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ADVISOR system medical lifeline for operational forces
December 3, 2018 — The Advanced Virtual Support for Operational Forces system, or ADVISOR, coordinated through the Army Virtual Medical Center at Brooke Army Medical Center, provides 24/7/365 on-demand telephone consultations with on-call specialty providers during emergencies... MORE

A Soldier uses the Advanced Virtual Support for Operational Forces system, or ADVISOR, during the Army Best Medic Competition held in September at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

MICC members supporting presidential funeral
December 3, 2018 — As the nation mourns the passing of the 41st president of the United States, a three-person team from the Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Sam Houston is providing contract support for funeral arrangements as part of the Task Force Texas... MORE

Freedom Quit Line offers cigarette smokers tools to kick their habit
November 30, 2018 — TRICARE beneficiaries around the world who smoke cigarettes and want to quit now have another source to help them... MORE

Karen LeRoy, research director for the University of Virginia’s research team at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Medical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, speaks with a caller on the Freedom Quit Line. The quit line is a resource for Tricare beneficiaries, which is located at WHASC under at Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between the Air Force and the University of Virginia, for cigarette smokers worldwide who are looking for a way to quit smoking and is available at 1-844-I-AM-FREE (1-844-426-3733).

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Daniel J. Calderón)

METC histotechnician instructors make history
November 30, 2018 — Three histotechnician program instructors at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston have made history by becoming the only histotechnicians in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy to have attained the Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, or QIHC, certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Onyee L. Carter, a histotechnician program instructor at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, assists a student with a slide sample during laboratory training.

Civil Air Patrol: citizen volunteers serving America
November 30, 2018 — Established Dec. 1, 1941, the Civil Air Patrol was formed during World War II to mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources for national defense service. As America’s Air Force auxiliary, CAP is comprised of 60,000 members to carry out three primary missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet programs... MORE

This iconic 1943 CAP recruitment poster was designed by V. Clayton Kenney of Cleveland, himself a member of Squadron 511-3 in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Source: U.S. Office of War Information, National Archives.

Airmen test limits at Ranger Assessment Course
November 30, 2018 — Imagine signing up to be starved, sleep deprived and trying to fight for survival during a 19-day combat leadership course in the mosquito-, rattlesnake- and wild boar-infested hilly terrain north of San Antonio with 28 other Airmen. This was the scenario for 29 Airmen who took part in the Ranger Assessment Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Oct. 29 – Nov. 16. Upon successful completion of RAC, the Airmen would have a chance to enroll in the coveted, yet even more grueling, Army Ranger Course... MORE

Airmen from different career fields challenge themselves in the Ranger Assessment course which is a combat leadership course which can lead to attending Army Ranger School. The 29 Airmen who began the course came from six major commands and represented security forces, tactical air control party, airfield management and battlefield Airmen specialties. The RAC instructors provide this stress-oriented battle school for airmen to develop better leadership and command tools under the mental, emotional and physical strain. They push the students to improve their resiliency and coping mechanisms.

Program creates pathway to success for departing military members
November 30, 2018 — An act signed into law seven years ago by President Barack Obama continues to provide a pathway to success in the civilian sector for retiring and separating military members... MORE

The Transition Assistance Program is available to service members at military and family readiness centers throughout the Department of Defense, which offer classes and one-on-one counseling in conjunction with the program. For Army members, the program is called Soldier for Life – TAP.

Commentary: Military traditions instill pride, connection with past
November 30, 2018 — I’ve seen more than my share of military traditions over the past 20 years. Countless times, I’ve sung service songs, watched the Honor Guard place the colors, and stood at attention during Reveille and Retreat. While I’ve always admired the dignity and honor of these traditions, they became somewhat routine over the years. I didn’t truly appreciate their purpose until my father passed away. ... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center staff practice the rendering of flag honors for fallen heroes in July 2018. No matter the branch, war or length of service, BAMC salutes every veteran and first responder who dies in the hospital with a flag ceremony by an Honor Guard.

Texas, Washington ANG members participate in international exercise
November 29, 2018 — Brazil kicked off its multinational air combat exercise CRUZEX VII Nov. 18 and invited participation from U.S. and six other partner nations. Guardsmen from the Texas and Washington Air National Guard joined the two-week long exercise and lent support by providing fighter and tanker aircraft as well as personnel from multiple Air Force job specialties... MORE

Col. Raul Rosario (center), commander of the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, participates in an international press panel which included representatives from seven other countries for CRUZEX2018 at Natal Air Force Base, Nov. 19. Approximately 100 international media representatives joined the press conference, hosted by the Brazilian Air Force, to learn about the goals and expectations of the air exercise. The 149th FW commander expressed his gratitude to the host country and for the opportunity to work together as equals to promote peace and safety.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston holiday chapel worship services
November 29, 2018 — The 502nd Force Support Group Religious Support Office has released the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston holiday chapel worship services schedule... MORE

Deadline approaching to opt in to Blended Retirement System
November 29, 2018 — Service members have just one month left to make a decision about opting in to the blended retirement system, Jeri Busch, the Defense Department’s director of military compensation policy, said in Washington, D.C, Nov. 28... MORE

Service members have just one month left to make a decision about opting in to the blended retirement system, Jeri Busch, the Defense Department’s director of military compensation policy.

Military caregivers can help fix the gaps
November 29, 2018 — Caregivers in the areas of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington; Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, are being asked to complete an anonymous survey. ... MORE

Military caregivers are being asked to participate in a survey.

433rd Airlift Wing hosts Porter High School AFJROTC
November 29, 2018 — Members of the Porter High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps from Porter, Texas, ended a two-day tour of Joint Base San Antonio by spending their last day of the tour hosted by the 433rd Airlift Wing. During the first leg of the trip, the group attended a basic training graduation on the parade grounds of JBSA-Lackland, to watch the Airmen "Pass in Review" and reaffirm their "Oath of Enlistment."... MORE

Command Curator Rudy Purificato gives a guided tour with photos at the U.S. Air Force Airman Heritage Museum to Porter High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets, Nov. 16, 2018 during a two-day tour of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Policy changes for Post-9/11 GI Bill transfers
November 28, 2018 — Additional changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Benefits policy were announced Nov. 14, 2018... MORE

Additional changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Benefits policy were announced Nov. 14, 2018.

Medical Airmen committed to patients, readiness throughout transformation
November 28, 2018 — As the Air Force Medical Service undergoes transformation, medical Airmen maintain an unwavering commitment to readiness and trusted care... MORE

Maj. Gen. Robert I. Miller, Director, Medical Operations and Research, discusses the Air Force Medical Service transformation and how medical Airmen are maintaining an unwavering commitment to readiness and Trusted Care.

Combating suicide: What can I do today?
November 28, 2018 — Multiple Air Force initiatives are working toward a common goal: Empowering leaders and Airmen to increase morale, cohesion, and readiness by recognizing when Airmen need help, decreasing barriers to help-seeking, and creating a culture in which Airmen and their families thrive... MORE

Resilience is defined as how one “deals effectively with pressure, ambiguous and emerging conditions, and multiple tasks; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity or uncertainty. Recovers quickly from setbacks. Anticipates changes and learns from mistakes.”

Turn stress into strength this holiday season
November 28, 2018 — The holiday season presents opportunities to engage in multiple forms of resiliency. ... MORE

Engaging in close relationships, practicing gratitude, and participating in religious activities that promote spirituality are often helpful aspects of the holidays. However, the holidays may also create stressors that are unique to this time of year.

Soldier to Soldier: The Lost Art of Developmental Counseling
November 27, 2018 — When you hear the words developmental counseling, what comes to mind? Do you view the upcoming session as a "check the block" requirement from a laundry list of tasks? Do you often find yourself copying and pasting the same verbiage and bullet points from Soldier to Soldier? Or maybe, when you finally get around to conducting the session, it’s executed more as a formality, with the supervisor talking at the subordinate, rather than encouraging two-way communication... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Danielle Vaccaro, a career counselor for headquarters and headquarters battalion, 4th Infantry Division, explains reenlistment options to U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Glassey, a public affairs operations noncommissioned officer, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Oct. 10, 2013.

Commentary: Getting in the habit of excellence
November 27, 2018 — Each year, more than 35,000 civilians cross the blue line and embrace the Air Force Core Values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.” Today, let us consider excellence. Excellence easily translates into visible action. A lack of excellence cannot be concealed over time. No position, duty title or special project will make you excellent. ... MORE

Lt. Col. Dear Beloved
Commander, 637th International Support Squadron
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland

Commentary: beware the hidden danger of the holidays
November 27, 2018 — Children are singing, there’s cheer in the air, bells are a-ringing, and the weather is fair. The holidays are finally upon us, and with them comes not only joy and mirth, but also an increase in crime sprees and foodborne illnesses... MORE

Children are singing, there’s cheer in the air, bells are a-ringing, and the weather is fair. The holidays are finally upon us, and with them comes not only joy and mirth, but also an increase in crime sprees and foodborne illnesses. Around this time of year, people buy expensive gifts and travel to see family, but these seasonal habits leave people open to seasonal dangers.