Joint Base San Antonio > News

DAF commissioning sources to develop initiatives to increase applicant pool diversity
August 30, 2022 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has directed Air and Space Force officer commissioning sources to develop diversity and inclusion outreach plans by Sept. 30 to achieve updated applicant pool demographic goals... MORE

AFROTC grants accommodations for first Sikh cadet
July 19, 2022 — The Air Force has granted religious accommodations for Air Force ROTC’s first Sikh cadet. ... MORE

Air Force ROTC Cadet Gursharan Virk, third from left, takes part in Detachment 255’s color guard ceremony at a football game at the University of Iowa in 2021. Virk is the first Sikh ROTC cadet to be granted religious accommodations by the Air Force in observation of his faith. The accommodations include wear of a turban and facial hair. (Courtesy photo)

DOD pays tribute to LGBTQ+ service members
June 8, 2022 — Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, and also to acknowledge the challenges that remain and reaffirm a commitment to equality for LGBTQ+ people, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said during an event at the Pentagon June 7... MORE

A service member poses for a portrait and salutes with a rainbow-painted hand.

JBSA, DOD honor LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month
May 31, 2022 — Joint Base San Antonio and the entire Department of Defense will join the nation in paying tribute to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community during Pride Month June 1-30, highlighting the way LGBTQ service members and civilians have strengthened America’s military... MORE

DAF recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility March 31
March 31, 2022 — President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation in 2021, officially recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility as an international awareness day dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender nonconforming people... MORE

In AFMC and AFIMSC: Our differences make us stronger
March 3, 2022 — The Air Force Materiel Command Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Office recently released a new slogan, “Our Differences Make Us Stronger,” to emphasize how recognizing and celebrating our differences can help us become the "AFMC We Need." ... MORE

Air Force hosts Women's Air, Space Power Symposium
March 2, 2022 — The Secretary of the Air Force's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Women's Initiatives Team, will host the second annual Women's Air and Space Power Symposium March 8-10... MORE

An airman wearing a face mask works on an aircraft.

Diversity, equity, inclusion are necessities in U.S. Military
February 10, 2022 — Diversity, equity and inclusion in the military are necessities for the United States, Bishop Garrison, the senior advisor to the secretary of defense for human capital and diversity, equity and inclusion said... MORE

Service members walk down a street and wave to a crowd gathered on the sidewalk.

AFIMSC council continues work toward improving diversity, inclusion
February 8, 2022 — Since standing up in the fall of 2020, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Diversity and Inclusion Council has taken several steps to help the center build an inclusive workplace that ensures a fair and just environment regardless of race, ethnicity or gender... MORE

Officials discuss diversity, equity and inclusion benefits to DOD
February 3, 2022 — Defense Information Systems Agency personnel discussed the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion during a virtual panel. ... MORE

A man in military uniform pins an award on a woman in military uniform.

Signature block pronouns now allowed for Airmen, Guardians
December 23, 2021 — The LGBTQ Initiatives Team, or LIT, a part of the Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group, advocated for the change to include pronouns in the signature block's for Airmen and Guardians, one of the latest initiatives the DAF undertook to address barriers to service and promote a more inclusive culture... MORE

MyVector updates help connect Airmen, Guardians
October 18, 2021 — MyVector is one of the many tools Airmen and Guardians can use to enhance their career development, including tracking personal development and assignments, writing performance evaluations, and connecting with mentors as well as mentoring others... MORE

Ninth episode for AETC’s Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force
October 4, 2021 — Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, will host the ninth episode of AETC Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force, at 3 p.m. Oct. 7 on AETC’s Facebook page... MORE

Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, will host the ninth episode of AETC Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. CDT, on AETC’s Facebook page.

Air Force Women’s Initiative Team champions women’s health care
September 20, 2021 — In the past year, the WIT’s Female-Specialized Health Care Programs have driven several policy changes. In February, hair standard policies were changed based on feedback received from Airmen who identified numerous health concerns around the bun... MORE

As an outcome of the 101st Air Force uniform board, Air Force women will be able to wear their hair in up to two braids or a single ponytail with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. In addition, women’s bangs may now touch their eyebrows, but not cover their eyes. These new changes will be effective upon publication of the new standards in Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Feb. 10, 2021.

Department of the Air Force releases reports on Racial Disparity Review update, second disparity review
September 13, 2021 — The Department of the Air Force released a progress update on the Inspector General Independent Racial Disparity Review and a second disparity review report Sept. 9... MORE

The Department of the Air Force released a progress update on the Inspector General Independent Racial Disparity Review and a second disparity review report Sept. 9.

Commentary: Equality in the force
August 26, 2021 — Women’s equality. It’s a challenge that has been around for years and continues to this day. One hundred and one years ago, women had just gained the right to vote through the passing of the 19th Amendment, a right that had been guaranteed to others based on their gender... MORE

Women's Equality Day is celebrated annually in the United States on August 26, commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which granted women the right to vote. (U.S. Air Force graphic by David Perry)

IAAFA graduates its largest in-person class since COVID-19
August 17, 2021 — Class 2021-B – the largest in-person class to graduate from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy since COVID-19 struck approximately 17 months ago – celebrated the cadre and student body’s accomplishments at the Gateway Club at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 11. Making the ceremony even more memorable was the guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass... MORE

International students receive their graduation certificates at the IAAFA graduation.

Air Force releases additional dress, appearance changes
August 12, 2021 — New dress and appearance updates will soon be released following feedback, testing from Airmen and reviews conducted as a part of the 2020 Air Force Uniform Board... MORE

New dress and appearance changes are expected to be released in early October 2021 upon the updated publication of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Changes include male bulk hair standards, cosmetic tattooing, female hair accessory size, optional hosiery in dress uniform, transparent piercing spacers and morale patches. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)

AETC Real Talk focuses on religion in the Air Force
August 11, 2021 — Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, will host the eighth episode of AETC Real Talk: Muslims Serving in the Air Force, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. CDT, on AETC’s Facebook page... MORE

Text that reads AETC Real talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force, which will be livestreaming on August 19 at 3 p.m. Central Time, on the AETC Facebook page. There are four official military photos of Lt. Gen. Webb and his three guests -- Maj. Sadia Heil, Capt. Abdulaziz Ali, and Chief Master Sgt. Gloria Weatherspoon.

Defense Secretary: 'No one should have to hide who they love to serve the country they love'
June 10, 2021 — The Department of Defense celebrates the extraordinary achievements of its LGBTQ+ service members, civilian employees and their families' sacrifices during Pride Month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said. ... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks.