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Welcome to the Weekly Briefing, the definitive podcast for staying informed on the most significant news and policy changes affecting U.S. service members, military retirees, veterans, and their families. Each episode delivers a concise, comprehensive roundup of the latest developments from the Department of Defense, Congress, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
MIL News Weekly 29 Mar - 4 Apr 2026 (Episode 44)
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[00:00:00]
[00:00:00] Weekly Briefing Intro
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Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 29 March to 4 April 2026, 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. We’ll 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. Here’s what’s happened this past week.
[00:00:38] Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
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Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
We start this week with a significant leadership shift in the Army. On 2 April 2026, reports surfaced that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement. A senior official noted that while the department is grateful for the General’s service, leadership believed it was [00:01:00] time for a change to better align with the administration’s evolving strategic priorities. This move has sent ripples through the Pentagon, as General George has been a central figure in navigating the Army’s modernization efforts.
[00:01:12] Coast Guard Pay During Shutdown
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While the top brass is shifting, the rank and file are dealing with the fallout of a domestic budget battle. As of 3 April 2026, the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues. This specifically affects our brothers and sisters in the U.S. Coast Guard. President Trump stated that he intends to sign an order to ensure Coast Guard personnel are paid despite the legislative gridlock in the House over the Senate-approved funding plan. For thousands of "Coasties," the uncertainty of a paycheck while on duty remains a primary concern.
[00:01:42] Army Reserve Readiness Highlights
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For our Reserve forces, the Army Reserve Senior Enlisted Council convened at Fort Buchanan on 27 March 2026. This gathering of senior NCOs focused on synchronizing efforts across the Reserve to improve soldier readiness and administrative efficiency. One of the highlights discussed was the [00:02:00] success of Reserve Sgt. Diamond Turner, who recently embodied the "Warrior Ethos" by securing a victory in the GAFPB swim competition at Fort Knox, proving that the standard for Reservists remains as high as their active-duty counterparts.
[00:02:13] Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
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Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
For the retiree community, the start of April brought the usual pay cycle, but with a few new digital updates to keep in mind. Retirees and SBP annuitants received their scheduled payments on 1 April 2026. However, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issued a reminder regarding the 2.8 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that took effect at the end of last year. If you haven’t reviewed your December 2025 or January 2026 statements, DFAS is urging you to do so to ensure your accounts reflect the correct COLA increase.
There is also a significant administrative change on the horizon for those who pay their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums via "Direct Remittance." Originally scheduled for [00:03:00] June 2025, the transition to have retirees pay DFAS directly—rather than through the Treasury’s Centralized Receivables Service (CRS)—is still pending. DFAS confirmed this week that the Treasury will continue to send those bills until further notice, so keep an eye on your mail for the official "switch" date.
[00:03:19] Major Richard Star Act Push
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On the legislative front, the biggest story remains the Major Richard Star Act.
( https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1282)
This bill is the "holy grail" for many combat-injured retirees. Currently, those who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service have their military retirement pay reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation—a practice known as the "offset." The Star Act would eliminate this offset, allowing roughly 54,000 combat-injured veterans to receive both their full retirement pay and their VA disability benefits concurrently.
As of late March 2026, Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal have been making a renewed push on the Senate floor to bypass the standard [00:04:00] committee delays. Despite having bipartisan support from 77 senators, the bill's estimated $9.7 billion cost over ten years remains a sticking point for some lawmakers. Veteran organizations like the VFW and DAV have spent the last week lobbying heavily, arguing that "budgetary concerns" should never outweigh the debt owed to those injured in combat.
[00:04:22] VISN Reform and VA Care Changes
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In addition to the Star Act, retirees should be aware of the VISN Reform Act of 2025 (H.R. 6733), which was a subject of intense discussion in recent House Committee hearings.
( https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6733)
This bill seeks to reorganize the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs). For retirees who rely on VA healthcare, this could mean a shift in how regional offices manage their care. The goal is to reduce administrative overhead and ensure that more funding goes directly to local clinics rather than regional management offices.
[00:04:53] Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
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Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
[00:04:55] Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Submission.
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Moving to Veterans Affairs, the big news this week is the release of the Fiscal Year [00:05:00] 2026 Budget Submission. The VA is requesting a staggering $441.2 billion for 2026. This is a 10 percent increase over the 2025 enacted levels.
If approved, this budget will have massive implications for veterans. Here are some of the major implications:
Healthcare Expansion: $134.6 billion is earmarked for discretionary medical care, aiming to support an estimated 7.5 million unique patients and over 162 million outpatient visits.
Toxic Exposure: The budget includes $52.7 billion for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF). This is the direct result of the PACT Act, and it’s intended to ensure that the surge in claims related to burn pits and environmental hazards doesn't bankrupt the rest of the VA's medical system.
Disability Benefits: The request includes $248.1 billion for mandatory benefits, providing compensation to over 7 million veterans and their survivors.
[00:05:57] Disability Ratings Rule Reversal
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However, there is a dark cloud [00:06:00] over these numbers. The VA recently faced significant backlash for a proposed rule that would have changed how disability ratings are calculated. The rule suggested that if a veteran’s "functional impairment" is improved by medication, their disability rating could be lowered. After a firestorm of criticism from the veteran community in March, the VA announced that this rule will not be enforced "at any time in the future." For now, the standard remains based on the underlying service-connected condition, not the efficacy of your prescriptions.
[00:06:30] Education Benefits and GI Bill Update
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Education benefits are also seeing a shift. As of early 2026, all education beneficiaries—including those under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program (Chapter 35)—must now verify their enrollment monthly to keep their payments coming. Additionally, the VA is in the process of implementing the Rudisill-Perkins Decision, which makes it easier for veterans to access additional entitlement under the GI Bill without the old, cumbersome assessment of eligibility between the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills.
[00:06:59] Key Bills Moving in House
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[00:07:00] Finally, we have several pieces of legislation moving through the House that could impact veteran life significantly:
Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371)
( https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8371)
This is a massive "omnibus" style bill. It addresses everything from expanding home-based care for aging veterans to improving the transition process for those leaving active duty. It’s designed to modernize the VA’s infrastructure and give veterans more choices in where they receive long-term care, specifically focusing on alternatives to traditional nursing homes.
The GUARD VA Benefits Act (H.R. 1732)
( https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1732)
This bill is aimed at "claim sharks"—unaccredited consultants who charge veterans thousands of dollars to file VA claims. The bill would reinstate criminal penalties for anyone who isn't a VA-accredited representative charging fees to help veterans with their initial applications.
The EVEST Act (H.R. 4114)
( https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4114)
This would require the VA to automatically enroll eligible veterans in the VA [00:08:00] healthcare system as they transition out of the military, rather than making them apply manually. The goal is to catch veterans in that "danger zone" immediately after service when they are most at risk for mental health struggles and homelessness.
[00:08:12] Wrap Up and Next Week
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As we wrap up this week’s report, it’s clear that 2026 is becoming a year of reckoning for military and veteran policy. Between the $441 billion budget request and the fight for the Major Richard Star Act, the decisions made this week in Washington will be felt in every VFW hall and on every military base across the globe.
And that's your Weekly Briefing. Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, your retirement, and your benefits.
Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most to the military and veteran community.