Military & Veterans News Remarks by New DoD Secretary Mark T. Esper at Welcome Ceremony at the Pentagon Here is a copy of the remarks by New DoD Secretary Mark T. Esper at Welcome Ceremony at the Pentagon.

Military & Veterans News Military Officials Dispute Amnesty International Allegations of Civilian Casualties Allegations by a human rights group that U.S. Africa Command is responsible for civilian casualties in Somalia are not correct, Defense Department officials said.

Military & Veterans News DOD Releases Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018 Today, the Department of Defense released the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018. 

Military & Veterans News DOD Launches Talent Exchange Pilot Program to Strengthen the Acquisition Workforce This week the United States Department of Defense (DOD) launched the Defense-Industry Talent Exchange Pilot Program. This acquisition-focused pilot program will enable 13 DOD and private sector participants to gain a better understanding of each other’s business operations, and share innovative best practices. 

Military & Veterans News DOD Releases 2019 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates The Department of Defense released the 2019 Basic Allowance for Housing rates today.  BAH rates will increase an average of 2.55 percent when the new rates take effect on January 1, 2019.  An estimated $21 billion will be paid to approximately one million service members.

Military & Veterans News Department of Defense Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Recruiting and Retention Numbers -- End of Year Report The Department of Defense today announced recruiting and retention statistics for the Active and Reserve Components for fiscal year 2018.

Military & Veterans News Defense Department Announces Cost of Living Increase to Retired Pay The Department of Defense announced annual cost of living adjustments that will benefit military retirees and survivors during calendar year 2019. Most military retirees will receive a 2.8 percent increase to their retired pay beginning with the pay they receive on Jan. 1, 2019. Likewise, survivors of members who died on active or inactive duty, or survivors of military retirees who participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan, will, in most cases, see a 2.8 percent increase to their annuities beginning in January.

Military & Veterans News DOD Expands Tech Talent Initiative to Develop Critical Cyber Capabilities Defense Digital Service Opens ‘Tatooine’ Workspace in Augusta Ga. to Support Growing Partnership with Army Cyber Command

Military & Veterans News Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.: "Senator McCain exemplified what it means to be a warrior and dedicated public servant. Both as a naval officer and as a member of Congress, he was a lifelong and tireless advocate for the men and women of the U.S. military. 

Discounts & Benefits Pentagon Announces Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill The Department of Defense issued a substantive change today to department policy on the transfer by service members in the Uniformed Services of“Post-9/11 GI Bill” educational benefits to eligible family member recipients. 

Military & Veterans News Statement by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis on Passing of Former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci "It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci. 

Military & Veterans News Statement by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Ms. Dana W. White on Niger Investigation Report Defense Secretary James N. Mattis concluded his review of the U.S. Africa Command investigative report on the enemy ambush in Tongo Tongo, Niger on October 4, 2017, that resulted in the tragic loss of four U.S. service members and four Nigerien partners.

Military & Veterans News Benefit News: VA to Increase Access to Safe and Effective Lung Screening Programs WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new partnership to increase access to lung screening for Veterans.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Military Service by Transgender Individuals The Department of Defense has received the Presidential Memorandum, dated August 25, 2017, entitled “Military Service by Transgender Individuals.”  The department will carry out the president’s policy direction, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security.  As directed, we will develop a study and implementation plan, which will contain the steps that will promote military readiness, lethality, and unit cohesion, with due regard for budgetary constraints and consistent with applicable law.  The soon arriving senior civilian leadership of DOD will play an important role in this effort.  The implementation plan will address accessions of transgender individuals and transgender individuals currently serving in the United States military.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD Releases Clarifying Guidance to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records The Department of Defense today released clarifying guidance for discharges and military records reviews. In the past few years, the department has issued guidance for consideration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) but there remained some questions about how the guidance applied to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or mental health conditions other than PTSD. This guidance fills in the gaps and resolves any confusion that veterans or the review boards may have had, and it ensures a fair and equitable review of separations for all veterans.  The guidance has been forwarded to a number of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs) in order to spread the news to as many veterans as possible.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Afghanistan Troop Levels Yesterday afternoon, the President directed the Department of Defense to set troop levels in Afghanistan.

Military & Veterans News Benefit News: DoD Launches Online Learning Program to Help Military Survivors of Sexual Assault Today, the Department of Defense launched an online and mobile educational program to help individuals begin to recover, heal, and build resiliency after a sexual assault. 

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Defense Department Launches Retirement System Comparison Calculator The Department of Defense officially launched the Blended Retirement System (BRS) comparison calculator, providing BRS opt-in eligible service members their first opportunity for an individualized comparison of retirement systems.  The comprehensive tool, in combination with the mandatory BRS Opt-In Course, will assist the nearly 1.7 million opt-in eligible service members and their families make an informed decision on whether or not to elect the new retirement system.  The BRS goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. 

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Department of Defense Announces Invictus Games 2017 Team Members The Department of Defense announced today the names of the 90 athletes who will compete on the United States team at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, Sept. 23-30.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Department of Defense Announces Changes to Procedures and Policy for Reduction in Force in the Civilian Workforce This month, the Department of Defense released the policy and procedure changes for reduction in force (RIF) for civilian positions in the competitive and excepted service.  The changes are required per section 1101 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 (P.L. 114-92), as codified in 1597(f) of Title 10, United States Code.  The law requires that when RIF is necessary, the determination of employee separations shall be made primarily on the basis of performance.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Message to the Department of Defense from Secretary of Defense James Mattis It’s good to be back and I’m grateful to serve alongside you as Secretary of Defense.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD Announces New Outreach Efforts to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records The Department of Defense today announced a renewed effort to ensure veterans are aware of the opportunity to have their discharges and military records reviewed. Through enhanced public outreach, engagement with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Military Service Organizations (MSOs), and other outside groups, as well as direct outreach to individual veterans, the department encourages all veterans who believe they have experienced an error or injustice to request relief from their service’s Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) or Discharge Review Board (DRB).  

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Secretary of Defense Makes Christmas Calls to Service Members Defense Secretary Ash Carter today called several U.S. service members taking part in operations around the world, as well as two military spouses, to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the passing of former Secretary of Defense Laird The passing of former Defense Secretary Mel Laird is a loss for the United States and the Department of Defense.