Newsbytes September 26, 2025 
 

In this issue:
FRA Supports Bill to Protect Military Pay 
VA Awards $84 Million in Grants for Homelessness 
Pentagon Adds Flu Shot Exemptions
Navy Families Face Delays in Child Care Fee Assistance 

FRA Supports Bill to Protect Military Pay 
With the federal government on track to shut down Oct. 1, service members may once again be forced to report for duty without pay. Unless Congress reaches a funding deal, troops could miss their Oct. 15 paycheck, while drills for the National Guard and other nonessential activities would be suspended. 

Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) has introduced a bipartisan measure to ensure pay continues for active-duty troops, reservists on active service, members of the Coast Guard, and civilians or contractors providing critical support. The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) strongly supports this bill, as it has similar legislation during past shutdowns, and is urging Congress to take immediate action to protect service members’ paychecks. 

During the last major government shutdown in 2018–2019, tens of thousands of Coast Guard members went without pay for weeks, creating financial strain for military families. Though back pay is guaranteed once funding resumes, the delays create hardships that affect morale, readiness, and family stability. FRA has consistently argued that no service member should have to worry about making ends meet while serving their country. 

In addition to pay concerns, shutdowns risk disruptions to elective health care, school extracurricular activities, and some child care services. Commissaries and housing services are expected to remain open initially, but prolonged funding lapses could cause broader impacts. 

FRA will continue to advocate for swift passage of Rep. Kiggans’ bill and for long-term solutions to ensure service members and their families are never again used as leverage in budget negotiations. 

Please Click on the link to Take Action: https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/130396/Respond 

VA Awards $84 Million in Grants for Homelessness 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced $84 million in new grants to 176 organizations nationwide to support Veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing. The initiative aligns with the VA’s aggressive approach to ending homelessness among Veterans, with funding equally split between legal services and case management. 

The $42 million in legal services grants will help Veterans facing landlord-tenant disputes, child support or custody issues, estate planning needs, or criminal cases involving warrants and fines. These resources aim to keep Veterans housed and ensure they can access benefits and employment opportunities without legal barriers. 

Another $42 million in case management grants will fund approximately 100 case manager positions to provide critical services. These include helping Veterans search for and maintain housing, conducting home visits to monitor stability, and connecting Veterans with educational opportunities that promote long-term independence. 

“No one who served our nation in uniform should go without shelter,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “These grants will provide crucial support and services to help thousands of Veterans on their journey back to self-sufficiency.” 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) commends VA’s aggressive push to reduce Veteran homelessness and strongly supports continued investment in these programs. Access to stable housing, legal aid, and case management not only improves quality of life but also strengthens overall readiness and resilience within the Veteran community. 

Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or visit the VA Homeless Programs website for assistance. 

Pentagon Adds Flu Shot Exemptions
The Pentagon has loosened its annual flu shot mandate, adding exemptions for reservists and narrowing the circumstances under which service members are required to be vaccinated. According to a May 29 memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, reservists will only need the flu shot if they serve on active duty for 30 days or longer. The Department also will no longer cover the cost of vaccines for reservists and Guard members outside of official duty. 

The memo frames the move as a resource-conservation measure, noting that vaccinations will be required only when they “most directly contribute to readiness.” Yet, language in the document leaves some ambiguity about whether the annual flu shot requirement still applies to all active-duty troops. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amplified the directive when he reposted an online comment celebrating the end of mandatory flu shots for certain Guard members. 

The change comes as the Pentagon continues to face fallout from vaccine-related policies. In 2023, former service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine were offered back pay and the chance to return to duty. Despite that incentive, only 113 of more than 8,000 eligible troops accepted the offer. Two months later, officials confirmed that just 13 soldiers had rejoined the Army. 

The limited response has fueled speculation that the new flu shot exemptions are an attempt to avoid repeating retention and recruitment challenges linked to vaccine mandates. With reenlistment efforts falling short, the Pentagon may be recalibrating its approach to health requirements in hopes of improving troop morale and maintaining force readiness. 

Navy Families Face Delays in Child Care Fee Assistance 
Some U.S. Navy families are facing significant delays—up to 45 days—in processing claims for child care fee assistance, a benefit intended to offset the cost of civilian child care when on-base care is not available. Families in other service branches are not experiencing the same delays, highlighting the unique challenges currently facing the Navy. 

The assistance program, known as Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood, was long administered by Child Care Aware, a third-party contractor, until the Navy shifted oversight in 2022 to the Navy Child and Youth Program. Since then, staffing shortages have strained the program’s ability to process claims on time. Navy Installations Command spokesperson Destiny Sibert confirmed the issue and said the service is bringing in temporary staff and accelerating recruitment to reduce the backlog. “These measures are having a positive effect and we continue to prioritize returning processing times to normal,” she said. 

Under normal circumstances, families receive payments within 10 days. The current delays have left some spouses struggling to cover out-of-pocket expenses, which can run as high as $1,800 per month, the cap for full-time civilian child care under the program. Advocates warn that late payments place financial strain on households and hinder military spouses’ ability to maintain steady employment. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) echoed those concerns, stressing that affordable, reliable child care is essential not just for family well-being but also for overall Navy readiness. The Association hopes the Navy can remedy this situation quickly, as these delays directly affect the quality of life for families and the operational readiness of the force. 

The program is designed to bring community-based child care costs closer to the rates families would pay on base. While the Navy has pledged to resolve the backlog, families are encouraged to contact the Navy support center through their MilitaryChildCare.com account if they have individual concerns. Until the staffing shortages are resolved, however, families may continue to face lengthy waits for reimbursement.