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Department of Defense announces Deferred Resignation Program, VERA
April 7, 2025 — The Department of Defense announced a Deferred Resignation Program and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority for civilian employees... MORE

DOD continues efforts to support Israel, limit spread of war
October 30, 2023 — The Defense Department remains focused on getting Israel the military capabilities it needs as it continues its battles against the Hamas terror group, said a senior defense official speaking on background... MORE

DOD announces new bereavement leave benefit for service members
March 31, 2023 — The Defense Department announced new non-chargeable, paid bereavement leave benefit for service members... MORE

The DOD seal was first authorized for official use on Aug. 22, 1949, by Defense Secretary Louis Johnson, when the National Military Establishment was redesignated the Department of Defense. The DOD seal’s use is restricted to official DOD top leader correspondence, legal documents, reports, memoranda, ceremonial booklets, certificates and awards. (Graphic by the Department of Defense)

Defense Department extends deadline to request adoption reimbursement
December 14, 2021 — The Defense Department temporarily extended the deadline for adoption reimbursement requests in certain cases. This extension is in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic... MORE

Special leave accrual for service members
April 20, 2020 — Matthew Donovan, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a department-wide authorization April 6 for service members to accrue and retain an additional leave balance of up to 120 days... MORE

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.

Space Force to become sixth branch of Armed Forces
August 10, 2018 — The Department of Defense will establish a sixth branch of the armed forces, the U.S. Department of the Space Force, by 2020, Vice President Mike Pence announced Aug. 9... MORE

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a Pentagon audience to announce the administration’s plans to stand up a U.S. Space Force and related organizations Aug. 9.

Pentagon Releases New Policy on Nondeployable Members
February 16, 2018 — The Defense Department has released a new policy on military retention for nondeployable service members as it seeks to provide more ready and lethal forces, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness told Congress Feb. 15... MORE

The Defense Department has released a new retention policy that requires service members to be worldwide deployable, with the focus on readiness, safeguarding the nation and fighting and winning the nation’s wars.

President’s Fiscal 2019 Defense Budget Request Calls for $686.1 Billion
February 13, 2018 — The president’s fiscal year 2019 defense budget request calls for $686.1 billion in spending and will reverse years of military erosion, defense officials said in Washington Feb. 12... MORE

Army Lt. Gen. Anthony Ierardi (left), the Joint Staff's director of force structure, resources and assessment, and Defense Department Comptroller David L. Norquist (right), discuss the president's fiscal 2019 defense budget request during a news conference at the Pentagon Feb. 12.

Safety of DOD Members, Families Drives Electronic Device Review
February 2, 2018 — The safety and security of Defense Department members and their families is Defense Secretary James N. Mattis’ top priority as he reviews the use of electronic devices at DOD locations worldwide, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said Feb. 1... MORE

A service member looks at a fitness app on his smartphone at the Pentagon, Feb. 1, 2018. The Defense Department is concerned about a “possible vulnerability” of the use of GPS-enabled electronic devices after a Strava heat map showed the routes of exercise enthusiasts who used the app to track their fitness activities, including at military installations worldwide.

DOD Seeks to Connect With America Through ‘This Is Your Military’ Initiative
February 1, 2018 — The Department of Defense has launched an initiative called “This Is Your Military” to highlight the work of service members, dispel myths about military service, and increase awareness among the American people, the deputy assistant to the secretary of defense for outreach announced last month... MORE

The Defense Department launched its “This Is Your Military” initiative Feb. 1 to highlight the work of the men and women of the military, dispel myths about military service and increase awareness among the American public.

DOD looking into the impact of fitness trackers on service member safety
January 30, 2018 — Department of Defense officials are studying security issues raised by physical conditioning trackers that also can be used to track service members' whereabouts, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters Jan. 29... MORE

The Department of Defense urges service members and DOD civilians with wearable electronic devices to use the strictest privacy setting. Officials made the suggestion after publication of a "heat map" showing concentration of U.S military personnel overseas.

Mattis welcomes new SecAF home
May 17, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ceremoniously swore in Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon May 16, 2017... MORE

Newly sworn Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson thanks family, friends and colleagues during her ceremonial oath of office as the 24th Air Force secretary, at the Pentagon event, May 16, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne A. Clark)

AF releases implementation plans for latest diversity, inclusion initiatives
April 25, 2017 — Headquarters Air Force released finalized implementation plans following the second notification to Airmen relaying new diversity and inclusion initiatives on April 9, 2017... MORE