Veteran’s Post — Speeding Up the Process

An executive order was recently signed that will reduce the time it takes to secure our benefits.

The order, signed by President Trump, is titled "Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities." It accomplishes this by requiring the Department of Defense and the VA to work together and share records from the first day a veteran joins the military.

In the past there have been delays in accessing benefits — education, job training, healthcare and all the others — when a veteran leaves active-duty service, mostly due to antiquated records management.

Now, within 180 days, the order requires the VA and the Department of Defense to update the information technology that will let them share information from day one of a veteran's service.

Also within 180 days they will create digital tools to streamline the process of a veteran applying for benefits and training offered by the Department of Labor.

Within one month they need to be able to share all the health files and records of a veteran immediately when they are discharged from military service.

Within 120 days, working with Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and others, the various departments will review any current contracts for information technology to ensure that the contracts include the requirement that any systems with veteran files and health records be compatible with the technology and systems used by the VA and the Department of Defense.

Have you ever known any government activity to move this fast? And that's not all.

Within 180 days every veteran leaving the service will either be hooked up with jobs in their field (if desired), enrolled in career and tech education or training (again, if desired), and connected with a veteran's rep who will help with applications for home loans, job placement, education benefits, disability compensation or healthcare.

One thing not to miss is the Department of Defense's Project Patriot Pipeline (www.mypatriotcareer.mil). This huge website has a wealth of information for veterans, service members and military spouses looking for career development and opportunities.

(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.