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New online ID card renewal process for dependents, retirees slashes wait time
July 20, 2018 — An ID card renewal process for military dependents and retirees that originated three years ago at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is gaining traction in the Air Force and is already up and running at Joint Base San Antonio... MORE

An ID card renewal process for military dependents and retirees that originated three years ago at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is gaining traction in the Air Force and is already up and running at Joint Base San Antonio.

Army Futures Command to build on 3 pillars 'to ensure we can fight and win'
July 19, 2018 — "We'll potentially be in a near-peer fight in the near future ... and it will be a difficult fight," said Lt. Gen. Paul A. Ostrowski, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and director of the Army Acquisition Corps, during an Association of the U.S. Army breakfast in Arlington, Virginia, July 18. ... MORE

Ground power at 12th MXG shop supports air power
July 19, 2018 — From troubleshooting to final fitting, the 12th Maintenance Group’s metals technology shop fabricates and custom-makes the metal components critical to the functioning of the T-1A, T-6C and T-38C aircraft... MORE

Carlos Casasola, 12th Maintenance Group metals technology shop, machinist, forms a flat surface on a block of metal using a vertical milling machine, July 2, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The maintenance group executes more than 40,000 flight hours annually supporting six training operations squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ave I. Young)

Air Force recruiters learn about innovations for next-gen Special Ops Airmen at JBSA-Lackland
July 19, 2018 — For the first time in the Department of Defense, a series of career field specialties is using human performance monitoring and a data collection system, as well as specialized recruiters. ... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Jette undergoes a body composition measurement test at the 350th Battlefield Airman Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio June 28. Jette is a Special Operations recruiter based in Fresno, California

Joint Base San Antonio offers motorcycle safety training
July 19, 2018 — Much can be said about motorcycle safety. “Look twice for motorcycles. Be aware of their presence. Take the training. All the gear, all the time. Ride to be seen.” We have heard these phrases over and over again, but do we really live by them? ... MORE

Staying aware of the changing road conditions and showing the discipline to adjust to them is fundamental to safe riding.

Navy releases uniform updates
July 19, 2018 — The Navy announced the expansion of hair styles for women along with several other uniform policy changes and updates July 11 in Naval Administrative Message 163/18... MORE

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson (center left) and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert P. Burke (center right) and Sailors assigned to the Pentagon announce new grooming standards on camera during a live all-hands call. The event was held to answer questions from the fleet and to announce upcoming changes and updates to Navy policies.

Eligible veterans can seek refund for taxes on disability severance payment
July 18, 2018 — The Department of Defense has identified more than 130,000 veterans who may be eligible for a refund for taxes paid on their disability severance payment, a DOD tax expert said... MORE

Veterans who are eligible for a refund for taxes paid on their disability severance payment can submit a 1040X Amended U.S. Individual Tax Return for their reimbursement. Army Lt. Col. David Dulaney, the executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said the Defense Department has identified more than 130,000 veterans who may be eligible for the refund.

24th Air Force joins Air Combat Command, welcomes new commander
July 18, 2018 — Twenty Fourth Air Force was reassigned to a new major command and welcomed a new commander during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland July 17. During the ceremony, 24th Air Force moved from Air Force Space Command to Air Combat Command. Gens. Jay Raymond, AFSPC commander, and Mike Holmes, ACC commander, presided over the ceremony. ... MORE

Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, presents the 24th Air Force guidon to Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner, who assumed command of the 24th Air Force during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland July 17. Twenty Fourth Air Force was reassigned to a new major command and welcomed Skinner during the ceremony.

Readiness reform bolsters largest mobility mission
July 18, 2018 — Through the faint glow of night, a medic provides lifesaving care to a fallen teammate in Southwest Asia, doing everything in his power to stabilize the patient until the stretcher gets into a hospital. Four months prior, that same medic couldn’t have saved that life had it not been for the 59th Medical Wing’s readiness transformation... MORE

Air Force medical technicians conduct a patient transport exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, March 1, 2017. The 59th Medical Wing recently overhauled their readiness section, amplifying their ability to sustain the Air Force's largest mobility mission.

Preparing for travel can prevent illness
July 18, 2018 — Whether snorkeling, hiking, or exploring a new place, travelers should know how to stay safe and healthy while away from home. Properly preparing for a trip can help reduce health risks... MORE

Experts encourage overseas travelers to seek advice from a health care provider before leaving on a trip, and to make sure recommended vaccinations are up to date.

Army entomology experts: Don’t get bitten this summer
July 18, 2018 — With the summer season in full swing, Army Public Health Center entomologists recognize the undeniable presence of mosquitoes and ticks, and emphasize the importance of being aware that their bites can transmit illnesses... MORE

The lone star tick is the most common tick found in the southeastern U.S. One of the first things people can do to prevent a tick bite is to recognize tick habitats, and avoid them.

Parent & Child: Read those online privacy policies
July 17, 2018 — You know that as a parent, you are in charge of safeguarding your children's online privacy. And you know that an important part of that is to read the privacy policies of apps and websites you and your children use. Wait, what? You mean read those long policies with all the fine print and complicated legal language? Who can understand those things? ... MORE

Rather than letting digital media the power to manage your family's life, carefully reading privacy policies is yet another important step towards taking control and taking charge.

502nd Installation Support Group welcomes new commander
July 17, 2018 — Col. Scott J. Thompson assumed command of the 502nd Installation Support Group during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July 9, 2018. ... MORE

Air Force pros gather for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training Summit
July 17, 2018 — Air Education and Training Command officials sponsored the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training Summit July 10-12, at the 558th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The event brought together professionals from throughout the RPA community across the Air Force. ... MORE

Participants gather inside the Danielson auditorium for day two of the AETC PRA training enhancement summit, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, July 11, 2018. This is a 3-day summit hosted by AETC, led by four different program managers representing graduate and undergraduate RPA training systems and training programs.

Soldiers should consider Survivor Benefit Plan before retiring
July 17, 2018 — Soldiers nearing retirement should consider not only where they want to live, work, or go to school after the Army, but also whether they want to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan... MORE

Spc. Alexander Rowland greets his wife, Christine Rowland, and daughter at Jacksonville International Airport near Jacksonville, Florida, on April 29, 2017. A crew chief with the Florida National Guard's 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, General Support Aviation Battalion, Spc. Rowland has just returned from an 11-month deployment to Kuwait. Soldiers who are nearing retirement should consider participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan, which provides a monthly annuity to the spouse and/or children of a retiree who dies.

Air Force updates to AFI-36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance
July 17, 2018 — The Air Force announced a series of uniform updates to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, effective July 13, 2018... MORE

Army announces Austin as the home of new Army Futures Command
July 16, 2018 — The U.S. Army announced July 13 that, after a months-long review of potential sites, its new Futures Command will be headquartered in Austin, Texas... MORE

Futures Command will lead the Army's force modernization efforts; it is charged with providing Soldiers the weapons and equipment they need, when they need them.

Air Force selects 8,416 in 18E6/technical sergeant promotion cycle; list posts July 19
July 16, 2018 — Air Force officials have selected 8,416 staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant out of 27,555 eligible for a selection rate of 30.54 percent. The technical sergeant promotion list will be available on the Air Force Personnel Center's website Enlisted Promotions page at http://www.afpc.af.mil/Promotion/Enlisted-Promotions/, the Air Force Portal and myPers July 19 at 8 a.m. CDT... MORE

Air Force officials selected 8,416 staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant of the 27,555 eligible in the 18E6 promotion cycle. The promotion list will post July 19, 2018.

Soldiers, FDNY take advantage of rare training opportunity in Times Square
July 16, 2018 — Smoke ceaselessly poured into the theater at Times Square Church in New York City, while U.S. Army North Soldiers and New York City firefighters geared up in response to an incident involving a deadly chemical agent... MORE

The New York City Fire Department in concert with U. S. Army North (Fifth Army) conducted a training event at the Times Square Church July 10 during the 2018 National Homeland Security Conference. U.S. Northern Command and the City of New York evaluated members of New York’s Emergency Services and the New York Army National Guard’s response to a simulated chemical event.

Life-saving act molds deployed JBSA-Lackland Airman’s future
July 16, 2018 — Three years ago, Tech. Sgt. Julian Tayag was closing the pharmacy for the duty day with his wingman when tragedy nearly struck. Three years later, this event would culminate in his acceptance into the Interservice Physician Assistant Program... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Julian Tayag, 386 EMDG pharmacy non-commissioned officer-in-charge, provides medication to a coworker June 22, 2018, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. In early May 2018, Tayag was selected to attend the Interservice Physician Assistant Program at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.