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BAMC ICU nurse receives first COVID-19 vaccine at BAMC
December 17, 2020 — The first Brooke Army Medical Center staff member to receive a COVID-19 vaccine said she was “excited and relieved” to receive the shot Dec. 17... MORE

Senior Airman Marisol Salgado (right), medical technician, administers a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse Dec. 17 at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Parrish was the first BAMC staff member to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

ARNORTH to oversee military COVID-19 response operation in support of Navajo Nation
December 17, 2020 — At the request of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Service, approximately 25 U.S. Navy medical personnel deployed to Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona this week as part of a Department of Defense COVID-19 response operation. U.S. Army North, the Joint Force Land Component Command of U.S Northern Command, will oversee the military operation in support of federal efforts and the tribe. ... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John F. King, Contingency Command Post 1 and Task Force 51 commander, meets with Myron Lizer, Navajo Nation vice president, in Window Rock, Arizona, Dec. 14, 2020.

Updates to Thrift Savings Plan coming in 2021
December 17, 2020 — Each year, the Internal Revenue Service places limits on the dollar amount of contributions that can be contributed to the Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP. For 2021, the annual elective deferral and catch-up limits remain from 2020. ... MORE

Rollout of COVID-19 vaccine distribution is off to successful start, officials say
December 17, 2020 — COVID-19 vaccine shipments are being delivered to every site identified by public health jurisdictions in Operation Warp Speed's first wave of shipments, the Health and Human Service secretary said... MORE

A vial of vaccine is held in gloved hands..

Information on Social Security (OASDI) tax deferment
December 17, 2020 — In order to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Presidential Memorandum was issued Aug. 8, 2020, and guidance followed from Internal Revenue Service Aug. 28, 2020, to temporarily defer Social Security (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)) tax withholdings. This change is effective through the end of the 2020 calendar year... MORE

In order to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Presidential Memorandum was issued on August 8, 2020 and guidance followed from Internal Revenue Service on August 28, 2020, to temporarily defer Social Security (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)) tax withholdings. This change is effective through the end of the 2020 calendar year. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Master Sgt. Ben Mota)

Learn how to handle holiday stress effectively
December 16, 2020 — The holidays can be stressful, maybe this year more than ever. From deciding whether to stay home or attend holiday gatherings, to interacting with family members who potentially push your buttons, to missing lost loved ones, the holidays can stir up a lot of emotions... MORE

The holidays can be stressful, maybe this year more than ever. From deciding whether to stay home or attend holiday gatherings, to interacting with family members who potentially push your buttons, to missing lost loved ones, the holidays can stir up a lot of emotions.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Soldiers depart for annual Holiday Block Leave travel
December 16, 2020 — More than 1,300 Soldiers training at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, at are expected to depart from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston via the San Antonio International Airport for their Holiday Block Leave Dec. 19... MORE

In this photo from 2018, an airline employee assists an Army Soldier to check in for his flight at the San Antonio International Airport.

Army South hosts DOD-wide personnel recovery reintegration working group
December 16, 2020 — U.S. Army South hosted the annual Personnel Recovery Reintegration Working Group at Evans Auditorium Dec. 1-3 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, part of the command’s role to facilitate the personnel recovery reintegration process... MORE

Personnel from U.S. Army South, Joint Base San Antonio and mission partners conduct debriefing rehearsals at the Army South Debriefing Facility Dec. 2 during the annual Personnel Recovery Reintegration Working Group. U.S. Army South hosted the annual Personnel Recovery Reintegration Working Group Dec. 1-3 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston as part of the command’s role to facilitate the personnel recovery reintegration process

San Antonio Military Health System receives first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shipment
December 15, 2020 — The Department of Defense is conducting a coordinated vaccine distribution strategy for prioritizing and administering COVID-19 vaccines... MORE

The Department of Defense is conducting a coordinated vaccine distribution strategy for prioritizing and administering COVID-19 vaccines.

JBSA firefighters conduct semi-annual aircraft rescue, firefighting training
December 15, 2020 — The 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department conducted semi-annual aircraft live-fire training Nov. 18 and 19 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland fire training grounds... MORE

Andrew Sanchez assists Eric Flores, both firefighters with Joint Base San Antonio, during a live fire Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting training Nov. 20, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas.

Air Force Foundational Competencies subject of latest AETC podcast
December 15, 2020 — In episode 40 of "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast, the Airman’s Foundational Competencies is discussed with Jamal Qaiyym, Branch Chief of the Foundational Competencies, and Dr. Laura Barron, Industrial Organizational Psychologist... MORE

Graphic about "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast.

Civilian talent acquisition essential to accelerate change for Air, Space Forces
December 15, 2020 — The Air Force chief of staff’s direction of "accelerate change or lose" and the accompanying action orders, outline why and how the service must rapidly change in order to remain the most dominant and respected Air Force in the world... MORE

The Department of the Air Force is seeing its highest retention levels in 20 years, second only to rates recorded shortly after 9/11 in 2002.

JBSA Army Substance Abuse Program hosts suicide prevention webinar
December 14, 2020 — The Joint Base San Antonio Army Substance Abuse Program hosted a Suicide in Schools: Prevention and Intervention webinar Dec. 3... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aaron Gibson, 737th Training Group military training consult training NCOIC, holds signs in support of the We Care Day event Sept. 10, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

MEDCoE conducts inaugural Army Combat Fitness Test summit
December 14, 2020 — A panel of senior and junior officers and enlisted personnel was organized Dec. 7 to focus on the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, by Sgt. Maj. Larry White II, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence G3 Operations Sergeant Major... MORE

U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Soldiers taking the Army Combat Fitness Test.

From dreams of being an astronaut to leading U.S. Space Force recruiting operations efforts
December 14, 2020 — As a young boy growing up in Upstate New York, Lt. Col. Michael Graff had dreams of becoming a NASA astronaut. Now he finds himself in a position to shoot for the stars by leading the recruiting operations efforts for the U.S. Space Force as part of Air Force Recruiting Service... MORE

Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, former Air Force Recruiting Service commander, swears Lt. Col. Michael Graff into the U.S. Space Force Oct. 8, 2020.

JBSA-Lackland comm officer joins U.S. Space Force
December 14, 2020 — A member of the 502nd Communications Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has been selected to transition to the newly established U.S. Space Force in early 2021... MORE

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Patrick Reid, 502nd Communications Squadron officer in charge of the operations flight, poses for a photo Dec. 11, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Reid was selected to transfer to the newly established U.S. Space Force in early 2021.

Operation Warp Speed official: first COVID-19 vaccines arrive Dec. 14
December 14, 2020 — The nation's first vaccines for the COVID-19 virus are being distributed Dec. 14, following the emergency-use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, said Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna... MORE

Military spouses eligible for unemployment benefits following PCS
December 11, 2020 — Military spouses often move with their service member, which can mean having to leave a place of employment... MORE

Team Hanscom celebrates the Class of 2020

U.S. Space Force makes history at Basic Military Training
December 11, 2020 — History was made here Dec. 10 as the first seven people to enlist directly into the U.S. Space Force graduated from Basic Military Training... MORE

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- History was made here Dec. 10, as the first seven people to enlist directly into the U.S. Space Force graduated from Basic Military Training.

Know how to celebrate the holiday season safely
December 11, 2020 — Each year, approximately 400 fires occur that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, numerous injuries and more than $10 million in property loss and damage... MORE

Each year, approximately 400 fires occur that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, numerous injuries and more than $10 million in property loss and damage.