Guard general retires after final watch at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

ARLINGTON, Va. — Row after row of white marble headstones stand neatly amid the meticulously maintained grounds of Arlington National Cemetery — almost in formation. Each bears the name of one of about 400,000 service members, veterans and family members laid to rest here. It is a quiet, peaceful place. Occasionally, a far-off bugler plays Taps, breaking the silence and signifying the burial of another comrade in arms. For families of the fallen buried here, each headstone is a...

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New mental health copayment exemptions

By VHA Communications Your mental health is important to you and a priority for us. Section 193A of the Cleland-Dole Act enhances access to care and lowers out-of-pocket costs for outpatient mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care.  If you owe copays for your VA outpatient mental health and SUD visits, this benefit makes the soonest and best care better by canceling and refunding the first three copays in each calendar year between June 27, 2023, and Dec. 29,...

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Army expands military spouse licensing, fellowship programs

WASHINGTON — The Army recently expanded the reimbursement policy and fellowship program for military spouses to promote career continuity, financial stability, professional fulfillment, talent retention and support overall military readiness. The Army enhanced the reimbursement program for business costs and relicensing fees due to relocation for spouses and increased awareness of its paid fellowship program for the Army spouses. “The Army is doing everything possible to re...

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Congress expands Army JROTC instructor eligibility

FORT KNOX, Ky. — The United States Army Junior Reserves Officers’ Training Corps has a mission to “motivate young people to be better citizens” and is the U.S.’s third largest youth program. With 1,734 active programs and another 20 schools approved to open a JROTC program in the next two years, it’s clear that JROTC is in high demand. In order to ensure high schools have access to a large and highly-qualified candidate pool, Congress included a provision to e...

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