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Commentary: Telling my Air Force story through Recruiter Assistance Program
August 9, 2018 — Since my enlistment, I’ve been infatuated with the Air Force and all it has to offer. So, naturally, I was super excited for the chance to tell people my story and help others get started on what could be their active-duty journey, as well... MORE

RAP is designed for Airmen to work with Air Force recruiters in their hometowns for the purpose of spreading the word about the Air Force by sharing personal testimonies, setting up recruitment booths and speaking at schools and other organizations.

Army & Air Force Exchange Service warns shoppers about ‘Exchange Inc.’ scams
August 9, 2018 — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is warning military shoppers about scammers offering to broker the sale of used cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and boat engines through the Department of Defense retailer using the name “Exchange Inc.”... MORE

JBSA community planners detail mission support for next 20 years
August 8, 2018 — As Joint Base San Antonio continues to evolve and support its many missions, so does the planning that goes with how they will grow for the next 20 years and do so in partnership with the cities that surround JBSA. ... MORE

National Security Agency, Cybercom defend against election meddling
August 8, 2018 — Russia and other malign actors continue to try to subvert American elections, and the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community are working together to prevent foreign interference in the mid-term elections, officials said at the White House Aug. 2... MORE

Russia and other malign actors continue to try to subvert American elections, and the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community are working together to prevent foreign interference in the mid-term elections.

Air Force scientists study artificial silk for body armor, parachutes
August 8, 2018 — Who doesn’t like to feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Inspired by the qualities of fibers found in nature, scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Indiana’s Purdue University are experimenting to develop a functional fiber that can be woven into sizeable, flexible fabrics using existing textile manufacturing methods. ... MORE

Artificial silk fibers such as those shown here can be woven into sizeable, flexible fabrics using existing textile manufacturing methods.

Army vice chief: Strong ethical foundation could boost retention
August 8, 2018 — Changing the ethics of the nation's largest military branch starts at its core, with Soldiers, said the Army's vice chief of staff during the annual International Society for Military Ethics Symposium July 30... MORE

Gen. James McConville, vice chief of staff, answers questions during the 2018 International Military Ethics Symposium conference July 30.

New DOD policy prohibits GPS-enabled devices in deployed settings
August 7, 2018 — Deployed service members are going to have to ditch their "geolocation devices" in response to a new memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan. This includes physical fitness aids, applications in phones that track locations, and other devices and apps that pinpoint and track the location of individuals. ... MORE

U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers, assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), practice alongside Iraqi counter-terrorism forces on loading and unloading procedures from an MI17 Helicopter prior to conducting a mission near Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2008. The Defense Department announced in a memo released Aug. 6, 2018 that personnel are prohibited from using geolocation features and functionality on government and nongovernment-issued devices, applications and services while in locations designated as operational areas.

Taking pride in a tradition of honor
August 7, 2018 — The Air Force Core values can remain with Airmen long after they retire the uniform, David Carter continues to live those values, integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Carter, 59th Medical Wing Information Technology Requirements & IT Asset Management chief, dedicated 26 years of his life to the uniformed service and is continuing his dedication for the Air Force. ... MORE

David Carter currently serves as the 59th Medical Wing Information Technology Requirements & Asset Management chief. Carter oversees IT Asset Management, with approximately 20,000 assets that have a combined valued greater than $13 million, the central point for information technology equipment tracking and distribution.

Flying training reimagined as first Pilot Training Next class graduates
August 7, 2018 — The Air Force’s pilot training landscape took a significant step forward in reimagining how Airmen learn to fly as 13 students from the first iteration of Pilot Training Next pinned on their silver wings in a ceremony Aug. 3, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Austin, Texas. As Air Education & Training Command’s most tangible example of the Continuum of Learning, a paradigm shift in education, training and the capitalization of experiences, PTN is the embodiment of student-centric learning... MORE

The parents of 2nd Lt. Nickolas Brandt, Pilot Training Next student, pin on his aeronautical wings during his graduation August 3, 2018, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Austin, Texas. PTN is a program to explore and potentially prototype a training environment that integrates various technologies to produce pilots in an accelerated, cost efficient, learning-focused manner.

Joint Base San Antonio has a new admiral
August 7, 2018 — Command of Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command, or NMETLC, changed Aug. 3 when Rear Adm. Tina Davidson relieved Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle during a combined change of command and retirement ceremony at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Rear Adm. Tina Davidson, incoming commander, Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command, salutes after assuming command at a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 3. Davidson relieved Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle during a combined change of command and retirement ceremony at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.

Former child actor testament to resilience as Soldier, civil servant
August 6, 2018 — For the Mission and Installation Contracting Command’s Joe Todd, it was a combination of the short-lived acting role along with typical boyish pursuits that contributed to a different direction after costarring with brothers Mike and Dan as the young Douglas triplets during the final two season of “My Three Sons.”... MORE

Joe Todd costarred with his brothers as the grandsons of Fred McMurray during the final two season of "My Three Sons" before going on to join and retired from the Army and continue his service as a civil servant. Todd is the training and readiness manager for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Federal Voting Assistance Program helps service members exercise their right to vote
August 6, 2018 — Service members at Joint Base San Antonio who are away from home can vote in the Nov. 6 general election through the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, providing them a convenient way to cast their ballots... MORE

FVAP ensures that service members, whether they are stationed in the U.S. or overseas, their eligible family members and U.S. citizens residing overseas are able to exercise their right to vote by providing them the tools and resources they need to do so, from anywhere in the world.

BAMC receives accreditation as CenteringPregnancy site
August 6, 2018 — Brooke Army Medical Center is now accredited by the Centering Healthcare Institute as a CenteringPregnancy site. According to the Centering Healthcare Institute website, CenteringPregnancy decreases the rate of preterm and low weight babies, increases breastfeeding rates, and leads to better pregnancy spacing... MORE

Agnieszka Chauviere holds her daughter Emilia Jennifer. Chauviere decided to join the CenteringPregnancy group because she was new to the military family and to San Antonio.

Six candidates selected to represent AETC in Defender Challenge
August 6, 2018 — The top security forces defenders from across Air Education and Training Command gathered at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis and JBSA-Lackland Medina Annex July 23-27 for the opportunity to represent AETC in the upcoming Air Force Defender Challenge. ... MORE

(left to right) Senior Airman William McLaughlin, 502nd Security Forces Squadron, Capt. Nathan Spradley, 902nd SFS, Technical Sgt. Cory Irvin, 37th Training Support Squadron, Senior Airman David Hightower, 56th SFS, Officer Jonathan Vance and Master Sgt. James Murray of the 802nd SFS, pose for a photo after being chosen as the representatives of Air Education and Training Command’s Defender Challenge team July 27, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Defender Challenge is a Security Forces competition that pits teams against each other in realistic weapons, dismounted operations and relay challenge events.

Making a difference: Man dedicates career, life to environmental restoration
August 5, 2018 — As a junior in college, Jose Hurtado had no idea the decision to read an ABC 20/20 news article would drastically change his career path to one focused on the environment. ... MORE

Jose Hurtado, program manager for the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s environmental restoration division, stands next to groundwater cleanup equipment located on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Early bird registration underway for Rambler 120 adventure race
August 3, 2018 — The Rambler 120, Joint Base San Antonio’s annual adventure race at JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake, is just around the corner... MORE

Cyclists race from the starting line during the Joint Base San Antonio Rambler 120, a fitness challenge that tests individuals and teams with a 6-mile run, 22-mile bike race and 2-mile raft race, at scenic JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake Oct. 14, 2017. The annual event is sponsored by the 802nd Force Support Squadron and promotes the spirit of unity and team building.

Patience and defensive driving, key to utilizing Washington Circle
August 3, 2018 — Driving through Washington Circle can pose a serious safety challenge for motorists who use the intersection to get around Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph... MORE

Base safety ans security officials want people to be aware of the procedures for driving in and out of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's Washington Circle. Officials want to ensure motorists know which lanes they should be in when entering and exiting the circle. The biggest safety issue occurs when vehicles try to directly exit the circle from the left lane instead of moving to the right lane in advance of their exit turn. Officials urge people to drive defensively and sue caution in and around Washington Circle.

Fort Sam Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees names new superintendent
August 3, 2018 — The Fort Sam Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees announced, by unanimous decision, Dr. Gary Bates as its new Superintendent of Schools July 31... MORE

(From left) Lt. Col. Aaron J. Braxton II, secretary, Fort Sam Houston Board of Trustees; Deborah E. Seabron, vice president; Dr. Gary Bates, FSHISD Superintendent; and Willie E White, Jr., President. The board chose Bates for his established instructional leadership, strength in collaboration, and focus on student learning and achievement. He will begin his new role Aug. 6.

Fort Sam Houston Independent School District notice of public meeting to discuss budget
August 3, 2018 — The Fort Sam Houston Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 10:15 a.m. Aug. 23 in the Professional Development Center located at 1908 Winans Road at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget... MORE

Additional information regarding the proposed budget is available on the school district’s website at http://www.fshisd.net.

Don't let the bugs bite this summer
August 2, 2018 — Warmer temperatures of summer mean more outdoor family activities. It's important to make sure that time is safe for everyone, especially children. Most parents do a good job of protecting their kids from the sun, but they also need to consider why it's important to guard against potentially harmful insect bites and stings. ... MORE

West Nile and Zika are the most recent mosquito-borne illnesses in the news. They can cause flu-like symptoms, but they also can bring on serious complications in some cases.