VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Pays Respects to Fallen on Memorial Day: The VFW remembers and honors the legacy of the men and women who served in our nation’s military and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt, VFW National Chief of Staff Jeff Carroll, and a delegation of staff from the VFW Washington Office honored the fallen by participating in commemorative events across our nation’s capital over Memorial Day weekend. For the VFW, this is a truly sacred day.
VA and DOD Sign Agreement to Improve Transition from Service:In a joint video announcement, Secretary Doug Collins and Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to improve the transition process for separating service members. Secretary Collins stated that this agreement would ensure a continuum of health care for veterans, a review of workforce development, and an assessment of transition programs. Secretary Hegseth expressed his commitment to strengthening collaboration between the two departments. Improving transition is a top legislative and policy priority for the VFW, including timely attendance at Transition Assistance Program classes, full and permanent access to accredited claims assistance for service members, and strong community connections for veterans. The VFW sees this formal partnership as a positive step forward. Watch the video.
DOD 2024 Survey Results on Military Spouses: The Department of Defense (DOD) has released the findings of its 2024 survey of active duty spouses. The report highlights both progress and ongoing challenges for military families. More spouses are participating in the workforce, but many still face financial strain and difficulties accessing reliable child care. Frequent moves continue to disrupt careers, family stability, and access to services. Spouses who feel dissatisfied with military life are much more likely to want their service members to leave active duty, showing how closely family welfare is tied to retention. While use of support programs like WIC and counseling services remains steady, concerns about child well-being and mental health persist. These findings underscore the importance of continued investment in policies and resources that strengthen family readiness and quality of life. Read the report.
Annual Report Shows Decrease in Military Sexual Assaults: The Department of Defense annual report on sexual assault shows a decrease of 320 reported cases for fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year. While the drop is notable, no prevalence survey was conducted to determine specific characteristics. A survey is planned for fiscal year 2025 to better assess progress and inform ongoing prevention efforts. Read more.
VA Program Helps Veterans Protect Benefits Payments: Bad actors sometimes prey on veterans by targeting their VA benefits. Direct deposit benefits payments are more secure and could help thwart these fraudsters. Recognizing that some veterans lack a bank account, VA established the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) in 2019 that has assisted more than 530,000 veterans and other beneficiaries to open accounts and enroll in direct deposit. VBBP also offers a variety of financial education resources. Learn more.