On the Radar: Defense Secretary Emergency Meeting, VA Shutdown Protection & NASA Military Astronauts

Tracking this week in military life, here's what's on the radar. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is calling top generals and admirals to Quantico, Virginia, next week. The Pentagon says he'll address senior military leaders, but details are scarce. Such a large, short-notice gathering is unusual. The federal government runs out of money in less than a week. Still, in the event of a government shutdown, the VA says Corps services won't stop. Veterans will still get pensions and disability checks. VA hospitals and the 24-7 crisis line will stay open, and burials will continue. Some non-essential programs, like career counseling and GI Bill hotlines, would pause until funding is restored. A widow whose husband was killed when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C. in January is suing the U.S. government and the airline. The lawsuit claims the FAA, Army, and American Airlines ignored dozens of near-miss warnings before the nation's deadliest crash since 2001. More families are expected to join the lawsuit as the investigation continues. NASA announced 10 new astronaut candidates this week. Chosen from over 8,000 applicants, six of the 10 have military experience. They'll undergo two years of training before becoming eligible for spaceflight. And over on Veteran Life, the future of higher education for Veterans, what you need to know about GI Bill changes, your rights, and how universities are adapting to Veteran needs. Check out our benefits checklist to maximize what you've earned. That's your briefing. Be sure to follow my base guide and Veteran Life so you never miss what's on the radar.