VA, Defense Department end ban on IVF treatments for unmarried and same-sex couples

Service members and veterans will be allowed to access in vitro fertilization treatment regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced.

VA’s $369 billion budget for 2025 anticipates increased disability payments but reduction in VA health care staff

The VA is proposing a $369.3 billion spending plan for fiscal 2025 that includes nearly $25 billion for a toxic exposures fund that compensates veterans diagnosed with medical conditions from contact with burn pits, radiation and other environmental hazards.

Space Force budget decreases despite need to compete against China

The Air Force requested $29.4 billion for the military’s 4-year-old service branch for fiscal 2025, which begins Oct. 1. That’s roughly $3 billion less than the 2024 Space Force budget, which has yet to be approved by Congress.

Air Force budget request holds steady from last year with tough choices against rising costs

A stagnant Air Force budget proposal for fiscal 2025 led the service to make tough decisions on funding procurement while meeting increased costs for personnel pay and the rising price of flight hours and munitions.

New barracks, pay increase, recruiting, more training exercises in Pacific are focuses in Army budget proposal for 2025

Improving poor living conditions for soldiers and military families, overcoming a sag in recruiting, a pay increase for military personnel and investing in the Indo-Pacific region to challenge China are focuses in the Army’s proposed budget for fiscal 2025.

Pentagon seeks almost $850 billion in 2025 proposed budget sent to Congress, which has yet to pass 2024 funding

The Pentagon on Monday sent Congress a nearly $850 billion budget request for fiscal 2025 that would invest heavily in technology aimed at countering Chinese military advancements and a pay raise for troops while also shrinking the size of U.S. armed forces.

Number of unhoused veterans in Las Vegas increased over 60% in 2023

Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher spoke Friday at the North Las Vegas Veteran Affairs Medical Center to address the sharp increase in veteran homelessness in Las Vegas and detail the department’s new efforts to house at least 900 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2024.

Veteran Army lieutenant colonel sentenced for possessing child pornography

A former Army lieutenant colonel who pleaded guilty to possessing and sharing images on an instant messaging app of children younger than 12 being exploited sexually was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Senate passes VA funding bill that strengthens gun rights for veterans, averts shutdown

The Senate passed a long-delayed, full-year spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday that strengthens gun rights for certain veterans and averts a partial government shutdown.

Body found half buried in Florida 43 years ago identified as Vietnam War vet, cops say

More than four decades after a body was found partially buried in a Florida park, the man has been identified as a U.S. Marine, a Vietnam War veteran and a father.

Veterans and advocates urge due process before VA removes gun rights

A veteran’s need for help managing disability payments and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs should not trigger the loss of his or her right to own a gun, said Monte Twilley, an Army veteran from Texas.

Hawaii’s last Pearl Harbor survivor laid to rest

Sterling Robert Cale, the last known Pearl Harbor attack survivor living in Hawaii, was laid to rest Thursday alongside his late wife at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.

VFW leader warns about predatory ‘claims sharks’ illegally targeting veterans

Cracking down on predatory “claims sharks” that charge veterans exorbitant fees to file for disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs is a priority for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, whose leaders urged lawmakers to toughen laws against the illegal practices.

One of NASA’s newest astronauts is a former Navy test pilot from California; will she make it to the moon?

Jessica Wittner, a former Navy test pilot and project officer with Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31, the Dust Devils, at China Lake, is one of the nation’s newest NASA astronauts.

New memoir details AFN DJ Gorgeous George’s odyssey behind the mic

“Gorgeous George,” as he would one day be known, didn’t have much in the way of future prospects. He ended up enlisting in the military, and went on to spin records in Thailand, South Korea and Germany, interview rock stars and politicians and report on pivotal moments in history.

Maine mass shooter Robert Card had traumatic brain injury, Boston University CTE researchers find

The Maine mass shooter who was a U.S. Army Reservist had a traumatic brain injury before he killed 18 people and injured more than a dozen others last year, according to Boston University researchers.

NJ politician lied about being a Navy SEAL and must resign, party leaders say

A bipartisan group of political leaders is calling on a Sussex County commissioner to resign after he was accused of lying about serving as a Navy SEAL.

House approves long-delayed funding for VA and military construction as shutdown nears

The House approved a $460 billion spending package on Wednesday to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and five other federal agencies through the fall, signing off on a long overdue budget for veteran health programs and military construction.

WWII pilot Dick Nelms receives Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael award for his service

During World War II, Army Air Forces pilot Capt. Dick Nelms flew 35 missions in the B-17 Flying Fortress into Nazi-occupied territory in Europe. He was recently honored with the Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael award.