Twenty Senators have formed the bipartisan Senate Military Family Caucus to bolster their support of military families. “We recognize that when a service member puts on a uniform, the entire family sacrifices for our country,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in a statement. She will serve as co-chair of the panel, along with Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). Burr said in the same release that the caucus will provide “an avenue to push for legislation that will benefit these families.” The caucus will focus on issues such as childcare, education, employment, health care, and the effects of multiple deployments on dependents. The Senators said they will work closely with the recently formed House Congressional Military Family Caucus.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.