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.
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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/MYNAVYHR
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Finance Friday Articles
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- Solo 401(k)s and Filling Out Form 5500-EZ
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- 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.
Draft defense bill would halt cuts, closures of military health facilities
BLUF – House lawmakers included a provision in the draft Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would block the Defense Department from closing military hospitals or clinics, or reducing services at those facilities, until additional reviews and reporting requirements are completed. The proposal is a response to years of military health system restructuring that reduced services at dozens of military treatment facilities and raised concerns among lawmakers, military families, and medical personnel about access to care, provider readiness, and the long-term viability of military medicine. If enacted, the measure would pause planned reductions and closures while Congress conducts closer oversight of the Defense Health Agency’s efforts to reorganize the military health system.
Pentagon failed to assess impact of cuts to civilian workforce, watchdog finds
BLUF – The article reports that a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found the Pentagon eliminated about 78,000 civilian positions in 2025—roughly 10% of its civilian workforce—without consistently analyzing the effects on readiness, workload, costs, or mission performance as required by law. The GAO found that while some organizations reported efficiencies and savings, others experienced increased workloads, loss of institutional knowledge, maintenance delays, and workforce instability, and the department has no formal plan to assess lessons learned from the reductions. The Pentagon agreed with the GAO’s recommendation to develop such a plan, but had not provided a timeline for doing so.
Hegseth directs ‘joint warfighting ability’ be considered for officer, NCO promotions
BLUF – The article reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the military to consider “joint warfighting ability” when evaluating officers and senior enlisted personnel for promotion and advancement. The memo provides little detail on how this capability will be defined or measured, but the Pentagon says the effort is part of a broader review intended to ensure promotion systems are objective, data-driven, and focused on warfighting effectiveness. The policy signals a growing emphasis on experience and performance in joint operations involving multiple military services, aligning promotion criteria more closely with the demands of modern multidomain warfare. There is no indication if or how this would impact those in Navy Medicine.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/military-promotions-joint-warfighting
USU Leaders Drive Force Development and Operational Readiness at 2026 MHS Conference
BLUF – At the 2026 Military Health System Conference, leaders from the Uniformed Services University highlighted efforts to improve military medical readiness through reforms in medical education, operational research, and workforce development. A major focus was expanding enlisted-to-provider pathways that help enlisted service members become healthcare professionals, addressing personnel shortages while building a more capable and adaptable medical force. The speakers also emphasized maintaining clinical readiness for combat trauma care, strengthening leadership development, and aligning medical training with the needs of future military operations.
https://news.usuhs.edu/2026/05/usu-leaders-drive-force-development-and.html
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