Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) on Dec. 13 introduced legislation meant to protect employment rights of servicemembers returning from duty in the war on terror. According to a statement from the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the measure would impose deadlines on federal agencies to assist vets running into problems and implement efficiency changes recommended by the Government Accountability Office. Despite a law that supposedly secures employment and re-employment rights, there are continued reports of problems, including reservists who say they face a “military service penalty.”
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.