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Each year, as directed by the Congress, the Department of Defense submits a report with the President’s budget describing the Navy’s plan for its future fleet for the next 30 years. In this report, the Congressional Budget Office analyzes the Navy’s 2025 plan and estimates its costs. Overall, the Navy wants to build a larger fleet whose firepower is distributed among more ships than it is today

The Navy says it is continuing to investigate what led to the USS Gettysburg firing at a Navy fighter in the Red Sea in the early hours of December 22. The Pentagon has released few details of the accident, but the two F/A-18 crew members ejected seconds before the missile struck. They suffered minor injuries. The USS Gettysburg is part of a strike group engaged in an attack on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen. The terrorist group has been disrupting international shipping since the start of the war in Gaza in 2023.

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD -- The U.S. Navy announced today that it has awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. a $3.5 billion contract to conduct the mission-systems integration for the E-130J, which will be the successor to the E-6B Mercury for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission.

Michigan police are investigating the mysterious drowning death of a father of two and Navy veteran who was last seen with family at a popular vacation spot in Frankenmuth – a Bavarian-inspired town between Saginaw and Flint. The Frankenmuth Police Department (FPD) and its dive teams found and recovered Robert Loren Bacon, 52, from the Cass River near Heritage Park on Jan. 4.

Many U.S. military service members anticipate significant increases to their pay and allowances in 2025, such as a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and an average 5.4% bump in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, varying by location and other factors.

Under the Navy’s 2025 shipbuilding plan, total shipbuilding costs would average about $40 billion per year (in 2024 dollars) through 2054, CBO estimates, as the Navy built a fleet of 390 battle force ships.

WASHINGTON — Chronic pain, sleep disorders and increasing health challenges were identified as risk factors that veterans most frequently reported to doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to their deaths by suicide from 2020-2022, according to a new VA report. Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-01-02/veterans,-suicides,-chronic-pain,-sleep-disorders-16353382.html Source - Stars and Stripes

DFAS Retiree Newsletter - Dec

Cost: The Zumwalt-class destroyers are the U.S. Navy’s largest and most advanced, featuring stealth technology, advanced weapon systems, and unmatched undersea warfare capabilities. -Designed for multi-role missions, including land attack, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare, the Zumwalt-class cost $24.5 billion but fell short due to extreme costs, limited functionality, and an abandoned Advanced Gun System. Only three were built instead of the planned 32.

Are you a Veteran who served at least two periods of service? In other words, did you reenlist? If so, there’s a chance that you’re eligible for additional G.I. Bill benefits. Today, VA announced that it has updated its process for awarding G.I. Bill benefits. This means that many Veterans who served multiple periods of military service (for example, Veterans who reenlisted) may be eligible for additional benefits for themselves or their beneficiaries.

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump complained on Friday that American flags would still be lowered to half-staff in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter during Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. President Joe Biden ordered flags lowered to half-staff for 30 days from the day of Carter's death on Dec. 29, as is custom when a U.S. president dies.

The Presidential Citizens Medal, the second highest civilian award of our government, was established to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed “exemplary deeds of service for our nation.” Past recipients include Hank Aaron, Muhammed Ali, Bob Dole, Robert Gates and Colin Powell. At the White House on Jan. 2, President Biden added Navy Captain (Ret) Dr. Frank Butler and 19 others to this list.

Military commanders will lose their authority to overturn court-martial findings in the most serious sexual harassment cases as of Jan. 1, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-12-31/sexual-harassment-military-special-trial-counsels-16335871.html Source - Stars and Stripes

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to increase the pace of U.S. military shipbuilding. But his pledge to also clamp down on immigration could make it hard for shipyards already facing workforce shortages.

The United States military said Tuesday its forces had "conducted multiple precision strikes" that hit Houthi targets in Yemen's capital. The targets had been used by the Iran-backed rebels used to attack American warships and commercial vessels, U.S. Central Command said in a news release. The attacks began on Monday and continued on Tuesday. A video shared by the command shows planes taking off and rockets being launched from a ship.

Information warfare experts are increasingly in demand across the U.S. Navy, and in a move made this month, they’ll now be eligible for sea command. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro amended service regulations to create more command opportunities for information warfare officers. He released a message about the change this month.

WASHINGTON — Christopher, a Marine Corps veteran who survived a truck explosion while serving in Afghanistan, said the near-death experience caused him to consider his own mortality and how he wants his burial to be handled. Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2024-12-29/veterans-green-burials-national-cemeteries-16294821.html Source - Stars and Stripes

A sailor assigned to a Japan-based guided-missile destroyer died on Dec. 30 after a shooting incident aboard the warship, USNI News has learned. Operations Specialist 3rd class Romario Clennon, from Atlanta, Ga., had been hospitalized in Japan following the incident on Dec. 24, according to a statement from the service.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 301456Z DEC 24 MID120001671979U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 261/24 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//00// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//00// MSID/GENADMIN/CNO WAHSINGTON DC/N1/MMM // SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT OF RESERVE MARITIME SPACE OFFICER (MSO) COMMUNITY// REF/A/DOC/BUPERS/03MAY13// REF/B/DOC/BUPERS/21JUN16// NARR/REF A IS BUPERSINST 1001.39F CH-1, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR NAVY RESERVE PERSONNEL. REF B IS MILPERSMAN 1212-010, LATERAL TRANSFER AND CHANGE OF DESIGNATOR CODES OF REGULAR AND RESERVE OFFICER.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the establishment of the Reserve Maritime Space Officer (MSO) designator (1875) within the Information Warfare Community (IWC). 2. Reserve MSO establishment is a major milestone in building out the overall Navy space community. Reserve MSOs complement and augment the Active Duty MSO community as the maritime space integration and planning professionals of the Navy, providing a unique combination of prior warfare qualification, operational experience, and fundamental knowledge and background in space-related capabilities. Reserve MSOs also often bring extensive civilian space expertise - from the intelligence community, DoD agencies, other government agencies, and the full spectrum of innovative corporations - to enhance the application of space capabilities to maritime operations. A unified Active and Reserve MSO community is critical to achieving national security objectives through the integration of space capabilities into maritime operations and plans. 3. Reserve MSOs will be members of the IWC and assigned globally to fill key space oriented positions throughout the Fleet, to include Navy Maritime Operation Centers, Navy Warfighting Development Centers, U.S. Space Command, the National Intelligence Community and the Information Warfare Type Command. 4. The Reserve Component (RC) MSO/1875 Community will conduct an initial redesignation panel in Fiscal Year 2024 for conversion to MSO. Subsequent Change of Designator requests will be accepted on a rolling basis. All applicants must meet eligibility requirements outlined in reference (b). Officers with documented space education/training, space cadre qualification, and/or civilian space experience are eligible to apply. Interested applicants can find application requirements and procedures posted on https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Community-Management/Officer/Reserve-OCM/Selected-Reservists/RC-IWC/ . All applicants require concurrence from their respective (losing) reserve officer Community Managers prior to submitting an application. All applicants must be able to obtain a top secret/sensitive compartmented information security clearance. Interested officers should contact the RC point of contact in paragraph 6. 5. Applicants will be notified of their selection status once the initial list of MSO accessions has been approved. 6. For questions, contact Ms. Patricia Pifer, Reserve IW Officer Community Manager, phone (901) 874-2976, e-mail patricia.a.pifer.civ@us.navy.mil or LT Charles Youngblood, Reserve IW Assistant Officer Community Manager, phone (901) 874-4309, e-mail charles.c.youngblood.mil@us.navy.mil. 7. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//

U.S. president, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and submariner James Earl Carter, Jr., died in his home on Sunday in Plains, Ga. He was 100. Carter was a peanut farmer-turned-multi-role public servant. He served as the 39th president of the United States between 1977 to 1981 . Less known to most Americans, his public life began at the U.S. Naval Academy and service in nuclear-powered submarines.

Women are departing the SWO community earlier than their male counterparts, leaving fewer officers to fill vital leadership billets.

A former US Marine accused of training Chinese military pilots will be extradited to face charges in the United States, Australia’s Attorney General confirmed Monday, dealing a blow to supporters who have mounted a public campaign for his freedom. Daniel Duggan, a naturalized Australian, was arrested in the state of New South Wales in 2022 based on a 2017 US grand jury indictment that accuses him of training Chinese military pilots in violation of a US arms embargo.

The US nearly shot down a second Navy fighter jet over the Red Sea on Saturday — missing it by just 100 feet — in a friendly fire incident, Fox News reported Tuesday, citing military sources. Not one but two F/A-18 Super Hornets were flying above the US guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg during anti-Houthi missions in the region when the Navy launched a pair of surface-to-air missiles from the ship.

With the end of the year approaching, it’s a good time to consider your family’s healthcare needs for the coming year. As you think about things like scheduling preventive care visits and knowing your 2025 TRICARE costs, you should also note some changes coming to TRICARE in 2025. There will be a new health plan and dental contracts—as well as other expanded TRICARE benefits—that may provide you and your family with services to support your overall health and well-being. “TRICARE remains committed to offering service members, retirees, and their family members with the best possible benefit wherever they are,” said Dr. David Krulak, Director of TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “We believe these changes will help improve access to high-quality care for TRICARE beneficiaries around the world.” Keep reading to learn about four of these changes and whether they’ll affect your family.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 231816Z DEC 24 MID120001661135U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 259/24 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//00// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//00// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/DEC// SUBJ/SELECTED RESERVE TUITION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE// REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/28DEC23// REF/B/DOC/NETC/23APR24// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/111822ZAPR24// NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1560.9B, VOLUNTARY EDUCATION FOR NAVY SAILORS. REF B IS NETCINST 1560.3A, NAVY VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. REF C IS NAVADMIN 075/24, SELECTED RESERVE TUITION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM. RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the continuance of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) Tuition Assistance (TA) Pilot Program. The SELRES TA program is governed by references (a) and (b), except as modified or amplified in this message. This NAVADMIN supersedes and cancels reference (c) and is in effect for all TA courses approved after the release of this NAVADMIN. 2. This pilot program expands eligibility requirements of the TA program to enlisted SELRES Sailors in a paid drilling status who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraph 4 of this message. Reserve enlisted personnel who are ordered to Active Duty for 120 consecutive days or more are already eligible for TA in line with references (a) and (b) and not eligible to apply for additional TA as specified in this NAVADMIN. 3. SELRES TA will be limited to a cap of 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or 270 clock hours (or any combination thereof) for each eligible enlisted Sailor per fiscal year. Eligible enlisted SELRES Sailors are encouraged to apply in a timely manner, as funding may be limited based on the approved TA budget. 4. Enlisted Sailors must meet the following SELRES TA requirements: a. Be a satisfactory participant in the Navy Reserve and in a paid drilling status. Individual Ready Reserve, Voluntary Training Unit, and Active Status Pool members are not eligible. b. Have served a minimum 3 years of time-in-service (active and/or reserve) as calculated from Pay Entry Based Date. c. Have taken the most recent advancement exam and passed if eligible (E4-E6 only). If not time-in-rate eligible, must have completed Professional Military Knowledge-Exam Eligibility for the next higher paygrade. d. Must not be in a duty under instruction status. e. Must have at least 6 months remaining from the course start date until the end of obligated service or as extended. f. Must have passed the most recent physical fitness assessment or have been medically waived. See reference (a) for further details. g. Must not be currently in processing for administrative separation or have been convicted at court-martial or awarded non- judicial punishment within the last 12-months. See reference (b) for further details. h. Be approved for participation by the Navy Reserve Activity (NRA) TA Command Approver via a special request chit (NAVPERS 1336/3). i. Must have completed the Enlisted Leadership Development Course for their paygrade (effective 1 January 2025). 5. NRA Commanding Officers will designate NRA TA Command Approvers in writing. 6. Applications will be screened by the NRA TA Command Approver to ensure all eligibility requirements listed in paragraph 4 and in references (a) and (b) are met prior to approval. Applicants must complete the following process: a. Complete the online Virtual Learning 101 training located in MyNavy Education at https://sas.ncdc.navy.mil/login/sasdeersvalidation.aspx?RedirectUrl=http://my education.netc.navy.mil/webta/. b. Upload an education plan to their MyNavy Education record. c. Once approved by their NRA TA Command Approver, contact Navy College at 1-833-330-6622, select option 3 "Education & Training", then option 1 "Navy College TA & Counseling", Mon-Fri 0600-1800 EST to receive TA counseling and guidance on how to submit a TA application. d. Have an approved TA application from their NRA TA Command Approver dated at least 7 days and no more than 120 days prior to the course start date. Sailors must not begin a TA course prior to receiving an authorized and funded voucher. 7. Any Sailor participating in the SELRES TA Program who fails to maintain satisfactory participation, is discharged, or transferred out of the SELRES prior to their TA obligation end date will be subject to recoupment of funds. 8. For questions regarding degree plans or other education funding options, contact Navy College Virtual Education Center via MyNavy Portal Quick Links at https://my.navy.mil/quick-links.html. 9. For questions regarding eligibility to participate in the SELRES TA Program and approval process, contact your NRA TA Command Approver. 10. For questions regarding SELRES TA policy, contact Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command at SELRES_TA@us.navy.mil. 11. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 12. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//