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Military & Veterans News Veterans can now call 1-800-MyVA411 to report sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9).

Military & Veterans News Nationwide patient survey shows VA hospitals outperform non-VA hospitals According to Medicare’s latest nationwide survey of patients, VA hospitals outperformed non-VA hospitals on all 10 core patient satisfaction metrics — including overall hospital rating, communication with doctors, communication about medication, willingness to recommend the hospital, and more.

Military & Veterans News DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office Hosts Sixth Global Information Dominance Experiment The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), in partnership with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, launched its second Global Information Dominance Experiment, known as GIDE. The sixth iteration of GIDE began Jun. 5 and will conclude Jul. 26. The experimentation team is comprised of U.S. military and civilian personnel from all service branches and multiple combatant commands.

Military & Veterans News VA hires at record rates to deliver care and benefits to Veterans This year, VA has hired employees at record rates to help better deliver world-class care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

Military & Veterans News VA relaxes masking at health care facilities Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has relaxed the masking requirement at VA medical facilities. VA facilities will no longer universally require masks in most clinical areas.

Military & Veterans News Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on President Biden's Nomination of a New Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff I enthusiastically support President Biden’s decision to nominate Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., as the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Brown is an outstanding joint warfighter and a thoughtful, strategic leader who will bring his trademark skill, talent and judgment to this critical role, if confirmed.

Military & Veterans News VA now working with 1,000+ community-based coalitions to end Veteran suicide Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it is now working with more than 1,000 local community coalitions engaged in ending Veteran suicide. These coalitions, established through VA’s Public Health Model for Suicide Prevention, now reach more than 7.5 million Veterans nationwide.

Military & Veterans News VA invites Veterans, public to attend Memorial Day ceremonies at 130+ VA national cemeteries Today, VA announced that it will host Memorial Day ceremonies at more than 130 national cemeteries to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

Military & Veterans News Studies show VA health care is better than or equal to non-VA health care The Journal of General Internal Medicine and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons published articles based on a systematic review of studies about VA health care, concluding VA health care is consistently as good as — or better than — non-VA health care.

Military & Veterans News DOD Updates Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance Adjustment Process The Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (OCOLA) is an allowance that ensures our Service members who are assigned to a permanent duty station outside the contiguous U.S. (OCONUS) (i.e., foreign countries, U.S. territories, Alaska, and Hawaii) maintain the same level of purchasing power as Service members stationed in CONUS locations — not less purchasing power, but not more either.

Military & Veterans News Veterans and survivors have filed more than 500,000 toxic exposure-related benefits claims under the PACT Act More than 3 million Veterans have received toxic exposure screenings since President Biden signed PACT into law

Military & Veterans News VA to host cross-country march honoring veterans and service members during ‘Memorial May’ VA encourages volunteers to join cross-country march honoring veterans and service members during ‘Memorial May’

Military & Veterans News DOD Produces Climate Assessment Tool, Strengthens Climate Cooperation With Six Allies Two years ago at the Climate Leaders Summit led by President Joseph R Biden Jr., Honorable Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III committed to produce tailored versions of the DOD Climate Assessment Tool (DCAT) for six allies: Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.

Military & Veterans News VA, NIH launch study of Gulf War Illness Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institutes of Health began a joint, five-year study that aims to explain the chronic symptoms of Gulf War Illness. The study may lead to more definitive diagnostic criteria for Gulf War Illness, development of new diagnostic testing, and potential treatments.

Military & Veterans News VA and AFGE reach tentative agreement to better serve Veterans and support VA employees Today, VA reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) — the union that represents more than 291,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees – on a master bargaining agreement.

Military & Veterans News VA waives copayments for eligible Native American and Alaska Native Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are no longer required to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA.

Military & Veterans News Month of the Military Child 2023 – Taking Care of Our Military Children The Defense Department is observing April as Month of the Military Child and will highlight programs, resources and services available to support the overall well-being of military children, youth and teens.

Military & Veterans News VA reaches $1 Billion in grants awarded to states, territories, and Tribes for Veteran cemeteries This month, VA’s National Cemetery Administration awarded its billionth dollar to states, U.S. territories, and Tribes for the establishment, expansion, improvement, and maintenance of state, territorial, and Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

Military & Veterans News DOD Announces Six New Measures to Enhance Well-Being of Military Force and Their Families Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at improving the lives of our dedicated military force and their families. The new plan consists of six additional actions that address essential needs in education, childcare, parental leave, and career advancement. The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to working with Congress and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these measures.

Military & Veterans News DOD Announces Next Steps on Suicide Prevention in the Military Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a memorandum on the Next Steps on Suicide Prevention in the Military.

Military & Veterans News New VA Mission Statement recognizes sacred commitment to all Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an updated version of its 1959 mission statement. The new mission statement is: “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

Military & Veterans News VA increases maximum life insurance coverage for Veterans and service members by $100,000 WASHINGTON — Today, the Biden-Harris administration released the president’s budget for fiscal year 2024. This budget proposes critical resources to help VA serve all Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors as well as they have served their country.

Military & Veterans News VA relaxes masking requirements at medical facilities WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has relaxed the masking requirement at VA medical facilities. This update ensures the safety of Veterans while accommodating individual masking preferences and aligning with CDC guidelines.

Military & Veterans News Marine Corps Announces Moves to Modernize Logistics The Marine Corps released Installations and Logistics 2030 on February 23, 2023.

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