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Major changes to medical policies good news for Air Force Reservists
November 27, 2018 — In an Aug. 28 letter, Col. John Buterbaugh, command surgeon at Air Force Reserve Command, outlined four initiatives to increase medical readiness across the command, including eliminating the medical case backlog, removing the mental health requirement differences between active duty and Reservists, providing more full-time medical staff to local units and increasing decision-making ability on medical cases at the wing and squadron levels... MORE

Moving expenses now taxable for Department of Defense civilian employees, contractors
November 27, 2018 — The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed December 2017, eliminated a number of deductions that taxpayers have come to rely on. One of these was the moving expense deduction. The act eliminated the deduction for the tax year 2018 through the tax year 2025. However, the deduction will come back in 2026 unless Congress intervenes to eliminate it permanently. This change does not apply to military personnel, but does apply to Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors... MORE

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed December 2017, eliminated a number of deductions that taxpayers have come to rely on. One of these was the moving expense deduction. The act eliminated the deduction for the tax year 2018 through the tax year 2025. However, the deduction will come back in 2026 unless Congress intervenes to eliminate it permanently. This change does not apply to military personnel, but does apply to Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.

Air Force’s focus on readiness yields results, highlights innovation, problem solving
November 27, 2018 — From a distance, the idea – and operational meaning – of “readiness” for the U.S. Air Force seems straightforward. Be prepared. Have all the equipment, training and personnel necessary to accomplish any mission quickly, efficiently and decisively. It means being primed, prepared and available for full-spectrum combat on a moment’s notice. In reality, however, achieving and sustaining readiness across the Air Force’s vast operation is a far more complex and nuanced proposition. It also is a highly visible, high volume priority... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson delivers her the "Air Force We Need" address during the 2018 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland., Sept. 17, 2018.

Fort Sam Houston Elementary School teacher wins EXCEL Award for dedication to children
November 27, 2018 — Kim Ware, a second-grade teacher at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, loves to teach because she gets to make an impact on children each day she is in the classroom... MORE

Kim Ware, a second grade teacher at Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, reacts after learning she will receive $1,000 for being selected for the KENS 5 Credit Human EXCEL Award, which recognizes local and San Antonio area public school teachers who use innovative practices in the classroom and are making a difference in the lives of students in the classroom and beyond, at an assembly at the elementary school Nov. 13. Holding the check is Mike Burnett, a member of the Credit Human supervisory committee.

Deputy Defense Secretary talks dollars, fiscal sense and space
November 26, 2018 — Space, known as the final frontier, is something the Defense Department would like to explore, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said... MORE

The Air Force’s 45th Space Wing supported SpaceX’s successful launch of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Mission 13 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Dec. 15, 2017. The DOD is working on creating a Space Force in the near future.

Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio scientists collaborate with Cornell University researcher
November 26, 2018 — Scientists from Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, or NAMRU-SA, Biomaterials and Epidemiology Department, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, are collaborating with a Cornell University researcher... MORE

Dr. Sylvain Cardin (center), chief science director, and Dr. Luis Martinez (right), principal investigator, NAMRU-SA, have been discussing future collaborations involving the gut microbiome and the immune system’s response to wound trauma with Dr. Alireza Abbaspourrad (left), a nanoparticle technology researcher in his lab at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Food Science in Ithaca, New York.

Mission Thanksgiving a success with Soldiers, local families
November 26, 2018 — Thanks to more than 300 Military City Community Families who hosted nearly 900 Joint Base San Antonio and U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence, Soldiers this Thanksgiving. This is a 20-year partnership with the community and the installation conducted by the 32nd Medical Brigade... MORE

Angel Gramling and father-in-law, Richard, are a military family who hosted Soldiers for Mission Thanksgiving Nov. 22.

NRD San Antonio hosts DEP, Influencer Meeting to prepare women for the Navy
November 26, 2018 — Division 6 of Navy Recruiting District San Antonio held their All-Female Delayed Entry Program, or DEP, and Key Influencer Meeting at the Rosenberg Sky Room on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. ... MORE

Chief Petty Officer Isabel Guerrero, Division 6 leading chief petty officer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, speaks with (left) Erica Jew of St. Louis and (right) future Sailor Ashiyanna Landers of Newport News, Va., during an All-Female Delayed Entry Program and Key Influencer Meeting hosted by NRD San Antonio at the Rosenberg Sky Room on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. Landers, who attended San Antonio College, joined the Navy to become a hospital corpsman. Jew attended the event to provide Landers with moral and emotional support.

Nominations for the Military Child of the Year® Awards close Dec. 5
November 26, 2018 — The deadline to nominate a military child for Operation Homefront’s 2019 Military Child of the Year®, or MCOY, Awards is Wednesday, Dec. 5. Military Child of the Year® is the nation’s premier celebration of the achievements of military children. The MCOY awards will be presented at a recognition gala April 18, 2019, in Washington, D.C... MORE

The deadline to nominate a military child for Operation Homefront’s 2019 Military Child of the Year®, or MCOY, Awards is Wednesday, Dec. 5. Military Child of the Year® is the nation’s premier celebration of the achievements of military children. The MCOY awards will be presented at a recognition gala April 18, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

AETC, 59th MDW command chiefs visit Team Mildenhall
November 26, 2018 — Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, command chief master sergeant of Air Education and Training Command, visited RAF Mildenhall, England, Nov. 14, 2018, to gain insight on what training currently looks like for Airmen... MORE

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, Air Education and Training Command command chief, and Master Sgt. Troy French, 100th Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels system section chief, discuss the maintenance squadron’s confined space trainer at RAF Mildenhall, England, Nov. 14, 2018. The 100th MXS presented the chief with the newest innovation to show how those innovations sustain mission effectiveness.

59th MDW radiology system saves time and money
November 26, 2018 — With cardiothoracic disease imaging at the forefront in computer-aided detection, artificial Intelligence and machine learning research, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Giovanni Lorenz, from the 59th Medical Wing, provides knowledge and expertise toward solving major coronary diseases... MORE

Marvin Perez, 59th Medical Wing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging technologist, observes a patient’s vitals during a scan at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Cardiac MRI, which takes approximately 20-45 minutes, is a non-invasive assessment of the function and structure of the heart.

Feedback Fridays
November 23, 2018 — Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week... MORE

Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander's calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week. If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil using the subject line "Feedback Fridays." Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.

Throwback to WWII, Army Greens uniform aims to instill pride in today's generation
November 21, 2018 — The Army plans to issue a new World War II-style uniform starting the summer of 2020, as senior leaders look to sharpen the professional appearance of Soldiers and inspire others to join them. The Army Greens uniform, a version of the uniform once worn by the Greatest Generation, will now be worn by today's generation as they lead the service into the future... MORE

Soldier Models of the proposed Pink and Green daily service uniform display the outfits overcoat, as they render the hand salute during the National Anthem at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Army-Navy Game December 9, 2017.

Federal laws keep marijuana illegal for military members
November 21, 2018 — Although the legalization of recreational and/or medicinal use of marijuana is growing at the state level, it is important to understand that federal law has not changed concerning the matter. This notice is intended to serve as a reminder that the use of marijuana, cannabidiol, cannabinoid derivatives, and THC-infused products is prohibited for military members. Wrongful use and/or possession of these substances is unlawful under the Uniform Code of Military Justice via Article 112A... MORE

Although the legalization of recreational and/or medicinal use of marijuana is growing at the state level, it is important to understand that federal law has not changed concerning the matter. This notice is intended to serve as a reminder that the use of marijuana, cannabidiol, cannabinoid derivatives, and THC-infused products is prohibited for military members. Wrongful use and/or possession of these substances is unlawful under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) via Article 112A.

Air Force proves mettle at first inter-service Alpha Warrior battle
November 21, 2018 — A team of six Air Force men and women bested the Army and Navy to capture the first-ever Inter-Service Alpha Warrior Final Battle held at Retama Park on the outskirts of San Antonio Nov. 17... MORE

Senior Airman Stephanie Williams, U.S. Air Force in Europe, women's category winner, tackles the rings obstacle of the proving rig during the first Inter-service Alpha Warrior Final Battle Nov. 17, 2018, Retama Park, Selma, Texas.

Sutherland Springs remembered one year later
November 21, 2018 — Brooke Army Medical Center held two ceremonies to honor the victims of a mass shooting that took place in a small rural community near San Antonio and the staff members who treated them... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center staff members sign a banner of support for Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas, as part of the commemoration ceremony Nov. 5, the one-year anniversary of the Sutherland Springs shooting. Clear Lake Regional Medical Center received eight patients – all students – in the wake of the Santa Fe High School Shooting last May. BAMC wanted to “pay it forward” to another hospital that cared for victims after a mass shooting. After the Sutherland Springs shooting, BAMC received a banner from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas as a demonstration of support and appreciation for our staff. Sunrise Hospital received nearly 200 victims after the Vegas shooting.

USAF, RCAF exchange pilots and expertise
November 20, 2018 — Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force visited the 559th Flying Training Squadron Nov. 15-16 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The visit allowed pilots from United States and Royal Canadian Air Forces to share knowledge and expertise related to pilot training in the T-6A Texan II and CT-156 Harvard II. ... MORE

Members of the 559th Flying Training Squadron and Royal Canadian Air Force 15th Wing take a photo in front of a T-6A Texan II Nov. 16, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The 15th Wing flies a similar aircraft, the CT-156 Harvard II, and engages in a pilot exchange program with the 559th FTS in order to share knowledge and expertise related to pilot training in both airframes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stormy Archer)

“Just like the simulations”: veteran instructor pilots shape next generation American airpower
November 20, 2018 — If only you could learn from your embarrassing mistakes in real time and be given a second chance to redeem yourself. That reset button does exist for the pilots studying with the 12th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. ... MORE

Damon Themely, an instructor pilot with the 12th Training Squadron, teaches a student pilot in a T-38C Talon flight simulator at Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph on Nov. 8, 2018. Instructor pilots have the ability to change the environment and flying conditions for the students, creating unique challenges for them to overcome.

Make 2019 enrollment choices today: TRICARE Open Season underway
November 20, 2018 — TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season are underway. You now have until Dec. 10, 2018, to enroll in a new plan or change your enrollment between plans. The choice you make will take effect Jan. 1, 2019, and will remain in effect through all of 2019... MORE

Holiday safety: To drink, or not to drink
November 20, 2018 — Parties and special occasions usually involve games, music, and alcoholic beverages. They are times of festivity and fun. For someone concerned about alcohol intake or battling substance abuse, social events may seem threatening. But it is possible to participate in activities that include alcohol... MORE

If you are battling substance abuse, consider attending an alcohol-free holiday party or host your own alcohol-free small gathering