By Debbie Gregory. The Congressional Budget Office has revealed that eliminating the collection of retirement pay and disability compensation simultaneously could save the government billions of dollars. Changing the benefit, which is called “concurrent receipt” would affect some 600,000 military veterans who are able to collect both benefits. Veterans who sustained career-ending combat injuries are […]
By Debbie Gregory. The Pentagon announced it would waive repayment for more than 15,000 California National Guard soldiers and veterans who received enlistment bonuses over the last decade. The Defense Department will begin notifying soldiers this month, with all of the notifications completed before July 1st. The announcement follows President Obama’s December 23rd signing of […]
By Debbie Gregory. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider a case next year that could change the amount disabled military retirees must pay a former spouse after a divorce. At issue is whether the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) pre-empts a state court’s order directing a veteran to indemnify a former spouse for […]
Make time to make memories! It sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But Armed Forces Vacation Club knows how difficult it can be for military families to find time to take a vacation. So when the stars (and schedules) align and you’re able to carve out a week or even just a few days of time, […]
By Debbie Gregory. A change to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for the families of Guard members and Reservists killed during inactive training will mean an increase in benefits. National Guard and Reserve members would receive the same death benefits as their active-duty counterparts under a bill expected to pass Congress. Up until now, family […]
By Debbie Gregory. While not quite ready for prime time, the Air Force Research Laboratory is looking to develop an air-launched directed-energy weapon capable of incapacitating the nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles utilized by North Korea. The experimental Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) weapon uses bursts of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) energy to disable electronic […]
By Debbie Gregory. Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command said that he plans to stand up a package of forces capable of mobilizing and deploying into a major contingency operation much faster than traditional Reserve units. “We are calling it Ready Force X; we are […]
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on co-payments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. The VA currently charges veterans who do not qualify for free health care either $8 or $9 for a 30-day or less drug supply. But under a new plan set to kick in February 27th, […]
By Debbie Gregory. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is recommending that two service members, either Sailors or Marines, be upgraded to the Medal of Honor following an extensive review of medals awarded since Sept. 11, 2001. The names of the two service members were not made public. To end his near-record seven-and-a-half year tenure, […]
By Debbie Gregory. Thanks to changes in the annual defense department bill, passed by both the House and Senate, military families will have easier access to urgent care and primary care. Awaiting President Obama’s signature before becoming law, the bill ensures out-of-pocket costs won’t change for most Tricare users who are already enrolled in the […]
