The federal government has until September 30, 2023, to reach an agreement on stopgap funding for the federal government or risk a federal government shutdown this fall. The problem? Members of an organization within the House of Representatives called the House Freedom Caucus refuse to commit to any deal that falls short of its demands… Read more »
In August of 2023, wildfires ravaged parts of Hawaii, including Lahaina, resulting in massive damage to property and loss of life. On Friday, August 18, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a press release announcing mortgage relief for those who have VA mortgages living in the affected areas. There are some 100 thousand veterans… Read more »
The Air Force’s Rated Officer Retention Demonstration Program is up and running. It offers retention bonuses to qualifying pilots worth up to $50 thousand per year to renew their Air Force commissions and keep flying in uniform. But pilots don’t have much time to take advantage of the offer. Air Force Rated Officer Retention Demonstration… Read more »
Some members of the Army Reserve can try out a Reserve pilot program designed to help soldiers find childcare during annual training and drill weekends. The pilot program is offered to Reservists stationed in eastern Iowa and western Missouri – so Reserve families in those areas can find child care while serving. Childcare Issues in… Read more »
A study published on the National Institute for Health official site links “forever chemicals” to testicular cancer among some military members. The study says some troops have an elevated risk of cancer due to a group of substances commonly known as PFAS, which are used in a variety of applications, including military firefighting operations where… Read more »
In August 2023, the Army Reserve found itself out of funding for the Army Reserve Scholarship program some two weeks before school was supposed to start at many colleges and universities. The Army Reserve used up its entire $20 million scholarship budget and, according to Military.com, failed to notify troops of the lack of funding…. Read more »
The Pentagon has not yet fully implemented enhancements to its Exceptional Family Member Program, and that’s a problem for military families with special needs who may be left without support or medical care depending on where they are assigned. A report by the DoD Office of the Inspector General faults the DoD for not updating the program as originally directed. Learn more.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ official site, there are approximately 33 thousand homeless veterans in the United States in 2022. And while that number represents a downward trend in veteran homelessness, the issue is still a major cause of concern at the VA. VA Deploys Mobile Medical Units To Help Homeless Veterans In… Read more »
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, also known as DCFSA, can help lower the burden of childcare costs. DCFSAs do this by allowing pre-tax contributions to an account used to pay for preschool, daycare, adult daycare, and after-school programs. Military families now have the option to apply for a DoD Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. DoD… Read more »
How sexual assault and other serious crimes are handled within the United States military has changed. President Joe Biden signed an executive order changing the Manual for Courts-Martial to address how certain crimes in the ranks are handled. The order profoundly changes how the military must respond to crimes, including sexual assault, domestic violence, child… Read more »