Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 7-13 December 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 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the U.S.
House of Representatives passed the conference version of the
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.
This legislation, which serves as the primary policy vehicle for the
defense establishment, was approved by a bipartisan vote of 312 to 112.
The bill, utilizing H.R.
3838 as its legislative vehicle, authorizes a topline spending figure
of nearly $900 billion, reflecting the growing fiscal demands of
great power competition and the modernization of the nuclear triad.
Economic Provisions: Compensation and Allowances
At the forefront of the NDAAâs provisions for active personnel
is a mandate to stabilize the economic footing of the force.
The bill authorizes a 3.8
percent across-the-board pay raise for all active-duty troops
and reserve component members.
This increase, crafted to combat inflationary pressures that have eroded
the purchasing power of military families, represents a significant investment in
the human capital of the armed services.
For junior enlisted personnel, who have disproportionately felt the
impact of rising consumer prices, this adjustment is intended to
provide immediate financial relief.
Beyond base pay, the legislation addresses the long-standing
opacity of housing compensation.
The bill includes strict provisions requiring the Department of
Defense to increase transparency regarding the calculation of the
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
Lawmakers have argued that the current "black box" methodology
often results in rates that lag behind the rapid appreciation of
rental markets in high-cost areas.
By forcing the Pentagon to disclose the specific data pointsâsuch as local
utility costs and rental sampling methodsâused to determine these rates,
Congress aims to ensure that the allowance functions as a true market-based subsidy
rather than an arbitrary stipend.
Furthermore, the NDAA acknowledges the strain of deployment on
military families by raising the Family Separation Allowance (FSA).
The monthly payment, provided to service members who are deployed away
from their families for more than 30 days, will increase from $250 to $300.
This is the first statutory increase to the FSA in years, a recognition of
the emotional and logistical burdens borne by spouses and children during
extended operational rotations.
In a move to address the often-overlooked costs of military relocation, the
conference report adopts House provisions mandating a comprehensive study on
unreimbursed expenses incurred during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.
Military families frequently face out-of-pocket costs for lease
terminations, utility deposits, and spousal relicensing fees
that are not fully covered by existing travel allowances.
This study serves as a precursor to potential future legislation that
could expand reimbursement authorities, particularly for the relocation of pets,
which remains a significant financial stressor for transferring families.
Strategic and Operational Policy Shifts
The FY 2026 NDAA is not merely a budgetary document; it is a strategic directive that
reshapes the global posture of the U.S.
military.
The "Golden Dome" Missile Defense Initiative: The legislation authorizes
the commencement of the "Golden Dome" project, a comprehensive national
missile defense architecture designed to shield the homeland from advanced
ballistic and hypersonic threats.
This initiative represents a paradigm shift from limited ballistic missile
defense to a more robust, multi-layered shield, necessitating significant
investments in next-generation radar systems, interceptor batteries,
and command-and-control networks.
In a historic reassertion of congressional war powers, the bill repeals the
1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq.
These authorizations, originally passed to sanction the Gulf War and
the invasion of Iraq, have remained on the books for decades, providing
a legal basis for various military operations across the Middle East.
Their repeal signals the formal legislative end of the post-9/11
eraâs expansive war footing in Iraq and forces future administrations to
seek specific congressional approval for new major combat operations.
The NDAA includes rigorous constraints on the executive branchâs ability to withdraw
forces from key strategic theaters.
The bill prohibits the reduction of active-duty troops in Europe below a
baseline of 76,000 personnel and in South Korea below 28,500 personnel.
To bypass these floors, the Secretary of Defense would be required to certify
to Congress that such withdrawals are in the national security interest
of the United States and have been executed following consultation
with NATO and Indo-Pacific allies.
This provision reflects bipartisan concern over the stability of
traditional alliances and seeks to prevent precipitous troop drawdowns.
Responding to heightened concerns regarding the politicization of the
armed forces, the bill introduces new transparency requirements for military
support to civilian law enforcement.
It mandates that any military personnel deployed to support domestic
immigration enforcement or crowd control must clearly display their name
and service branch on their uniform.
Additionally, the DoD is required to submit a report to Congress whenever
military assetsâsuch as surveillance aircraft or engineering unitsâare
utilized for domestic law enforcement purposes, ensuring legislative
oversight of operations that blur the lines between defense and policing.
Controversial Exclusions and Cuts
Despite its bipartisan passage, the NDAA was the subject of fierce debate,
resulting in the exclusion of key social policy provisions and the inclusion
of mandated cuts to specific programs.
One of the most contentious outcomes of the conference process was the
removal of a provision that would have expanded TRICARE coverage for
in vitro fertilization (IVF) to all active-duty service members.
Currently, military health insurance only covers fertility treatments if the
service memberâs infertility is directly linked to a "serious or severe illness or
injury" sustained while on active duty.
Advocates and military family organizations had lobbied for a broad
expansion to align military benefits with those available to federal
civilians and to aid retention.
However, opposition from conservative lawmakers, citing moral objections
regarding the disposal of embryos, led to the provisionâs removal.
This decision leaves many military families facing tens of thousands
of dollars in out-of-pocket costs to build their families, a disparity that
critics argue undermines the militaryâs promise to care for its troops.
Reflecting a shift in ideological priorities, the NDAA mandates the
permanent repeal of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and
programs within the Department of Defense.
The bill eliminates the position of Chief Diversity Officer and cuts
approximately $40 million in funding previously allocated to these initiatives.
Furthermore, the legislation reduces spending on climate change
resilience and mitigation by $1.6
billion.
This reduction occurs despite Pentagon assessments identifying climate change
as a "threat multiplier" capable of destabilizing fragile regions and
threatening the physical integrity of coastal military installations.
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates
On 11 December 2025, the Department of Defense released the Basic
Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for the 2026 calendar year.
These rates, which take effect on 1 January 2026, are critical
for the financial planning of the approximately one million
service members who live off-base.
The 2026 rates reflect an average nationwide increase of 4.2
percent.
While this increase is intended to offset the rising cost of rental
housing, it is notably lower than the 5.4
percent average increase seen in 2025.
The total estimated payout for the program in 2026 is projected to reach $29.9
billion.
It is essential to understand that the 4.2
percent figure is an aggregate average; actual changes vary
dramatically based on location, pay grade, and dependency status.
The DoD determines these rates by collecting rental data for six
distinct housing profilesâranging from one-bedroom apartments to
single-family detached homesâacross 299 Military Housing Areas (MHAs).
This data is cross-referenced with utility costs for electricity,
heat, and water/sewer to generate the final allowance.
The BAH program is designed to cover 95 percent of housing costs, with
the remaining 5 percent intended to be covered by the service member.
For 2026, this out-of-pocket cost share is estimated to range
between $93 and $212 per month.
Importantly, the DoD reaffirmed the policy of "Individual Rate Protection."
This mechanism ensures that if the BAH rate for a specific location falls,
service members already stationed there will effectively be "grandfathered"
in at their current, higher rate.
The new, lower rate would only apply to members reporting to that
duty station on or after 1 January 2026, protecting current residents
from sudden financial shocks.
Border Security: The Establishment of National Defense Areas
The week also witnessed a significant escalation in the use of military
authority at the U.S.-Mexico
border.
On 10 December 2025, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the
transfer of administrative jurisdiction of approximately 760 acres of public
land in San Diego and Imperial counties to the Department of the Navy.
This transfer establishes a National Defense Area (NDA)
for a period of three years.
The designated zone stretches from the western boundary of the Otay
Mountain Wilderness Area to a point approximately one mile west of
the California-Arizona state line.
The administration cited the region as a high-traffic corridor
for unlawful crossings and stated that the transfer was necessary
to support ongoing border security operations and prevent environmental
degradation caused by illegal traffic.
The designation of this land as an NDA fundamentally alters the legal
framework for the troops deployed there.
Unlike standard support operations where the military assists
civilian law enforcement (CBP), an NDA places the territory under
direct military jurisdiction.
This empowers service members to enforce security measures and
apprehend individuals accused of trespassing on military property.
Legal experts suggest this designation allows the administration to utilize
military personnel for direct enforcement roles that might otherwise
be restricted under the Posse Comitatus Act, effectively militarizing the
legal status of the border zone itself.
Legal Jeopardy in Maritime Operations
A growing undercurrent of anxiety regarding the legality
of kinetic operations in the Caribbean surfaced this week.
Reports published on 13 December 2025 indicate that U.S.
service members are increasingly fearful of personal legal liability related
to a campaign of airstrikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels.
Since September 2025, U.S.
forces have conducted strikes to destroy these vessels, with the
administration justifying the actions under Article II self-defense powers.
However, the lack of a formal declaration of hostilities and the classification
of these targets as civilian vessels have led some legal scholars to
characterize the strikes as extrajudicial.
This ambiguity has prompted service members, including drone pilots
and staff officers involved in the kill chain, to seek outside legal
counsel from organizations such as Quaker House and The Orders Project.
These troops expressed deep moral and legal reservations, fearing that their
participation could expose them to future prosecution for violations of the laws
of war or international maritime law.
Legislative Update: Applicable Bills
In addition to the NDAA, the House of Representatives passed several
other bills this week that impact the operational environment of the military:
H.R.
3838 (NDAA FY2026): The primary defense authorization vehicle
passed on 10 December 2025.
H.R.
1676 (Make SWAPs Efficient Act): Passed on 9 December 2025, this bill mandates faster
approval for State Wildlife Action Plans.
This is relevant to military installation commanders who manage vast tracts of
natural resources and must coordinate conservation efforts with state agencies
to maintain training range access.
H.R.
3857 (Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act): Passed on 10
December 2025, this legislation improves watershed management technologies.
It is critical for the Army Corps of Engineers and
installations in the western U.S.
facing water scarcity challenges.
Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
TRICARE 2026: Costs, Fees, and Enrollment
With the TRICARE Open Season concluding on 9 December 2025, the Defense Health
Agency (DHA) formalized the cost and fee structures for calendar year 2026.
These changes will impact all retirees, their families, and
survivors effective 1 January 2026.
The new rates underscore the widening cost disparity between beneficiaries
based on their sponsor's enlistment date.
Retirees are categorized into two groups: Group A (sponsors who enlisted before 1
January 2018) and Group B (sponsors who enlisted on or after 1 January 2018).
For Group A retirees, the annual enrollment fee for
TRICARE Prime is set at $381.96
for an individual and $765.00
for a family.
For Group B retirees, the fees are noticeably higher, reflecting
the legislative intent to shift more costs to newer entrants.
The 2026 fee is $462.96
for an individual and $927.00
for a family.
While Group A retirees generally do not pay an enrollment fee for
TRICARE Select, they are subject to deductibles and cost-shares.
Group A Select: The inpatient admission cost share is $250 per day for network
hospitals, capped at 25 percent of the total hospital charge, plus 20 percent of
separately billed professional services.
Group B Select: These beneficiaries pay an enrollment fee (unlike Group
A) and face different cost structures.
For 2026, the inpatient admission cost is a flat $231 per
admission for network facilities.
Premium-Based Plans: For "gray area" retirees (National Guard and Reserve
members who have retired but are not yet age 60), TRICARE Retired Reserve
(TRR) remains the primary option.
Because this plan is unsubsidized, the premiums are significant.
For 2026, the monthly premium for TRR is $645.90
for member-only coverage and $1,548.30
for member and family coverage.
Retirees supporting adult children up to age 26 through TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)
will see monthly premiums of $794.00
for TYA Prime and $363.00
for TYA Select.
Retirement Pay and Administrative Updates
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Direct Remittance: A critical administrative
change was highlighted this week regarding the payment of Survivor
Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums.
For retirees who pay these premiums directly (rather than having them deducted
from retired pay), the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) announced
a shift in the collection process.
Beginning in August 2025, DFAS will assume direct billing responsibility, and
payments must be made through Pay.gov.
This replaces the legacy system managed by the U.S.
Treasury's Centralized Receivables Service (CRS).
Retirees utilizing direct remittance must update their payment methods to ensure
continuous coverage for their survivors.
USID Card Transition: Retirees are reminded that the deadline
to replace older, paper-based Uniformed Services Identification
(USID) cards is rapidly approaching.
All retirees must transition to the "Next Generation USID" card by 31 December 2025.
The older cards, often held by retirees for decades with "indefinite"
expiration dates, will no longer be accepted at base access control points
or medical facilities after this date.
State Tax Legislation: In a positive trend for retiree financial health,
several states advanced legislation this week to exempt military
retirement pay from state income taxes.
Arizona: The "Service Members Tax Relief Act" and "Tax Cuts for Veterans
Act" were introduced by Congressman Abe Hamadeh and Senator Pete Ricketts.
These bills aim to amend the tax code to exempt all service-related
retirement payments from income tax.
California: While passed earlier, news circulated this week
regarding the implementation of Californiaâs new tax exemption.
Effective for the 2025 tax year, the state will exempt the first $20,000 of uniformed
service retirement pay from state taxes.
This provision applies to retirees with a federal adjusted gross income of up to
$125,000 (individual) or $250,000 (joint).
Legislative Update: Applicable Bills
S.
2296 (NDAA FY2026): The Senate's legislative vehicle for the defense bill.
While primarily focused on active duty authorizations, the pay raise
formulas within establish the "High-3" averages for future retirees.
S.
1108: A bill introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude
all military retirement and survivor benefits from federal income tax.
Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
Healthcare Modernization: The "Age-Friendly" Initiative
On 13 December 2025, the VA announced a landmark achievement in its effort to
care for the aging veteran population.
The department certified that every Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Health Care System now includes at least one team recognized as
an "Age-Friendly Health System".
This initiative addresses the shifting demographics of the veteran community,
where a significant percentage of patients are now presenting with complex
geriatric needs rather than solely acute service-connected injuries.
At the core of this initiative is the "4Ms Framework," a clinical protocol
designed to ensure safe and effective care for older and disabled veterans:
Aligning the care plan with the veteran's specific health goals and
personal preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all medical approach.
Prioritizing the use of age-friendly medications that do not interfere
with mobility or cognitive function, a critical consideration for
veterans managing polypharmacy for service-connected disabilities.
Implementing rigorous screening and management protocols for
dementia, depression, and delirium.
Ensuring that veterans maintain the physical function necessary to move
safely and maintain independence.
This framework is particularly vital for disabled veterans, whose service-connected
mobility impairments often exacerbate the natural effects of aging.
The VA highlighted the case of Manuel Velasco, an 87-year-old wheelchair-bound
veteran, whose care team utilized this framework to transition him from
a Community Living Center back to his home, illustrating the program's
potential to enhance independence.
Expansion of Caregiver Support
Also on 13 December 2025, the VA announced a significant expansion of
the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
The program will now include free legal and financial planning assistance for
the caregivers of eligible veterans.
This expansion is specifically targeted at the families of
veterans who have sustained a serious injury in the line of duty.
Caregivers often face a labyrinth of legal challenges, from establishing guardianship
and power of attorney to managing estate planning and complex financial benefits.
By providing access to certified concierges and attorneys at no
cost, the VA aims to stabilize the veteran's home environment.
The services include one-on-one support, personalized legal guidance,
and referrals to trusted attorneys for more complex litigation needs.
This move acknowledges that the wellbeing of the disabled veteran is
inextricably linked to the stability and capability of their primary caregiver.
Legislative Update: The "14 Bills" Package
The House of Representatives passed a comprehensive package of fourteen
veterans' bills this week, focusing on administrative integrity, access
to care, and claims modernization.
These bills now head to the Senate for consideration.
Key Bills Impacting Disabled Veterans:
H.R.
3400 â TRAVEL Act of 2025: This bill enhances the reimbursement protocols
for the Beneficiary Travel program.
For disabled veterans who must travel significant distances to reach specialized
VA polytrauma or spinal cord injury centers, this legislation streamlines
the reimbursement process, reducing the financial burden of accessing care.
H.R.
3579 â Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act: This legislation
strengthens the oversight of the VR&E (formerly VocRehab) program.
It is designed to prevent fraud and ensure that resources are strictly prioritized
for veterans with service-connected disabilities who require vocational
retraining to enter the workforce.
H.R.
1107 â Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025:
This bill permanently authorizes certain telemedicine flexibilities
established during the pandemic.
For disabled veterans with mobility challenges or those living in rural
areas, this ensures continued access to remote mental health and primary
care appointments without the need for physically traveling to a clinic.
H.R.
3854 â Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act: This
bill mandates the modernization of the IT systems used to process survivor claims.
It aims to eliminate the backlog that often leaves the surviving
spouses of disabled veterans waiting months for Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) benefits.
H.R.
3481 â Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025: This
legislation authorizes the VA to utilize digital correspondence more
broadly for claims notifications, speeding up the adjudication
process for disability compensation.
Research Findings and Clinical Developments
The VAâs Office of Research and Development released new findings this
week that have direct implications for disability claims and clinical care.
Researchers identified a significant correlation between obstructive
sleep apnea and an increased risk of Parkinsonâs disease in veterans.
This finding could potentially open new avenues for service-connection
claims, as sleep apnea is a common condition among veterans.
Additionally, new research on Gulf War Illness was published, offering
further insights into the chronic, multi-symptom illness affecting
veterans of the 1990-1991 conflict.
These studies reinforce the VA's commitment to understanding
the long-term toxic exposures inherent in military service.
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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Weâll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most
to the military and veteran community.