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Military retirees and disabled veterans will receive 2.8% increases to their monthly paychecks for 2026, thanks to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, tied to inflation. The 2.8% raise for 2026 is up from 2.5 % in 2025 after a string of raises as high as 8.7% in 2023.

As if there isn't enough going on... WASHINGTON—The Pentagon said it is sending the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean in a major escalation of the Trump administration’s military campaign to target drug smugglers and threaten governments in Latin America. Secretary of WAAH Hedgehog ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, which is currently deployed in the Mediterranean, to the Caribbean, bringing dozens more fighter and surveillance aircraft, along with other Navy warships that accompany a carrier, officials said.

The Trump administration made it clear from its earliest days this year that it wanted to change the culture of the U.S. military. One effort targeted books about race, gender and sexuality in the libraries of military-based schools that service members' children attend. But, this week, a federal judge ruled that the books taken off the shelves had to be returned and the curriculum of the military changed had to be restored. Before the ruling, Nick Schifrin and producer Dan Sagalyn traveled outside Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to speak to military families that fought through the courts for our series Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy, part of our Canvas coverage.

A Navy sailor died on Oct. 10 in an apparent homicide, the Lake County, Ill., Coroner’s Office told USNI News. The preliminary investigation by the North Chicago Police Department indicates John Taylor, 39, shot Olivia Lacey, 36, before dying by suicide. Lacey was an active duty Navy sailor, Steve Newton, chief deputy of the coroner’s office, told USNI News on Thursday.

Denise Rosales has never been arrested. She’s never been handcuffed. She’s never spent a night behind bars, never stood before a judge to profess her innocence. And yet, if you perform a background check, a criminal database maintained by the FBI will say that she was “arrested or received” into custody and charged with three crimes in January 2021. While deployed in Kuwait, Rosales, a member of the Texas Army National Guard, threw a birthday party for her husband. Some of the guests allegedly brought alcohol, according to the Army, “in a nation where such substances are illegal.” She was investigated and fingerprinted by an Army investigator, but received nothing more than an administrative reprimand.

Sailor Pay During Government Shutdown

Get ready for TRICARE Open Season 2025: What you need to know

If you are a doctor, nurse or other front-line medical provider who has recently left your position at a VA hospital or clinic, we want to hear from you. We know many of the issues at the VA are long-standing, but our reporting over the last several months has shown that some recent policy changes are having an impact on working conditions and on patient care. We’ve obtained anonymized exit-survey data about departing VA employees’ decisions to leave the department, but we need your help to understand the full picture.

US forces have struck a second vessel alleged to be carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean, amid an escalating US campaign against seaborne drug smuggling. Three people were killed and no US forces were harmed in the strike on Wednesday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said. It came hours after the US struck another boat in the Pacific, killing two people.

When the liturgy ended, Pentagon security officers flanked the room, and church officials politely but firmly steered me and the handful of other reporters out of the building so that we couldn’t see whether Hegseth and Wilson spoke. (Wilson wrote on his blog that they did.)

The strike marks the eighth US strike against suspected drug boats since 2 September - but the first in the Pacific.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has lost the trust and respect of some top military commanders, with his public “grandstanding” widely seen as unprofessional and the personnel moves made by the former cable TV host leading to an unprecedented and dangerous exodus of talent from the Pentagon, said current senior military officers and current and former Defense Department officials.

NAVADMIN 221/25 RTTUZYUW RUOIAAA0001 2941652-UUUU--RHSSSUU. ZNR UUUUU R 211652Z OCT 25 MID120012147343U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 221/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/OCT// SUBJ/ADVANCE CHANGE NOTICE TO ADVANCEMENT MANUAL FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NAVY AND U.S. NAVY RESERVE// REF/A/ DOC/BUPERS/07FEB22// REF/B/ MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/192205ZDEC24// REF/C/ MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/201856ZMAY25// NARR/ REF A IS BUPERSINST 1430.16G CH-1, ADVANCEMENT MANUAL FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NAVY AND U.S. NAVY RESERVE. REF B IS NAVADMIN 255/24, BILLET BASED ADVANCEMENTS 2025. REF C IS NAVADMIN 112/25, BILLET BASED ADVANCEMENT 2025 UPDATE. RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN provides advance change notice to the advancement manual for enlisted personnel, reference (a). This change and references (b) and (c) will be incorporated into the revised advancement manual on or about December 2025. 2. Billet Based Advancement (BBA) is expanding to include advancements for eligible E6 candidates for all active duty ratings during the March 2026 Rating Knowledge Exam (RKE) cycle with the exception of the following ratings: Submarine, Nuclear, Musicians (MU), Special Warfare Operators (SO), Special Warfare Boat Operators (SB), Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) and Selected Reserves (SELRES). Sailors in these communities will continue to be advanced via the legacy processes. The March 2026 RKE will be utilized to support BBA eligibility. Sailors who pass the RKE may begin applying for advancement opportunities in the August 2026 MyNavy Assignment (MNA) cycle. 3. Command Advance to Position (CA2P) Eligibility. Effective immediately, the minimum time on station requirement for CA2P eligibility has been removed. Commands may only recommend assigned Sailors for CA2P via a Member Realignment Request (MRR) in MNA to fill billets that are projected to be vacant within six months or less. Requests will be initiated using 'CA2P' as the MNA request reason for the transaction. a. Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC), Type Commanders (TYCOMS), or Budget Submitting Offices (BSOs) may also submit IntraUnit CA2P requests to reassign eligible Sailors to another command with a billet available in the next higher paygrade. These moves must be between activities with the same type of duty (sea or shore) and within the same geographic area. b. All CA2P requests will be adjudicated by PERS4. Sailors approved for CA2P sea duty, will be required to obligate service for a minimum of 36 months and will be extended 36 months onboard from the date of advancement. c. Sailors approved for CA2P shore duty, will be required to obligate service for a minimum of 36 months from the date of advancement, while maintaining their original shore tour length. CA2P requests may not be submitted for Sailors within 12 months of their PRD. 4. Senior Enlisted Marketplace (SEM) changes. Advancement Request Alignment (ARA). ARA is only available to board screened Sailors. a. The MRR window for submitting ARAs will open four times a year, starting the day after Detailer Selections and closing the day after TYCOM Requisition Review in the months of January, April, July, and October. This timeframe ensures that ARAs are submitted in alignment with the Sailors selected for assignments through the MNA and TYCOM Requisition Review process, allowing for efficient tracking and review. Requests will be submitted in MNA via a crossdeck or comptour personnel manning action and use 'ARA' as the reason. b. All Sailors approved for ARA will be issued orders; however, if the ARA approved billet has a required Distribution Navy Enlisted Classification Code associated with the billet sequence code, only UICs designated as 'sea duty' will have training included in the orders. c. Commands may request ARA via a MRR in MNA to fill billets that are projected to be vacant within six months or less. d. SEM Eligibility Timeline. Effective FY-27 screening boards, eligibility will be expanded from 24 months to 30 months. Sailors have up to 30 months to be selected for a job in the next higher paygrade. 5. For questions regarding BBA, please contact MyNavy HR at srenlistedmarket.fct@navy.mil or bba.fct@navy.mil. 6. Released by Vice Admiral Jeffrey J. Czerewko, N1.//

NAVADMIN 220/25

NAVADMIN 219/25

ALNAVRESFOR 028/25

ALNAVRESFOR 027/25

ALNAV 078/25

ALNAV 077/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT// SUBJ/FY-26 REAR ADMIRAL LINE SELECTION// RMKS/1. The President of the United States has approved the report of the selection board which recommend the following officer in the line community on the active-duty list for promotion to the permanent grade of Rear Admiral. 2. Frocking to Rear Admiral is not authorized except on an individual basis by the Secretary of War. Rossi, Anthony E. 3. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy.//

This is the seventh known strike in a series of recent attacks by the US military on vessels that the Trump administration says are involved in drug trafficking. It comes days after another strike on an alleged drug boat that CNN reported appeared to be the first time an attack did not kill everyone on board. President Donald Trump said Saturday the survivors of that strike were released to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.

As of Tuesday, a significant percentage of all deployed US naval assets globally are also now located in US Southern Command, the US military’s command responsible for operations in the region, according to a fleet tracker published by the United States Naval Institute’s news portal.

The US military is holding two survivors on a Navy ship after the US carried out a Thursday strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, according to three US officials. The strike, which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Trump administration, was the sixth known strike on an boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking. But it appeared to mark the first time an attack had not killed everyone on board.

Recently, we asked active and reserve US military members and veterans to share what they honestly think about Donald Trump and his administration, and they definitely didn't hold back. Amid jeopardizing America's relationships with long-standing allies, Veteran Affairs layoffs, and — among many other things — deploying troops to intimidate the American people, here's how active military members and veterans are reacting:

WAAH Secretary Pete Hedgehog on Thursday announced that the top military official overseeing military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug runners will retire at the end of the year — a surprising move given that the four-star admiral took command less than a year ago.

R 012243Z OCT 25 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 073/25 MSIG/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT// SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY CONTINUED OPERATIONS DURING A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS// REF/A/DOC/MEMORANDUM/30SEP2025// AMPN/REF A IS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE ACTIVITIES EXCEPTED IN THE ABSENCE OF AVAILABLE FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPROPRIATIONS// RMKS/1. This message provides guidance regarding Department of the Navy (DON) operations during this lapse in appropriations. While this situation presents challenges, the DON remains committed to supporting our Sailors, Marines, civilian employees and their families. 2. The DON will continue to meet its obligations regarding the deployment of forces, safety of human life and protection of property, as directed by statutes and Department of War guidance. Exempted and excepted activities, including critical maintenance and shipbuilding activities, remain underway. Other activities must cease unless approved as an exception by me or by an official to whom the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps or I have delegated the authority to issue such approvals, consistent with reference (a). 3. Sailors and Marines ashore, afloat and forward give America options no adversary can match. We will remain on duty and continue to serve. Though a shutdown can affect pay timing, schedules and daily life, we are committed to helping you through it. 4. DON organizations and activities can find the latest guidance, instructions and procedures regarding excepted activities at: [https://flankspeed.sharepointmil.us/sites/RequestForExceptedActivitiesRFEA/SitePages/Home. aspx. This site is accessible to anyone with a Common Access Card. Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders, communicate early and often. Be clear about duties, exemptions and expectations. If something is unclear, elevate it fast. 5. Organizations and activities who believe their requirements must not be delayed until appropriated funding is restored should submit a Request for Excepted Activity through the Request for Excepted Activities Tool, which can be accessed at [https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/team/19%3Adod%3Ab799b9fe0cfc 4878a13f1f0e18e9488b%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a4a 0930d-0c82-4757-8ea4-a12d06e1d483&tenantId=e3333e00-c877- 4b87-b6ad-45e942de1750. Submissions must be signed by a sponsoring Flag/General Officer, Senior Executive Service Member or equivalent. Use of the “Request for Excepted Activities Tool” is the fastest method to submit a request and receive a decision. However, should there be a problem accessing the site, requests may be emailed to NonDelApprovals@navy.mil. This method should only be used in an emergency. 6. Guidance and information are also available on the Office of Civilian Human Resources website, [https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/MRA/DONHR/OCHRHQ/Pages/Fu rlough.aspx. 7. Leaders, check on your people early and often. We are teammates taking care of teammates. Command teams must provide updates on timing and duty status. If you need assistance, talk to your chain of command, your command’s Ombudsman or Fleet and Family Support Centers. Use the Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program or Military OneSource. These resources are built for moments like this. 8. For additional information and resources, please visit navy.mil and marines.mil. 9. Your commitment is our compass. Stay focused and stay ready. This situation does not define your service. Your service defines our strength. Our unity will carry us through. Thank you for your dedication and service. 10. This message is automatically canceled once appropriations have been restored either via a Continuing Resolution or other budgetary process. 11. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy.// ___________________ John C. Phelan