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Show Notes
This episode of MIL News Weekly covers the key developments impacting military personnel, retirees, and veterans for February 15–21, 2026. We highlight the Senate’s passage of the 2026 defense appropriations bill, which includes historic pay raises—3.8% for all service members and a targeted 10% increase for junior enlisted ranks—plus major investments in readiness and modernization. The episode also explains the new Shutdown Fairness Act, which protects pay during government shutdowns, and improved TRICARE pharmacy coverage for remote families. Retirees learn about a 2.8% COLA increase, crucial enrollment steps for TRICARE after retirement, pending dental/vision premium changes, and the Veteran and Military Families First Act offering job security for federal employees. For veterans, the show unpacks the controversial shift in disability ratings based on managed symptoms, changes to VA apportionments, new career training bills, and recent medical research linking Agent Orange exposure to skin cancer. The episode wraps up with news on legislative efforts to anchor veterans’ rights and improve transition services.
- (00:00) - Welcome to MIL News Weekly (15–21 Feb 2026)
- (00:40) - Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel
- (02:44) - Shutdown Fairness Act & Pay Our Military Act: Protecting Pay During Funding Gaps
- (03:38) - TRICARE Prime Remote Update: Copays Waived for Remote Active-Duty Families
- (04:12) - Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel
- (05:45) - Retirement TRICARE Checklist: DEERS, ID Cards, Plan Choices, and SHPE
- (08:04) - Dental/Vision Changes + Senate Bill 1068 Job Protections for Veteran Civil Servants
- (09:09) - Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs
- (10:24) - Sleep Apnea & Dependent Benefits: Rating Overhaul and Apportionment Limits
- (11:48) - Big VA Bills in Congress: VR&E Modernization, GI Bill Updates, and a Veterans’ Bill of Rights
- (13:56) - VA Research Breakthroughs: Agent Orange Cancer Link, Parkinson’s, and Opioid Withdrawal
- (15:11) - Final Weekly Briefing Wrap-Up & Subscribe