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Military Department budget funds Free State Challenge Academy cohort capacity and expands TRICARE reimbursement
Summary
DLS review and Military Department testimony highlight funding to restore Free State Challenge Academy capacity, a TRICARE premium reimbursement expansion and transition activity tied to Air National Guard units; DLS recommends deleting long‑term vacant positions and requests reports on vacancies and program metrics.
The Maryland Military Department’s fiscal 2026 allowance increases modestly as the Department of Legislative Services recommended staffing adjustments and sought updates on the Free State Challenge Academy (FCA) and TRICARE premium reimbursements.
Yashoda Aray, the DLS analyst for the Military Department, told the subcommittee the department’s fiscal 2026 budget increases by approximately $1.8 million after accounting for two proposed FY2025 deficiency approvals and that the department’s total FY2026 allowance is displayed in DLS exhibits as about $45.5 million. Aray highlighted two proposed FY2025 deficiency appropriations: roughly $2.6 million to support FCA’s full cohort capacity of 300 cadets and $70,000 for National Guard members deployed for hurricane response.
DLS noted FCA…
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