Newsbytes August 1, 2025 
 

In this issue: 
Sam Brown to Lead VA Memorial Affairs 
President Trump Signs VA Home Loan Reform Act 
Military Moves in Transition
DOD’s New myAuth System
Marine Corps Offers Early Discharge Program
 

Sam Brown to Lead VA Memorial Affairs 
The Senate confirmed Sam Brown as the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with a 54-44 vote, overcoming months of delays due to Democratic objections over VA leadership decisions. The vote largely followed party lines, with Nevada’s Democratic senators, Jackie Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, joining Republicans to support Brown, a Nevada Republican Senate candidate and Army veteran. 

Brown, 41, a West Point alumnus, was severely wounded in Afghanistan in 2008, sustaining burns to nearly a third of his body and losing part of his hand. After his medical retirement, he founded a company to provide medications to veterans underserved by government benefits. In his new role, Brown will oversee the maintenance and operations of 155 national cemeteries across 42 states and various commemorative sites, ensuring veterans receive dignified memorials. 

The Fleet Reserve Association welcomed the confirmation. Filling the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs role allows the VA to effectively carry out its work in honoring veterans through the care and management of national cemeteries. The appointment strengthens the department’s ability to fulfill its mission of providing respectful tributes to veterans and their families. 

Nominated by President Donald Trump in January 2025, Brown faced delays due to Senate holds by Democrats frustrated with VA Secretary Doug Collins’ communication. The Republican majority pushed through the confirmation amid a series of votes on stalled nominees before the August recess. Brown expressed gratitude on social media, stating he was “humbled and honored” to serve again. He is expected to be sworn in soon, bolstering the VA’s leadership to address veterans’ needs. 

President Trump Signs VA Home Loan Reform Act 
President Donald J. Trump signed H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, into law, marking a significant victory for veterans and a triumph of grassroots advocacy. The legislation, driven in part by the persistent efforts of Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) members who contacted their members of Congress through the FRA’s Action Center, addresses critical gaps in the VA Home Loan Program, ensuring veterans can keep their homes during financial hardship. 

The new law establishes a partial claim program, enabling veterans to catch up on missed mortgage payments without facing foreclosure. This reform corrects inequities that left veterans without access to mortgage relief tools available to non-veterans under federal loan programs. The act protects American taxpayers from undue financial burdens while providing sustainable solutions for veterans grappling with high interest rates and post-pandemic recovery challenges. 

The FRA’s grassroots campaign played a pivotal role in pushing the legislation forward. The association hails the law’s passage, emphasizing its importance in enabling the Department of Veterans Affairs to better serve veterans by safeguarding their homes. 

The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act delivers fairness, financial relief, and long-term stability for veterans. By preventing foreclosures and aligning VA loan protections with other federal programs, the law ensures veterans receive the support they deserve, reflecting the nation’s gratitude for their sacrifices. 

Military Moves in Transition
The Department of Defense (DoD) is overhauling its Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process following the termination of its contract with HomeSafe Alliance on June 18, 2025, due to the company’s failure to meet performance standards. The move, which led to missed household goods pickups and miscommunication, prompted the DoD’s PCS Joint Task Force to step in to stabilize the process and support military families. Service members navigating PCS moves need to stay informed and know where to seek assistance during this transition. 

Army Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, commander of the PCS Joint Task Force, emphasized the impact of unreliable moves: “When a service member is worried about their household goods, they are not focused on the mission.” The task force, established in May 2025 under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s direction, is now managing the return to the DoD’s Tender of Service program, a familiar system handling most summer moves. Approximately 450 shipments originally under HomeSafe Alliance remain in transit, with local transportation offices coordinating directly with the task force to ensure completion. 

To address ongoing challenges, the task force has launched a 24/7 call center, staffed by military personnel with PCS experience, set to be fully operational by August. The center is already proactively contacting service members with at-risk shipments to resolve issues early. “This is not just a logistics problem; it’s about people,” Curtis said, underscoring the task force’s commitment to supporting all ranks. The DoD is also reviewing long-term reforms to the Defense Personal Property Program, with recommendations due by September 5, 2025. 

What Service Members Need to Know: 

The Tender of Service program is now managing most PCS moves, replacing HomeSafe Alliance. 

About 450 active shipments are still in transit from HomeSafe Alliance, overseen by local transportation offices. 

The PCS Joint Task Force is working to restore trust and streamline the moving process. 

How to Get Help: 

Contact your local transportation office for move-specific issues. 

Call the PCS Joint Task Force call center at 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683) for immediate assistance. 

Email PCSCallCenter@mail.mil for additional support. 

Visit www.militaryonesource.mil for updates and resources. 

Service members are encouraged to use these resources to navigate the transition and ensure their moves are completed smoothly. The PCS Joint Task Force, with over 110 personnel from all service branches, is dedicated to building a reliable moving system that honors the sacrifices of military families. 

DOD’s New myAuth System
The Department of Defense (DoD) is replacing the DS Logon system, which authenticates users for over 200 DoD and Veterans Affairs websites, with myAuth, a modern, cloud-based authentication platform, over the next 18 months. This transition will affect approximately 20 million users, including active-duty military personnel, DoD civilians, retirees, family members, contractors, and vendors. Hosted on a secure DoD cloud and authorized by the Defense Information Systems Agency, myAuth aims to provide reliable access with a 99.99% system availability target, according to Zachary R. Gill, branch chief of identity credential access management at the Defense Manpower Data Center. 

myAuth introduces flexible login options, reducing reliance on Common Access Cards (CACs). For instance, a service member traveling without a CAC-enabled computer can use myAuth to access the Defense Travel System (DTS) from a personal cellphone to update travel orders. The system uses Okta Verify, an app with biometric face and fingerprint recognition, for CAC-free access. “For instance, if I’m accessing DTS, the DTS application may say it needs a higher-level assurance for people to be able to access it,” Gill said. CACs remain the “gold standard” (authenticator assurance level three), but lower levels are available for less sensitive systems, accommodating retirees and beneficiaries without CACs or smartphones. 

The transition to myAuth consolidates multiple DoD authentication systems, reducing licensing and sustainment costs while improving reliability. “There are multiple authentication systems across the department that each department is paying for individually,” Gill said. For active-duty members, myAuth ensures seamless access to critical systems, supporting operational needs. Retirees and family members, who may not use DoD systems daily, benefit from tailored authentication options, ensuring access to benefits and services without technical barriers, even for those without advanced technology. 

Users can create a myAuth account now using DS Logon credentials at the myAuth website, which includes a help section with FAQs, login guides, and account creation details. Over 740,000 users have transitioned, with a self-service success rate exceeding 99%. Non-CAC users who wait until DS Logon is decommissioned will need to reverify their identity, so early registration is advised. “We’ve started executing our communications plan. We’ve already sent out several million emails to our community to let them know,” Gill said. The DoD has also partnered with the Defense Health Agency to inform users accessing Tricare-related systems about the switch. 

For assistance, service members and retirees should visit the myAuth website, which offers a dedicated help button. “If you hit the myAuth page, we have a new help section,” Gill said, noting its comprehensive resources, including FAQs and account setup guidance. Active-duty members and DoD civilians with CACs will likely transition smoothly, while retirees, family members, and contractors are urged to set up accounts early to avoid disruptions. myAuth’s streamlined, user-friendly design reflects the DoD’s commitment to supporting its diverse community with reliable access to essential systems. 

Marine Corps Offers Early Discharge Program
The Marine Corps announced a new voluntary early discharge program for active-duty enlisted Marines with an end of active service (EAS) date in fiscal year 2025, according to a Marine Corps Administrative Message. This initiative allows eligible Marines to separate from service earlier than their contract end date while still being recognized as having completed their full active-duty service. The program, which does not apply to Marine Corps Reserves, reflects a strategic approach to force shaping and may signal improved recruitment numbers enabling the Marine Corps to manage its personnel structure confidently. 

The early release program is designed as a “force shaping tool,” acknowledging potential temporary staffing shortages in some units, as stated in the official notice: “It is understood that this program may result in temporary risks to some units due to falling below staffing levels. Units will not receive early staffing replacement.” By offering this option, the Marine Corps demonstrates flexibility in personnel management, potentially indicating a robust recruitment pipeline that can sustain such reductions without compromising operational readiness. Similar programs were implemented in 2020 for armor and tank billets and in 2014 for commissioned officers, suggesting a recurring strategy to align force size with mission needs. 

Eligible Marines must have an EAS date within fiscal year 2025 and cannot be scheduled for Reserve transfer, enrolled in other early release programs, on special duty assignments, or facing pending legal actions. The program ensures that Marines meet service length requirements for separation pay, and those approved will not need to repay enlistment bonuses, selective retention bonuses, or retirement system continuation pay. However, the Marine Corps cautioned that early release could impact certain separation benefits, requiring careful consideration by applicants. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) stands ready to assist sea service personnel, including Marines, transitioning to civilian life under this program. The FRA offers resources and support through its networks to help navigate benefits, employment, and other post-service needs, ensuring a smooth transition for those opting for early discharge. Marines considering the program are encouraged to contact their chain of command or local administrative offices for application details and to review potential impacts on benefits. 

This initiative highlights the Marine Corps’ proactive approach to balancing force structure while supporting its personnel. The ability to offer early discharges suggests confidence in recruitment trends, allowing the service to maintain readiness while providing Marines with flexible career options. For assistance, Marines can reach out to the FRA  or visit www.marines.mil for updates and guidance on the early release process.