Better pay for junior troops will be top focus of new House panel

The lawmaker leading the work said he hopes to propose major changes to military pay in early 2024.

8 weeks ago

Fixing disability and retirement pay is Congress’ next big vets issue

Advocates are hopeful they can finally fix the so-called "concurrent receipt" issue this session, following legislative successes last year.

2 months ago

Pentagon & Congress

Defense policy bill with COVID vaccine repeal heads to Biden’s desk

The measure includes plans for $817 billion in military spending in fiscal 2023 and a 4.6% pay raise for troops starting next month.

Dramatic changes in military pay to be focus of new study

The provision is included in the compromise defense authorization bill released this week.

4 months ago

Lawmakers press DOD to restore troops’ full housing stipend

The group wants military leaders to resume paying 100% of the housing allowance formula, instead of the current 95%.

4 months ago

Lawmaker pushes plan to cap attorney fees for Camp Lejeune lawsuits

VA officials and veterans advocates have warned that many veterans may be taken advantage of by lawyers filing suits related to water contamination there.

4 months ago

Lawmakers press DOD to update rules for Guard, reserve specialty pay

A report on planned improvements to Guard and reserve pay was due last month.

5 months ago

Big changes in your savings plan have taken effect

There are more options for saving in your Thrift Savings Plan, but there are costs.

6 months ago

This Coast Guardsman became a millionaire with his Thrift Savings Plan

This military TSP millionaire said his parents encouraged him to start saving part of his salary early, and it's paid off for him.

6 months ago

Supreme Court hears case on retroactive benefits for disabled veterans

Decades’ worth of retroactive disability compensation could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for some veterans.

6 months ago

DoD ponders one-time payments to lower ranks to ease economic stress

High-level discussions are underway about a one-time payment to help lower-paid military families deal with inflation struggles.

6 months ago

Free drill weekend childcare pilot coming for Guard soldiers

Six states will soon have no-cost daycare during drill weekends thanks to a new pilot.

7 months ago

Tech. Sgt. Jordyn Rayot, Airman 1st Class Cole Whitmore and Airman 1st Class Jason Wilson, weapons loaders assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, remove munitions from an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a training exercise in Swanton, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2022. The 180th FW is the only F-16 fighter wing in the state of Ohio, whose mission is homeland protection, effective combat power, and defense support to civil authorities, while developing airmen, supporting their families and serving in the community. (Tech. Sgt. John Wilkes/Air National Guard)

Year-round health insurance for National Guard proves elusive

“The last thing we want is to get mobilized and then somebody say, ‘Hey, I’ve had this injury, but I haven’t had health insurance to get it addressed.'"

8 months ago

Commissary home delivery test a hit with customers, officials say

We tested the commissary home delivery process, and it worked well.

8 months ago

Fort Drum preschoolers learn about 'big Army trucks'

DoD hasn’t properly tracked lead exposure in military kids

DoD's 2021 report to Congress says 83 children had elevated blood lead levels. Is that an undercount?

8 months ago

Jewelry company to pay millions to military families to settle cheating allegations

The company will pay $13 million in refunds, stop collecting $21 million in outstanding loans and fix negative entries in credit reports.

8 months ago

New program to cut child care costs for military families coming to more states

Officials also are in discussions in California, North Carolina and more parts of Florida.

8 months ago

More infant formula is coming to commissary shelves

Customers will still see some shortages of infant formula for the time being, but commissary officials are optimistic that things will start to 'normalize' within 90 days.

8 months ago

Survey raises serious questions about the future of the all-volunteer force

Military life isn't conducive to family life, survey participants say.

8 months ago

To retain talent, the Air Force must return to early officer promotions

Many brilliant officers are unwilling to languish in jobs where their knowledge and effort are underappreciated, and where middle management stifles their efforts to drive innovation.

8 months ago

Pay and Benefits

The lawmaker leading the work said he hopes to propose major changes to military pay in early 2024.

Advocates are hopeful they can finally fix the so-called "concurrent receipt" issue this session, following legislative successes last year.

The measure includes plans for $817 billion in military spending in fiscal 2023 and a 4.6% pay raise for troops starting next month.

The provision is included in the compromise defense authorization bill released this week.

The group wants military leaders to resume paying 100% of the housing allowance formula, instead of the current 95%.

VA officials and veterans advocates have warned that many veterans may be taken advantage of by lawyers filing suits related to water contamination there.

A report on planned improvements to Guard and reserve pay was due last month.

There are more options for saving in your Thrift Savings Plan, but there are costs.

This military TSP millionaire said his parents encouraged him to start saving part of his salary early, and it's paid off for him.

Decades’ worth of retroactive disability compensation could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for some veterans.

High-level discussions are underway about a one-time payment to help lower-paid military families deal with inflation struggles.

Six states will soon have no-cost daycare during drill weekends thanks to a new pilot.

“The last thing we want is to get mobilized and then somebody say, ‘Hey, I’ve had this injury, but I haven’t had health insurance to get it addressed.'"

We tested the commissary home delivery process, and it worked well.

DoD's 2021 report to Congress says 83 children had elevated blood lead levels. Is that an undercount?

The company will pay $13 million in refunds, stop collecting $21 million in outstanding loans and fix negative entries in credit reports.

Officials also are in discussions in California, North Carolina and more parts of Florida.

Customers will still see some shortages of infant formula for the time being, but commissary officials are optimistic that things will start to 'normalize' within 90 days.

Military life isn't conducive to family life, survey participants say.

Many brilliant officers are unwilling to languish in jobs where their knowledge and effort are underappreciated, and where middle management stifles their efforts to drive innovation.