Expose the Senators Blocking Retirement Pay for 54,000 Combat Veterans
Expose the Senators Blocking Retirement Pay for 54,000 Combat Veterans
The Issue
Pass The Major Richard Star Act!
This petition is dedicated to Major Richard Star, a decorated combat veteran from Ohio, and his wife Tonya, one of the strongest voices for 54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans. May this effort bring justice to their family and to every wounded veteran living under this rule.
– Senior Chief Shane Junkert, USN (ret)
Listen to Major Richard Star and his widow Tonya tell their story. This interview was 5 years ago. Tonya and Major Star have both passed away since...never seeing justice owed.
THE MAJOR STAR ACT BLOCKERS:
Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi ( October 8, 2025)
NEW: Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin ( March 3, 2026)
Note: Neither Senators from Oklahoma Markwayne Mullin or Lankford Co-sponsor this bill. ( 951 Combat Injured Vets)
More than 54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans lose part or all of the military retirement they already earned because of a law written in 1941. If combat injuries force a service member into medical retirement before 20 years, their retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar when VA disability begins. Most only find out after retirement, when their statement shows $0.00.
On October 8, 2025, a single objection in the Senate stopped a bipartisan fix known as the Major Richard Star Act, leaving thousands of families without the retirement income they counted on. This petition explains how that happened, who it hurts, and what veterans are asking leaders and the media to finally fix.
THE REALITY OF THE OFFSET
If an American service member is blown up in Iraq, shot in Afghanistan, crushed by an explosion, or medically retired because combat destroyed their body, the U.S. government takes away their earned military retirement the moment they receive VA disability for the injury.
Not reduced.
Not adjusted.
Erased.
A veteran can lose a limb serving this country—and then lose the retirement they earned because they lost that limb because they were injured and retired before 20 years of service. This is not an accident. It is Title 38 USC 5304, a law written in 1941 that forces a dollar-for-dollar loss of military retirement when a wounded veteran receives VA disability. No civilian federal employee is punished like this. Only combat-injured military retirees.
THE BETRAYAL: OCTOBER 8, 2025
On October 8, 2025, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi—an Air Force veteran and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee—became the only senator out of 100 to block the vote on the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act.
1 man. 1 objection.
54,000 wounded, medically retired veterans blocked from getting back the retirement they already earned.
Senator Roger Wicker:
- Co-sponsored the Star Act in 2021 (when Maj. Star was alive).
- Reversed his support and obstructed the vote in 2025.
- Stated the Act is "Too Expensive."
Both Maj. Richard Star and his wife Tonya Star have since passed away. They never got to see the bill dedicated to them passed into law. This is the definition of injustice.
WHO THIS HURTS
They come home with missing limbs, crushed spines, TBI, burns, and PTSD. Then, the government wipes out the small retirement they earned (based on 4, 8, or 12 years of service) before combat ended their careers.
- They are not asking for a 20-year pension.
- They are asking for the specific retirement they earned for the time they served.
- This is not greed. This is not "double-dipping." This is keeping a promise.
OUR DEMANDS FOR SENATOR ROGER WICKER
1. Written Explanation: Senator Wicker must publish a statement explaining why he was the only senator to object and why he reversed his 2021 support.
2. Correct the Record: He must publicly clarify that medically retired veterans do not receive 20-year retirements and that the Star Act is not "double benefits."
3. Hold a Hearing: He must schedule a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with medically retired combat-injured veterans, DoD witnesses, and VA witnesses.
4. Allow the Vote: He must commit to allowing an up-or-down vote on the floor with no holds or blocks.
OUR DEMANDS FOR MISSISSIPPI MEDIA & GOVERNMENT
1. Report the Truth: Mississippi outlets must explain that Wicker was the sole objection and that 54,000 families are affected.
- Goal Met on 19DEC25 See video below:
2. State Resolution: The Mississippi Legislature must pass a resolution supporting the Star Act and send it to federal representatives.
OUR DEMANDS FOR CONGRESS
1. Pass the Major Richard Star Act (S.1032 / H.R.2102).
2. End the Wounded Veteran Tax: Fix Title 38 USC 5304.
3. Reduce CRSC Backlogs: Prioritize staffing to fix the 18–24 month delays for Combat-Related Special Compensation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (1–24)
FAQ 1 — “Isn’t this what VA disability is for?”
VA Disability (VA = Department of Veterans Affairs) pays veterans for injuries, not for years of service. Retirement is earned by time served.
Title 38 USC 5304:
FAQ 2 — “A veteran with 5 years shouldn’t get the same retirement as a 21-year veteran!”
They don’t. They never will. A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement, not 20. A 21-year veteran earns 21 years. The problem is the 5-year veteran’s earned retirement is wiped out by the 1941 law.
10 U.S. Code § 1401:
FAQ 3 — “Doesn’t CRSC fix this?”
CRSC = Combat-Related Special Compensation (partial replacement for lost retirement). It is not full retirement.
CRSC Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
FAQ 4 — “They didn’t serve 20 years, so they didn’t earn retirement.”
They earned retirement based strictly on years served (Chapter 61 medical retirement). But the offset wipes it out.
10 U.S. Code Chapter 61:
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscode/2022/title10/chapter61
FAQ 5 — “Other federal workers don’t get both disability and retirement.”
They do. OPM Disability Retirement allows concurrent receipt. Only military retirees lose their pension due to disability.
OPM Disability Retirement:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/disability-retirement/
FAQ 6 — “Isn’t this double-dipping?”
No. CRDP proves it. And Roger Wicker voted to pass CRDP before he retired from the Air Force Reserves. Coincidence?
CRDP Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crdp/
FAQ 7 — “Does the government really take away their retirement?”
Yes. It’s written directly into law.
Title 38 USC 5304:
FAQ 8 — “Why Wicker?”
He was the only senator to block the vote, and the Senate Armed Services Committee Chair who controls the wallet.
His 2021 support: Yes, he supported this before he was SASC Chair!
https://magnoliatribune.com/2021/05/28/wicker-reflects-on-americas-fallen-heroes
FAQ 9 — “How much will this cost?”
Less than one-tenth of one percent of the defense budget. Pentagon accounting errors exceed the cost of the Star Act.
Source:
FAQ 10 — “Who does the bill help?”
54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans who were retired before 20 years of service.
S.1032:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1032
H.R.2102:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2102/text
FAQ 11 — “Is this Trump’s or Biden’s fault?”
Neither. The offset is from 1941. It's up to Congress to fix this.
FAQ 12 — “Why didn’t VSOs fix this earlier?”
VSOs pushed for years; Congress stalled.
WWP Fact Sheet:
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/media/gplphfgj/major-richard-star-act-wwp-fact-sheet.pdf
FAQ 13 — “I'm a Veteran, Why wasn’t I told this?”
Because it’s rarely explained during separation.
Law:
FAQ 14 — “Why do 20-year retirees get both retirement and VA disability?”
CRDP restored both for 20-year retirees. Medical retirees were excluded.
CRDP Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crdp/
FAQ 15 — “What happened on October 8, 2025?”
Wicker alone blocked the vote. 76 Senators and all major VSOs supported the bill.
FAQ 16 — “Why didn’t DoD or VA fix it?”
They legally cannot. Only Congress can change Title 38.
FAQ 17 — “Why are medically retired combat vets the only group punished?”
Because CRDP fixed it for 20-year retirees only.
FAQ 18 — “Why does CRSC take 18–24 months?”
CRSC is understaffed, slow, and outdated. In most cases slower than a VA rating approval.
CRSC Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
FAQ 19 — “Why does Wicker’s veteran status matter?”
Because veterans expect veteran lawmakers to protect wounded veterans. He campaigns on "I'm a Veteran"
FAQ 20 — “Why are Mississippi veterans especially affected?”
Mississippi has hundreds of medical retirees and their Governor, Media and Senator are doing nothing about it.
Media blackout documented here:
FAQ 21 — “Why target Wicker with billboards?”
Because he alone blocked the bill.
More info/donate:
PassTheAct.org/Donate
FAQ 22 — “Why is there a movement now?”
Because veterans are again forced to fight publicly for earned benefits—like the Bonus Army of 1932.
National Archives:
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/new-deal-for-the-arts/general/bonus_army.html
FAQ 23 — “But they already get VA disability and medical care — wanting retirement too is greedy!”
Incorrect. VA Disability pays for injury, not service. Retirement is earned by years served. A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement—never 20. Medically retired, combat-injured veterans are the only group denied what they earned.
VA Disability:
https://www.va.gov/disability/
Retirement Law:
FAQ 24 — “If a service member breaks his leg playing basketball in Iraq, he shouldn’t get a pension.”
This argument shows a complete misunderstanding of how medical retirement works.
A service member ONLY receives medical retirement if a board determines the injury makes them permanently unfit for continued service—and only receives combat-related retirement if the injury is legally deemed combat-related under strict federal criteria.
1. Playing basketball does NOT qualify as “combat-related.”
In the military, “combat-related” is a legal term—not a guess, not a feeling, not “something that happened in a war zone.”
Under federal law, an injury is only combat-related if it results from:
* Armed conflict
* Hazardous service
* Training that simulates war
* Instrumentality of war
Definition Source:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
2. Simply being in Iraq or Afghanistan does NOT make an injury combat-related.
Location is irrelevant. Cause is what matters. A twisted ankle on a basketball court in Iraq is not combat-related and would not qualify for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
3. Even NON–combat-related medical retirements still earn retirement ONLY for actual years served—not 20 years.
* A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement.
* A 7-year veteran earns 7 years of retirement.
* A 12-year veteran earns 12 years of retirement.
They do not get a 20-year pension. They only get what they actually earned.
4. The ONLY reason they lose even that small earned retirement is the 1941 offset law.
The Major Richard Star Act only applies to medically retired veterans whose injuries ARE combat-related. This bill does not help people injured by basketball, weight lifting, or slipping in the shower.
BOTTOM LINE:
A random limb break in Iraq does NOT qualify as combat-related.
A non–combat-related injury does NOT qualify for the Star Act.
A medical retiree earns retirement ONLY for actual years served—nothing more.
This argument is ignorant. It is false. And it has nothing to do with the veterans this bill helps.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
A donation of $8 or more after signing helps keep this petition circulating to more Americans. It is not required, but highly appreciated—it fuels the fight to ensure this injustice is seen by as many people as possible.
Please Sign the petition.
Please Share it with 5 friends or family you know will care about this injustice.
If you like seeing the billboards holding Senator Wicker / Senator Johnsons accountable in their hometowns visit: https://54kveterans.org
4,297
The Issue
Pass The Major Richard Star Act!
This petition is dedicated to Major Richard Star, a decorated combat veteran from Ohio, and his wife Tonya, one of the strongest voices for 54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans. May this effort bring justice to their family and to every wounded veteran living under this rule.
– Senior Chief Shane Junkert, USN (ret)
Listen to Major Richard Star and his widow Tonya tell their story. This interview was 5 years ago. Tonya and Major Star have both passed away since...never seeing justice owed.
THE MAJOR STAR ACT BLOCKERS:
Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi ( October 8, 2025)
NEW: Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin ( March 3, 2026)
Note: Neither Senators from Oklahoma Markwayne Mullin or Lankford Co-sponsor this bill. ( 951 Combat Injured Vets)
More than 54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans lose part or all of the military retirement they already earned because of a law written in 1941. If combat injuries force a service member into medical retirement before 20 years, their retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar when VA disability begins. Most only find out after retirement, when their statement shows $0.00.
On October 8, 2025, a single objection in the Senate stopped a bipartisan fix known as the Major Richard Star Act, leaving thousands of families without the retirement income they counted on. This petition explains how that happened, who it hurts, and what veterans are asking leaders and the media to finally fix.
THE REALITY OF THE OFFSET
If an American service member is blown up in Iraq, shot in Afghanistan, crushed by an explosion, or medically retired because combat destroyed their body, the U.S. government takes away their earned military retirement the moment they receive VA disability for the injury.
Not reduced.
Not adjusted.
Erased.
A veteran can lose a limb serving this country—and then lose the retirement they earned because they lost that limb because they were injured and retired before 20 years of service. This is not an accident. It is Title 38 USC 5304, a law written in 1941 that forces a dollar-for-dollar loss of military retirement when a wounded veteran receives VA disability. No civilian federal employee is punished like this. Only combat-injured military retirees.
THE BETRAYAL: OCTOBER 8, 2025
On October 8, 2025, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi—an Air Force veteran and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee—became the only senator out of 100 to block the vote on the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act.
1 man. 1 objection.
54,000 wounded, medically retired veterans blocked from getting back the retirement they already earned.
Senator Roger Wicker:
- Co-sponsored the Star Act in 2021 (when Maj. Star was alive).
- Reversed his support and obstructed the vote in 2025.
- Stated the Act is "Too Expensive."
Both Maj. Richard Star and his wife Tonya Star have since passed away. They never got to see the bill dedicated to them passed into law. This is the definition of injustice.
WHO THIS HURTS
They come home with missing limbs, crushed spines, TBI, burns, and PTSD. Then, the government wipes out the small retirement they earned (based on 4, 8, or 12 years of service) before combat ended their careers.
- They are not asking for a 20-year pension.
- They are asking for the specific retirement they earned for the time they served.
- This is not greed. This is not "double-dipping." This is keeping a promise.
OUR DEMANDS FOR SENATOR ROGER WICKER
1. Written Explanation: Senator Wicker must publish a statement explaining why he was the only senator to object and why he reversed his 2021 support.
2. Correct the Record: He must publicly clarify that medically retired veterans do not receive 20-year retirements and that the Star Act is not "double benefits."
3. Hold a Hearing: He must schedule a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with medically retired combat-injured veterans, DoD witnesses, and VA witnesses.
4. Allow the Vote: He must commit to allowing an up-or-down vote on the floor with no holds or blocks.
OUR DEMANDS FOR MISSISSIPPI MEDIA & GOVERNMENT
1. Report the Truth: Mississippi outlets must explain that Wicker was the sole objection and that 54,000 families are affected.
- Goal Met on 19DEC25 See video below:
2. State Resolution: The Mississippi Legislature must pass a resolution supporting the Star Act and send it to federal representatives.
OUR DEMANDS FOR CONGRESS
1. Pass the Major Richard Star Act (S.1032 / H.R.2102).
2. End the Wounded Veteran Tax: Fix Title 38 USC 5304.
3. Reduce CRSC Backlogs: Prioritize staffing to fix the 18–24 month delays for Combat-Related Special Compensation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (1–24)
FAQ 1 — “Isn’t this what VA disability is for?”
VA Disability (VA = Department of Veterans Affairs) pays veterans for injuries, not for years of service. Retirement is earned by time served.
Title 38 USC 5304:
FAQ 2 — “A veteran with 5 years shouldn’t get the same retirement as a 21-year veteran!”
They don’t. They never will. A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement, not 20. A 21-year veteran earns 21 years. The problem is the 5-year veteran’s earned retirement is wiped out by the 1941 law.
10 U.S. Code § 1401:
FAQ 3 — “Doesn’t CRSC fix this?”
CRSC = Combat-Related Special Compensation (partial replacement for lost retirement). It is not full retirement.
CRSC Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
FAQ 4 — “They didn’t serve 20 years, so they didn’t earn retirement.”
They earned retirement based strictly on years served (Chapter 61 medical retirement). But the offset wipes it out.
10 U.S. Code Chapter 61:
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscode/2022/title10/chapter61
FAQ 5 — “Other federal workers don’t get both disability and retirement.”
They do. OPM Disability Retirement allows concurrent receipt. Only military retirees lose their pension due to disability.
OPM Disability Retirement:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/disability-retirement/
FAQ 6 — “Isn’t this double-dipping?”
No. CRDP proves it. And Roger Wicker voted to pass CRDP before he retired from the Air Force Reserves. Coincidence?
CRDP Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crdp/
FAQ 7 — “Does the government really take away their retirement?”
Yes. It’s written directly into law.
Title 38 USC 5304:
FAQ 8 — “Why Wicker?”
He was the only senator to block the vote, and the Senate Armed Services Committee Chair who controls the wallet.
His 2021 support: Yes, he supported this before he was SASC Chair!
https://magnoliatribune.com/2021/05/28/wicker-reflects-on-americas-fallen-heroes
FAQ 9 — “How much will this cost?”
Less than one-tenth of one percent of the defense budget. Pentagon accounting errors exceed the cost of the Star Act.
Source:
FAQ 10 — “Who does the bill help?”
54,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans who were retired before 20 years of service.
S.1032:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1032
H.R.2102:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2102/text
FAQ 11 — “Is this Trump’s or Biden’s fault?”
Neither. The offset is from 1941. It's up to Congress to fix this.
FAQ 12 — “Why didn’t VSOs fix this earlier?”
VSOs pushed for years; Congress stalled.
WWP Fact Sheet:
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/media/gplphfgj/major-richard-star-act-wwp-fact-sheet.pdf
FAQ 13 — “I'm a Veteran, Why wasn’t I told this?”
Because it’s rarely explained during separation.
Law:
FAQ 14 — “Why do 20-year retirees get both retirement and VA disability?”
CRDP restored both for 20-year retirees. Medical retirees were excluded.
CRDP Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crdp/
FAQ 15 — “What happened on October 8, 2025?”
Wicker alone blocked the vote. 76 Senators and all major VSOs supported the bill.
FAQ 16 — “Why didn’t DoD or VA fix it?”
They legally cannot. Only Congress can change Title 38.
FAQ 17 — “Why are medically retired combat vets the only group punished?”
Because CRDP fixed it for 20-year retirees only.
FAQ 18 — “Why does CRSC take 18–24 months?”
CRSC is understaffed, slow, and outdated. In most cases slower than a VA rating approval.
CRSC Info:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
FAQ 19 — “Why does Wicker’s veteran status matter?”
Because veterans expect veteran lawmakers to protect wounded veterans. He campaigns on "I'm a Veteran"
FAQ 20 — “Why are Mississippi veterans especially affected?”
Mississippi has hundreds of medical retirees and their Governor, Media and Senator are doing nothing about it.
Media blackout documented here:
FAQ 21 — “Why target Wicker with billboards?”
Because he alone blocked the bill.
More info/donate:
PassTheAct.org/Donate
FAQ 22 — “Why is there a movement now?”
Because veterans are again forced to fight publicly for earned benefits—like the Bonus Army of 1932.
National Archives:
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/new-deal-for-the-arts/general/bonus_army.html
FAQ 23 — “But they already get VA disability and medical care — wanting retirement too is greedy!”
Incorrect. VA Disability pays for injury, not service. Retirement is earned by years served. A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement—never 20. Medically retired, combat-injured veterans are the only group denied what they earned.
VA Disability:
https://www.va.gov/disability/
Retirement Law:
FAQ 24 — “If a service member breaks his leg playing basketball in Iraq, he shouldn’t get a pension.”
This argument shows a complete misunderstanding of how medical retirement works.
A service member ONLY receives medical retirement if a board determines the injury makes them permanently unfit for continued service—and only receives combat-related retirement if the injury is legally deemed combat-related under strict federal criteria.
1. Playing basketball does NOT qualify as “combat-related.”
In the military, “combat-related” is a legal term—not a guess, not a feeling, not “something that happened in a war zone.”
Under federal law, an injury is only combat-related if it results from:
* Armed conflict
* Hazardous service
* Training that simulates war
* Instrumentality of war
Definition Source:
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/disability/crsc/
2. Simply being in Iraq or Afghanistan does NOT make an injury combat-related.
Location is irrelevant. Cause is what matters. A twisted ankle on a basketball court in Iraq is not combat-related and would not qualify for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
3. Even NON–combat-related medical retirements still earn retirement ONLY for actual years served—not 20 years.
* A 5-year veteran earns 5 years of retirement.
* A 7-year veteran earns 7 years of retirement.
* A 12-year veteran earns 12 years of retirement.
They do not get a 20-year pension. They only get what they actually earned.
4. The ONLY reason they lose even that small earned retirement is the 1941 offset law.
The Major Richard Star Act only applies to medically retired veterans whose injuries ARE combat-related. This bill does not help people injured by basketball, weight lifting, or slipping in the shower.
BOTTOM LINE:
A random limb break in Iraq does NOT qualify as combat-related.
A non–combat-related injury does NOT qualify for the Star Act.
A medical retiree earns retirement ONLY for actual years served—nothing more.
This argument is ignorant. It is false. And it has nothing to do with the veterans this bill helps.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
A donation of $8 or more after signing helps keep this petition circulating to more Americans. It is not required, but highly appreciated—it fuels the fight to ensure this injustice is seen by as many people as possible.
Please Sign the petition.
Please Share it with 5 friends or family you know will care about this injustice.
If you like seeing the billboards holding Senator Wicker / Senator Johnsons accountable in their hometowns visit: https://54kveterans.org
4,297
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on November 12, 2025