VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Engages Troops and Veterans Across Asia: VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore traveled to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan to engage with senior military leaders, service members, veterans and VFW Posts across the Indo-Pacific region. The delegation met with officials from Taiwan’s Veterans Affairs Council, U.S. Army and Air Force leadership and service members stationed overseas. Discussions focused on force readiness, transition support, housing, childcare, transportation and other quality-of-life issues affecting military families assigned abroad. The delegation also visited VFW Posts supporting veterans and military communities in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Insights gathered during the trip will help inform the VFW’s ongoing advocacy efforts related to service member readiness, transition and family support programs.
VFW Speaks on Written Informed Consent Act: VFW staff attended the Mental Health and Overmedicalization Summit hosted by the MAHA Institute. VFW member and Grunt Style Veteran Fellow Derek Blumke spoke on a panel regarding informed choice as it relates to psychiatric drugs. Blumke stressed the need for veterans using VA health care to have more information about medications they are prescribed before starting long-term mental health treatment plans. He advocated for the passage of VFW-supported H.R.4837 / S.3314, Written Informed Consent Act, to expand written informed consent requirements to ensure veterans receive clear written information about the benefits, risks, alternatives and expectations associated with long-term use of psychiatric medications. This legislation is a key VFW priority and is part of the organization's efforts to reduce veteran suicide. Read more.
School Loan Repayment Program Open: Applications are open for the VA Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP), which allows recent graduates of accredited medical and osteopathic schools to work at VA in exchange for $40,000 per year in loan repayment with a maximum of $160,000 throughout their time in the program. Meant as a way for VA to increase medical staff in fields with shortages, SELRP applicants must be matched to or enrolled in residencies in fields such as psychiatry, anesthesiology, emergency medicine and others. Participants must serve in the SELRP for at least 24 months to be eligible for loan repayment. Applications must be received by May 31, 2026. Read more.