Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 10-16 August 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
National Guard Deployments and Domestic Security
During this week, a notable development was the continued deployment of National
Guard forces to Washington, D.C.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Saturday, August 16, 2025, that 150
military police from the Ohio National Guard would be sent to Washington, D.C.,
to bolster the existing National Guard presence.
These troops are tasked with "presence patrols and serving as added security".
This move followed President Donald Trump's order to deploy the National
Guard to quell what he described as "complete and total lawlessness" in the
capital, a characterization disputed by the city government, which noted
a downward trend in violent crime.
The Department of Defense also reported on August 14, 2025, that the National
Guard mobilized 800 troops in D.C.
to support federal and local law enforcement.
Furthermore, reports from Military Times indicated that West Virginia also
dispatched its National Guard to D.C.
at the Trump administration's request.
Protests by D.C.
residents against the military presence have occurred, although some residents
have supported the initiative.
The city also filed a lawsuit to block the president's
takeover of the Washington D.C.
police department; however, the administration agreed on Friday, August
15, 2025, to allow the Washington D.C.
police department chief to remain in charge.
The city's residents were granted the right to elect their own local government
when Congress passed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973.
The sustained and reinforced deployment of National Guard units from
multiple states to Washington, D.C.,
by the Department of Defense suggests a persistent and potentially
escalating domestic security concern, particularly in the nation's capital.
The initial deployment, justified by claims of "lawlessness," indicates a
perceived breakdown of civil order.
The subsequent reinforcement from Ohio and West Virginia, along with the broader
mobilization of 800 troops, signifies the federal government's belief that an
extended military presence is necessary.
This trend could imply a broader shift in how domestic disturbances
are managed, potentially normalizing the use of military forces in
civilian law enforcement roles.
It also highlights the ongoing tension between federal control and local
governance, as evidenced by D.C.'s
legal challenge to the federal takeover of its police department.
This situation raises critical questions about the balance of power and the
appropriate role of the National Guard in internal security operations.
The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (H.R.
8070)
This pivotal piece of legislation, H.R.
8070, is designed to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2025 for military activities and to prescribe military personnel strengths.
While the bill passed the House on June 14, 2024 , its provisions
and ongoing discussions around its implementation remain highly relevant
for the August 10-16, 2025 period, as indicated by the House Armed Services
Committee's tracking of amendments.
The full text of H.R.
8070 can be accessed via the House Rules Committee.
Key Amendments Impacting Active Duty and Reserve Personnel:
Beyond legislative actions, several other developments impacted active duty
and reserve forces during the week.
Enlisted recruiting numbers were reported to be up over the last
six months as of August 14, 2025.
Additionally, the Department of Defense noted on August 15, 2025, that more
women are enlisting in the military.
The DoD is moving forward with a Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
overhaul following the termination of the HomeSafe Alliance contract, with
a Joint Task Force actively working to improve the relocation experience
for military and civilian families during the 2025 PCS season and beyond.
However, Stars and Stripes reported on August 15, 2025, that
budget problems prompted the Air Force to pause some PCS moves.
Regarding the defense industrial base, the Office of Strategic Capital
announced its first loan through a DoD agreement with MP Materials on
August 10, 2025, aimed at securing the critical materials supply chain.
The Defense Contract Management Agency also delivered new capabilities in
P-8A Poseidon upgrades on August 14, 2025, increasing warfighter lethality.
The concurrent news of increased recruiting numbers alongside ongoing
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) challenges and legislative efforts to
improve quality of life suggests a complex landscape where recruitment successes
may be offset by persistent logistical and quality-of-life issues that remain
top priorities for the DoD and Congress.
While the reported increase in recruiting numbers is a positive indicator for
force strength, the continued focus on PCS overhauls and the Air Force pausing
moves due to funding indicate that the military is still grappling with
fundamental logistical and financial challenges in personnel management.
The legislative efforts in the NDAA to address housing, childcare, and family
separation further underscore that these are not fully resolved issues.
This implies that while the military may be attracting new talent,
retaining it and ensuring overall force readiness requires sustained
attention to the daily realities faced by service members and their families.
The international engagements and industrial base developments
highlight the broader strategic and operational context in which
these personnel issues are situated.
Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.
8070) Impact on Retired Federal Employees
As discussed, H.R.
8070 contains provisions that also extend to retired
personnel and federal employees.
Amendment 78 codifies existing DoD Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)
retail facility policy, explicitly permitting DoD civilians and retirees
to use MWR retail facilities on the same basis as active duty members.
This ensures continued access to valuable services for the retired community.
Regarding financial benefits, Amendment 156 changes how the Soldier's Medal
affects military retirement pay.
While the specific nature of the change is not detailed, it indicates a legislative
adjustment to retirement compensation for those with this distinguished award.
Security clearances are also addressed, as Amendment 71 revokes security clearances
for retired or separated civilian and/or military Department of Defense personnel
who lobby for certain Chinese companies.
This measure aims to address national security concerns related
to foreign influence, impacting a specific subset of retired personnel.
Healthcare access through TRICARE is also a focus.
Amendment 97 requires a report on TRICARE program copays related to outpatient
mental health or behavioral health care, and Amendment 82 requires a report
evaluating beneficiary access to TRICARE network pharmacies under the TPharm5
contract compared to the TPharm4 contract.
These amendments aim to assess and potentially improve healthcare
access for TRICARE beneficiaries, which include military retirees.
H.R.
8070's provisions for retired military personnel and federal employees primarily
focus on clarifying and expanding access to existing benefits like MWR
facilities and addressing specific financial or security concerns, rather
than introducing broad new entitlements.
The amendment allowing retirees to use MWR facilities is a codification
of existing policy, not a new benefit, suggesting an effort to
formalize and protect current access.
The security clearance revocation is a targeted measure to protect
national security, impacting a specific subset of retirees engaged
in certain lobbying activities.
The TRICARE amendments are about assessing and improving access to
existing healthcare benefits, indicating ongoing efforts to optimize the system
rather than a fundamental overhaul.
This suggests that while there are continuous refinements to benefits and
policies, the core framework of retired military and federal employee benefits
remains largely stable, with legislative focus on operational improvements
and specific policy adjustments.
VA Disability Payments for August 2025
For August 2025, veterans with a 100% VA disability rating will receive a
base monthly benefit of $3,831.30.
An additional $839 is available for those with qualifying dependents, specifically
a spouse and two dependent children, or for veterans who meet certain criteria
for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
This brings the total possible monthly payment to $4,670, which is tax-free.
These payments for August 2025 are scheduled to be sent
on Friday, August 29, 2025.
This reflects the 2.5%
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025, which was announced on October 9, 2024,
by the Social Security Administration.
This COLA impacts various VA benefits, including disability compensation,
clothing allowances, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Implications of VA Terminating Union Contracts
A significant development impacting federal employees, including many who
are retired military or work alongside them, was the Department of Veterans
Affairs' termination of union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees.
This move, effective August 6, 2025, affects approximately
360,000 healthcare workers.
The VA stated this action was in response to an executive order signed by President
Donald Trump in March, which aimed to curb collective bargaining rights for federal
workers in the name of national security.
The VA claims this will allow staff to "spend more time with Veterans" and enable
managers to more easily hire, promote, reward high-performing employees, and
hold underperforming staff accountable.
The agency cited that nearly 2,000 union employees spent over 750,000 hours on
"taxpayer-funded union time" in 2024, which could now be redirected to serving
veterans instead of union activities.
Union leaders, including the American Federation of Government Employees
(AFGE), have strongly protested this decision, calling it a "setback for
fundamental rights" and accusing VA Secretary Doug Collins of retaliating
against union members for speaking out against the administration's policies,
and of working to "privatize" VA services.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley criticized Collins for attacking
VA workers' rights, stating the decision was "another clear example
of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal,
anti-worker, and anti-veteran policies of this administration".
Contracts covering VA police officers, firefighters, and security guards
are not impacted, as these roles are exempt from the executive order.
The VA's termination of union contracts represents a significant,
politically charged restructuring of its workforce management, with
potential long-term implications for service delivery, employee morale, and
the future of federal employee unions.
This executive action, justified by the VA as a means to increase efficiency
and focus on veteran service, directly impacts hundreds of thousands of federal
workers, many of whom are veterans themselves or serve veterans directly.
The stated goals of eliminating "taxpayer-funded union time" and
streamlining personnel management suggest a move towards greater
managerial control and potentially a more performance-driven culture.
However, the strong union opposition, accusations of "privatization," and
ongoing legal challenges indicate potential disruptions to service
delivery, decreased employee morale, and a protracted legal battle.
This could lead to a more centralized, top-down management approach at the
VA but also risks alienating a large segment of its experienced workforce,
which could indirectly affect the quality and consistency of care
for veterans, including retirees.
This is a clear cause-and-effect relationship between executive action
and workforce impact, with potential ripple effects on service quality.
Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
This section provides a comprehensive overview of developments within the
Department of Veterans Affairs, including initiatives, policy changes, and service
improvements for all veterans, with a particular focus on disabled veterans.
Record-Breaking VA Claims Processing
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on August 13, 2025,
a significant milestone: it has processed more disability benefits
compensation and pension ratings claims in a single year than ever before.
In fiscal year 2024, the VA processed a total of 2,517,519 ratings claims.
By August 8, 2025ânearly two months before the end of FY25âthe department
had already issued an all-time high of 2,524,115 ratings claims.
Since President Trump's inauguration on January 20, the backlog of Veterans
waiting for VA benefits has dropped by over 37%, reversing a 24% increase
during the previous administration.
In July 2025, the VA completed more than 300,000 ratings claims
in a single month for the first time ever, processing claims 17.8%
faster in FY25 than in FY24, even with a 10% increase in receipts.
VA Secretary Doug Collins attributed these achievements to major improvements
under President Trump, emphasizing a commitment to further reforms for
enhanced customer service and convenience.
The record-breaking VA claims processing numbers suggest a significant
improvement in the efficiency and capacity of the VA benefits system,
potentially leading to faster access to critical support for veterans.
The quantitative dataâprocessing more claims than ever before, a
37% reduction in backlog, faster processing despite increased receipts,
and the first-ever month with over 300,000 claimsâclearly indicates
a successful operational overhaul.
This implies that strategic changes in processes, technology (such
as the accelerated deployment of the integrated electronic health
record system ), or staffing have yielded tangible improvements.
The direct benefit is a reduction in wait times for veterans seeking
benefits, which is crucial for their financial stability and well-being.
This also suggests a positive trend in the VA's ability to manage increasing
demand for services, especially with the PACT Act expanding eligibility.
P.A.C.T.
Act Implementation and Toxic Exposure Benefits
The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act continues to expand VA health care and benefits
for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
This law is considered the largest healthcare and benefit
expansion in VA history.
Key changes include expanding and extending eligibility for VA health care
for Veterans with toxic exposures from the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras.
It adds over 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange,
and other toxic exposures, along with more presumptive-exposure locations.
Notably, the PACT Act adds high blood pressure (hypertension) and
monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) as new Agent
Orange presumptive conditions.
The law also requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran
enrolled in VA health care and aims to improve research, staff education, and
treatment related to toxic exposures.
Veterans and survivors are encouraged to file claims now
for PACT Act-related benefits.
The ongoing implementation of the PACT Act represents a monumental expansion of
VA healthcare and benefits, fundamentally altering eligibility and access for a vast
cohort of veterans with toxic exposures.
The PACT Act's broad scopeâexpanding eligibility, adding numerous presumptive
conditions and locations, and mandating toxic exposure screeningsâsignifies a
proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing long-standing health issues
linked to military toxic exposures.
This is a direct response to historical gaps in care and recognition for veterans
who previously struggled to prove service connection for their illnesses.
The specific inclusion of hypertension and MGUS for Agent Orange exposure, for
instance, provides a clearer path to benefits for many affected veterans.
This expansion will likely lead to a further increase in claims and a greater
demand for specialized care, reinforcing the critical importance of the VA's
improved claims processing capacity.
VA Service Delivery Enhancements
The VA is actively engaged in modernizing its service delivery
to enhance convenience and responsiveness for veterans.
On August 11, 2025, the VA announced that eligible Veterans can now submit and track
"mileage-only" travel claims directly from a smartphone or mobile device via
the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.
This digital enhancement streamlines a common administrative process.
The VA also announced on August 4, 2025, that it will offer yearlong community
care authorizations for 30 services, extending eligibility for standardized
types of care for a full year.
This change aims to provide greater continuity of care outside VA facilities.
Other highlights from the VA's accomplishments include opening 16
new health care clinics nationwide and offering nearly 1 million appointments
outside of normal operating hours (early-morning, evening, and weekend)
since January 20, providing Veterans with more timely and convenient care options.
The VA has also made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to
access care from non-VA providers at the department's expense.
Furthermore, the VA is accelerating the deployment of its integrated
electronic health record system, which was nearly dormant for almost two years
under the previous administration.
The VA's ongoing efforts to modernize service delivery through technology
(mobile app, EHR) and expand access to care (new clinics, extended
hours, community care) reflect a strategic push to enhance convenience
and responsiveness for veterans.
The introduction of the mobile app for travel claims and the acceleration of
the electronic health record system demonstrate a clear commitment to
digital transformation, aiming to reduce administrative burdens and
improve data flow within the VA.
Extending community care authorizations and offering more appointments outside
standard hours directly address common veteran complaints about
access and wait times, indicating a focus on patient-centric care models.
These initiatives suggest a recognition that traditional service models may no
longer meet the diverse needs of the veteran population, and that leveraging
technology and flexible access points is crucial for future service excellence
and overall veteran satisfaction.
Updated VA Mission Statement
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, the VA announced an updated version
of its 1959 mission statement.
The new mission statement is: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise
to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their
families, caregivers, and survivors".
This updated statement is designed to be inclusive of all who have
served, including women Veterans, as well as Veteran families,
caregivers, and survivors.
It was chosen by every age group, by men and women, by LGBTQ+ Veterans, and by
various racial and ethnic groups in a survey of approximately 30,000 Veterans.
The previous mission statement was: "To fulfill President Lincoln's
promise 'to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and
for his widow, and his orphan'".
The updated VA Mission Statement is not merely a symbolic change but a deliberate,
data-driven effort to reflect the evolving demographics and comprehensive needs of
the modern veteran community, explicitly acknowledging the roles of women,
families, caregivers, and survivors.
The previous mission statement, while historically significant,
was gender-specific and limited in its scope of beneficiaries.
The new statement's explicit inclusion of "all Veterans," "women Veterans,"
and "families, caregivers, and survivors" is a direct response to the
increasing diversity of the veteran population and the recognition that
comprehensive care extends beyond the individual service member.
The fact that it was chosen by every demographic in extensive surveys
underscores its broad acceptance and strategic intent to ensure that all who
interact with the VA feel seen and served.
This change is foundational, guiding the VA's strategic direction and public
perception towards a more inclusive and holistic approach to veteran support.
Ongoing Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Despite significant VA achievements and legislative efforts,
persistent challenges remain.
Stars and Stripes reported on August 15, 2025, that Virginia is suing the VA over
denied education benefits for veterans.
This highlights that individual and systemic issues can persist even amidst
overall improvements in claims processing.
Another report from Stars and Stripes on August 15, 2025, noted that Vietnam-era
veterans given hallucinogens in secret experiments face VA denials for back pay.
This points to ongoing struggles for recognition and compensation
for historical injustices.
There is also a growing demand for service dogs, which has unleashed a congressional
effort to fund their training and placement with disabled veterans.
Despite significant VA achievements and legislative efforts, persistent
challenges remain, including legal disputes over benefits and historical
injustices, highlighting the ongoing need for advocacy and oversight to ensure all
veterans receive their earned support.
While the VA celebrates its record-breaking claims processing and
implements new initiatives, the news of Virginia suing over denied education
benefits and Vietnam-era veterans facing denials for back pay related to secret
experiments reveals that systemic issues and individual grievances persist.
These contradictions suggest that operational improvements do not
automatically resolve all historical or complex cases, and that legal and advocacy
avenues remain crucial for veterans.
This underscores the continuous need for vigilance and accountability to ensure
that all veterans receive the benefits and recognition they are due, even as
the VA strives for overall efficiency.
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.