Newsbytes January 16, 2026

In this issue:
FRA Attends Lunday Installation
Veterans Health Hearing 
Disability Ratings Review 
DoW Innovation Push 
Recruiting Momentum Lessons 

FRA Attends Lunday Installation
Adm. Kevin Lunday was officially installed as the 28th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington. Lunday had served as acting commandant since January 2025 and brings nearly four decades of service, including operational experience in the Indo Pacific and senior leadership roles in national security and cyber operations. 

The ceremony was presided over by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who praised Lunday’s leadership and experience while highlighting the administration’s goal of revitalizing the Coast Guard through investments in modern technology, aircraft, ships, and infrastructure. Lunday acknowledged recent congressional action providing significant capital investment and emphasized his intent to rebuild and modernize the service to ensure it remains agile, capable, and responsive to emerging threats. 

Fleet Reserve Association staff attended the installation ceremony, including the NED Donna Jansky, FO Phillip Reid, and DLP Theo Lawson. The Association congratulates Adm. Lunday on his appointment and looks forward to continued engagement with Coast Guard leadership on issues affecting active duty members, reservists, retirees, and their families. 

FRA is already in contact with the Coast Guard’s legislative liaison offices on Capitol Hill and is actively working to advance Coast Guard legislative priorities. FRA remains committed to advocating for policies that strengthen readiness, improve quality of life, and ensure the Coast Guard has the resources necessary to meet its expanding missions. 

Veterans Health Hearing 
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee convened a hearing on to examine 12 bipartisan bills aimed at improving mental health access, addressing opioid misuse, and closing gaps in care for the nation’s 18 million Veterans. Lawmakers highlighted persistent challenges, including provider shortages in rural areas and elevated suicide rates, while emphasizing the need for coordinated, evidence based solutions within the Department of Veterans Affairs health system. 

Much of the discussion focused on legislation addressing mental health, addiction, and traumatic brain injury. Several proposals would expand pilot programs and grants to nonprofit providers, while others seek to study outcomes between VA and non VA care. Some members raised concerns that grant heavy approaches could divert resources from VA direct care and create duplicative programs with limited oversight. VA officials generally supported measures that improve data collection and quality comparisons but cautioned against policies that could fragment care delivery. 

A key focus of the hearing was the No PAIN for Veterans Act, which would require VA to cover all FDA approved non opioid pain treatments, aligning VA coverage with Medicare and TRICARE. Supporters argued the bill would expand access to safer pain management options and reduce reliance on opioids, particularly for Veterans with chronic conditions. VA leadership expressed concerns related to formulary management and cost controls, while noting that FDA approved treatments remain accessible through existing authorization processes. 

The Fleet Reserve Association submitted written testimony in support of the No PAIN for Veterans Act, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and effective pain management alternatives for Veterans. FRA highlighted the legislation as a meaningful step toward reducing opioid dependence and improving quality of life, consistent with the Association’s long standing advocacy for Veteran centered health care reforms. 

The hearing concluded with broad bipartisan agreement that Congress must continue advancing policies that strengthen VA care, protect patient safety, and ensure Veterans receive timely access to high quality treatment across the full continuum of care. 

Disability Ratings Review 
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ongoing effort to modernize the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Originally established in 1945, the rating schedule determines tax free monthly compensation for service connected disabilities. Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern that the decades old framework has not kept pace with modern medicine, evolving warfare, or the needs of today’s Veteran population. 

VA officials testified that revisions to most body systems have been completed, with updates to remaining systems expected by fiscal year 2026. The department outlined efforts to replace subjective rating criteria with more objective medical standards and acknowledged the complexity of coordinating internal and external reviews. Members of Congress raised bipartisan concerns about delays, limited transparency, and insufficient Veteran and stakeholder input during the rulemaking process, warning that prolonged timelines could result in inconsistent ratings and reduced trust in the system. 

Outside witnesses, including representatives from the Government Accountability Office, RAND Corporation, and Veteran advocacy organizations, emphasized the need for updated earnings loss data, improved data sharing, and greater inclusion of diverse Veteran populations. Witnesses noted that outdated studies and institutional silos may contribute to inequities in compensation, particularly for post 9 11 Veterans, women Veterans, and those affected by traumatic brain injury, toxic exposures, and military sexual trauma. 

The Fleet Reserve Association closely monitors VA disability policy and plans to propose targeted changes to VA reform efforts during an upcoming joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees. FRA supports modernization of the rating schedule that is transparent, data driven, and informed by Veteran input, while preserving the integrity of earned benefits and ensuring no Veteran is disadvantaged during the transition. 

Lawmakers concluded the hearing by reaffirming bipartisan support for reforming the disability rating schedule and signaled continued oversight to ensure modernization efforts remain focused on fairness, accuracy, and accountability for Veterans and their families. 

DoW Innovation Push 
DoW Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a sweeping vision for military innovation during remarks delivered at SpaceX Starbase as part of the administration’s Arsenal of Freedom tour. Framing modernization as a wartime imperative, Hegseth emphasized the need to accelerate adoption of advanced technologies, dismantle bureaucratic barriers, and leverage partnerships with private sector innovators to maintain U.S. military dominance. 

The Secretary highlighted rapid integration of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, space capabilities, and advanced data infrastructure as central to future warfighting. Initiatives discussed include expanded use of generative AI tools across classified and unclassified networks, accelerated deployment of autonomous drones and hypersonic platforms, and closer collaboration with technology firms to move systems from prototype to operational use at greater speed. Hegseth stressed that innovation must prioritize operational outcomes and battlefield relevance rather than lengthy development timelines. 

Hegseth also described a reorganization of the Department of War innovation ecosystem, consolidating technology oversight and emphasizing accountability for performance and results. The effort is supported by the administration’s proposed fiscal year 2027 defense budget of $1.5 trillion, which would represent the largest defense investment in U.S. history and is intended to modernize capabilities while improving readiness across the force. 

The Fleet Reserve Association recognizes that these highly technological systems require exceptionally skilled, intelligent, and well-trained personnel to operate and maintain them effectively. FRA believes this reality places a heightened responsibility on military recruiters to identify and attract highly qualified individuals who can compete in an increasingly complex operational environment. FRA further notes that competition with the private sector for technical talent must be directly addressed. 

As Congress considers the proposed fiscal year 2027 defense budget, FRA urges that increased funding focus heavily on personnel programs that strengthen recruitment and retention. FRA supports investments in pay, housing, education, and career incentives that ensure the services can attract and retain the high caliber workforce necessary to operate next generation military technologies and sustain long term readiness. 

Recruiting Momentum Lessons 
All active duty services met or exceeded recruiting goals in fiscal year 2025, marking a significant turnaround after several challenging years. The sea services posted particularly strong results, with the Marine Corps meeting its accession target precisely while maintaining rigorous entry standards, and the Navy exceeding its recruiting goal by using aptitude based pathways designed to expand access without undermining core qualifications. 

As fiscal year 2026 begins, attention is shifting from recovery to sustainability. Both the Navy and Marine Corps continue to face a highly competitive recruiting environment, especially among high school aged Americans where propensity to serve remains low. Expanded engagement with schools and community partners has been credited as a key factor in recent success, allowing recruiters to better communicate career opportunities, technical training, and long term benefits of military service. 

Recent recruiting flexibility, including limited waiver authorities, has helped broaden the pool of eligible applicants. However, service leaders emphasize that these measures are intended to supplement, not replace, long standing accession standards. Maintaining consistent access to schools remains an ongoing challenge, despite federal requirements that public schools provide military recruiters the same access afforded to colleges and employers. 

The Fleet Reserve Association welcomes the recent recruiting gains but stresses the importance of restoring and maintaining high standards, particularly as modern warfare becomes increasingly technology driven. FRA believes that advanced systems and platforms demand highly capable, disciplined, and well trained servicemembers, and that recruiting strategies must reflect the technical and cognitive demands of today’s operating environment. FRA supports policies that balance access and flexibility with firm standards to ensure the long term strength, readiness, and professionalism of the force.