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Air Force hosts Gold Star and Surviving Family Members summit
May 9, 2019 — The Air Force hosted its first Gold Star and Surviving Family Members Summit at the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalmar, Florida, April 30. The event, supported by the Air Force Families Forever Program, focused on enduring support for Gold Star and Surviving family members... MORE

Dawn Goldfein, spouse of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David L. Goldfein, provided opening remarks to surviving family members at the first Air Force Gold Star and Surviving Families Summit, in Shalimar, Florida, April 30, 2019. The event focused on sharing information, listening and advancing support for surviving family members.

AAFES 'You Made the Grade' program rewards military students for academic excellence
May 9, 2019 — According to the Department of Defense Education Activity, the average military child will move six to nine times during a school career -- three times more often than children whose parents do not serve in the military. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is commending the achievements of these young scholars with its "You Made the Grade" program. ... MORE

Rigor by Design: HRCoE defines rigor, infuses new standards in training
May 9, 2019 — The U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence, or AMEDDC&S HRCoE, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, developed a standard definition of "rigor". By establishing a common understanding of this concept in context of the HRCoE's training and education mission, it can ensure the standards and intent of their new higher headquarters' command are met... MORE

Staff Sgt. Olayiwola Kugblenu, a 68P Nuclear Medicine Specialist with the 264th Medical Battalion, straps a simulated causality into a Kendrick Extraction Device at the Expert Field Medical Badge test event at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

433rd Airlift Wing performs flyover at opening ceremony of Special Olympics
May 9, 2019 — Reserve Citizen Airmen with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland performed a C-5M Super Galaxy flyover during the 50th Annual Special Olympics Texas Summer Games opening ceremony May 3 at Toyota Field... MORE

A 433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy flies over the opening ceremony of the 50th Annual Special Olympics Texas Summer Games May 3 at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.

24th Air Force adds combat comm capabilities with ANG wing transition
May 9, 2019 — The 156th Airlift Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, transitioned to the 156th Wing April 10. The name change synced with the unit’s newly assigned contingency response and combat communications missions... MORE

Airmen from the 156th Medical Group treat simulated mass casualties during Exercise Vigilant Guard in Puerto Rico, March 14, 2019. The 156th Airlift Wing transitioned to the 156th Wing April 10 to sync with the unit’s newly assigned contingency response and combat communications missions.

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."

Mother's Day a chance to highlight care in the Military Health System
May 8, 2019 — The Military Health System handles about 100,000 births each year, the largest number of inpatients in military treatment facilities and TRICARE-approved community hospitals. Almost 50,000 of those births take place in 50 military hospitals around the world... MORE

The Nunns with daughter Sabella and son Gideon.

Commentary: the professional NCO
May 8, 2019 — Webster's Dictionary defines being a professional as “characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession.” As noncommissioned officers we are the "backbone" of the Army profession. It is our inherent duty to uphold our responsibilities, be both technically and tactically competent, quality leaders and trainers and maintain the welfare of our Soldiers and their families. ... MORE

Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, pull an M81 igniter to detonate a brazier charge during Exercise Rock Spring 19 at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 6, 2019.

New capabilities, rotations to bolster Army presence in Eastern Europe
May 8, 2019 — Ongoing efforts to cut acquisition timelines will get new capabilities out sooner to counter near-peer threats in Eastern Europe, Army leaders told lawmakers May 1... MORE

Brig. Gen. Leigh Tingey, deputy commanding general of 1st Armored Division, sits inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as Pfc. Natnael Getahun, an infantryman with the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, fixes the bore sight to ensure accuracy during a live-fire exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, March 24, 2019. The brigade recently conducted a no-notice deployment from Texas to Eastern Europe in an effort to test and ensure the rapid capabilities of units deploying to that region.

Air Force simplifies promotion recommendation forms for officers
May 8, 2019 — The Air Force announced May 8 it will make adjustments to the way the Air Force Form 709, Promotion Recommendation Form, will be filled out and used for Total Force officer promotion boards beginning in September 2019. The new policy will reduce the promotion recommendation narrative from nine lines to two and provide guidance for stratification and comments... MORE

The Air Force announced it will make adjustments to the way the Air Force Form 709, Promotion Recommendation Form, will be filled out and used for Total Force officer promotion boards beginning in September 2019. The new policy will reduce the promotion recommendation narrative from nine lines to two and provide guidance for stratification and comments.

JBSA turns out for 59th Medical Wing’s Health Rally, Fun Run
May 7, 2019 — The annual 59th Medical Wing Health Rally and Fun Run May 4 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph featured more than 20 vendors promoting health and wellness services and resources for active duty and family members... MORE

The annual 59th Medical Wing Health Rally and Fun Run May 4 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph featured more than 20 vendors promoting health and wellness services and resources for active duty and family members.

STRONG B.A.N.D.S. campaign encourages everybody to 'Reach your peak'
May 7, 2019 — "Reach Your Peak" is the theme for the U.S. Army's ninth annual STRONG B.A.N.D.S. campaign in May, emphasizing physical health and well-being as vital components of readiness and resiliency... MORE

Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, IMCOM Commanding General, lifts weights during filming of a video for STRONG B.A.N.D.S. April 5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Local high school science students learn about Army Medicine
May 7, 2019 — Forty-two students from McCollum High School in the Harlandale Independent School District of San Antonio toured the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence, or AMEDDC&S HRCoE, May 3 to gain insight into the varying careers Army Medicine has to offer... MORE

Staff Sgt. James Mcalister, NCOIC Dental Department, Preventative Medicine, briefs students on the training and equipment used in the dental program while Taetum, a freshman in McCollum High School's health science class sits in the hot seat. Taetum plans to be a cardiac thorasic surgeon after college.

Air Force sports seeks male, female softball players
May 7, 2019 — The Air Force is looking for men and women for 2019 Air Force Softball Trial Camps. The men’s camp is at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the women’s is at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Both camps are from July 25 to Aug. 11. The Armed Forces Softball Championships are Aug. 12-18 at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida... MORE

The Air Force is looking for men and women for 2019 Air Force Softball Trial Camps. The men’s camp is at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the women’s is at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Both camps are from July 25 to Aug. 11.

Commentary: From one leader to another, the Army values
May 7, 2019 — Values tell us what we need to be every day, in every action we take. Army values form the identity of America’s Army, the solid rock on which everything else stands. They are the glue that binds us together as members of a noble profession. ... MORE

MEDCOM establishes Housing Environmental Health Response Registry
May 6, 2019 — The U.S. Army Medical Command has established a Housing Environmental Health Response Registry to address Army Family concerns about housing and related health issues... MORE

The U.S. Army Medical Command has established a Housing Environmental Health Response Registry to address Army Family concerns about housing and related health issues. The registry’s telephone numbersare 1-800-984-8523, DSN 421-3700 or 210-295-3700.

Housing executives, Army leaders discuss plan of action
May 6, 2019 — Three major actions must happen to course correct the state of Army housing, said the four-star general officer responsible for Installation Management during a forum with the presidents of the Residential Community Initiative companies April 26... MORE

Army leaders ask a military family to respond to a survey as part of an Army-wide effort to resolve inadequate housing on installations. Army senior leaders introduced an action plan that outlines steps to remedy military housing issues to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 7.

Egyptian generals visit AMEDD Center and School, Army Health Readiness Center of Excellence
May 6, 2019 — Brig. Gen. Mohamed Sherif and Brig. Gen. Hala Ahmed of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, along with members of their staffs, visited the Army Medical Department Center and School, Army Health Readiness Center of Excellence April 26 to learn about the different programs and see first-hand training and detailed briefings by instructors and subject matter experts... MORE

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Sherif and Brig. Gen. Hala Ahmed of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, along with members of their staffs, are briefed by Lt. Col. Steven Kertes, Deputy Director of the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, during a visit to the Army Medical Department Center and School, Army Health Readiness Center of Excellence April 26. The Egyptian generals paid a visit to learn about the different programs and see first-hand training and detailed briefings by instructors and subject matter experts.

Courts-martial, crime and punishment at Joint Base San Antonio
May 6, 2019 — During the months of March and April 2019, Joint Base San Antonio Air Force and Army commanders administered a variety of non-judicial punishment actions under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice... MORE

During the months of March and April 2019, Joint Base San Antonio Air Force and Army commanders administered a variety of non-judicial punishment actions under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Cole High School photographers featured at UT Institute of Texan Cultures exhibit
May 6, 2019 — Photos of San Antonio places and landmarks taken by Cole High School students at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are the focus of a special exhibit on display at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texas Cultures... MORE

“Mission San Jose” is one of 31 photos taken by students from the Cole High School photography program that are included in the exhibit, “San Antonio: Esta es mi Ciudad,” at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Julia Alvarez took the photo of Mission San Jose reflected in a glass ball.