OINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) — Airmen concerned about losing access to benefits web pages once they retire should establish their Department of Defense self-service logon identification account today, Air Force Personnel Center officials suggested. The common logon, developed by the DOD and Veterans’ Administration allows beneficiaries of DOD or Veterans’ Affairs…

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Making sure people know where to turn for help during a time of crisis is the continuing goal of the Defense Department’s suicide prevention program, the Pentagon official in charge of the effort said here Aug. 30. In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Jacqueline Garrick said…

DALLAS – The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), introduced in 1940 as the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, was established to protect active duty service members from what might happen to their financial or legal obligations after they start military service. Decades later, the Military Star Card was established in response to military leadership’s…

WASHINGTON (AFPS) — DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said today. “All spousal and family benefits, including ID cards, will be made available no later than September 3, 2013,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen. The Supreme Court decision to overturn portions of the…

FORT LEE, Va.  – Military commissaries worldwide will return to normal operating schedules the week of Aug. 18-24, said the director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency. The DeCA announcement comes in the wake of the Department of Defense’s Aug. 6 decision to curtail furloughs of its civilian workforce from 11 to six days. “This…

Unites States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Aug. 6 that furlough days for Department of Defense appropriated fund civilian employees have been cut down from 11 to 6. The furlough began July 8, and civilian employees were mandated to take one, unpaid, day off from work each week for up to 11 weeks. For those…

WASHINGTON – With furloughs now in full swing and many Defense Department civilian employees finding themselves with more time on their hands but less money in their pockets, morale, welfare and recreation officials are encouraging them to check out some of the programs offered right where they work. Every military service provides fitness, recreational and educational services,…

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – The Defense Department continues working toward its goal of ensuring the mission is met with fully qualified and capable personnel, regardless of gender, the Pentagon’s director of officer and enlisted personnel management said here yesterday. Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee hearing on women in service, Juliet Beyler said the services and…

WASHINGTON (AFPS) – If sequestration continues into fiscal year 2014, the Defense Department will be forced to consider involuntary reductions-in-force for the civilian workforce, draconian cuts to military personnel accounts and a virtual halt to military modernization, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a letter to Senate leaders today. The senators had requested detailed information on how…

WASHINGTON – Beginning July 1, whistleblowers working for Defense Department subcontractors will begin receiving protection against reprisals through a new law intended to better protect those who expose possible wrongdoing. In addition, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, contractors who report suspected waste, fraud and abuse within their company…