The military has approved less than 10% of medical malpractice claims since 2020
BLUF – The article reports that, under a 2019 law allowing active-duty service members to file medical malpractice claims against the military, fewer than 10% of the 764 claims submitted since 2020 have been approved for compensation. While the program was intended to provide a remedy for patients harmed by negligence in military treatment facilities, critics argue that the approval rate, lengthy review process, and lack of transparency have limited its effectiveness and left many families dissatisfied with the outcomes. Defense Health Agency officials maintain that claims are evaluated under established legal and medical standards, but advocates continue to push for reforms to improve accountability and access to compensation.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/military-medical-claims-system-update
Opinion – Playing Politics with Military Promotions
BLUF – The article argues that recent interventions by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Navy and Air Force flag officer promotion lists represent a challenge to the military’s traditional merit-based promotion system, contending that political considerations are increasingly influencing senior leader selection. The author warns that perceived departures from established promotion processes could erode trust in the officer personnel system, affect retention of high-performing leaders, and raise concerns about the long-term health of the military leadership pipeline.
Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
BLUF – The House-passed FY27 defense budget includes substantial military pay raises—7% for E-5 and below, 6% for E-6 through O-3, and 5% for O-4 and above—along with proposed changes to the Basic Allowance for Housing intended to reduce out-of-pocket housing costs for service members. The legislation also reflects continued congressional focus on compensation, retention, and quality-of-life issues, although the provisions must still survive Senate negotiations before becoming law.
Pentagon balks at court order allowing HIV-positive persons to serve
BLUF – The article reports that the Pentagon is seeking to block a federal appeals court order that would allow otherwise qualified applicants with asymptomatic, medically controlled HIV to enlist or receive commissions while the case of Wilkins v. Hegseth continues through the courts. Defense Department attorneys argue that changing accession standards during ongoing litigation would disrupt military recruiting and personnel processes, while the plaintiffs contend that modern HIV treatment allows affected individuals to serve safely and effectively, consistent with previous court rulings that permitted HIV-positive service members to remain in service and deploy. The case highlights the continuing legal and policy debate over whether longstanding HIV accession restrictions remain justified given advances in treatment and the military’s existing policies for currently serving personnel with controlled HIV.
Opinion – Thoughts on Secretary Hegseth’s Removal of Admiral and Generals From Promotion Lists
BLUF – The author, a former Air Force General Counsel who advised promotion boards, argues that Secretary Hegseth’s removal of officers from Navy and Air Force flag promotion lists is an unprecedented departure from the military’s longstanding merit-based promotion process and risks introducing political considerations into officer advancement. He contends that the action could undermine confidence in the promotion system, weaken the tradition of a nonpartisan military, and create uncertainty among senior officers about whether factors other than performance and qualifications will influence promotion decisions.
https://notesfortheperplexed.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-secretary-hegseths-removal
From CNP: May Navy Career News
The newest edition of the Sailor-to-Sailor newsletter is here! Your monthly source for essential career updates, leadership messages and policy changes that directly impact you and your Sailors.
In this edition:
– Warrior Toughness in real life: This month’s featured story takes a deckplate look at the updated Warrior Toughness initiative and how Sailors can use practical skills to perform under pressure, recover with purpose and support their shipmates before stress becomes the next problem.
– Health of the Force Survey: The 2026 Health of the Force Survey is live. Active and Reserve Sailors can take 20 minutes to provide confidential feedback on Navy programs, policies, readiness and quality of life. Your input helps Navy leaders better understand what is working and what needs attention.
– Health service treatment records: Your medical records still matter after you separate. This update provides guidance for archiving health service treatment records and transferring them to the Department of Veterans Affairs to support future benefits claims, retirement and separation requirements.
– Special Duty Assignment Pay recertification: Commands must complete the annual Special Duty Assignment Pay recertification process to ensure eligible Sailors continue receiving authorized pay. Missing the deadline can stop payments, making command-level action critical.
– CPO Initiation guidance: The latest guidance outlines key dates, training focus areas and expectations for this year’s Chief Petty Officer Initiation, with an emphasis on professional development, leadership responsibility and preparing chief selectees to lead Sailors across the Fleet.
– Key dates and deadlines: Important dates include the CY-2026 E-4 Meritorious Advancement Program, Career Development Symposium PACNORWEST, Physical Readiness Program Cycle 2, CPO selection board letter deadlines and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Delbert D. Black Leadership Award nomination packages.
Access the full newsletter here: https://dvidshub.net/r/42cjn6
Leaders: Help spread the word. Print a copy for your shop’s bulletin board, share it during quarters or forward this email to your teams to ensure every Sailor stays informed.
For more updates, follow MyNavy HR on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyNAVYHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MYNAVYHR/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/MYNAVYHR
X: https://twitter.com/MyNAVYHR
Finance Friday Articles
- Did You Already Win In Life?
- Driving an Old Car to Save Money: Drive a Beater . . . Get Rich
- Great Reasons to Have a Tax-Deferred Account
- Here’s Why Real Estate Helps Me Sleep at Night
- High Inflation May Continue: How It Could Affect Your Investing
- How Much Will SpaceX Actually Cost Your Index Fund?
- Land Appreciates. Homes Depreciate.
- On the Inevitability of an AI Bubble
- Should I contribute to a Flexible Spending Account?
- Solo 401(k)s and Filling Out Form 5500-EZ
- The AI Trade is Global
- Thinking of Using Your TSP to Pay Off Your Home Loan? Think Again
- TIPS vs. I Bonds: Same Inflation Index, Different Risks
- Wise Words from Charley Ellis
- You Should Probably Stop Saving for Retirement
Lawmakers move to require chaperones for ‘sensitive’ appointments in military health system
BLUF – The article reports that House lawmakers have proposed requiring trained chaperones to be offered or present during sensitive medical examinations and procedures within the Military Health System, following high-profile allegations of sexual misconduct by military healthcare providers. Supporters argue the measure would improve patient safety, trust, and accountability, while Defense Department officials are reviewing how such a requirement could be implemented across military treatment facilities without disrupting care delivery.
Navy chaplains to remove rank insignia from all working and utility uniforms
BLUF – The Navy has directed chaplains to remove all visible rank insignia from working and utility uniforms—including NWUs, flight suits, coveralls, and outer garments—while continuing to wear their Chaplain Corps faith-group insignia and retaining their commissioned rank and authority. The change implements Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive that chaplains are “chaplains first and officers second,” a move intended to make them more approachable to service members seeking confidential support, while still requiring normal military courtesies and salutes.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 