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Defense bill to fund pay raise for military, civilian personnel
January 2, 2020 — The $738 billion defense spending bill signed into law by President Donald J. Trump funds the largest pay increases in a decade... MORE

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley brief the media at the Pentagon, Dec. 20, 2019.

DOD funds firefighting foam research for a PFAS-free alternative
November 20, 2019 — Aqueous film-forming foams, or AFFF, rapidly extinguish fuel fires, but they contain PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances... MORE

Aqueous film-forming foams, or AFFF, rapidly extinguish fuel fires, but they contain PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Some PFAS pollution stems from the use of firefighting foams.

Excess ARNORTH computer equipment provides educational opportunities
November 18, 2019 — In the early morning hours of Nov. 15, U.S. Army North personnel at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston quietly loaded 100 excess laptops and peripherals into a rental trailer, which departed the area headed east. Its final destination was Wilkinson County High School in Woodville, Mississippi, thanks to the Department of Defense’s Computers for Learning program... MORE

Army Staff Sgt. Marvin Tyler Nelson and Sgt. 1st Class Eugenio Moya, U.S. Army North, pack computers for transport to Wilkinson County High School in Woodville, Mississippi. The computers are being donated to the school through the Department of Defense’s Computers for Learning program.

New DOD program leaves sexual predators nowhere to hide
August 5, 2019 — A new Department of Defense program called Catch a Serial Offender, or "CATCH," aims to make it more difficult for perpetrators of sexual assault to evade identification and capture by law enforcement... MORE

A new Defense Department program called Catch a Serial Offender, or “CATCH,” aims to make it more difficult for perpetrators of sexual assault to evade identification and capture by law enforcement.

DOD partners with VA, implements Women’s Health Transition Training Program
July 22, 2019 — The Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with the Department of Defense to implement the first Women’s Health Transition Training... MORE

The Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with the Department of Defense to implement the first Women’s Health Transition Training. The program is an in-person and virtual course designed to provide a female perspective to active-duty, Reserve and National Guard servicewomen who plan to transition to civilian or Reserve/National Guard status.

DOD to take over background checks by fiscal 2020
July 1, 2019 — By October, the Department of Defense will be assuming responsibility for background investigations for U.S. government personnel and contractors seeking the various security clearances required to do their jobs... MORE

To gain a security clearance, potential employees spend a significant amount of time gathering personal information and entering it into an online web-based system.

DOD, OPM team up for improved online training
May 9, 2019 — A new memorandum of agreement between the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management promises to reduce the cost for training for defense employees and enhance the training experience. The two agencies signed the memo May 3, making OPM's “USALearning” program DOD's partner as the "centralized source for training, education, and domain-specific expertise."... MORE

A new memorandum of agreement between the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management promises to reduce the cost for training for defense employees and enhance the training experience. The two agencies signed the memo May 3, making OPM's “USALearning” program DOD's partner as the "centralized source for training, education, and domain-specific expertise."

Acting SECDEF: National Defense Strategy is ‘undisputed driver’ in budget request
March 27, 2019 — The National Defense Strategy is the undisputed driver of the president’s fiscal year 2020 budget request for the Defense Department, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said on Capitol Hill March 26... MORE

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan (center), and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford (left), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, testify to the House Armed Services Committee on the fiscal year 2020 national defense budget request March 26.

$718.3 billion defense budget request focuses on threats
March 13, 2019 — At $718.3 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request announced at the Pentagon today by defense officials is an increase from last year’s $685 billion approved budget... MORE

At $718.3 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request announced at the Pentagon March 12 by defense officials is an increase from last year’s $685 billion approved budget.

DOD sends Space Force legislation to Congress
March 5, 2019 — The Defense Department has proposed legislation that would create the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces. If approved by Congress, the U.S. Space Force would be the first military service established since the Air Force stood up in 1947... MORE

he Defense Department has proposed legislation that would create the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces. If approved by Congress, the U.S. Space Force would be the first military service established since the Air Force stood up in 1947.

Air Force formalizes policy on retention of non-deployable Airmen
February 20, 2019 — In accordance with Department of Defense policy on military retention of non-deployable service members, the Air Force implemented its guidance in a memo signed Feb. 19. Airmen who have been non-deployable for more than 12 consecutive months will be notified by their chain of command and evaluated for retention either through referral to the Disability Evaluation System or consideration for administrative separation... MORE

In accordance with Department of Defense policy on military retention of non-deployable service members, the Air Force implemented its guidance in a memo signed Feb. 19.

Airmen encouraged to participate in Health Related Behaviors Survey
February 11, 2019 — Airmen are encouraged to participate in the online Health Related Behaviors Survey that concludes Feb. 28... MORE

The Defense Department asked the independent, non-profit RAND Corporation to design, field, and analyze the confidential web-based survey.

Don't stand in line: TSA Precheck open to military, DOD civilians
November 14, 2018 — Service members are trusted to defend the nation, surely they can be trusted when boarding a plane. This is the thinking of the Transportation Security Administration, which is pushing to ensure that service members and Department of Defense civilians know they can use the TSA Precheck program... MORE

All service members of all components of the armed forces and students at the armed forces' service academies are automatically enrolled in TSA Precheck. Their DOD ID numbers -- a 10-digit number that should be on the back of your Common Access Card -- serve as their Known Traveler Numbers.

Joint Chiefs chairman discusses military's support to DHS
November 7, 2018 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff laid out the process for military support to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during a discussion with students in Duke University’s Program in American Grand Strategy in Durham, North Carolina, Nov. 5... MORE

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford (left), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with Peter Feaver, a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University, during a discussion with students in Duke’s Program in American Grand Strategy in Durham, N.C., Nov. 5.

JBSA-Lackland supports troops heading for Operation Faithful Patriot along border
October 31, 2018 — Soldiers began arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 29 in support of Operation Faithful Patriot. Soldiers will provide a range of support including planning assistance, engineering support, equipment and resources to assist the Department of Homeland Security along the southwest border... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Harrison, 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, passenger service NCOIC, directs a HMMMV from the back of a C-130 Hercules in support of Operation Faithful Patriot at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB Oct. 29. The C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 aircrews provided strategic airlift to Headquarters Company, 89th Military Police Brigade, who are deploying Soldiers, equipment and resources to assist the Department of Homeland Security along the southwest border.

DOD recognizes enduring contributions to Government Purchase Card requirements
September 5, 2018 — A member of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command Government Purchase Card Program team earned Department of Defense recognition during the 2018 GSA SmartPay3 Training Forum Aug. 7-9 in New Orleans for his contributions in developing requirements for the government’s next generation charge card program... MORE

Leroy Griffith earned recognition from the deputy director for program development and implementation for Department of Defense procurement and acquisition policy for his contracting support in developing requirements for the government’s next generation charge card, SmartPay3. Griffith is a contract specialist with the Mission and Installation Contracting Command Government Purchase Card Program Management Office at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

DOD announces overhaul to Defense Travel System in contract award
August 23, 2018 — The Department of Defense announced Aug. 16 that it is taking steps to replace the "aging and inefficient" Defense Travel System, according to a press release... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment prepare for departure aboard an aircraft at the Nuremberg Airport, Germany, July 26, 2018. The Department of Defense announced in August 2018 a contract award aimed at overhauling the Defense Travel System.

Military OneSource benefits extended to veterans, families for full year after separation
August 14, 2018 — Eligibility for Military OneSource benefits has been extended from the current 180 days to 365 days after separation or retirement from military service to ensure all service members and families have access to comprehensive support as they transition to civilian life, Defense Department officials announced Aug. 13... MORE

Eligibility for Military OneSource benefits has been extended from the current 180 days to 365 days after separation or retirement from military service to ensure all service members and families have access to comprehensive support as they transition to civilian life.

Pentagon: $717 billion budget critical to rebuilding, restoring readiness
August 2, 2018 — The Department of Defense applauds the passage of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act at the swiftest pace in 20 years, Pentagon officials said Aug. 1. In a statement, DOD officials noted that this year’s bill passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support – a vote of 87-10 in the Senate and 359-54 in the House. ... MORE

The Department of Defense applauds the passage of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act at the swiftest pace in 20 years, Pentagon officials said Aug. 1.

Research network works to combat number one disability claim among veterans
May 8, 2018 — The Collaborative Auditory & Vestibular Research Network, or CAVRN, was formed to bring together researchers with an auditory research focus to discuss current research efforts across the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs enterprises, providing unique opportunities for collaboration... MORE

Senior Airman Michelle Reidel, an Air Transportation specialist assigned to the 30th Aerial Port Squadron, Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, N.Y., wears her hearing and eye protection on the flight line before an aircraft unloading during Exercise Global Medic, Fort McCoy, Wis., July 20, 2013.