00:02:46.278 --> 00:02:48.028 as overseas operations continue. 00:02:48.668 --> 00:02:52.188 The active Army hit its enlistment goal early, and Air Combat Command 00:02:52.188 --> 00:02:54.838 crews sustained global training (e.g. 00:02:54.868 --> 00:02:57.428 deploying mobility crews to the Southwest border). 00:02:57.958 --> 00:03:00.148 In short, this week’s news saw U.S. 00:03:00.148 --> 00:03:05.088 forces projecting power abroad (over the Middle East) and honing readiness at home 00:03:05.488 --> 00:03:10.098 – developments that directly involve today’s active and reserve military personnel. 00:03:10.357 --> 00:03:12.337 Issues That Affect Retired Military 00:03:12.586 --> 00:03:14.986 Several legislative proposals this week focused on the 00:03:14.986 --> 00:03:16.876 benefits of military retirees. 00:03:17.256 --> 00:03:21.276 Notably, Congress has reintroduced bills to fully restore retirement 00:03:21.276 --> 00:03:22.726 pay for disabled veterans. 00:03:23.146 --> 00:03:24.396 For example, H.R. 00:03:24.396 --> 00:03:29.346 303 (Retired Pay Restoration Act) would allow all disabled retirees to collect 00:03:29.386 --> 00:03:33.246 both their military pension and VA disability compensation concurrently 00:03:33.576 --> 00:03:35.946 – abolishing the 50% disability cutoff. 00:03:36.310 --> 00:03:37.555 Likewise, H.R. 00:03:37.555 --> 00:03:41.970 333 (Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act) would extend concurrent payment to 00:03:41.970 --> 00:03:46.660 veterans with less than 50% disability, and even to those with under-20 years of 00:03:46.660 --> 00:03:48.850 service (subject to a smaller reduction). 00:03:49.254 --> 00:03:52.854 (In both cases the goal is to eliminate the “disabled veterans tax” so that 00:03:52.854 --> 00:03:54.694 retirees receive full benefits.) 00:03:55.194 --> 00:03:58.864 Each of these bills is pending in the House and has bipartisan support. 00:03:59.334 --> 00:04:02.744 No similar bills affecting civilian federal retirees were introduced 00:04:02.744 --> 00:04:07.314 during this week; rather the focus was squarely on military retirement pay. 00:04:07.667 --> 00:04:08.207 H.R. 00:04:08.207 --> 00:04:13.647 303 – Retired Pay Restoration Act: Allows all retired service members with 00:04:13.647 --> 00:04:17.747 any service-connected disability to receive their full retired pay and VA 00:04:17.747 --> 00:04:20.187 disability compensation simultaneously. 00:04:20.601 --> 00:04:23.651 (Under current law only disabilities rated greater than or equal 00:04:23.651 --> 00:04:25.481 to 50% get concurrent pay.) 00:04:25.682 --> 00:04:26.347 H.R. 00:04:26.347 --> 00:04:32.072 333 – Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act: Specifically authorizes veterans 00:04:32.072 --> 00:04:36.982 with <50% disability to receive both retired pay and VA compensation 00:04:36.982 --> 00:04:41.722 together, and similarly makes some short-service disabled retirees eligible. 00:04:41.966 --> 00:04:43.736 Both bills (see Congress.gov 00:04:43.736 --> 00:04:48.056 links) would increase retirement income for affected retirees if passed. 00:04:48.566 --> 00:04:52.236 In contrast, an omnibus budget-reconciliation proposal debated 00:04:52.236 --> 00:04:55.336 in Congress had earlier included provisions that would have reduced 00:04:55.336 --> 00:04:59.876 federal pension benefits and worker protections; late-June reports indicate 00:04:59.906 --> 00:05:03.676 that all such federal retiree cuts were removed from the final draft. 00:05:04.035 --> 00:05:07.325 Meanwhile, routine retiree issues continued with little new action. 00:05:07.775 --> 00:05:12.275 Agencies and Congress discussed next-year budgets and pay, but no new raise or 00:05:12.275 --> 00:05:14.275 COLA legislation occurred in this period. 00:05:14.795 --> 00:05:18.795 (Defense and VA budget negotiations are ongoing; Congress will ultimately 00:05:18.795 --> 00:05:22.285 decide active duty pay and retiree cost-of-living adjustments.) 00:05:22.725 --> 00:05:26.975 In short, the key retiree-related news this week was legislative movement 00:05:26.975 --> 00:05:30.665 toward restoring concurrent pay for disabled veterans, while broader 00:05:30.665 --> 00:05:34.515 budget talks have thus far avoided cutting existing retiree benefits. 00:05:34.785 --> 00:05:36.695 Issues That Affect Veteran’s Affairs 00:05:37.007 --> 00:05:39.367 Veterans and the VA figured prominently this week. 00:05:39.847 --> 00:05:42.917 The biggest story was on June 24 when the VA announced record 00:05:42.917 --> 00:05:44.447 disability claims processing. 00:05:44.887 --> 00:05:49.917 Secretary Doug Collins reported that in FY 2025 the VA had already processed 00:05:49.917 --> 00:05:56.037 over 2 million disability claims – 14% more than in FY2024 – and had driven the 00:05:56.037 --> 00:06:02.097 claims backlog down from about 260,000 in February to under 190,000 in June. 00:06:02.400 --> 00:06:06.520 This improvement reflects faster hearings and staffing increases, and means that 00:06:06.520 --> 00:06:10.580 most veterans will now wait fewer days for a rating decision than ever before. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:15.310 (By year’s end the VA expects to have the backlog under 150,000, 00:06:15.470 --> 00:06:16.950 well ahead of past records). 00:06:17.281 --> 00:06:21.331 At a Senate hearing on June 24, Secretary Collins said these gains came as he 00:06:21.331 --> 00:06:25.861 pushed to “make sure veterans remain the focus” by cutting bureaucracy 00:06:25.961 --> 00:06:27.591 and empowering front-line staff. 00:06:27.962 --> 00:06:31.042 In that appropriations hearing, senators questioned Collins on 00:06:31.092 --> 00:06:32.642 other issues affecting veterans. 00:06:33.032 --> 00:06:37.192 Several Democrats pressed Collins about three special advisers from Elon Musk’s 00:06:37.352 --> 00:06:41.072 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) working at VA headquarters. 00:06:41.332 --> 00:06:45.252 Collins said the DOGE team was only reviewing contracts and was “acting in 00:06:45.252 --> 00:06:50.002 their role as normal VA employees,” with no unauthorized access to patient records. 00:06:50.290 --> 00:06:54.450 He reiterated that his agenda is to deliver benefits faster – for example, 00:06:54.450 --> 00:06:59.020 by fully implementing the Dole Choice Act to let more vets see community providers 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:01.020 when VA cannot schedule them quickly. 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:04.800 In fact, the VA had already made it easier for vets to use private 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:08.580 care once the required VA clinical review was waived (as of May). 00:07:08.919 --> 00:07:12.839 On Capitol Hill, Congress also advanced the FY2026 Military 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:14.999 Construction–VA appropriations bill. 00:07:15.429 --> 00:07:20.649 On June 25 the House passed its version (for 2026 spending), which maintained 00:07:20.649 --> 00:07:25.479 or slightly cut various VA accounts and expanded spending on private-sector care. 00:07:26.049 --> 00:07:30.049 Critics (mainly House Democrats) argued this bill underfunds the 00:07:30.049 --> 00:07:33.329 VA’s own facilities and burdens veterans with higher co-pays. 00:07:33.869 --> 00:07:38.689 A House Democratic summary noted the GOP bill “provides less funding to maintain 00:07:38.729 --> 00:07:43.439 and repair VA facilities, while shifting funds into private care” – for example 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:47.649 reducing new clinics funding and adding requirements that could make vets pay more 00:07:47.649 --> 00:07:50.049 for childbirth services outside the VA. 00:07:50.373 --> 00:07:53.583 In response, supporters said the measure would give veterans 00:07:53.583 --> 00:07:55.183 more choices of providers. 00:07:55.693 --> 00:08:00.783 Regardless, this appropriations bill underscores the ongoing debate over how VA 00:08:00.783 --> 00:08:05.933 care is delivered: traditional VA medical centers versus contracted private care. 00:08:06.413 --> 00:08:08.353 Other veterans issues got less attention. 00:08:08.783 --> 00:08:13.823 Lawmakers did not pass major new VA laws this week, though some resolutions (e.g. 00:08:13.823 --> 00:08:18.323 designating June as PTSD Awareness Month) moved quietly through committees. 00:08:18.863 --> 00:08:22.423 The Supreme Court and Congress were inactive on legacy claims (such 00:08:22.423 --> 00:08:26.473 as Agent Orange or Camp Lejeune), so no new benefits changed yet. 00:08:27.033 --> 00:08:32.373 In summary, the key veterans-affairs news of June 22–28 was the VA’s announcement 00:08:32.373 --> 00:08:36.653 of historic claims progress , Secretary Collins’ budget hearing testimony on 00:08:36.653 --> 00:08:41.573 improving VA services, and ongoing budget debates over VA funding and privatization. 00:08:42.018 --> 00:08:43.338 And that's your Weekly Briefing. 00:08:43.688 --> 00:08:47.298 Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, 00:08:47.328 --> 00:08:49.368 your retirement, and your benefits. 00:08:49.727 --> 00:08:50.637 Thank you for tuning in. 00:08:50.897 --> 00:08:54.637 Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. 00:08:55.047 --> 00:08:58.207 We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most 00:08:58.207 --> 00:08:59.977 to the military and veteran community.