Fleet Reserve Association Branch 70 - Poway

05/25/2026

Dear Shipmates,

As Memorial Day approaches, we pause as a grateful nation to honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Their courage, devotion to duty, and unwavering commitment to our country will never be forgotten.

On behalf of the Fleet Reserve Association, I ask all of our members, families, and supporters to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day. This solemn occasion is more than the beginning of summer or a long weekend—it is a sacred reminder of the cost of liberty and the sacrifices borne by generations of American service members.

Many of us served alongside shipmates who never returned home. Their memory lives in our hearts, in our stories, and in the proud traditions of our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard communities. We owe it to them to continue supporting one another, caring for our veterans and military families, and preserving the values they defended.

As members of the Fleet Reserve Association, we remain united in service, patriotism, and remembrance. I encourage every branch and member to participate in local ceremonies, fly the American flag proudly, and honor the fallen in your own meaningful way.

To the Gold Star families who carry the enduring weight of loss, please know that your loved ones’ sacrifices will never be forgotten. Our nation remains forever indebted to them.

This Memorial Day, may we remember the fallen, honor their legacy, and recommit ourselves to the ideals for which they gave their lives.

God bless our fallen heroes, their families, and the United States of America.

I remain In Loyalty, Protection, and Service,



Richard Fetro
National President
Fleet Reserve Association

05/23/2026

Newsbytes May 22, 2026

In this issue:
FRA On The Hill
Briley-Edmundson Act Passes
Veterans' COLA Act Clears Committee
Bost Launches VA Authority Reauthorization
28-Condition Recruit Prescreening Filter
NSA Naples Confirms Elevated Radon
Memorial Day Observances



FRA On The Hill Fighting For Non-Opioid Choice
FRA's Legislative Team spent two days on Capitol Hill this week advocating for swift passage of the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) for Veterans Act, H.R. 4509 and S. 3209. The bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to include FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications and biological products in the VA National Formulary and the VA Drug Standardization List once they become eligible under Medicare rules, and would prohibit substitution with opioid alternatives.

The original NOPAIN Act was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and took effect on January 1, 2025. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide separate Medicare reimbursement for qualifying FDA-approved non-opioid drugs and devices used in postoperative care. Three years on, Medicare patients enjoy meaningful access to safer pain options. Veterans do not. The VA is not bound by Medicare's formulary rules, and under current policy many FDA-approved non-opioid medications are not required to be carried by the VA at all.

The transition gap is equally severe on the active duty side. The Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency have spent nearly a decade driving down opioid prescribing across the Military Health System, with opioid prescriptions filled across the system declining 69 percent between April 2017 and July 2021. Although TRICARE is not legally bound by the NOPAIN Act, the Military Health System has voluntarily moved in the same direction. A Sailor, Marine, or Coast Guardsman who receives modern non-opioid pain care while in uniform has every reaso

04/17/2026

Newsbytes April 17, 2026


In this issue:
FRA Attends House Leader’s Roundtable
FRA Mid-Year Meeting
$469.5 Billion FY27 MILCON-VA Bill
VA Claims Backlog Hits Historic Low
Transition Gaps for Justice-Involved Veterans



FRA Attends House Leader’s Roundtable
On Monday April 20th, The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) will participate in a Leader’s VSO Roundtable at the U.S. Capitol, hosted by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39). NED Donna Jansky will serve as the principal voice for the sea services, engaging directly with senior House leadership and key appropriators like Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25). This dialogue provides a rare opportunity to influence the House’s legislative priorities before the critical summer markups.

The roundtable discussions will focus on the Cost of War, specifically on the continued expansion of care for veterans impacted by toxic exposures under the PACT Act. NED Jansky intends to highlight how the implementation of these benefits directly impacts the "Sacred Trust" between the government and its defenders. Furthermore, the leaders will discuss the evolving infrastructure and capacity needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring that the system is equipped to handle the surge in newly enrolled veterans following recent policy improvements.

A primary tactical goal for the FRA during this session is to emphasize the Recruitment and Retention angle of veteran benefits. NED Jansky will make it clear to leadership that potential recruits and current service members are watching how the government treats its veterans. When benefits are offset or funding for toxic exposure care is threatened by political gridlock, it sends a negative signal to those considering a career in the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. By framing veteran benefits as a "readiness asset," the FRA aims to move these issues from "social spending" to "national security" priorities.

04/04/2026

Newsbytes April 3, 2026


In this issue:
Convenience in VA Virtual Care
War Powers Clock Ticks
Military Suicides Declined
Partial Claim: VA Home Loan
Coast Guard Readiness Eroding
Written Consent Survey



Convenience in VA Virtual Care
A recent report highlights the experience of Navy Veteran Frank Moore, who has successfully utilized VA virtual care to manage multiple chronic health conditions. Moore, who lives a significant distance from the nearest VA Medical Center, emphasized that the ability to connect with specialists via video appointments has removed the logistical nightmare of travel while maintaining a high standard of clinical oversight. The VA continues to scale these digital health tools to reach veterans in rural or underserved areas, aiming to bridge the gap in healthcare equity for those with mobility challenges.

The VA identifies these anywhere care models as a primary method for increasing health equity and reducing the burden of in person appointments. For many sea service veterans, especially those with service connected disabilities that limit mobility, the integration of video appointments and digital health monitoring is a significant improvement over traditional, travel intensive care models. The VA reports that these tools are becoming a cornerstone of their strategy to reach a younger, more tech savvy veteran population while supporting aging retirees.

The FRA views the expansion of telehealth as a critical component of our VA EHR Modernization legislative effort. A significant portion of our membership is retired and relies on VA infrastructure that is often centralized in urban hubs. However, the Association remains vigilant: virtual care must remain a supplement to, not a replacement for, robust in-person specialty care. We will continue to advocate for the necessary IT infrastructure funding to ensure these digital models are backed by a stable, modernized Electronic Health Record system that follows our Shipmates across the car

03/27/2026

Newsbytes March 27, 2026


In this issue:
Shutdown Eroding Coast Guard Operations
Military Financial Literacy Act t
TRICARE and VA Community Care
VA Modernizes Home Loan Program
The Major Richard Star Act
Written Consent Survey



Shutdown Eroding Coast Guard Operations
In a sobering testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee on March 25, Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Thomas Allan warned that the ongoing 41-day Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown is causing deep and potentially lasting damage to the service’s operational capabilities. While active-duty members have remained paid through the use of emergency administrative funds, Adm. Allan emphasized that families are operating under a “grim uncertainty” regarding their upcoming April 1 paycheck. This marks the third time in just 176 days that Coast Guard personnel have been caught in a funding stalemate, a cycle that Allan says is fundamentally eroding the "sacred trust" the government holds with its defenders.

The operational fallout of the 40-day funding lapse is staggering. The service has been forced to halt routine maritime patrols and fisheries enforcement, focusing only on "life-saving" and national security missions. Furthermore, the shutdown has stopped the processing of merchant mariner credentials for over 16,000 applicants, creating a ripple effect that could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars. Adm. Allan estimated that the service has already incurred over $200 million in unpaid bills, leaving critical infrastructure in "imminent danger" of utility shutoffs and fuel delivery refusals.

Perhaps most damaging is the long-term impact on the Coast Guard’s workforce and industry partnerships. The service is currently unable to pay the vendors who feed recruits at the Cape May training center, and ship maintenance contractors are increasingly voicing their unwillingness to work without pay. Adm. Allan warned that these companies may soon stop bidding on Coast Gu

03/21/2026

Newsbytes March 20, 2026
In this issue:
FRA Demands Coast Guard Pay Parity
President Honors Six Service Members Killed
New Commissary Bag Fees to Begin April 6
Written Inform Consent Survey

FRA Demands Coast Guard Pay Parity
As Washington debated leadership and funding, Coast Guard families lived with uncertainty, and Coast Guard crews continued to answer the call without hesitation.
During a tense March 18 confirmation hearing for Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, lawmakers confronted the ongoing funding lapse affecting DHS agencies. The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) submitted a formal Statement for the Record, urging Congress and DHS leadership to address a glaring inequity. While other military branches are protected during funding gaps, Coast Guard personnel are not. Roughly 41,200 active-duty members have now gone into a second month without guaranteed, on-time pay since the lapse began on February 14.

FRA described the situation as a “roller coaster” for Coast Guard families. Partial pay measures have offered limited relief, but many still face real consequences, including difficulty securing housing or maintaining credit without reliable income documentation. The message from FRA was clear. No one in uniform should ever be asked to serve without pay.

Even as this debate unfolded in Washington, the reality of Coast Guard service played out in dramatic fashion on March 15. In the middle of a whiteout blizzard on Lake Huron, the crew of the USCGC Mackinaw launched a high-risk rescue mission to save a stranded snowmobiler trapped on drifting ice near Mackinac Island, Michigan. With aerial support grounded due to severe weather, the crew maneuvered through dangerous ice conditions and sub-zero temperatures to bring the 55-year-old man to safety.

They did so while operating under the same funding lapse, performing a life-saving mission without certainty of their next paycheck.

This contrast highlights the core of FRA’s argument. Coast Guard personnel are not only members of the armed forces. They are also frontline first responders who routinely risk their lives under extreme conditions. Yet they remain uniquely vulnerable to funding disruptions that do not affect their military counterparts.

FRA is now using the Mackinaw rescue as a real-world example in its push for H.R. 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act. The legislation would ensure automatic pay protection for Coast Guard members during any lapse in appropriations.

The message to Congress is as direct as it is urgent. When Shipmates are standing the watch, whether in a Senate hearing spotlight or on a frozen, storm-lashed lake, their commitment never wavers. Their pay should not either.

Click Here To Support: https://bit.ly/4pLwBtD



President Honors Six Service Members Killed
President Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on March 18 to pay respects during the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in western Iraq on March 16. The crew members, who were supporting operations in a highly contested region, were identified as being from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington state.

This marks a sobering moment for the military community, as the U.S. death toll in recent regional hostilities has reached 13 this month. The President’s attendance at Dover emphasizes the high-stakes environment in which our active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel continue to operate. For the families of the fallen, this tragedy begins a long process of mourning and transition that requires the full support of the nation they served.

FRA remains fiercely committed to protecting the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and ensuring that the families of our fallen heroes receive every earned entitlement without bureaucratic delay. Following the successful elimination of the SBP/DIC offset in 2023, FRA continues to monitor implementation to ensure no new "poison pill" offsets are introduced.

New Commissary Bag Fees to Begin April 6
Military families will soon see a small but noticeable change at the checkout line. Beginning April 6, 2026, commissaries operated by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) will start charging for single-use shopping bags. Customers will pay 5 cents for plastic bags and 10 cents for paper bags.

The move is aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency across the commissary system. Officials state that providing free bags currently costs approximately $17 million annually. Eliminating this expense is intended to help preserve the overall savings benefit commissaries offer to service members, veterans, and their families. Commissaries receive roughly $1.5 billion annually in taxpayer support and are designed to deliver groceries at prices about 25 percent lower than civilian stores. DeCA leadership notes that the bag fee is part of maintaining that mission while reducing operational expenses.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or purchase them in-store. This policy will also apply to curbside and delivery orders. The change will not affect locations in states and territories where single-use bags are already restricted, such as California, Washington, Hawaii, and Guam. FRA continues to monitor DeCA policies to ensure that cost-saving measures do not inadvertently degrade the overall value of the commissary benefit, which remains a cornerstone of military quality of life.

Your Health. Your Right to Know. Your Voice Matters.
You served with honor. You made decisions under pressure with full awareness of the risks. You deserve that same level of respect and transparency when it comes to your health care.

Right now, many veterans are prescribed powerful medications without full written disclosure of the risks, side effects, and alternatives. That needs to change.

H.R. 4837, the Written Informed Consent Act, is about putting control back in your hands.

This legislation expands existing protections so that written informed consent is required not just for long term opioid use, but also for medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, anxiolytics, and other narcotics.

That means:

You are fully informed before treatment begins
You understand the risks and alternatives
You have the power to make the right decision for your body and your future

This is about accountability. This is about transparency. This is about protecting those who have already given so much.

We need your voice.

Take a moment to complete this survey and stand in support of stronger protections for veterans like you. Your input helps drive real change and ensures that no veteran is left in the dark about their care.

You fought for this country. Now fight for your right to informed care.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

Upcoming Committee Hearings:
HVAC:https://veterans.house.gov/calendar/
SVAC:https://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings
HASC:https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/
SASC:https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings

Please support the Pay Our Troops Act, vital legislation to ensure that members of the Armed Services are paid in the event of a government shutdown. Without this protection, servicemembers on active and reserve duty, as well as the Coast Guard,...

03/13/2026

Newsbytes March 13, 2026

In this issue:
Legal Guardians for Vulnerable Veterans
Sen. Mullin Tapped to Lead DHS
TBI Care Gaps and "Beacon Act"
Draft and Recruitment
Implementation of the Dole Veterans Act



Legal Guardians for Vulnerable Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to improve care for the nation’s most vulnerable veterans. This new partnership specifically targets veterans who are unable to make their own healthcare decisions and lack family or legal representation. Under the agreement, the DOJ will grant VA attorneys the legal authority to serve as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, allowing them to initiate guardianship or conservatorship proceedings in state courts.

VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that the initiative is a "lifeline" for veterans currently stuck in hospital settings due to a lack of a legal decision-maker. By appointing guardians, the VA aims to facilitate smoother transitions from acute hospitalization to more appropriate care settings, such as community-based housing. However, the initiative has met with immediate scrutiny from civil rights advocacy groups who express concerns that the program could be used to strip veterans of their autonomy without providing the community-based mental health services they prefer.

FRA is monitoring this rollout closely to ensure that the rights of our Shipmates are protected. While we support efforts to ensure no veteran "languishes" in a hospital due to bureaucratic red tape, the Association believes that any expansion of legal authority over a veteran’s decision-making must include robust due process protections. FRA will work with both departments to ensure that "guardianship" does not become a tool for administrative convenience.



Sen. Mullin Tapped to Lead DHS
President Donald Trump announced the departure of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a year of friction over agency spending and management priorities. Noem is expected to transition to a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas effective March 31. The President has nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, to serve as her successor. His confirmation hearing is tentatively scheduled for March 18 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

For the Coast Guard, the leadership transition comes at a particularly difficult moment. Because the service operates under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, Coast Guard personnel are directly affected when funding lapses disrupt DHS operations. Hundreds of Coast Guardsmen currently deployed to the Middle East in support of U.S. maritime security missions continue to serve in hazardous operational environments even as many members of the service face the prospect of missed paychecks during the ongoing funding disruption.

The Fleet Reserve Association has emphasized that no service member should ever be required to serve without pay. FRA has joined other military and veterans organizations in urging Congress to immediately pass the Pay Our Troops Act to guarantee uninterrupted compensation for uniformed personnel during government shutdowns. While similar measures have been enacted in past funding crises, they often come only after uncertainty and financial strain have already affected military families.

For FRA’s Coast Guard constituency, Senator Mullin’s nomination represents an opportunity for a reset in leadership and policy focus. Mullin’s service on the Senate Appropriations Committee has given him detailed familiarity with the Coast Guard’s roughly $12 billion annual budget, and he has previously supported legislation designed to protect military pay during funding lapses. FRA legislative staff are preparing a Statement for the Record for the confirmation hearing that will call on the nominee to make a clear commitment that Coast Guard personnel will never again be placed in the position of performing operational missions without receiving the pay they have earned.



TBI Care Gaps and "Beacon Act"
Congress recently reviewed the VA’s nationwide Polytrauma System of Care, which has screened 1.8 million veterans and treated 160,000 in fiscal year 2025 alone. While the network’s specialized centers and 110 care teams represent a comprehensive TBI infrastructure, lawmakers and the VA Inspector General raised alarms regarding uneven implementation. Reports cited missed follow-up consultations and inconsistent training that have led to tragic outcomes for veterans suffering from chronic pain and mental health decline.

Medical intelligence points out that TBI is a chronic condition, particularly for service members exposed to repeated low-level blast pressure from artillery and breaching charges. Because symptoms often overlap with PTSD and sleep disorders and may not manifest for years, sustained monitoring is critical. Researchers highlighted that these repeated concussions significantly increase long-term risks for dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and su***de. This reinforces the need for a longitudinal approach to brain health.

The committee also debated the proposed Beacon Act, which would authorize $60 million for research partnerships with outside academic and private institutions. Supporters argue this is necessary to scale intensive neuro-rehabilitation models like Operation Mend, which currently reach only a fraction of those in need. Critics expressed concern that the measure might divert essential funding away from existing internal VA programs and complicate resource allocation.

Ultimately, the testimony from veterans emphasized that intensive, family-involved rehabilitation is the gold standard for restoring cognitive function and independence. FRA remains committed to advocating for the Beacon Act to bridge the capacity gap between the VA’s current model and the high-intensity care required for our most severely injured Shipmates. Ensuring timely and comprehensive care for the "hidden wounds" of war remains a top legislative priority for the association.



Recruitment and the Draft
As the Navy and Marine Corps navigate a highly competitive recruiting environment in 2026, the Fleet Reserve Association is elevating recruitment and retention as a key legislative priority. While the sea services have reported a solid start to the fiscal year, sustaining an all volunteer force will require continued engagement with the communities that produce the next generation of Sailors, Marines and Coasties. FRA believes its nationwide network of branches and members can play a meaningful role in helping bridge the gap between military service and the American public while reinforcing the high standards required for today’s increasingly technical force.

As part of this effort, FRA legislative staff recently met with active duty Navy and Marine Corps recruiters to gain firsthand insight into current challenges on the recruiting front lines. Recruiters highlighted several issues that can slow the accession pipeline, including school access for outreach efforts and administrative delays associated with the medical waiver process. FRA is working to schedule a follow up meeting with senior recruiting leadership to identify specific ways the Association can assist, including supporting local outreach efforts and highlighting the benefits and opportunities that make service in the sea services a premier career path.

At the same time, broader public discussion has resurfaced about the role of the Selective Service System as global security challenges evolve in early 2026. Although there is currently no active draft, the system remains in a state of readiness and would only be activated if the President and Congress determined a national emergency required a rapid expansion of the Armed Forces. Under the current structure, if a draft were reinstated, the first individuals called would be men in the year they turn 20, followed by those ages 21 through 25, then 19 and 18.

FRA continues to emphasize that a strong volunteer force remains the most effective foundation for military readiness. Competitive pay, benefits, and improved quality of life are the most powerful tools for sustaining the sea services’ end strength and attracting highly capable recruits. At the same time, the Association recognizes the Selective Service System as a national contingency mechanism should the nation ever require rapid mobilization.



Implementation of the Dole Veterans Act
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted a high-stakes review of the "Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act." Passed in January 2025, this sweeping reform package was a major legislative victory for the FRA, which was pivotal in securing the bipartisan support necessary for its enactment. The law includes 72 sections aimed at modernizing VA health care, strengthening caregiver support, and expanding long term care options to allow more veterans to remain in their homes.

VA officials reported that while 25 sections are fully implemented, significant work remains for the remaining provisions. Early successes include streamlined access to community care and increased per diem support for organizations assisting homeless veterans. However, lawmakers expressed frustration with delays in several areas that directly affect vulnerable veterans, including pilot programs for expanded dental care, emergency ambulance cost relief for rural veterans, and mental health grants for caregivers. VA leadership cited funding challenges and workforce shortages as the primary obstacles to a faster rollout.

FRA remains committed to holding the VA accountable for these delays. The ultimate success of the Dole Act will be measured by how effectively these provisions translate into real improvements in the daily lives of our Shipmates. Continued oversight is essential to ensure that the promises made in 2025 are not lost to bureaucratic reorganization or leadership transitions. The FRA will continue to work closely with the Committee to ensure that every provision of this landmark legislation is fully funded and operational.

In light of his exceptional work on these reforms, the FRA is proud to announce that it will be presenting the 2025 Pinnacle Award to Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06). The ceremony will take place this April in Washington, D.C. Congressman Ciscomani has been a tireless advocate for the sea service community, and his leadership was instrumental in the passage of the Dole Act. His dedication to modernizing veteran benefits and improving quality of life for those who serve represents the very best of the legislative spirit FRA champions.

Upcoming Committee Hearings:
HVAC:https://veterans.house.gov/calendar/
SVAC:https://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings
HASC:https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/
SASC:https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings

03/03/2026

Celebrating the Birthday of the United States Navy Reserve

On behalf of the Fleet Reserve Association, I extend warm congratulations and best wishes to the men and women of the United States Navy Reserve as you celebrate your birthday on March 3.

Since its establishment in 1915, the Navy Reserve has stood as a vital pillar of our nation’s naval strength. For more than a century, Navy Reservists have answered the call to serve—whether in times of war, national emergency, humanitarian assistance, or routine operational support.Their willingness to balance civilian lives with military readiness exemplifies the very best of citizen-sailor service.

Throughout our shared history, members of the Fleet Reserve Association have proudly served alongside Navy Reservists around the globe.

We recognize the professionalism, adaptability, and dedication that Reserve Sailors bring to every mission. Your contributions have strengthened fleet readiness, ensured continuity of operations, and upheld the proud traditions of the United States Navy.

As we honor this milestone, we also acknowledge the families and employers who support our Reservists. Their sacrifices and understanding make service possible and deserve our deepest gratitude.

To all who have worn—and continue to wear—the uniform of the United States Navy: thank you for your service, your commitment, and your unwavering devotion to our country. May you take pride in your legacy and look forward with confidence to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Happy Birthday to the United States Navy Reserve and may fair winds and following seas be with you always.

In Loyalty, Protection, and Service,
Richard J. Fetro
National President
Fleet Reserve Association

03/03/2026

Support The Major Richard Star Act
Over 50,000 combat-wounded retirees are being unfairly penalized, losing earned retirement pay simply because they were injured in the line of duty. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support, the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032) stalled in the last Congress. We must act now to end this injustice and ensure our sea service heroes receive the full concurrent receipt of both their retirement and disability benefits without further delay.

Please urge your legislators to move these bills to the floor for a vote or include them as mandatory provisions in the FY2027 NDAA. Your voice provides the critical "impact" our legislative team needs during Hill visits to show Congress that the veteran community is watching. Join the fight today to ensure our combat-injured veterans finally receive the full benefits they have rightfully earned.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:

The "Major Richard Star Act" (HR 2102/S. 1032), supported by the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), has been reintroduced in Congress to provide concurrent receipt of retirement pay and disability compensation for service members unable to complete 20...