Sponsors
The bill grants an honorary promotion and title recognition to a retired Navy officer without increasing federal retirement costs, but it does not provide additional pay and may generate confusion or expectations about benefits that agencies will need to clarify.
Retired Navy Captain Thomas B. Hagen (and the military community recognizing him) is officially authorized to hold the grade of rear admiral (lower half) on the Navy retired list, giving him formal recognition and the ability to use the higher title.
Taxpayers and the federal budget are not required to pay higher retirement benefits for this honorary advancement, so the change confers status without increased federal retirement costs.
Retired Captain Hagen and observers expecting a pay increase do not receive higher retired pay or additional federal benefits as a result of the authorized grade change.
Other veterans, survivors, and benefit-administering agencies could see this honorary advancement create expectations or confusion about changes to survivor or service‑connected benefits, necessitating administrative clarification or guidance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows retired Navy Captain Thomas B. Hagen to hold the grade of rear admiral (lower half) on the Navy retired list without changing retired pay or other benefits.
Grants retired Navy Captain Thomas B. Hagen the entitlement to hold the grade of rear admiral (lower half) on the Navy retired list. The change is honorary and explicitly does not alter his retired pay or any other federal benefits tied to his service, nor does it change benefits any other person might receive because of that service.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Mike Kelly · Last progress July 17, 2025