Newsbytes August 29, 2025 
 

In this issue: 
VA Redirects $45 Million to Veteran Care 
All Services Now Issue DD214-1 
VA Awards $818 Million in Grants 
Military Spouse Town Hall 
Department of Defense to Department of War 

VA Redirects $45 Million to Veteran Care 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it is redirecting more than $45 million previously spent on supporting union activities toward care and services for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. 

The change follows VA’s August 6 decision to reduce the number of bargaining-unit employees under union contracts from about 375,000 to roughly 7,000. The move is expected to bring thousands of employees back into their original roles while reclaiming taxpayer resources. 

According to VA, the shift includes nearly $40 million in costs previously tied to employees working on union business instead of direct service to veterans. More than 1,000 of those employees were in patient-care roles. In addition, VA has reclaimed over 180,000 square feet of office space, valued at $5.4 million and more than 2,000 pieces of IT equipment worth about $600,000. These resources will be repurposed to support expanded administrative and clinical services at VA facilities across the country. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) welcomes any effort by the VA that directly benefits veterans and their families. At the same time, the Association will continue to monitor how these changes affect the quality of care and services delivered by VA employees. 

VA leaders said the reallocation of funds, space, and equipment is aimed at strengthening the department’s ability to serve veterans more effectively. The department noted that office and staffing resources will now be directed toward facilities such as the Salem VA Medical Center in Virginia and the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Tennessee, among others. 

All Services Now Issue DD214-1 
The military’s reserve components now provide departing reservists with a new standard service record, Form DD214-1, the Certificate of Uniformed Service, Reserve Component Addendum, summarizing both active and reserve service and points earned toward retirement. The form is intended to simplify benefits verification and claims processing for reservists, who historically may receive multiple DD214s over the course of their careers. 

The Defense Department mandated the new form in 2022, with services implementing it individually beginning in 2024 and concluding with the Coast Guard this July. The DD214-1 complements conventional DD214s and provides a comprehensive, single record of all active and reserve service periods. The data is transmitted to the Defense Manpower Data Center, which then shares it with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and applicable states or territories. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) strongly supports the implementation of the DD214-1. FRA participated in Government Accountability Office studies few years ago highlighting the importance of accurate and accessible service records for reserve component members during the claims process. The Association emphasized that a complete, consolidated service record strengthens veterans’ access to benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and simplifies the verification of retirement points and other entitlements. 

Need to Know: 

Who Receives DD214-1: Reservists separating from their component, transferring to inactive or standby reserves, recalled retirees reverting to retired status, or under certain service-specific circumstances. 

Who Does Not Receive DD214-1: Members receiving a DD214 without separating, those whose service terminated by death, or National Guard members transferring states. 

Purpose: Provides a comprehensive record of active and reserve service to ensure veterans can access benefits, reemployment rights, and unemployment insurance. 

Action Required: Members should follow their service’s separation procedures; the DD214-1 is automatically issued upon separation or as authorized by service instructions. 

FRA encourages reservists and their families to review the DD214-1 carefully and use it when accessing benefits or verifying service history. The Association will continue advocating for improvements to records management and other policies that streamline benefits access for reserve component members. 

VA Awards $818 Million in Grants 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced more than $818 million in grants to 235 organizations nationwide aimed at helping Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

The grants, part of VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, will fund case management and supportive services throughout fiscal year 2026. Local organizations will use these resources to provide housing assistance, health care, childcare, financial planning, legal aid, and transportation for Veterans and their families. 

VA officials said the funding will help prevent the imminent loss of housing, identify new and stable living arrangements, and quickly re-house Veterans who might otherwise remain homeless. According to VA Secretary Doug Collins, “Supportive services like childcare, housing counseling and financial planning can be important catalysts for preventing or resolving homelessness. These grants will help bring crucial support to thousands of Veterans in need across the nation.” 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) appreciates VA’s efforts to strengthen support systems that directly benefit veterans and their families. The Association will continue monitoring the implementation of these programs to ensure that grant funding translates into measurable improvements in care and housing outcomes. FRA will continue to assist VA with outreach efforts to ensure veterans are aware of and able to access the support available in their communities. 

With more than 200 community-based organizations receiving funding, the program is designed to address homelessness among veterans at the local level, reflecting both the scale of need and the importance of targeted, on-the-ground services. 

Military Spouse Town Hall 
The Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Joint Task Force held a virtual town hall on August 27, bringing together military spouses from across the joint force to share their experiences and concerns related to household goods during PCS moves. 

The event was hosted by Army Maj. Gen. Lance Curtis, PCS JTF commander, who emphasized the importance of capturing feedback directly from military families. Task force leaders and service experts from every branch participated, listening to firsthand accounts from spouses around the world. 

Discussions centered on three main areas: how the Department of Defense can better prepare service members and families for PCS season, concerns over the quality of moving services, and challenges with the household goods claims process. Spouses also raised additional issues, offering candid feedback and constructive recommendations. 

Task force officials reiterated their commitment to transparency and improving the household goods program. Curtis assured families that their voices are central to shaping future improvements. “We care about you,” he said. “That’s why we’re doing this, we have empathy, and we want to make things better. Please continue to communicate with us; we want to help you.” 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), as part of a coalition focused on improving transition support for military families, strongly supports the PCS JTF’s efforts to ease the burdens of military moves. FRA continues to look for ways to assist families during PCS transitions, including advocating in Congress for reimbursement of VA home loan fees within one year of a service member’s separation.

Department of Defense to Department of War 
A new amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) proposes renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), an Army veteran, would also rename the secretary of defense as the secretary of war and update federal law and regulations to reflect the change. 

The proposal reflects an idea promoted by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who have both suggested that the original name more directly reflects the military’s mission. The Department of War, first established in 1789, was replaced by the Department of Defense in 1949 as part of a major post–World War II reorganization aimed at unifying the armed services. 

The amendment must first be cleared by the House Rules Committee before it can advance to the House floor for a vote. Hundreds of amendments are typically filed for the NDAA each year, with only a fraction moving forward. Debate and votes on the NDAA and its amendments are expected in September.