MST News & Info

Sister Veterans and Allies:

We have an urgent update regarding the case of Major Blaine McGraw at Fort Hood. Yesterday, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel dramatically expanded the criminal charges against him.
The scope of this betrayal is devastating. McGraw now faces 146 specifications—nearly triple the original count. The number of identified victims has grown to over 73 people, including 72 patients who sought care at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and were met with alleged abuse and secret recordings.

This is a heavy moment for our community.

When we raise our hands to serve, we vow to protect. We never imagine needing protection from those who wear the same uniform—especially those entrusted with our medical care. If these updates are triggering or if you are realizing you may have been affected, please hear us:

You are not alone. You share none of the blame. We are your Shield.

How Shield of Sisters Can Help:

• Safe Spaces: We offer a sisterhood focused on healing and restoration.
• Resources: Access to a network of support designed specifically for veterans who have endured Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
• Restoration Retreats: Opportunities to reclaim your voice and move from surviving to thriving.

If you need resources, support, or simply a safe person to talk to, reach out to us today.
Message us directly or call the MST Assistance Hotline at 920-951-1244.
We see you. We believe you.

Together, we are invisible no more.

“That list could give the federal government access to prescriptions employees have filled and their diagnoses, as well as provider information, doctors’ notes, treatments, and visit summaries, among other sensitive health information….”

8 April 2026

Trump admin makes sweeping request for medical records of federal workers The unprecedented proposal would give the Trump admin access to doctors' notes.

They fought for your liberty, as well as their own ⬇️

A new VA–DOJ policy could allow legal action to remove a veteran’s decision-making rights without clear safeguards in place. This raises serious concerns, especially for veterans who are homeless and have no personal support system. We know that when trust is lost, veterans are less likely to seek care with federal systems.

Swords believes solutions that address homelessness, mental health, and wellbeing must be veteran-centered, protecting both access to care and personal autonomy. Read our full statement here: https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/post/va-doj2026

Healing from Military Sexual Trauma (MST) takes understanding, compassion, and the right care.

We’re hosting a free 4-part webinar series this April to support providers, clinicians, and anyone working with veterans and service members impacted by MST.

Each session covers important topics like:
• Gender-specific considerations
• Pelvic health and trauma-informed care
• Relationships and recovery
• Co-occurring substance use and eating disorders

🗓 Wednesdays: April 8, 15, 22, 29
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM CST
🎓 1 CE credit per session

If you support veterans or want to better understand MST, this series is worth your time.

👉 Register now:
https://www.roadhome.io/mst-webinar-social

Please share with your network to help us reach those who can benefit.

Advocates worry that the military's DEI purge may discourage sexual harassment and assault reports As the military has eliminated diversity and equal opportunity policies, some advocates say they've also seen the culture change concerning sexual assault and harassment.

“Attorneys from the Department of Veterans Affairs — under direction from the Justice Department — are initiating legal steps to place veterans deemed incapable of caring for themselves under public guardianship and conservatorship…”

11 March 2026

VA plans to seek public guardianship for some veterans deemed unable to care for themselves The effort will extend to hundreds of veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness but lack family support or legal representation.

A rocket-propelled gr***de exploded five feet away from his toes in Afghanistan. Although Chris Enget cheated death back then, it slowly started to gain the upper hand upon his arrival back home. As pain crept in from head to toe after unsuccessful surgeries, the VA prescribed narcotics for the pain—temporary relief for a long-term problem.

Because of this, Chris may have still been alive, but he wasn’t truly living. Eventually, he attempted to take his own life.

Thankfully, it failed. And he realized that he needed to seek mental health care. But the VA told him that he’d have to wait six months, six months that he simply didn’t have.

Chris fought for others in Afghanistan and survived. He fought for himself against PTSD and survived. Now he’s fighting for the Veterans’ ACCESS Act so that the next generation of combat veterans WILL survive.

A top Department of Veterans Affairs official said the VA has no plans to implement a new rule that veterans advocates fiercely resisted when it was announced last week.

“Our intentions were to put out a rule, which we thought would clarify our processes,” VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said on Sunday while addressing a conference held by Disabled American Veterans, or DAV. “But obviously, it did not. So we withdrew the rule. And candidly, we have no intention of ever doing anything or talking about it ever again.”

It was not immediately clear whether Lawrence’s comments indicate that the VA intends to fully rescind the rule, which has not been formally revoked. VA Secretary Doug Collins announced on Feb. 19 that the rule “will not be enforced at any time in the future,” but he did not specify if the move was permanent. Collins added that the VA will continue to collect public comments on the rule.

Please join Veteran groups that fight for us in Congress. DAV, VFW, The American Legion, IAVA - These groups speak for us and in many locations there is fine camaraderie as well.

New VA rule could lower veterans’ disability rating if medication improves their symptoms Under a new rule, the Department of Veterans Affairs will lower veterans’ disability pay if medication improves their condition.

The Best Way to Reduce Anxiety Is to Make Your Brain Feel Safe
https://buff.ly/u8iaCyr

Your brain wants safety. Give it that, and stress eases.
😰 Anxiety = brain sensing threat
🧠 Calm = brain feeling safe

There are many ways you can calm your body and make your brain feel safer to reduce anxiety and improve your mental health. In addition to the ones in the image:
😴 Prioritize sleep
🏋️ Exercise
🤝 Socialize
🌞 Notice “glimmers”
🌬️ Breathe deeply
🙏 Mindfulness

Why the VA’s Disability System Is Really Worker’s Compensation VA disability compensation functions as government payment for service-connected harm, not welfare, and the language used to describe it has distorted public understanding and policy debates.