Military & Veterans Policy & News

Beginning in March 2024, The PACT Act (The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) expands VA health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures and broadens benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances, including those from the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is undertaking a multi-year endeavor to develop national standards of practice for each of its 50 health care professions to ensure the continued safe, high-quality care for the nation’s Veterans. VA will share all draft standards on the Federal Register. Veterans, the public, professional associations and medical leadership are welcome to provide their comments during the 60-day posting period.

NASW supports the White Ribbon VA, month-long national call to action to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. VA invites everyone to participate in this campaign by pledging to stop violence against others and to wear a white ribbon as a symbol of commitment throughout the month of October and beyond.

Go for Green (G4G) is an initiative to improve the food environment where service members live and work. It encourages better food and beverage selection to help optimize performance, readiness and health.

Our profession's role is to help foster greater understanding of the many issues facing the returning veteran, including the effects of war on family life, workplace readjustment, rebuilding self-image and gaining a sense of place in society. Our role must be to advocate, coordinate and provide necessary services to help veterans regain control of their lives.

Women make up 15 percent of today's military. That number is expected to double in 10 years. SERVICE highlights the resourcefulness of seven amazing women who represent the first wave of mothers, daughters and sisters returning home from the frontless wars of Iraq and Afghanistan.