AFSA Chapter 1201, Kirtland AFB

10/04/2026

4 October 2026 Legislative Update

1. Senate Out Until 9 November. The Missoula Current reports, “U.S. senators departed Capitol Hill on Wednesday night for their campaign break, leaving numerous policy disputes unresolved. The chamber won’t return until Nov. 9 for the five-week lame-duck session, when party leaders will have to decide which bills they want to negotiate during what could be the final days of unified Republican control.

“. . . The bills that hang in the balance aren’t small by any measure:

Congress has yet to reach final agreement on the dozen annual government funding bills that total about $1.8 trillion.
Lawmakers haven’t brokered a compromise on the massive annual defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act.
The years-delayed farm bill has yet to see enough momentum to make it to the president’s desk.”
For the rest of the article, go to: Senate leaves in advance of midterms with much still undone

2. First Increase in Hostile Fire Pay in 24 Years. A Department of War news release tells us, “The War Department announced an increase in hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay today for the first time since 2002.

“A memorandum released by Tim Dill, assistant secretary of war for manpower and reserve affairs, states hostile fire pay will be issued at a full monthly rate of $450, which doubles the previous $225 rate, and imminent danger pay will increase to $275 from $225 monthly, effective today. The memo was authored and signed in mid-July, but the increase in hazard pay appropriations goes into effect at the start of the new fiscal year.”

You can read the entire news release at: War Department Increases Two Hazard Pays for First Time in Nearly Quarter Century > U.S. Department of War > Defense Department News | U.S. Department of War

3. Cannon AFB Lost 5,000 Duty Days in 2025 Traveling for Medical Care. The Military Times reports, “Troops at Cannon Air Force Base lost at least 5,000 duty days in 2025 because they had to travel long distances for medical care, with some service members traveling as far as 350 miles each way, according to a new Government Accountability Office [GAO] report.

“The lack of medical services also came with a financial cost. Cannon officials said the Defense Health Agency spent $28 million on medical care outside the installation in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. In 2025 alone, Cannon had approximately 12,400 referrals to healthcare facilities outside the military health system and approximately $587,000 in reimbursable patient travel expenses because those services could not be provided at the installation or in the immediate vicinity.

“The findings are part of a broader GAO review of a non-generalizable sample of nine remote and isolated installations, which found challenges providing critical support services including healthcare, childcare, housing, education and recreation.”

To read more, go to: Troops at Cannon AFB lost 5,000 duty days traveling for medical care: GAO

To see the referenced GAO report, go to: GAO-26-108231, MILITARY INSTALLATIONS: Remote and Isolated Locations Face Challenges Delivering Critical Support Services

4. Military Voting Stand Down. A Department of War memorandum from Secretary Hegseth declares, “. . . I am directing all commanders and supervisors at all levels across the Department to conduct a one-day Stand Down during the month of October of each even-numbered year, beginning this year. This Stand Down will ensure time for Service member training, processing, and submission of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) if Service members choose to vote by absentee ballot. Commanders must allow time for Service members to coordinate with their Unit Voting Assistance Officers (VAO), review specific State voting requirements, complete voter registration, and submit the FPCA to guarantee timely receipt of their ballots.

“In addition, commanders must afford time for Service members to vote during the duty day if the Service member so chooses. Recognizing the challenges military families face, commanders are also directed to exercise maximum scheduling flexibility, allowing Service members the time necessary to assist their spouses and voting-age dependents with voter registration and absentee ballot applications. This Stand Down will be completed no later than October 15th.”

You can access the entire memorandum at:https://media.defense.gov/2026/Oct/02/2004010323/-1/-1/1/MILITARY-VOTING-STAND-DOWN.PDF

5. VGLI Insurance Premium Holiday. Military.com reports, “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an insurance premium holiday they say will save veterans a collective sum of nearly $150 million. Beginning this November, eligible veterans enrolled in the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program (VGLI) will not have to pay insurance premiums for three months.

“More than 457,000 veterans, including service members who were on active duty for more than 30 days, are enrolled in the program, which offers coverage in multiples of $10,000 up to a maximum of $500,000. Their monthly premiums vary depending on age and insurance coverage but, on average, pay around $110 per month.”

For more, go to; VA Announces Insurance Premium Holiday To Save 457,000 Veterans Nearly $150 Million

6. VALIFE - VA Life Insurance Program. A Veterans Benefits Administration factsheet tells us about the VALIFE Program, “Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) provides guaranteed acceptance, whole life insurance coverage to service-connected Veterans. VALife expands access to life insurance coverage, eliminates application deadlines, and meets the unique needs of service-connected Veterans who may not have previously qualified for life insurance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“All Veterans age 80 or under with a VA disability rating of 0-100% are eligible for VALife. For these Veterans, there is no time limit to apply. Veterans who are 81 or older may apply for VALife within two years of receiving notification of a new service-connected disability rating if they
• Applied for VA disability compensation before age 81, and
• Received a new service-connected disability rating after turning 81.

“What benefits does VALife offer?
• Guaranteed acceptance, whole life insurance coverage up to $40,000, available in increments of $10,000.
• No medical requirements for enrollment. However, because of this, there is a two-year waiting period for coverage to begin.

• Coverage lasts for the life of the policy as long as premiums are paid.

• Fully automated online enrollment with instant decisions.

• Cash value that builds over the life of the policy after the first two years of enrollment.”

Those wanting more information on this program can find it at:https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/docs/valife-factsheet.pdf

AFSA Division 6Team Kirtland 5/6Kirtland Airforce Base ACE CouncilKirtland GravityTeam Kirtland First Sergeant CouncilKirtland Spouses ClubTeam Kirtland Top III, Kirtland Air Force Base

09/28/2026

27 September 2026 – Legislative Update

1. Stricter Rules on Shaving Waivers; Possible Forced Separations. Task & Purpose reports, “In the fall of 2025, the Pentagon announced changes to the military’s grooming standards, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth calling for a “clean-shaven” military. The policy directed commanders across the services to evaluate service members for separation if they have “permanent conditions” or shaving accommodations that last more than a year.

“Service members with temporary medical shaving waivers have to be intermittently reevaluated as they undergo medical treatment plans, which can include hair release treatment, different shaving techniques, hair removal creams, or even government-funded laser hair removal. If service members have 12 consecutive months of shaving waivers, they will be reevaluated for separation.”

To read more, go to: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/medical-shaving-waivers/

1. Focus on Specific Areas During Early Days of Military Spouse Commission. The Federal News Network reports, “The new presidential commission on military spouses laid out its initial slate of priorities Monday after receiving thousands of suggested policy changes from active-duty families in its opening weeks.
The panel will first focus on childcare and education — which topped the list of spouses’ concerns, appearing in nearly 40% of messages — as well as deployment-related support, employment, housing and healthcare.
“Many of those solutions will be new, but some already exist and have gotten stuck in the bureaucracy,” Chairwoman Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary’s wife, said at the commission’s inaugural meeting this week. “Some need to be revived, and some need legislation. We will work to find solutions to all of them.”
“And Doniel Wolfe, who is married to the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, hopes to do more for children with special needs and school funding. She’d also like to create a nationwide definition of a Purple Star School, the public and charter schools that offer strong support and services for military-connected children.

“Cindy Wilsbach, who is married to the Air Force chief of staff, said the military has failed to communicate basic information to the spouses at home. She has suggested bolstering the volunteer liaisons who connect commanders and families, as well as making it standard practice to provide spouses’ phone numbers ahead of a crisis. “When things happen, like combat operations taking place in the early part of this year … so many families felt disconnected,” she said. “We didn’t have their contact information.””

“Debbie Schiess, the wife of the Space Force’s top officer, suggested raising the age that dependents lose TRICARE coverage to 26 to match the private insurance protections offered by the Affordable Care Act.
““I would love to see passing legislation to allow spouses who are licensed in any state to practice on federal installations,” she added. “This would tackle two issues at once: aiding in spouse employment and increasing our mental health providers.””
To read about other focus areas being worked by members of this this Commission, go to:
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2026/09/a-new-panel-takes-on-military-families-biggest-headaches/

3. The Cooperative Overseas Military Battlefield Advancement in Trauma (COMBAT) Care Act. The Website of Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., tells us that this, “. . . bill authorizes the establishment of joint education and training programs with foreign countries to develop new techniques that can save lives on the battlefield. It will allow for groundbreaking research to be conducted alongside partners around the world who have made advancements in the space. As warfare evolves, so must the care American servicemembers receive.

“The COMBAT Care Act works to grant the Department of War and the State Department the authority to work together to study military trauma and look towards better treatment options for our service members and veterans.”


Source URL: https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-introduces-legislation-to-innovate-care-for-military-trauma

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Remember, AFSA's 2026 Legislative Awareness Week is 18-24 October. During this time, work to elevate awareness on your bases and in your communities about the extraordinary work AFSA has done and is doing to improve the quality of the lives of those who serve. Also, if opportunities are available, consider visiting with elected officials in the areas where you are stationed. If you need assistance, contact your regional director or me for suggestions and methods to use toward success.

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced the Cooperative Overseas Military Battlefield Advancement in Trauma (COMBAT) Care Act to ensure our militar...

09/27/2026

Congratulations to Tyler Hatfield and Chaplain Daniel Cámara on winning a 1 year membership. They were selected out of all the participants of the POW/MIA 24 hour vigil.

Chaplain Cámara: please check your email for information.

Tyler Hatfield: we will need your email address in order to sign you up, please DM us or email our org box at [email protected]

AFSA Division 6Team Kirtland 5/6Kirtland Airforce Base ACE CouncilKirtland GravityTeam Kirtland First Sergeant CouncilKirtland Spouses ClubTeam Kirtland Top III, Kirtland Air Force Base

09/21/2026

Closing Ceremony of the POW/MIA 24 hour vigil held 19 September 2026.

09/21/2026

https://youtu.be/3DJk7PbVmXg

2026 POW/MIA 24 hour vigil, Kirtland AFB
18-19 September 2026

AFSA Division 6Team Kirtland 5/6Team Kirtland Top III, Kirtland Air Force BaseKirtland Airforce Base ACE CouncilKirtland GravityTeam Kirtland First Sergeant CouncilKirtland Spouses ClubNew Mexico Veterans Memorial

24 hour POW/MIA Vigil at Kirtland AFB led by AFSA Chapter 1201.

09/21/2026

Opening Ceremony of Kirtland AFB POW/MIA 24 hour vigil held 18 September 2026

09/20/2026

20 September 2026 – AFSA Division 6 Legislative Update

1. Provide Units with Accurate Spouse Contact Information. Defense News reports, “The Air Force is launching an effort to improve the service’s ability to collect accurate contact information for spouses and provide it to units’ Key Support Program, the Air Force’s volunteer portion of a command’s family readiness efforts similar to Navy ombudsmen or Marine Corps family readiness volunteers. Key Support Liaisons facilitate communications between commands and families — and often serve as the social foundation for military families when units are deployed.”

To read all of this article, go to: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2026/09/17/us-air-force-renews-efforts-to-ensure-units-have-accurate-spouse-contact-information/

Note: Especially with the increased pace of deployments in recent years, it is critical that units can contact spouses should an emergency arise.

2. After Discharge Petition Votes, Major Richard Star Act Goes to House Floor. Military.com reports, “A petition to force a vote on the Major Richard Start Act reached 218 signatures on Wednesday, paving the way for a U.S. House vote on the bill.
“The Major Richard Star Act, introduced in the Senate and House by bipartisan lawmakers in March 2025, would allow certain veterans who suffered combat-related injuries that made them cut their military careers short to receive both military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation.
“The Act is also contained within pending legislation in Congress, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, which includes dozens of provisions. The bill has drawn scrutiny by some lawmakers, veterans and veterans service organizations, mostly due to what's known as Section 108, with critics bemoaning the legal reduction of future disability payouts for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
“Currently, medically retired service members with fewer than 20 years of service who receive retirement from the Defense Department have their pay reduced by a dollar for every dollar they receive from the VA. The Major Richard Star Act would eliminate that offset.”
For more on this, go to: https://www.military.com/petition-to-force-vote-on-bill-to-give-1450-boost-to-combat-injured-veterans-reaches-major-milestone

3. The VA’s Foreign Medical Program (FMP) for Veterans Having Problems. Stars & Stripes reports, “More doctors, pharmacists and hospitals want their payment up front, because they don’t want to have to file the paperwork and then wait months to get paid through FMP,” Blis said. Higher demand by veterans overseas for VA health care coverage, combined with greater scrutiny of the Foreign Medical Program, is leading to new pressures on the 30-year-old program.

“The Foreign Medical Program paid out $128 million in claims reimbursements to eligible veterans in fiscal year 2024, compared to $35 million in 2018, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. “With more than 80,000 veterans living abroad, the Foreign Medical Program serves as a critical resource for veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries,” the GAO said.
�“Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., recently introduced the Foreign Medical Program Integrity and Improvement Act, which aims to prevent fraud in the growing program, improve payment protections and update technology to speed up reimbursements. Accepted claims to the Foreign Medical Program jumped from roughly 64,000 in 2018 to more than 160,000 by 2024, exposing gaps in tracking and capacity, Harrigan said.”��To read more, go to the Stars and Stripes article at: https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2026-09-17/foreign-medical-program-veterans-overseas-22882393.html?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb

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Congratulations to the many chapters which last week represented our Association in leading POW/MIA Recognition Day and Week events. It was truly an important, noble effort.

Please let Chief Lokovic know if he can be of further assistance.

09/20/2026

09/19/2026

09/19/2026