House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee leaders introduced parallel bills today enabling spouses and dependent children of severely combat-wounded troops to apply for VA education benefit assistance without first waiting for the injured military member to be discharged from active duty. Currently, individuals seeking the education benefit must wait until the military member completes the separation from service, a process that is sometimes as long as two years. The legislation would help family members of injured veterans “improve their ability to compete in the job market,” since some family members often must become breadwinners, said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.). Commented Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho): “This change will be a win-win for all. It’s simply the right thing to do.”
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.