AFSA Chapter 959, Minot Air Force Base

08/29/2026

Come join us at South Hill in Minot to help support the Air Force Ball! We'll have a table set up until about 1600!

08/20/2026

AFSA ON THE HILL | LEGISLATIVE IMPACT 2022–2026

What does AFSA advocacy actually accomplish?

Four years of documented results for enlisted service members, veterans, retirees, survivors, and military families.

THE HONORING OUR PACT ACT

Signed into law in 2022 after advocacy from AFSA and The Military Coalition, the PACT Act became one of the largest expansions of veterans’ health care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans in history.

* 5.9 million toxic exposure screenings
* 1.2 million+ PACT Act-related disability claims approved
* 88% reduction in VA disability claims waiting more than 125 days
* Expanded care for burn pit, Agent Orange, radiation, Gulf War, and other toxic exposures
* New presumptive conditions that removed the burden of proof for thousands of veterans

YEAR-BY-YEAR IMPACT

2022 | Honoring Our PACT Act

* Largest VA toxic-exposure healthcare and benefits expansion in decades
* New presumptive conditions for burn pit and airborne-hazard exposure

2023 | Basic Needs Allowance

* New financial support for qualifying junior enlisted families
* Continued advocacy for military pay
* BAH accuracy
* TRICARE access
* Military family food security

2024 | Pay & Benefits

* Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability funding secured
* Targeted junior enlisted pay raise included in the FY25 NDAA
* One of the largest targeted enlisted pay increases in decades

2025 | Dole Act & Quality of Life

* Senator Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act signed
* Expanded caregiver and long-term support
* Military family improvements
* Quality-of-life provisions advanced through the NDAA

2026 | THE FIGHT CONTINUES

AFSA continues advocating for:

* Major Richard Star Act
* Concurrent receipt for combat-injured retirees
* BAH reform
* TRICARE improvements
* Enlisted quality of life
* Military pay and compensation
* Veteran disability and retirement benefits
* Military family support
* GI Bill transferability reform
* And other priorities affecting the Total Force

GI BILL TRANSFERABILITY

AFSA is exploring legislative solutions to ensure service members don’t lose the ability to transfer earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits simply because their family grows later in their career or after military service.

Potential legislative paths include:

* Military Family GI Bill Promise Act
* Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability Entitlement Act
* Greater flexibility for transferring benefits to dependents
* Protection of earned benefits after retirement or honorable discharge

The principle is simple: Benefits earned are benefits kept.

THE RECORD

* 80+ documented legislative actions from 2019–2025
* 660+ documented actions since 1992
* Millions of service members, veterans, retirees, survivors, and military families impacted

CURRENT AFSA LEGISLATIVE ACTION CAMPAIGNS

Pay Our Troops Act

* Protect military pay during a government shutdown
* Keep service members from being used as leverage during funding disputes
* Create a permanent safeguard for military families

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/AFSA/Campaigns/130506/Respond

Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act

* Protect veteran access to telehealth
* Reduce barriers for rural and underserved veterans
* Support continuity of mental health, pain management, and other care

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/126232/Respond

CHIP IN Act

* Modernize VA healthcare facilities
* Expand successful public-private partnerships
* Help projects move faster
* Improve veterans’ access to quality healthcare

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/123293/Respond

Protect Our Veterans’ Disability & Retired Pay Benefits

* Protect earned VA disability compensation
* Protect military retirement benefits
* Preserve the commitments made to those who served

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/121980/respond

Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act

* Establish a five-year VA pilot program
* Expand treatment options for TBI and PTSD

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/113524/Respond

Major Richard Star Act

* Help approximately 42,000 combat-injured military retirees
* Allow qualifying retirees to receive military retired pay and VA disability compensation
* Address the offset affecting medically retired combat veterans with less than 20 years of service

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond

Retired Pay Restoration Act

* Expand concurrent receipt
* Protect military retired pay
* Protect VA disability compensation
* Ensure veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned

Take Action:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond

WHY THIS MATTERS

These issues affect:

* Your paycheck
* Your BAH
* Your healthcare
* Your PCS
* Your family
* Your education benefits
* Your VA benefits
* Your retirement
* Your future after military service

AFSA doesn’t just support those who serve. We advocate for them.

Every member strengthens that voice.

Your Membership Matters. You Matter.

08/20/2026

Success! Sold out in 15 min. Thank you for your support. Become members today!

08/20/2026

We are out of food! Thank you for coming out

08/20/2026

Food!!

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Division 3 Vice President, TSgt Anthony J. Kelly had the privilege ...

08/09/2026

🇺🇸 AFSA UPDATE | 9 AUGUST 2026

From military pay and BAH to spouse quality of life and veterans’ benefits, there are several important developments this week. Here’s what you need to know 👇

🏛️ SENATE PASSES STOPGAP FUNDING BILL

The Senate passed a bipartisan Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund federal agencies through 11 December, an important step toward preventing a government shutdown this fall.

The House previously passed a CR through 4 December, so the differences will still need to be resolved when Congress returns from the August recess.

🔗 Breaking Defense:
https://breakingdefense.com/

🇺🇸 NEW MILITARY SPOUSE COMMISSION ESTABLISHED

The White House has established the President’s Military Spouse Commission, focused on longstanding quality-of-life challenges facing military spouses and families.

Areas expected to receive attention include:

• Spouse employment
• Housing
• Education
• Childcare
• Healthcare
• Deployment support

Military spouse unemployment has remained a significant challenge for years, making the commission’s work worth watching closely.

🔗 Military Times:
https://www.militarytimes.com/

🔗 White House Executive Order:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/establishing-the-presidents-military-spouse-commission-af64/

🏠 IS IT TIME TO MODERNIZE BAH?

A Federal News Network opinion piece argues that the methodology used to calculate Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has not kept pace with today’s housing market.

Unlike civilian families, military families can’t simply relocate to a cheaper area when housing costs increase. When BAH doesn’t keep pace with local markets, service members are left covering the difference.

PCS expenses compound the problem. Military Family Advisory Network research cited in the article found families can absorb approximately $1,900 in unreimbursed moving costs, plus nearly $3,000 in damaged or missing property during a move.

BAH isn’t simply a housing issue. It’s a military compensation, family readiness, and retention issue.

🔗 Federal News Network:
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/

🎗️ NEW RESEARCH EXAMINES ALS RISK BY MILITARY SERVICE

A study examining 9.9 million veterans found differences in ALS diagnosis rates among the military services.

Compared with Army veterans:

• Air Force veterans: 29% higher rate
• Coast Guard veterans: 26% higher
• Navy veterans: 15% higher
• Marines: 22% lower

Researchers also found officers had a 64% higher rate than enlisted veterans.

The cause of the increased ALS risk among military personnel has not been scientifically established. The VA currently presumes ALS to be service-connected for qualifying veterans.

🔗 Military Times:
https://www.militarytimes.com/

🩺 VA TESTING GLP-1 MEDICATION FOR ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

The VA has launched a nationwide clinical trial examining whether semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication, could help veterans reduce alcohol consumption.

More than 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, according to the VA.

Researchers are investigating whether GLP-1 medications may affect areas of the brain involved in reward and addictive behaviors.

🔗 VA News:
https://news.va.gov/

💰 NEW BILL WOULD ADDRESS VA RECOUPMENT OF SEPARATION PAY

Legislation has been introduced that would prevent the VA from reducing veterans’ disability compensation to recover certain military separation payments received when leaving active duty.

The issue can result in veterans unexpectedly having disability payments withheld years after receiving separation pay.

🔗 Military Times:
https://www.militarytimes.com/

🇺🇸 BRING OUR HEROES HOME ACT MOVES FORWARD

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously advanced the bipartisan Bring Our Heroes Home Act (S. 3226).

The legislation would establish a centralized collection of records at the National Archives and create a specialized review board to accelerate the declassification of government records involving American POW/MIA personnel.

The goal is simple: help families get the answers they’ve waited far too long to receive.

🔗 Senator Mike Crapo:
https://www.crapo.senate.gov/

🔗 Read S. 3226:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3226

📣 Stay informed. Stay engaged.

These issues directly affect our Airmen, Guardians, veterans, retirees, and military families. Understanding what’s happening in Washington helps us advocate for the people who serve and have served.

Your Membership Matters. You Matter.

08/03/2026

🇺🇸 AFSA Division 6 Weekly Legislative Update | 2 August 2026

Here’s what Airmen, Guardians, veterans, retirees, and military families should know this week:

📌 Military Compensation
The Department of Defense’s latest Quadrennial Review found that military compensation remains competitive with, and often exceeds, comparable private-sector compensation. The review examines pay, housing, healthcare, retirement, education, and more.

🔗 https://www.defense.gov/News/

🚗 Mileage Reimbursement Increased
If you’re traveling on official orders, reimbursement rates increased effective 1 July 2026.

• TDY: 76¢ per mile
• PCS: 23.5¢ per mile
• Other authorized POV travel: 23.5¢ per mile

Be sure to use the updated rates when planning travel in DTS.

🔗 https://www.jbsa.mil/News/

💙 10 Military Spouse Benefits You May Be Missing
Military spouses have access to far more than healthcare. The article highlights valuable benefits including:

✅ MyCAA scholarships (up to $4,000)
✅ Federal hiring preference
✅ Free legal assistance
✅ Professional license reimbursement
✅ Military OneSource career coaching
✅ Space-A travel
✅ MWR programs
…and more.

🔗 https://www.military.com/

🥾 Lighter MREs Could Be Coming
Congress is encouraging the development of lighter, more compact combat rations to reduce the load troops carry during extended operations. New Close Combat Assault Rations already reduce weight and volume while providing multiple days of nutrition.

🔗 https://www.militarytimes.com/

🧠 New PTSD Research Shows Promise
A pilot study found that some veterans with severe PTSD experienced remission after receiving psilocybin-assisted therapy. While still experimental and not approved as standard treatment, the findings add to growing research into new treatment options.

🔗 https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2026-07-30/veterans-ptsd-resolves-with-psychedelic-therapy-in-small-us-study

🌾 USDA Launches Military Hiring Initiative
The USDA announced a new initiative to hire veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through an expanded SkillBridge partnership and its “100 Hires in 100 Days” campaign.

🔗 https://www.rd.usda.gov/

🎓 A VA Education Benefit That Can Outperform the GI Bill
Many eligible veterans may receive greater education benefits through Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) than the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Potential advantages include:
• No tuition cap for approved programs
• Up to 48 months of benefits
• Does not reduce your GI Bill entitlement

If you have a service-connected disability, it may be worth exploring your eligibility.

🔗 https://www.military.com/

Staying informed helps us advocate more effectively for our enlisted force, retirees, veterans, and military families.

07/31/2026

🇺🇸 AFSA On the Hill Update

While AFSA Headquarters is in Orlando for THE SUMMIT and the 2026 International Convention, the Military & Government Relations newsletter is taking a short break. Here’s what you need to know:

📚 Big Legislative Win!

The Senate HELP Committee has advanced the College Transparency Act, legislation proudly supported by AFSA.

Why it matters:
For too long, veterans and service members using the GI Bill haven’t been fully counted in federal college outcome data. This legislation helps ensure military-connected students have access to accurate graduation and career outcome data before investing their earned education benefits.

✅ More transparency
✅ Better education decisions
✅ Greater accountability for schools
✅ Stronger protection of GI Bill benefits

💪 Take Action Today

Help AFSA advocate for legislation that directly impacts Airmen, Guardians, veterans, retirees, and military families.

🇺🇸 Pay Our Troops Act
Protect military pay during future government shutdowns.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/AFSA/Campaigns/130506/Respond

🏥 Protect Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act
Ensure veterans continue to have access to safe, convenient virtual healthcare.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/126232/Respond

🏗️ CHIP IN Act
Expand and modernize VA healthcare facilities through public-private partnerships.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/123293/Respond

💙 Protect Our Veterans’ Disability and Retired Pay Benefits
Safeguard the benefits our veterans earned through their service.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/121980/respond

🧠 Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act
Expand treatment options for veterans living with TBI and PTSD.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/113524/Respond

⭐ Major Richard Star Act
Allow combat-injured medical retirees to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond

🎖️ Retired Pay Restoration Act
Restore full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation for eligible retirees.
🔗 https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond

Every voice matters. It only takes a few minutes to make yours heard.

📖 Be sure to check out the latest AFSA Magazine for legislative updates, chapter highlights, veterans’ healthcare news, member stories, and more.