Military & Veterans News

Military & Veterans News DOD Awards $161 Million to Universities to Purchase Equipment Supporting Defense-Relevant Research The Department of Defense today announced awards totaling $161 million to 281 university researchers under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. The grants will support the purchase of major equipment to augment current and develop new research capabilities relevant to the Department at 120 institutions across 39 states in fiscal year 2024.  

Military & Veterans News VA has screened 5 million Veterans for toxic exposures, paving the way for early detection and treatment of health conditions A key component of the PACT Act and President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation, these toxic exposure screenings begin an important conversation about exposure health risks between Veterans and their medical providers

Military & Veterans News VA adds three new Vet Centers and six satellite locations to increase access to counseling for Veterans and service members Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the addition of three new Vet Centers and six Vet Center Outstations (smaller satellite locations) to improve access to counseling for Veterans and service members.

Military & Veterans News VA has housed more than 38,000 homeless Veterans in 2023, surpassing goal two months early Ending Veteran homelessness is a top priority for VA and President Biden, who has made supporting Veterans a key pillar of Unity Agenda for the nation

Military & Veterans News VA and the Global Liver Institute collaborate to enhance quality of life for Veterans with liver diseases Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new partnership with the Global Liver Institute (GLI) to improve the lives of Veterans with liver diseases.

Military & Veterans News VA releases National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report Today the Department of Veterans Affairs released the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the largest national analysis of Veteran suicides through 2021 (the latest year for which we have data). The report shows that 6,392 Veterans died by suicide in 2021, which is 114 more than in 2020. The number of non-Veteran suicides also increased to 40,020 deaths in 2021, which is 2,000 more than in 2020.

Military & Veterans News Veterans Day Commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery Duane Sarmiento, thank you very much for that introduction, for your leadership of the VFW, and special thanks to your team for partnering with VA in hosting today’s ceremony.

Military & Veterans News VA announces new graduate medical education program to help expand health care access to Veterans in underserved communities Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the creation of a new pilot program for graduate medical education designed to help expand health care access for Veterans in rural, tribal, and underserved areas across the country.

Military & Veterans News VA launches advertising campaign to encourage new Veterans to sign up for health care and benefits Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a groundbreaking national advertising campaign to encourage Veterans to sign up for the VA health care and benefits they’ve earned.

Military & Veterans News VA adds nearly 5 million Veterans and service members from private cemeteries to the Veterans Legacy Memorial Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that nearly 5 million Veterans and service members have been added to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the nation’s first digital platform dedicated to the memory of Veterans and service members.

Military & Veterans News Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Announces Publication of Data, Analytics, and AI Adoption Strategy Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the release of the 2023 DOD Data, Analytics, and AI Adoption Strategy. The document was developed by the Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO) and unifies previous strategic guidance to scale advanced capabilities across the enterprise. The announcement was made today during a press event hosted by Deputy Secretary Hicks on 'The State of AI in the Department of Defense.'

Military & Veterans News VA launches $1 million AI tech competition to reduce health care worker burnout Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched an Artificial Intelligence Tech Sprint encouraging innovators across America to create AI-enabled tools to reduce burnout among health care workers. The winning solutions will help clinicians take notes during medical appointments and/or integrate patients’ medical records, with the winning teams receiving $1 million in total prizes.

Military & Veterans News VA encourages all Veterans and their families to participate in first inaugural National Buddy Check Week Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the first annual National Buddy Check Week. During the week — which will take place between Oct.16 and Oct. 20 — VA will be encouraging Veterans to talk to 10 of their fellow Veterans and check in with them.

Military & Veterans News VA reduces premium rates for Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance This month, the Department of Veterans Affairs reduced premiums for most Veterans and Service members insured under the Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance program.

Military & Veterans News VA and 13 community health systems pledge to share data to improve Veteran health care Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a pledge with 13 health care systems to share data to improve the Veteran experience regardless of where Veterans receive their health care — inside or outside of VA.

Military & Veterans News VA awards $16 million to help Veterans with disabilities participate in adaptive sports Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it awarded nearly $16 million in grant funding to 91 national, regional, and community programs to help more than 13,000 Veterans and service members with disabilities participate in adaptive sports. This funding will help these organizations plan, develop, manage, and implement a variety of sports and equine therapy activities, including life-improving programs for Veterans and training for providers.

Military & Veterans News 100th Anniversary of the Tuskegee VA Medical Center Benita Miller, thank you for that kind introduction. Amir Farooqi, my sincere thanks to you and your team for all that you do to care for Veterans. A special shout-out to Sheila Austin and Erica Moore, the Chairs of the Tuskegee Centennial Working Group. Today’s event would not have been possible without their hard work behind-the-scenes. It’s a tremendous honor to join so many extraordinary Veterans, VA teammates, and community leaders to celebrate the history and enduring legacy of the Tuskegee VA Hospital.

Military & Veterans News VA expands maternity care coordination for Veterans Starting Oct. 1, Veterans will have access to maternity care coordinators from the beginning of their pregnancy to 12 months post-partum — an expansion from the previous end-date of 8 weeks post-partum. These coordinators help Veterans navigate health care inside and outside of VA, connect Veterans with care after delivery, ensure access to follow-up screenings, and more. This means that all new mothers will have the support and resources they need from VA, regardless of where they give birth.

Military & Veterans News Veterans and survivors filed more than 1 million benefits claims under the PACT Act Today, VA announced that Veterans and their survivors have filed more than one million claims for toxic exposure-related benefits under the PACT Act since President Biden signed it into law Aug. 10, 2022. VA has processed more than 551,000 of these claims, granting 77.9% of them and awarding more than $2.2 billion in earned benefits to Veterans and survivors.

Military & Veterans News VA and National Cancer Institute announce historic data-sharing partnership to better understand and treat cancer among Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a historic partnership with the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute to share cancer registry information. This is a significant advancement in the nation’s fight against cancer that will help medical professionals better research, understand, and ultimately treat cancer among Veterans and all Americans.

Military & Veterans News Iraq Combat Veteran Tanya Bradsher confirmed as VA’s deputy secretary Today, Army Veteran Tanya Bradsher was confirmed by the Senate as VA’s deputy secretary. In this role, Deputy Secretary Bradsher will help lead the Department of Veterans Affairs as it continues to deliver more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before in the nation’s history.

Military & Veterans News 2023 NFL Season, College Football, and More on AFN The Defense Media Activity (DMA) and the American Forces Network (AFN) invites its overseas audiences to enjoy the National Football League's 2023 football season.  AFN will provide live game coverage through the playoffs and Super Bowl LVIII. 

Military & Veterans News VA national cemeteries hold National Day of Service events marking 22nd anniversary of 9/11 Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced more than 60 VA national cemeteries will host National Day of Service events Sept. 11. These events will honor the Veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders who served and sacrificed for the nation Sept. 11, 2001, and in the 22 years since.

Military & Veterans News VA on track to house 38,000+ homeless Veterans in 2023, awards $1B in grants to help homeless and at-risk Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has permanently housed 26,470 Veterans through July 2023, on pace to exceed its goal of housing 38,000 homeless Veterans in 2023. VA also announced more than $1 billion in grants to help homeless and at-risk Veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs. These grants are a critical part of VA’s efforts to provide housing for Veterans in collaboration with the community.