RI Veterans: Did you know? 16.10.25 (Military Pay and Assistance, Events, Resources) – John A. Cianci

by John A. Cianci, contributing writer, veterans issues

RINewsToday Confirms Active-Duty Soldiers Paid on Time 

RINEWSTODAY confirmed that local sailors and soldiers serving on active-duty Navy, Army, and Active Guard and Reserve personnel received their mid-month pay as scheduled on October 15, 2025.

“Our Commander-In-Chief, Donald J. Trump, keeps his promises,” said one active-duty soldier serving with the Rhode Island Army National Guard, “Promise made, promises kept.”

The majority of the soldiers and sailors interviewed by RINewsToday were not worried about not receiving their pay. With the cancellations of weekend training assemblies, the shutdown could impact Guard and reserve retirement in the future.

VETIP: The shutdown has resulted in the cancellation of scheduled drills, which could impact Guard and Reserve retirement benefits.

How could the shutdown impact Guard and Reserve retirement?

Depending on how many drills are canceled, the Guard or Reserve member could fall short of the 50 required points for the year due to the canceled training assemblies.

The years are calculated on a calendar year from the date the soldier joins.

For example, a soldier joined on October 30 in a previous year. He was scheduled to drill on 10-12 October 2025; however, due to the shutdown, the drill was cancelled. If the shutdown continues and lasts beyond October 30, 2025, he will lose 4-5 points in his retirement year, which started on October 30, 2024, and ends on October 30, 2025.

Losing 4-5 points that would have been earned for the drill, the soldier could fall short of the required 50 points to be a good year for retirement.

You must have at least 20 qualifying years of service to be eligible for retirement pay. A qualifying year generally requires at least 50 retirement points.

A Soldier in the National Guard must have completed 20 years of qualifying service to be eligible for retired pay at age 60. A qualifying year is a complete year in which a Soldier has earned a minimum of 50 retirement points.

A Soldier earns points for inactive duty for training (IDT), active duty for training (ADT), active duty, Reserve membership, and equivalent instruction, some examples are as follows:

• One point is earned for each day of active service (active duty and active duty for training)
• 15 points for each year as a Soldier (based on a calendar year from the date the Soldier joins the Army (e.g., 31 March-30 March)
• One point for each unit training assembly
• One point for every three hours of satisfactory completion of accredited correspondence courses

In conclusion, if you are a member of the Guard and Reserve, take the time to reach out to your unit personnel and inquire about if, the shutdown will impact your retirement, if any.

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Pres. Trump signs order to pay troops during US government shutdown

President Donald Trump announced that active-duty service members would receive their pay today, despite the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third week.

“I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15,” he wrote on his social media platform.

Active-duty troops, including National Guardsmen in the Active Guard Reserve and those on federal orders (Title 10 and 32), had been working without pay during the lapse in appropriations.

Essential civilian employees and the Guard’s more than 33,000 dual-status technicians, many of whom work alongside AGRs, continue to work without pay.

In addition, many drill-status Guardsmen don’t know when they will drill next as most weekend training assemblies have been cancelled during the shutdown. That results in a loss of valuable training time and an important paycheck.

To pay some of the troops, the Pentagon tapped into research and development accounts to use money Congress made available for two years, according to published reporting citing a White House Office of Management and Budget official. Officials shifted approximately $8 billion from accounts that fund military research, development testing and evaluation programs. It is not known how many pay periods the money could cover. Funds began arriving in the bank accounts of AGR personnel on Tuesday, according to public affairs officers in two states.

Opening the Government Issues

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions of people.

Pres. Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies but insist the government must reopen first. Democrats want the extension of the subsidies written into any CR. Both sides appear dug in. The House narrowly passed a CR to reopen the government; Senate Republicans need a few Democratic Senators to join them to reach the required 60 votes in their chamber.

At the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Kristi Noem said that she had found an “innovative solution” that would see Coast Guard personnel paid through the shutdown — unspecified funds from Republicans’ recently passed budget bill that Trump has dubbed the “one big, beautiful bill.”

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Magaziner Accepting Applications for U.S. Military Academies

 U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-2) has announced that he is accepting applications for appointments to the U.S. military service academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

As a member of Congress, Rep. Magaziner can nominate eligible candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.

The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with any young men and women you think may be interested in this opportunity who live in the second Congressional district of Rhode Island.

The deadline for applications is November 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

The honor of attending a military service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

To apply, visit: http://magaziner.house.gov/…/military-academy-nominations

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Available Assistance For Veterans Impacted By Government Shutdown

Interest-Free Loans For Members of Navy Federal and USAA

Navy Federal Credit Union offers eligible members 0% APR (no interest) loans to help with financial disruption during a government shutdown, a program specifically for military service members, federal employees, and government contractors. To be eligible, members typically must have a direct deposit of their federal pay into a Navy Federal account. The loan amount is based on the most recent direct deposit, and the funds are automatically deducted once pay resumes. If you have a foreign address, please contact us at 1-888-842-6328 (toll-free, domestic) or 1-703-255-8837 (collect, international) to confirm your eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Government Shutdown Loan Program, you generally must meet the following criteria:

• Be a military servicemember, federal employee, or government contractor paid directly by the federal government.
• Have had your regular federal paycheck deposited into an active Navy Federal account recently.
• Have a regular direct deposit of at least $250.
• Have repaid any prior Government Shutdown loans that overdrew your account(s).

How the Program Works

• 0% APR Loan:  The loan is offered with zero interest and no fees.

• Loan Amount: The amount of the loan is based on your most recent direct deposit, with limits up to $6,000.

• Automatic Repayment:  Once the government reopens and your pay is resumed, the loan amount is automatically deducted from your account as repayment.
• Enrollment: You must register for the program in advance of your scheduled payday to ensure timely disbursement.

USAA Bank

As the possibility of a government shutdown looms, USAA is offering a helping hand to members.

“USAA has your back during a government shutdown,” the company said in a social media post.

According to USAA, the loan needs to be repaid within three months. The payment will also need to be split into two equal installments, the first due in about 60 days and the second in about 90 days.

To apply, individuals must be:

• A member employed by an impacted federal agency who direct deposits their government paycheck or pay
• An account holder on the impacted USAA Bank account

Qualified applicants must:

• Have direct deposit set up for a USAA Bank checking or savings account as of the federal payment disruption date
• Receive at least one qualifying direct deposit‍ ‍ to that same account within 30 days before the start of the disruption
• Have a U.S. physical address or an APO, DPO, or FPO address
• Get a credit approval from USAA Bank

“Stability plays an important role in the financial security of our members — and empowering that security is our mission,” a statement on the company’s website says. “Members impacted by a government shutdown can count on USAA and may be eligible to apply for a no-interest loan and other payment relief options across our banking and insurance products.”

USAA will launch the program “when its members are impacted by a government shutdown.” The program will be available at the discretion of the company, according to USAA.

Additional assistance for impacted members includes auto and property insurance, banking, life and health insurance and aid for active servicemembers

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Operation Holiday Cheer

On October 15, 2025 Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos hosted the kick-off event for the 23^rd annual Operation Holiday Cheer at the state house. Numerous organizations, including the Rhode Island Blue Star Moms and the Rhode Island National Guard joined Matos.

Former Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Charles Fogarty started Operation Holiday Cheer in 2002. The initiative was created to send care packages to Rhode Island service members stationed away from home during the holidays.  Fogarty started the program to show appreciation for the troops, but it quickly grew into an annual tradition.

Operation Holiday Cheer is an annual care package initiative for Rhode Island service members who will be stationed away from home during the holidays. It is organized by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office in partnership with the Rhode Island National Guard Family Assistance Center, the United States Postal Service, the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Rhode Island Blue Star Moms, and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.

The program relies entirely on the generosity of individuals and corporate and community sponsors who provide in-kind or financial contributions. Contributions are collected from across the state and volunteers help assemble the packages for shipment during a single weekend. This year, an estimated 300 care packages will be assembled and shipped during the weekend of November 15-16.

How to Participate:

DONATE GOODS

The gift packages are very well received, and we hope that you will consider contributing items from the troops’ wish list:

Snacks: beef jerky (NO pork), Celsius packets (any flavor with caffeine), chewing gum, granola bars, individual powdered drink mixes, nuts, peanut butter (16oz limit), protein bars, sunflower seeds, trail mix

Miscellaneous: playing cards/card games, long socks (cotton), sanitizer wipes (pouch packaging)

Due to USPS shipping restrictions, the following items cannot be included in the care packages:

Prohibited: aerosol, books, boxed games, bulk items, canned foods, chocolate, glass, hand sanitizer, items over 16oz, knives, religious items, sports equipment

To schedule a product delivery, contact Grace Sneesby at (401) 222-1445 or Grace.Sneesby@ltgov.ri.gov.

DONATE FUNDS

Should you wish to donate funds, please submit a check using the following details:

Payable To: American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter
Memo Line: Operation Holiday Cheer

Checks can be mailed to:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
c/o Grace Sneesby
State House Room 116
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903

Gifts are tax deductible. Please be advised that checks missing the above Memo Line details CANNOT be processed.

VOLUNTEER

They rely on volunteers to help assemble care packages for shipment. If you would like to get involved, contact Grace Sneesby at Grace.Sneesby@ltgov.ri.gov or (401) 222-1445.

Do you have a loved one serving in the military? Are they originally from Rhode Island? Would you like them to receive a care package this holiday season?

If so, please submit the below information to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at ltgov@ltgov.ri.gov by November 9, 2025:

• Service member’s full name, rank & unit, and mailing address
• Your full name, e-mail address, and phone number

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EVENTS

October 16-19 2025 – Wheelchair Bowling Tournament – benefits veterans and active-duty military 

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and Rhode Island Sports Commission announced the return of the Patton-Stevens Foundations Fall Classic hosted by Wheelchair Bowlers of America. This four-day bowling tournament, a partnership between Wheelchair Bowlers of America, the Matthew Patton Foundation, and the Stevens Family Foundation, also serves to bring awareness to the difficulties Veterans and active-duty military members face.

The tournament runs October 16-19 at East Providence Lanes. Director of the Office of Veterans Services Kasim Yarn will speak at the tournament’s Opening Ceremonies on October 17 beginning at 10 a.m.

The Matthew Patton Foundation was founded by Lynn and John Patton, the parents of Matthew Patton, an Army Veteran and Mount Hope High School graduate who died by suicide in 2013. Matthew joined the Army in 2008, serving for 5 years including a deployment to Afghanistan. The foundation’s mission is to improve the military mental health system as well as educate and advocate for all Service members to ensure their needs are met.

The Stevens Family Foundation seeks to raise awareness by honoring, empowering, and improving the lives of those with special needs so that they are seen as the gifts that they are.

Wheelchair Bowlers of America was founded in 2021 by a disabled veteran who enjoys the sport of bowling. The board consists largely of Veterans, but Wheelchair Bowlers of America is open to anyone in a wheelchair who wishes to participate in or learn the art of bowling, with or without adaptive equipment.

October 25, 2025

November 1, 2025, Military Service Members & Veterans family Fun Day, RI Indoor Karting Entainment Center, 100 Higgins Ave, Lincoln RI 02865

November 3,  2025, Monday, 9:00 to 11:00 – Federal Hill Veteran Coffee House sponsored by the Italian-American War Veterans of the US. Free to all veterans and guests. Refreshments include ROMA’s Italian Toast, pastries, calzones, and pizza. For more information, contact ITAM at (401) 677-9838 or email itamri4vets@gmail.com

November 10, 2025, Monday, 9^th – Annual Veteran Breakfast, 8 AM to 11 AM, St Joesph’s Veterans Association, 99 Louise Street, Woonsocket RI

November 10, 2025, Monday, Veteran Breakfast,  8:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick, RI 02886. Representative Seth Magaziner invites you to his 2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast & Award Ceremony on Monday, November 10, 2025. This special event honors those who have served our country and recognizes their invaluable contributions to communities across the statff. Please RSVP by October 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM using the following link to confirm your attendance: RSVP for Rep. Magaziner’s Veterans Appreciation Breakfast.  If you have any questions or need further information, please contact our Warwick office at (401) 244-1201.

November 22, 2025 – Henri’s Heroes – Woonsocket, RI:

January 17, 2026 35^th  Desert Storm Reunion, Tri-City Elks, West Shore Road, Warwick, RI – 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 pm Veteran Social. All Desert Shield/Storm veterans invited.  5:00 p.m. Memorial service . More information and tickets go to https://35desertstorm.org

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VA EVENTS/NEWS

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