The Military Personnel Data System will be shut down for upgrades and migration to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center March 4-27. Airmen who are PCSing, retiring, separating, re-enlisting or extending in the month of March must complete all related actions before the scheduled upgrades. “Members are asked to be proactive and…

WASHINGTON – A new education program offers a “win-win” approach to helping military community members further their careers while aiding the Defense Department’s family support and child and youth development services, a Pentagon official said. Barbara Thompson, director of DOD’s office for family policy, children and youth, explained the Military Academic Advancement Program to the…

WASHINGTON (AFPS) — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are expected to announce the lifting of the direct combat exclusion rule for women in the military, a senior defense official said today. The policy change will begin a process in which the services…

Washington (AFNS) — The Department of Defense released today the 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, which take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Overall rates will increase an average of 3.8 percent this year. For members with dependents, average increases in BAH are approximately $60 per month. A typical E-6 with dependents, for example, will…

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department wants to clarify a personnel policy — generally known as the “five-year rule” — that establishes time limits for civilian overseas assignments, an official said here today. Sheila Dent, the department’s acting director of human resources for operational programs and advisory services, spoke to the Pentagon Channel and American Forces…

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) — Beginning October 1, 2012, any travel authorization that includes air travel must be approved and ticketed at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled flight departure to avoid airline reservations from being cancelled. This is due to a new policy being instituted by the airlines under the…

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — Department of Defense civilian employees eligible for the Thrift Savings Plan may begin to contribute to the Roth TSP. This new feature allows members to contribute on an after-tax basis and receive tax-free earnings when they withdraw funds from their TSP accounts. Air Force serviced civilians may make elections…

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is nearing completion of an agreement with post-secondary schools to ensure service members have the best possible experience in continuing their education, a senior Pentagon official said today. The department will release later this summer a memorandum of understanding to be signed by colleges, universities and technical schools to make…