iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Breaking VA news -- Trump's pick for UnderSec for Benefits, Karen Brazell, has withdrawn her name for the post. Leaves a big question about who will take on the leadership role. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

243

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Some personal news... After 11 years at @militarytimes.bsky.social, next week will be my last at the publication. It has been a great run, thanks to all of the excellent reporters and generous sources I've been lucky enough to work with.

1160

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

BLS unemployment data for August: 3.1% for all vets (3.0% in July), 3.0% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.1% in July), 4.3% for the nation (4.2% in July).

020

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Happening now: @repmarktakano.bsky.social, Sen Blumenthal, Rep Brownley and veterans advocates protesting @DeptVetAffairs proposed rule change dumping access to abortion care. Takano calls it a matter of veterans health and safety.

040

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

BLS unemployment data for July: 3.0% for all vets (3.7% in June), 3.1% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.8% in June), 4.2% for the nation (4.1% in June).

010

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Despite Democratic objections over her lack of independence, senior VA advisor Cheryl Mason was confirmed today as the department's new inspector general www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

militarytimes.com

Senate confirms senior VA advisor to become next department watchdog

The incoming VA Inspector General, Cheryl Mason, worked for several months alongside the senior VA leaders she will now be charged with investigating.

023

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

New this morning: @harvardkennedy.bsky.social out today with a new fellowship for vets and former federal workers for public service studies. Move comes as the university is sparring publicly with the White House on a host of issues. www.militarytimes.com/education-tr...

militarytimes.com

Harvard to launch new service fellowship for veterans, federal workers

The American Service Fellowship will provide 50 students with free tuition for a one-year master's degree program.

021

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Order for today's HASC #FY26NDAA markup: — Tactical Air/Land — Strategic forces — Seapower — Cyber — Readiness — Intelligence — Personnel — Full committee matters

110

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

VA expects to total almost 30,000 staff cuts by the end of this fiscal year, but is dropping plans for a larger reduction in force to trim the department bureaucracy www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

militarytimes.com

VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs

More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

After last week's airstrikes, Rep. Tony Gonzales is proposing the creation of a new Iranian Campaign Medal, with eligibility open to any troops who served in direct support of Operation Midnight Hammer. www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

militarytimes.com

Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites

Pilots and supporting servicemembers involved in the complex airstrikes would be eligible for the new military medal.

111

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Lots of news today, but this House Dems roundtable now on veterans housing support is worth noting. The issue is becoming a friction point between the parties, with veterans groups trying to push for both reforms and continued support of current programs.

010

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Happening now — VA Sec Collins testified before the Senate Approps Committee on the FY26 budget request. Live here: www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/a-r...

001

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Trump will nominate U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Adm. Daryl Caudle to serve as the Navy’s next chief of naval operations -- details from Riley Ceder www.militarytimes.com/news/your-na...

militarytimes.com

Trump taps Fleet Forces head as Navy’s next chief of naval operations

Caudle, a career submariner from North Carolina, has been in command of the Norfolk, Virginia-based U.S. Fleet Forces Command since December 2021.

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Unusual level of chippiness at SASC today for SecDef Hegseth's testimony. Sen. Sheehy yelled at protestors from the dias before the hearing began. Sen. Tuberville just taunted Sen. Hirono to "ask professional questions" during her time grilling Hegseth.

011

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Presser now at VFWHQ with Sen Blumenthal pushing for more support for military sexual trauma victims — concerns the bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act.

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Day three of SecDef Hegseth budget hearings on Capitol Hill, this time before House Armed Services. Crowds are still large -- lots of folks waiting in the hallway, hoping a seat in the large hearing room opens up.

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Hegseth testimony before House Approps this morning, by the numbers: ** "Warrior ethos" -- five times ** "Lethality" -- four times ** "Warfighter" -- four times ** References to the souther US border -- 16 times docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/...

docs.house.gov

220

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

The #Unite4Veterans rally on the National Mall officially kicks off at the top of the hour — crowd is starting to gather now, with signs and shirts protesting the administration’s proposed cuts to VA.

0154

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

BLS unemployment data for May: 3.6% for all vets (3.5% in April), 3.3% for OIF/OEF era vets (2.9% in April), 4.2% for the nation (4.2% in April).

020

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

More vets rallies today — women vets holding a presser outside the Capitol now to highlight “a harmful rollback of women’s roles and recognition” in the military and at VA. With @houlahan.house.gov @repgoodlander.bsky.social

084

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Press conference now on psychiatric medication overprescription and veteran suicide — with Rep Jack Bergman, VFW and others. #nomoredeadfriends

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Happening now: VA Sec Doug Collins speaking to the #NCHV2025 conference, discussing help for homeless veterans. @nchvorg.bsky.social

010

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Happening now: #NCHV2025 kicks off this morning with panels on ways to support vets experiencing homelessness. VA Sec Collins set to address the group Friday morning. @nchvorg.bsky.social

100

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Happening now: Democratic lawmakers and veterans groups rally for action on the Major Richard Star Act, reforming how veterans disability benefits are paid out. Legislation has been stalled for years. @SenBlumenthal @RepRaulRuizMD

030

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Elizabeth Dole Foundation hosting its annual convening today on veterans caregiver issues. VA Sec Collins is scheduled to speak this morning.

020

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

VA Sec Collins just told lawmakers that officials launched their study this week into efforts to improve/upgrade the Manchester VA Medical Center in New Hampshire. Details here: www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

militarytimes.com

Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms

The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.

010

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Lots of VA budget discussion on Capitol Hill today -- VA Sec Collins is appearing before House Approps now and House Veterans' Affairs this afternoon. appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hea... veterans.house.gov/calendar/eve...

appropriations.house.gov

Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

011

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Happening now: @iava @TAPSorg @GIBillRights holding a presser on Republican attempts to repeal the 90/10 rule regarding veterans education benefits. Background here: www.airforcetimes.com/education-tr...

041

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Late Friday, Trump signed an executive order mandating a host of veterans benefits/medical care reforms. Here's a full look at what the White House wants to do www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

militarytimes.com

Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms

The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.

023

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

House Dems presser now voicing concerns about potential/ongoing reductions to VA medical care due to department mandates and rollbacks. VA Sec Collins has strongly refuted the reports. @RepDeluzio @RepHoulahan @RepTedLieu @RepGoodlander and more.

110

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Happening now — @commondefense rally with Dem lawmakers to protest proposed staff/contract cuts at VA.

19921

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

VA Sec Collins declined to speak to the press following today’s hearing. Typically both Republican and Democratic secretaries have stopped to talk, although not always, depending on scheduling.

000

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

VA Sec Collins now making his first appearance before Congress since his confirmation hearing in January. Expect some tough questions about proposed staff/program cuts.

010

Reposted by Leo Shane III

Paul Rieckhoff @rieckhoff.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

abc7ny.com/post/trump-s... Trump plans to change Veterans Day into ‘Victory Day for World War I’. My statement in response. More at @indyvetsofamerica.bsky.social: independentveteransofamerica.org/rieckhoff-re...

127718

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Full @DAVHQ statement on Trump proposal to rename Veterans Day as Victory Day for WWI: www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

121

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

BLS unemployment data for April: 3.5% for all vets (3.8% in March), 2.9% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.1% in March), 4.2% for the nation (4.2% in March).

021

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

For-profit colleges could once again use veterans education benefits to skirt federal accounting rules under a provision included in the Republican reconciliation bill. www.militarytimes.com/education-tr...

militarytimes.com

GOP bill repeals rule on how for-profit schools count vets benefits

Veterans advocates said the move to reopen the 90/10 loophole could once again allow predatory institutions to prey upon student veterans.

144

Leo Shane III @leoshane.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Big news -- House Veterans' Affairs Committee leaders are asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate possible criminal charges against former VA leaders for budgetary errors last summer www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

militarytimes.com

House chairman asks Attorney General to investigate former VA leaders

House Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost suggested former department leaders could face criminal charges for past budget mistakes.

253