Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has introduced legislation that would protect combat veterans who are so disabled they are forced out of the service early, losing full retirement benefits. Most of these veterans had planned to make the military a career, says Reid. His Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2006 (S. 2385) would give “eligible combat-related disabled” who is “retired” with fewer than 20 years of service under Chapter 61 a pro-rated retirement benefit.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…