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JBSA financial counselors offer tips to keep finances in order during COVID-19
June 1, 2020 — Keeping a careful eye on spending, not getting deeper into debt and being on the lookout for scams is the advice Joint Base San Antonio financial counselors are giving installation members who are trying to manage their finances during COVID-19... MORE

JBSA facilities among those collecting 8,000 units of COVID-19 convalescent plasma
May 31, 2020 — Two Joint Base San Antonio locations are among 15 Armed Services Blood Program centers looking to collect convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and may hold the treatment in their veins that could help others who are critically ill with the respiratory infection. ... MORE

JBSA M&FRCs offer virtual financial services in midst of pandemic
May 29, 2020 — The Joint Base San Antonio Military and Family Readiness Centers are offering virtual financial classes on several topics, including budgeting, credit and debt management, savings and other areas of money management that are taught by a certified financial counselor... MORE

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Joint Base San Antonio Military & Family Readiness Centers are conducting virtual financial classes for installation members who have questions about or need help with their finances during these uncertain times.

Virtual promotion ceremony celebrates achievements in one JBSA-Lackland cyber security division
May 29, 2020 — In the midst of advised social distancing, to minimize the spread of COVID-19, service members at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland continued a time-honored tradition of holding a promotion ceremony. The catch? They did it virtually. Three enlisted Airmen were promoted April 30 in a televised ceremony that drew an audience of colleagues and family members from across the nation. ... MORE

TSP waives penalties for Coronavirus-related early withdrawals
May 29, 2020 — During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many people may be experiencing financial burdens they had not planned for. For participants in the federal Thrift Savings Plan, there may be an early withdrawal or loan option they can utilize to help ease their financial situation and the stress that comes with it... MORE

Thrift savings plan TSP written on a piggy bank.

With safety in mind, BAMC begins phased re-opening for primary, surgical care
May 28, 2020 — With safety at the forefront, Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston will begin a phased re-opening of primary and surgical care starting June 1... MORE

DOD officials unveil COVID-related personnel, move guidance
May 28, 2020 — Defense Department officials outlined a conditions-based approach to relaxing the stop-movement order that has been in effect since early March due to the coronavirus pandemic... MORE

SMA expects ACFT to continue as planned in COVID-19 environment
May 28, 2020 — Despite some delays in fielding necessary equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Army’s top enlisted leader believes the service will still successfully implement its new Army Combat Fitness Test... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Phelps (top) gives instructions on the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, on U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea, on May 14, 2020.

AER expands assistance eligibility for Guard, Reserve
May 28, 2020 — The Army Emergency Relief program recently expanded its assistance eligibility for Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers impacted by COVID-19 missions or policy... MORE

Medical Readiness Training Command Reserve laboratory officer in fight against COVID-19
May 27, 2020 — "We have an obligation to the American people to keep our Soldiers healthy in order to serve in this fight, and I am proud to have been a part of that,"' said Lt. Col. Maria Espiritu, an Army Reserve clinical laboratory officer who oversees COVID-19 testing at multiple laboratories in the U.S. for mobilized military medical professionals... MORE

Lt. Col. Maria Espiritu, a clinical laboratory officer, works at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston April 20 in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 Response mission. Espiritu provides guidance to multiple clinical laboratories in the U.S. that provide testing for military medical professionals mobilized to support areas heavily impacted by COVID-19.

5th Brigade Army ROTC hosts virtual commissioning ceremonies
May 27, 2020 — Through these unique times, the 5th Brigade Army ROTC at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and their 36 ROTC Battalions in eight states continue to meet the mission... MORE

BAMC doctor returns to hero’s welcome after New York deployment
May 27, 2020 — Lt. Col. (Dr.) G. Travis Clifton returned to a hero’s welcome last week after a deployment unlike any he’d experienced in his 14-year Army career. ... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) G. Travis Clifton, Brooke Army Medical Center’s chief of general surgery, poses in front of the Javits Convention Center in New York City, April 22, 2020. Clifton deployed to New York to help ease the burden on local hospitals by aiding COVID-19 and other patients at the Javits.

Mortgage, housing assistance website for veterans impacted by COVID-19
May 26, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, along with several other agencies, launched a new unified mortgage and housing assistance website... MORE

To ensure homeowners and renters have current and accurate housing assistance information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, along with several other agencies, launched a new unified mortgage and housing assistance website at www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/.

Feasibility of secondary Air Force BMT location proven; COVID-19 surge operations begin June 2
May 26, 2020 — Air Force officials announced that, beginning June 2, the service will continue to hold basic military training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, as a secondary location until the end of COVID-19 surge operations. The decision to stand up initial operating capability under 37th Training Wing comes after a successful proof of concept trial run... MORE

Garrison commanders are the center of gravity in the fight against COVID-19
May 25, 2020 — Gen. Gus Perna, commanding general of U.S. Army Materiel Command, addressed U.S. Army Installation Management Command leaders around the world during a video teleconference May 18 from IMCOM headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram (far right), commanding general, U.S. Army Installation Management Command, lays out IMCOM's measured approach to transitioning stateside garrisons to reduced Health Protection Conditions to Gen. Gustave Perna, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, during a video teleconference May 18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston

JBSA Military and Family Readiness Centers offering virtual services, classes
May 21, 2020 — The Military and Family Readiness Centers at Joint Base San Antonio offer many resources to help military families connect during normal operations, and they are still offering a multitude of classes and support services even though their offices are physically closed... MORE

The Military and Family Readiness Centers at Joint Base San Antonio offer many resources to help military families connect during normal operations, and they are still offering a multitude of classes and support services even though their offices are physically closed.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response in time of COVID-19
May 21, 2020 — With the implementation of shelter-in-place orders nationwide and new schedules for those still working, citizens at home have an increased risk of severe interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and suicide, and those continuing to report for duty have relational difficulties to overcome as well. This is the first in a series about risk and resilience. Resources can be found at the bottom of the article. Please do not be afraid to reach out if you need help! ... MORE

Motorcycle training courses resume with public health measures in place
May 21, 2020 — Joint Base San Antonio’s Motorcycle Safety Training program has resumed with public health and safety measures in place following a hiatus resulting from the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing and shelter-in-place guidelines... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio’s Motorcycle Safety Training program has resumed with public health and safety measures in place following a hiatus resulting from the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing and shelter-in-place guidelines.

Officials forecast no meat, produce shortages in commissaries
May 20, 2020 — Veterinary health officials with the Department of Defense and Army Public Health Center who are charged with monitoring food safety and food supply for the DOD and Army say although there may be localized supply issues outside of the continental United States, there are no forecasted shortages of meat, poultry or produce... MORE

New emergency leave available to DOD civilians affected by COVID-19
May 20, 2020 — The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, allows civilians across the Defense Department to take the emergency leave from April 1 through Dec. 31, provided that they meet certain conditions... MORE

The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, allows civilians across the Defense Department to take the emergency leave from April 1 through Dec. 31, provided that they meet certain conditions. The new emergency sick leave will be separate from the normal sick leave civilians accrue and can be taken without using accrued sick leave.