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Top Navy leaders are sounding the alarm over what they see as the defense industry's failure to deliver enough ammunition to both meet the demands of the sea service as well as aid shipments to Ukraine. "I am not forgiving of the fact they're not delivering the ordnance we need," Adm. Daryl Caudle, the service's Fleet Forces commander, told an audience at the annual Surface Navy Association conference held in Arlington, Virginia.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – What do recent changes to the TRICARE Pharmacy Program mean for you and your family? Do you need to take any action? Learn more during a webinar, “What’s New in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program,” on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. Sign up now to attend.

All Cycle 258 (E-7 Active Duty/ Training and Administration of the Reserves) candidates will take their advancement exam Jan. 19, 2023. Remember that EAWs will close one week after the exam date listed on the worksheet. For more information, see NAVADMIN 226/22.

The Navy's top uniformed officer told a packed crowd of largely fellow Navy leaders and retired officers that one of the biggest problems that keeps him up at night is not Ukraine or Russia but the service's suicide problem. "I think it's the same thing that keeps [the master chief petty officer of the Navy] awake at night: It's suicides," Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, told an auditorium of more than a hundred people at the annual Surface Navy Association conference held in Alexandria, Virginia.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon formally dropped its COVID-19 vaccination mandate Tuesday, but a new memo signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated. Austin’s memo has been widely anticipated ever since legislation signed into law on Dec. 23 gave him 30 days to rescind the mandate. The Defense Department had already stopped all related personnel actions, such as discharging troops who refused the shot.

The Navy's new top enlisted sailor said he wants to be a problem solver for the fleet in his first remarks to the press since taking office in September of last year. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea came out with a clear message to reporters Tuesday at the Navy's annual Surface Naval Association conference, a gathering just minutes from the Pentagon in Virginia.

As the U.S. Navy surface warfare community convenes in Washington for the Surface Navy Association’s 35th National Symposium, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro will preside over a joyless gathering, helping America’s once-intrepid warriors contend with their dwindling relevance—due, in no small part, to the surface Navy’s overall lack of leadership, vision, and strategic drive.

WASHINGTON — In 2009, the U.S. Navy faced a readiness crisis. The cruiser Chosin and destroyer Stout were both deemed unfit for combat operations by the service’s Board of Inspection and Survey, which at the time checked ships’ material conditions every five years.

The Navy separated 25 active duty sailors between Nov. 28 and Dec. 28 due to their failure to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the service told USNI News. Those sailors are likely the last sea service members to receive approved separations over COVID-19 vaccine refusal under the Pentagon’s prior vaccination mandate. A provision in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 23, removed the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for active-duty service members.

The Pentagon has directed the military to proceed with plans to rename nine Army bases and hundreds of other items whose names honor the Confederacy. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin previously approved the recommendations submitted by the congressionally-mandated Naming Commission, and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William A. LaPlante on Thursday instructed the military to begin the renaming process.

Veterans Benefits Newsletter - January 2023

Possibly Pensacola (Escambia County) A former Navy Federal Credit Union employee has been charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with selling customer information on the dark web. Wade Hampton Helms, 34, of Arab, Alabama, was arrested on a FDLE warrant last week on one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices; eight counts of criminal use of personal identification information; 34 counts of unlawful possession of personal identification information; and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device. All charges are felonies.

Military parents of newborns are entitled up to four times more parental leave, depending on their roles, under the recently authorized National Defense Authorization Act. Birth parents can now claim a maximum 18 weeks of nonchargeable leave, six more weeks than their previous benefit; non-birth parents are entitled to 12 weeks, up from three.

FY-24 Board Schedule

Congress is increasing pressure on the U.S. Navy to make changes to the environment sailors face when the ship they are assigned to is undergoing long periods of shipyard work.

Dec. 30, 2022 The Navy Reservist Almanac is an annual guide providing Navy Reserve Sailors with a foundation to help understand and manage a part-time military career alongside a full-time civilian life...

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Is quitting tobacco your New Year’s resolution? TRICARE and YouCanQuit2 have resources to help you start—and finish—your journey to be tobacco-free.

Screenings signal key step for PACT Act implementation WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs marks a historic milestone by screening 1 million Veterans for military exposures as part of the PACT Act signed into law Aug. 10. The screenings are a key component of the law — which empowers VA to deliver care and benefits to millions of toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors. “Since we launched the toxic exposure screening program, VA connected with 1 million Veterans around the country,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD. “Our health care teams reached an incredible breakthrough in a short length of time. These screenings are paramount to improving the health outcomes for Veterans and providing them with the health care and benefits they’ve earned as quickly as possible. This is among the first steps we have taken to deliver even more benefits and health care to Veterans who have been exposed to toxins during their service.” VA surpassed initial screening expectations through extensive outreach campaigns to include hosting more than 90 Week of Action events across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. While The PACT Act Week of Action ended Dec. 17, 2022, Veterans can obtain screenings at any time of the year with their VA health care provider. Veterans enrolled in VA health care will be offered an initial toxic exposure screening then follow-up screenings at least once every five years. The screening takes an average of five to 10 minutes and begins by asking Veterans if they believe they experienced any toxic exposures while serving in the Armed Forces. Veterans who answer “yes” are then asked about specific exposures, including open burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, contaminated water and other exposures. If a Veteran has been exposed to toxins during their time of service, VA wants to know. It not only impacts their individual future care, but it can also improve overall toxic exposure-related care and outcomes. If you are a Veteran who has not been screened for toxic exposure or has never received care at VA, we encourage you to contact VA about enrolling in the VA health care system and about obtaining a toxic exposure screening. VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to apply for their earned PACT Act-related health care and benefits now. Don’t wait until something is wrong before coming to VA — our providers are trained to recognize issues and concerns unique to Veterans. Veterans and survivors may apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MYVA411. https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5850

Many U.S. sailors want to be able to grow a beard, even as some of those allowed to grow a beard say they are ostracized for their facial hair. Big Navy has said no to allowing everyone to grow a beard, citing concerns that sailors can’t get a proper oxygen mask seal with facial hair should they have to fight a shipboard fire. In 2022, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro mandated that the sea service take a fresh look at the Navy’s beard question as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Amid recruiting challenges across all branches of the military, the Navy is rolling out new incentives for sailors to participate in the service’s “Every Sailor is a Recruiter” program. Now, sailors can earn up to two Flag Letters of Commendation if they successfully refer someone who signs a future sailor contract, according to a new naval administrative message.

The Navy will roll out the Senior Enlisted Marketplace in 2023 — the service’s latest initiative supporting billet-based advancement to address gaps at sea. The new marketplace will launch in March, coinciding with the fiscal 2024 senior enlisted advancement cycle for promotion to E-9. The goal is for the marketplace to eventually include E-7 and E-8 advancements and detailing.

December 2022 Retiree Newsletter

WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing PACT Act benefit claims for all Veterans and their survivors. The PACT Act is the most significant expansion of Veteran benefits and care in more than three decades, empowering VA to help millions of toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors. Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law Aug. 10, more than 213,000 PACT Act-related claims for benefits have been submitted. Additionally, more than 959,000 Veterans have received VA’s new toxic exposure screenings, with nearly 39% reporting a concern of exposure.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 25-year-old Navy sailor was arrested after he told police he filmed people in the men's bathroom at Home Depot on Atlantic Boulevard, according to report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. According to a police report, a JSO officer spoke with two people in the appliance section at the store after reports of video voyeurism.

Federal agents are helping the Navy investigate a fire that broke out on a destroyer at a Florida base just before Christmas, the service has confirmed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, was helping in the investigation Monday after the incident aboard the USS Carney in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, according to the Navy. In an email, Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fischer confirmed that ATF agents were aboard the ship.