The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the implementation of a policy that will make it easier for all VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at department expense.

Since 2019, the MISSION Act has allowed millions of Veterans to access community care outside the VA system when it is in their best medical interest. These decisions have been made jointly by Veterans and their referring clinicians but were not considered final until they were reviewed by another physician. This extra layer of review created an additional obstacle for Veterans seeking quick access to the care they’ve earned.

Effective immediately, VA will implement language in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act such that the determination of eligibility under Best Medical Interest is final and shall be made by the Veteran and the Veteran’s referring clinician, which will help thousands of Veterans gain…

Secretary Hegseth signed the attached memo with updated guidance on the review of requests from Service members and former Service members adversely impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

This memo may be found on the DoD website at:  https://media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/23/2003696408/-1/-1/1/PROVIDING-SUPPLEMENTAL-REMEDIES-FOR-SERVICE-MEMBERS-AND-VETERANS-NEGATIVELY-IMPACTED-BY-THE-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE-DEFUNCT-CORONAVIRUS-DISEASE-2019-VACCINATION.PDFSecretary Hegseth provided remarks about this memo via his X account: https://x.com/SecDef/status/1915164433157968186 

In addition, a DoD news article with additional context is found at this link:  https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4164505/defense-secretary-orders-additional-remedies-more-clarity-on-covid-19-reinstate/

Please review the attached.

Highlights:  Basic Red MCL Covers only (no Department or National-level covers); no collars (MODD or MOY/AMOY collars); either all members wear ribbons or all members do not wear ribbons...cannot have some wearing ribbons and some not wearing ribbons; Name tags ARE NOT authorized while performing Color Guard Detail.  Emphasis is on uniformity. Refer to section for inclement weather policy.

There is much more in this 45-page document, and all Detachments should be thoroughly familiar with this document prior to their next detail.

This document also references the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, MCO 5060.20 (specifically for manual of arms), and the 2024 National MCL Administrative Procedures (Encl 3).  Please ensure your detachments are familiar with these two additional references prior to their next detail.

Semper Fi,

David Caballero