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Automated meal entitlement system, food trucks to improve Soldier dining experience
August 14, 2018 — The Army is phasing out its manual meal card system after decades of use, as the service fully transitions to its new automated meal entitlement code system. Some installations have been testing the new system since January, but the deadline for all posts worldwide to transition to the new system is Oct. 1... MORE

Spc. Mary Calkin, a member of the Washington State National Guard, takes a plate of food at the Freedom Inn Dining Facility at Fort Meade, Maryland. The Army will transition from the old paper meal card system to an automated meal entitlement code system by Oct. 1, 2018.

149th CES boosts morale of remote base through training
August 14, 2018 — More than 40 Air National Guard members from the 149th Civil Engineer Squadron, a sub-unit of the 149th Fighter Wing, participated in a deployed-for-training exercise July 9-21, at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay, Canada... MORE

Members of the 149th Civil Engineer Squadron work to build a cabin.

‘Reveille’ and ‘Retreat’: if you hear it, here’s what to do
August 14, 2018 — One of our oldest and most solemn military traditions is to honor our ﬂag. When we think of our ﬂag for example, all of us come together as Americans and reﬂect on those values we hold dear: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On military bases all around the world, we are afforded this solemn opportunity to come together as Americans and reﬂect with the playing of “Reveille” and “Retreat.” ... MORE

Service members salute the American flag during a retreat ceremony. The four military members represented each branch of the U.S. military and assembled to show solidarity.

Youth volunteers spend summer at BAMC
August 14, 2018 — The Brooke Army Medical Center Youth Volunteer Program kept 100 volunteers busy this summer, resulting in this year being the largest group so far. Each year, BAMC partners with the American Red Cross for this unique program, which spread volunteer opportunities across 18 departments in BAMC including the outlying clinics. ... MORE

Maleigha Boudy, answers phone calls at the front desk in Ante-Partum Aug. 1. Boudy participated in the 2018 Youth Volunteer Program at Brooke Army Medical Center.

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research celebrates 70th anniversary
August 13, 2018 — The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research celebrated the Institute’s 70th anniversary of operations July 18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. To commemorate the occasion, the USAISR held a symposium to highlight the contributions in research on trauma and burn care over the last seven decades... MORE

Col. (Dr.) Shawn C. Nessen (center), U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research commander, and the USAISR Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt. Maj. William “Dave” Poist Jr., unveil a bronze plaque for Dr. Basil Pruitt Jr., during the USAISR 70thAnniversary Symposium July 18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research provides realistic combat casualty care training for deploying troops
August 13, 2018 — For more than seven decades, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has conducted research to save lives on the battlefield... MORE

Master Sgt. Rich Jarret (right), U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School Center for Prehospital Medicine, demonstrates how to pack a gunshot wounded with gauze on the newly fielded Tactical Combat Casualty Care-Exportable mannequin that will be used train all Soldiers on basic warrior medical skills, to Command Sgt. Maj. William “Will” Rinehart, United States Army South, as Luciano Cortez, field instructor with trauma effects, controls the TC3-X and PEO-STRI clinical advisor, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Benjamin Baker looks on.

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research welcomes new commander
August 13, 2018 — In a time-honored Army ritual, Col. (Dr.) Shawn C. Nessen relinquished command of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research to Col. (Dr.) Jerome L. Buller during a change of command ceremony July 19 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

Maj. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb (right), commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, Maryland, presents the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research flag to USAISR’s new commander, Col. (Dr.) Jerome L. Buller (left) during a change of command ceremony July 19 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, as outgoing commander, Col. (Dr.) Shawn C. Nessen looks on.

Army South hosts PANAMAX joint multinational training event
August 10, 2018 — U.S. Army South hosted more than 300 Soldiers, service members and civilians from 16 nations at several training sites on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston for PANAMAX 2018, the U.S. Southern Command’s largest joint military training exercise in the Western Hemisphere. ... MORE

Soldiers from Colombia and the U.S. and an officer from the Panamanian National Police, work in the communications cell of the Combined Forces Land Component Command operations center at the Mission Training Complex at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 8.

IMA helps keep education and training on track
August 10, 2018 — Airmen in the Individual Mobilization Augmentee program are Air Force Reservists assigned to active-component units and government agencies. They work with their individual active-duty supervisors to work out a custom duty schedule that helps their unit meet mission requirements while the active duty personnel are deployed... MORE

Capt. Laura Wittman, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee who is currently serving as a special projects officer in the 59th Medical Wing’s education and training department, conducts training for wing personnel on Aug. 9, 2018. IMAs are Air Force Reservists assigned to one of more than 50 active-component units and government agencies around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel J. Calderón)

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.

Army families: Are you doing your part on social media to keep Soldiers safe?
August 10, 2018 — Social media plays a significant role in everyday life, especially for military families. It helps them learn information about their next duty station and stay connected to the family and friends they leave. At the same time, the tool is also used by terrorists to seek out individuals and information... MORE

By practicing these social media tips, Army families play an important role in keeping Soldiers safe.

Office of Airmen’s Counsel attorney earns NAACP service award
August 10, 2018 — A retired Air Force officer whose advocacy for others defines his community involvement and his role as the lone civilian attorney at the Office of Airmen’s Counsel is the recipient of a prestigious award presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People... MORE

Charles Hasberry Jr., honored as the Air Force Civilian winner of the 2018 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award, at the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Luncheon July 17 during the NAACP's 109th annual convention in San Antonio.

Revitalizing squadrons, Air Force outlines progress
August 10, 2018 — Since Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein announced his initiative to revitalize squadrons, the assigned task force produced many visible changes and is moving forward with additional changes in an implementation plan... MORE

Verifiable mission success means aligning a clearly stated mission purpose from the command-level down to each task an Airman performs. Highly successful squadrons clearly define, understand, and communicate their purpose, asking every member of the squadron, “why?” until the purpose behind every task is aligned to mission success.

Regional Health Command-Central welcomes new top enlisted leader
August 9, 2018 — Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph L. Cecil assumed the role of Regional Health Command-Central's top enlisted leader following an assumption of responsibility ceremony at the U.S. Army Medical Museum Amphitheatre at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 6... MORE

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey J. Johnson (right), commanding general of U.S. Army Regional Health Command-Central, passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph L. Cecil during an assumption of command ceremony at the U.S. Army Medical Museum Amphitheatre at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Aug. 6.

Commentary: Telling my Air Force story through Recruiter Assistance Program
August 9, 2018 — Since my enlistment, I’ve been infatuated with the Air Force and all it has to offer. So, naturally, I was super excited for the chance to tell people my story and help others get started on what could be their active-duty journey, as well... MORE

RAP is designed for Airmen to work with Air Force recruiters in their hometowns for the purpose of spreading the word about the Air Force by sharing personal testimonies, setting up recruitment booths and speaking at schools and other organizations.

Army & Air Force Exchange Service warns shoppers about ‘Exchange Inc.’ scams
August 9, 2018 — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is warning military shoppers about scammers offering to broker the sale of used cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and boat engines through the Department of Defense retailer using the name “Exchange Inc.”... MORE

JBSA community planners detail mission support for next 20 years
August 8, 2018 — As Joint Base San Antonio continues to evolve and support its many missions, so does the planning that goes with how they will grow for the next 20 years and do so in partnership with the cities that surround JBSA. ... MORE

National Security Agency, Cybercom defend against election meddling
August 8, 2018 — Russia and other malign actors continue to try to subvert American elections, and the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community are working together to prevent foreign interference in the mid-term elections, officials said at the White House Aug. 2... MORE

Russia and other malign actors continue to try to subvert American elections, and the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community are working together to prevent foreign interference in the mid-term elections.

Air Force scientists study artificial silk for body armor, parachutes
August 8, 2018 — Who doesn’t like to feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Inspired by the qualities of fibers found in nature, scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Indiana’s Purdue University are experimenting to develop a functional fiber that can be woven into sizeable, flexible fabrics using existing textile manufacturing methods. ... MORE

Artificial silk fibers such as those shown here can be woven into sizeable, flexible fabrics using existing textile manufacturing methods.

Army vice chief: Strong ethical foundation could boost retention
August 8, 2018 — Changing the ethics of the nation's largest military branch starts at its core, with Soldiers, said the Army's vice chief of staff during the annual International Society for Military Ethics Symposium July 30... MORE

Gen. James McConville, vice chief of staff, answers questions during the 2018 International Military Ethics Symposium conference July 30.