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Austin says qualified patriots, including LGBTQ+, bolster defense
June 8, 2023 — The Defense Department honors the service, commitment and sacrifice of the LGBTQ+ service members and personnel who volunteered to defend America... MORE

Back on track: DOD fellowship guides military spouse's workforce return
May 25, 2023 — For military spouses, finding employment can be difficult and daunting, especially after a big move. Thankfully, a new program placing military spouses into fellowships is already reaping dividends. ... MORE

A family of five poses in front of a hillside.

Austin: Service to Nation is highest calling
May 16, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stressed the importance of service to community and country during his commencement speech at Fayetteville State University, North Carolina... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III claps his hands and smiles during a speech.

Brandon Act aims to improve mental health support
May 8, 2023 — The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and allowing them to seek help confidentially, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said... MORE

The Brandon Act written over a backround of green circles with patches of stars and stripes and the link text: Health.mil/BrandonAct.

Service members get extended parental leave
March 31, 2023 — The Defense Department issued a new policy to provide 12 weeks of paid, non-chargeable parental leave to service members who have a child through birth, adoption or a long-term foster care placement of at least 24 months... MORE

A graphic shows various service members and military family members.

Secretary of Defense presses ahead with recommendations from suicide prevention committee
March 17, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has implemented the first of the recommendations made by the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee to address and prevent suicide in the military... MORE

Lethal, resilient, agile joint force basis for defense budget request
March 14, 2023 — The fiscal 2024 defense budget request is driven by the requirements of the National Defense Strategy and fully enmeshed with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's move to take care of the people of the department... MORE

The B-21 raider aircraft sits in a hangar with the American flag in the background.

Secretary of Defense charts path forward in message to force
March 3, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III released a message to the force March 2 reinforcing the Defense Department's priorities and charting the way forward... MORE

A man dressed in a business suit shakes hands with a soldier. There is a helicopter on the tarmac in the background.

Job search tool connects military spouses, employers
March 1, 2023 — Military families are getting some help from a Defense Department program connecting military spouses and prospective employers... MORE

Four people in silhouette hold hands as they look at the setting sun.

Leaders detail future of National Guard
January 25, 2023 — The National Guard remains an integral part of U.S. military might, and it's changing to remain effective for the future, Chief of the National Guard Bureau Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson said... MORE

Two men in military uniforms sit behind a table with microphones. The sign behind them indicates that they are at the Pentagon.

DOD releases memo expanding Military Parental Leave Program 
January 5, 2023 — The Defense Department has released guidelines for the expansion of the military parental leave policy.  ... MORE

President signs National Defense Authorization Act into law
December 23, 2022 — President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law, allotting $816.7 billion to the Defense Department. ... MORE

A soldier observes other service members operating military equipment.

DOD shows progress in supporting service members, families
December 21, 2022 — The Department of Defense and military services are making progress in one of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's priorities — taking care of service members and their families... MORE

A service member stands at a lectern and points to a man whose hand is raised.

DOD begins hiring 'prevention' workforce
December 1, 2022 — The Department of Defense is working to create the healthy climates necessary to address a range of problematic and harmful behaviors, including suicide. This will be accomplished, in part, with a new and dedicated workforce focused on community-based prevention... MORE

DOD survey asks participants to weigh in on Exceptional Family Member Program 
November 18, 2022 — For the first time, the Defense Department will offer those enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program an opportunity to provide detailed input about their experiences... MORE

Two adults, one in uniform, flank a small boy wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt.

DOD releases National Defense Strategy, missile defense, nuclear posture reviews
October 28, 2022 — The 2022 National Defense Strategy places a primary focus on the need to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence against China and advances a focus on collaboration with a growing network of U.S. allies and partners on shared objectives... MORE

A man speaks from a podium to an audience.

More partners sign on to hire military spouses
October 26, 2022 — The Defense Department signed up an additional 70 government organizations, nonprofits and private sector companies to participate in its Military Spouse Employment Partnership program Oct. 25... MORE

Three men and a woman huddle around a laptop computer.

Active duty suicide rate drops; Austin says more work needed
October 21, 2022 — The Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2021 shows a decrease in the suicide rate for active duty service members and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stresses the Department of Defense will not stop working to address the root causes of this issue... MORE

Survey asks service members about discrimination, extremism experiences
October 5, 2022 — A new survey is giving service members a chance to make their voices heard on issues related to race, discrimination and extremism in the military... MORE

Uniformed service members from various branches stand in formation with flags.

Austin pledges to 'ease the load' for service members 
September 23, 2022 — The Defense Department laid out an array of efforts — some already underway and some on the horizon — that address the needs of married service members and their families, as well as single service members... MORE

A uniformed service member, a woman and two children walk near a beach.