Newsbytes November 7, 2025 
 

In this issue:
New FRA Leadership Elected 
Pay Our Troops Act
FRA Meets with DHA 
Navy Reserve Center Closures 
Mobile App to Boost Veteran Care 

New FRA Leadership Elected 
During the 97th annual FRA National Convention held in Springfield, Missouri, the delegates elected National Vice President PRPWC Rick Fetro (Branch 101) to the position of National President and PRPE S.D Martin (Branch 166) was elected National Vice President. Furthermore, PNP Donna Janksy (Branch 31) was elected National Executive Director. 

The new Regional Presidents and Vice Presidents include: 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT NORTHEAST/NEW ENGLAND- JOYCE M. HARRIS 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT NORTHEAST/NEW ENG.-  KIMBERLY YODER-NOTARO
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT EAST COAST- VALERIE R. TOULOTTE 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT EAST COAST-  PAULA D. FALU
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT SOUTHEAST- WILLIAM T. GRIMES 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHEAST-  WILLIAM J. THORNTON
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT HEARTLAND – DAVID E. HERNDON 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT HEARTLAND- MICHAEL RUSSELL 
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT SOUTHWEST- EDGARDO M. LABAO 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHWEST-  DONALD L. KELLEY
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT WEST COAST- ROBERT L. PORTER 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT WEST COAST-  MARCUES PENA
 
REGIONAL PRESIDENT NORTHWEST- ROBERT S. BEAN 
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT NORTHWEST- TIMOTHY E. MILLER

  
Shipmate Marty Posekany was appointed National Parliamentarian and Shipmate Richard A. Ruiz  was appointed National Chaplain. Following the election, the delegates installed new officers. The above-mentioned Shipmates will serve until the next National Convention. 

Pay Our Troops Act
FRA has been in direct communication with junior Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who are struggling to afford necessities during the government shutdown. These dedicated service members continue to stand watch, deploy, and fulfill their duties without knowing when their next paycheck will come. Their commitment to our nation should never come at the cost of their families’ well-being. 

Congress must take immediate action to protect those who protect us. Support the Pay Our Troops Act (H.R. 5401) to ensure that all active-duty and reserve personnel continue to receive their pay during a lapse in government funding. Our troops deserve stability and respect, not uncertainty, while serving our country. 

Support The Pay Our Troops Act: bit.ly/4pLwBtD 

Navy Reserve Center Closures  
The Senate’s version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (S.2296) includes Section 512, a provision directing the Navy to disestablish the Navy Reserve Center system, the nationwide network of facilities known as Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSCs). While the measure does not eliminate Reserve units or their missions, it would dissolve the administrative layer that currently manages training, readiness, and personnel support for thousands of Reserve sailors. 

Under the proposal, administrative-readiness functions now handled by NOSCs would be reassigned to Reserve unit commanding officers or community managers. The intent, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee, is to reduce duplication, streamline the chain of command, and correct long-standing inefficiencies in pay, mobilization, and readiness processing. 

However, the move has raised alarm among Reserve personnel, retirees, and local communities who rely on NOSCs for drills, ID services, and direct access to Navy support. Facilities like the Pittsburgh Navy Reserve Center have played an essential role in sustaining Reserve operations and maintaining the Navy’s community presence across the country. 

Critics warn that disestablishing the system without a clear transition plan could create temporary disruptions to readiness, logistical strain for sailors required to travel farther for drills, and reduced access to administrative support for retirees and dependents. The bill allows existing buildings to remain Navy property, but their future use has not been defined. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is closely monitoring the situation and its potential impact on mobilization readiness and community access. FRA remains committed to ensuring that any restructuring maintains vital support functions for Reserve and retired sailors. The Association urges Congress and the Department of the Navy to provide transparency on implementation timelines, staffing changes, and regional facility plans before any closures take effect. 

FRA will continue to advocate for a transition that safeguards operational readiness and preserves accessible, in-person support for America’s Navy Reserve community. 

FRA Meets with DHA Amid Funding Delays 
FRA staff met with Defense Health Agency (DHA) officials this week to discuss the continuing impact of the funding lapse on military health operations. Approximately 75% of DHA’s civilian workforce has been furloughed, while the remaining operational staff continue to work without pay to maintain essential services. 

TRICARE remains operational, but FY2026 funds are not yet available for claims tied to that fiscal year. Certain categories, Autism Care, Alaska, and Overseas programs, are classified as non-underwritten claims, since funding is not available, DHA is scrambling and looking for ways to maintain payments. 

DHA officials reported they are identifying legally spendable funds to extend operations through mid-November, managing cash flow carefully as funding arrives in limited amounts. Despite fiscal constraints, there is no reported supply shortage, and all military treatment facilities have been directed to continue ordering medications. 

Mail-order and retail network prescriptions will continue to be processed and paid through Express Scripts, ensuring beneficiaries maintain access to medications. 

FRA will continue monitoring the situation closely and advocate for sustained funding to protect beneficiary access and readiness within the military health system. 

Mobile App to Boost Veteran Care 
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new mobile tool designed to strengthen care for Veterans in remote and rural areas through the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program. The Oracle Health Community Care app, formerly known as Mobile Care, gives VA medical teams secure, offline access to essential patient information, even in areas with limited or no internet connectivity. 

The app enables HBPC staff to review patient documentation, medications, lab results, and medical histories in a read-only offline mode, ensuring continuity of care in low-connectivity environments. It also supports key clinical tasks such as risk assessments and offline documentation, allowing providers to remain effective in the field. 

Previously, staff had to connect laptops to hotspots, log into VPNs, and use Citrix systems to access records a process that often slowed care delivery. With the new app, VA clinicians can now open charts instantly at the point of care, significantly reducing time and workflow disruptions. Early results show strong performance, with 97% of nearly 1,400 recorded transactions completing in under two seconds since the app’s rollout across six VA facilities using the Federal Electronic Health Record system. 

Beyond efficiency, the app also strengthens data security by eliminating the need for printed charts or handwritten notes that can be lost or misplaced. Staff can securely reference patient information on government-issued iPhones or iPads, improving both safety and accuracy. 

The Oracle Health Community Care app not only enhances operational efficiency but also deepens engagement with Veterans. Providers can use it during visits to visually show health trends and progress, helping Veterans better understand their care plans. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) commends VA’s continued innovation in improving access to care for Veterans living in rural and remote areas.