WISER Act of 2025 Offers $25,000 and Discharge Upgrades to Women Veterans Dismissed Under Old Executive Order

The WISER Act of 2025 aims to right a historical wrong by providing compensation and a chance to upgrade discharge status for women veterans who were involuntarily kicked out of the military under Executive Order 10240. This bill sets up two key programs: one for a $25,000 one-time payment and another for updating discharge records, both handled through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD).

Cash and Clear Records

This section digs into what the WISER Act is actually offering. First, there's the money: a cool $25,000 for eligible women veterans. If the veteran has passed away, their surviving spouse can apply for this benefit. It's a one-time deal, and you've got to apply to the DoD to get it. The bill also makes sure there's funding set aside specifically for these payments.

Then there's the discharge upgrade. If you were discharged under Executive Order 10240, this program lets you apply to the VA and DoD to get that status changed. Why does this matter? Because an upgraded discharge can open the door to a whole range of VA benefits you might not have had access to before. Think of it like finally getting full credit for your service.

For example, imagine a woman who served in the Air Force in the 1960s and was forced out because she became a mother. Under this bill, she (or her surviving spouse) could apply for the $25,000 payment. She could also apply to have her discharge status upgraded, potentially unlocking access to VA healthcare, home loans, and educational benefits that she was previously denied.

Who's In, Who's Out?

This part is about eligibility. The bill automatically assumes you're eligible for both programs if you were a woman involuntarily separated under Executive Order 10240. It also creates a "presumption of eligibility" if, within 10 months of leaving the service, you gave birth, gained custody of a child, adopted, or experienced an incomplete pregnancy. (SEC. 2)

"Covered veteran" is defined as any woman who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service between April 27, 1951, and February 23, 1976. (SEC. 2) This timeframe is crucial because it defines the period when Executive Order 10240 was in effect.

Looking Ahead

While the WISER Act addresses a specific historical injustice, it also highlights the ongoing need to review and rectify outdated policies. The automatic presumption of eligibility is a significant step, acknowledging the systemic disadvantages women faced during that era. However, the requirement to apply for these benefits, rather than receiving them automatically, might still present a hurdle for some veterans or their families. Verifying eligibility based on decades-old records could also prove challenging, potentially leading to delays or even incorrect decisions. It's a solid step toward recognizing these women's service, but the real test will be in how smoothly these programs are implemented.