The Army National Guard temporarily suspended reenlistment bonuses in March 2024, prompting some who were scheduled to reenlist in March to reconsider doing so until the payment of those bonuses starts again. A National Guard memorandum issued on 1 March 2024 advises, “Effective immediately, the issuance of reenlistment bonuses is suspended” for those up for… Read more »
Update 4/9/2024: Military pharmacies are back to full operating capacity following the cyberattack mentioned in the article below. Change Healthcare (the agency responsible for processing aspects of military pharmacy benefits related to insurance coverage) removed itself from the military healthcare system while it worked on the security breach. It has since returned to full operations…. Read more »
In recent years, there have been many headlines rightfully complaining about the living and working conditions on military bases. Black mold in the barracks, contaminated drinking water, and a lack of response to tenant complaints are only some of the many complaints about military bases and base housing. Military Housing Fix Strategy Announced by the… Read more »
Military members deployed overseas face plenty of potential financial hardship. Junior enlisted are typically the first to suffer if food allowances are reduced. Learn more.
Child care for military families may be getting more affordable. The Department of Defense has announced steps to reduce on-base child care costs for what the DoD describes as “lower-income military families” at bases around the globe. Learn more.
TRICARE has announced new healthcare provider contracts and expanded services, all scheduled to take effect in 2025. There are several changes with those contracts that TRICARE officials believe will bring improvements, such as more flexibility for in-network care, more telemedicine options, and improved care transfers during PCS moves. Some of these changes were meant to… Read more »
The PACT Act, also known as the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, has helped over 100 thousand veterans who signed up for PACT Act benefits since 2022. Some benefits promised under the Act aren’t active at press time, though some seek to change that. The Department of Veterans Affairs describes the act as a… Read more »
Lawmakers have introduced a bill meant to help veterans avoid foreclosures on VA home loans in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Even at press time in 2024, the economic effects of COVID are still being felt, and the veteran community is especially vulnerable to home loan default because of economic hardship. There are… Read more »
Military Benefits Updates and Changes for 2024 Military benefits are updated for 2024 as of the first day of the new year. BAS, BAH, COLA, and other rates are subject to change from year to year. Here are the rates and information for 2024. Military Pay Raise in 2024 The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act… Read more »
The Department of Defense wants to overhaul the military healthcare system and re-attract patients (who previously chose a non-military care option) back to military medical waiting rooms. In early December 2023, the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed a memorandum “directing the stabilization of the Military Health System,” requiring military hospitals to “add capacity to reattract… Read more »