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U.S. Air Force News

  • Clouds lift for 'Cadet for a Day'

    For eight years, Academy cadets have been making wishes come true for ill youngsters. They made it happen again April 9 through Saturday when Joe Hayford, 13, became the newest Cadet for a Day through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "His eyes were huge, and he never quit smiling," said Wish volunteer

  • Thousands honor Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion

    Thousands of people, young and old, gathered to honor five of the nine surviving Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion in Columbia, S.C., April 16 to 18. On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raiders, led by then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, became the first to bombard Japan following the attack on Pearl

  • President nominates next AF surgeon general

    President Barack Obama has nominated Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Charles Bruce Green to become the next Air Force surgeon general. General Green is currently the Air Force's deputy surgeon general, a position he has held since August 2006. Pending approval by the Senate, General Green would become the Air

  • Behavior studies may improve irregular warfare techniques

    Scientists in the Defense Department's Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office, or MSCO, are doing their part to improve irregular warfare techniques by studying human social and cultural behaviors. "Modeling and simulation is just the representation of the real world," Jesse Citizen, MSCO

  • Vice president visits Whiteman

    "We owe you and your families, and we are putting our money where our mouth is," said Vice President Joe Biden. That was the overall message he shared with more than a thousand Whiteman members during a troop rally April 16. "We are tremendously proud of our global mission and our ability to execute

  • National Security Personnel System goes under microscope

    The federal government's largest pay-for-performance system, the National Security Personnel System, is under review at the request of officials in the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management. Since October 2006, about 205,000 defense employees were brought under the new NSPS,

  • Air Force officials modernize mentoring program

    As Air Force officials continue to modernize the processes to meet 21st century mission requirements, manpower and personnel force development officials have taken a hard look at the service's mentoring program to increase its effectiveness. "Our mentoring program has existed on paper for many

  • Congressional staff members visit AFPC

    Professional staff members from the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on military personnel visited the Air Force Personnel Center here April 15 to learn more about the many initiatives the center has undertaken to deliver personnel services to Airmen and civilians. Some of the

  • New policy refines ancillary, expeditionary skills training

    As Air Force officials focus on giving Airmen more time to do their primary duty and reduce additional duties, senior leaders issued new policy guidance in March to streamline ancillary training and expeditionary skills training programs. "Air Staff, the A1 (personnel) community and major command

  • Victim advocates support, assist survivors

    A group of Airman from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia stood up and volunteered to be victim advocates as their part to prevent sexual assaults in the Air Force. Last year, Airmen throughout the Air Force reported more than 620 cases of sexual assault. There are two

  • Airman field-tests modified PT uniform in Iraq

    An Airman here was selected to field-test the Air Force's modified physical training uniform while deployed here to provide feedback to Air Force leaders at the end of the testing process. Senior Airman James Debiase, a 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, was asked to

  • Airman's Roll Call: AF assistance campaign ends May 1

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on this year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which ends May 1. The campaign began Feb. 9 and provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 36th year, 100 percent of the designated

  • Uniforms for the fallen are always perfect

    An Airman irons the long sleeved shirt, giving it sharp military creases. A Soldier and a Marine spend hours building ribbon racks, making sure every ribbon is correct and that the devices are equally polished and bright. A Sailor looks over the jacket, pants and shirt, ensuring all excess strings

  • Leader magazine transitions from print to online

    In keeping with the evolving mediums for information dissemination, the Leader magazine has ceased production of its print version and has become the Leader Online. The new Web site features Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets and

  • Military doctor cites need for early intervention of autism

    A Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences faculty member discussed Autism Awareness Month recently and the importance of early, proper diagnosis and treatment of children. "Parents should feel confidence in raising questions about whether their child has autism," Dr. Janice Hanson told

  • New 'eMagazine' informs servicemembers, families

    All the support programs in the world won't do any good if no one knows about them, so the Defense Department's principal director for military community and family policy started the office's new "eMagazine." "What I found when I came up here was they have great programs and so forth, but they

  • 'Voices of Men' gives unique insight on sexual assault

    Nobody would expect a guy dressed like Austin Powers to educate people about sexual assault awareness. But as part of the nationwide observance this month to raise awareness about one of the country's most under-reported crimes, Defense Department officials here developed fresh initiatives and

  • VA secretary embraces 'personal calling' of serving veterans

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is a no-nonsense leader who wants veterans to measure his performance and that of the department he leads through concrete results, not rhetoric. "Veterans have been given a lot of promises over a bunch of years, and I have assured them that they should

  • 'Today's Air Force' features dignified transfers

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the new policy for the transfer of fallen military members, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, a winter sports clinic for the disabled and a smoldering type of training: firefighting. A new policy has been approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

  • Tax rates change for retirees, annuitants

    Retirees and annuitants may see a change in the amount of money they receive May 1 thanks to a new tax credit. Public Law 111-05, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17. This act authorized a tax credit for most workers including

  • Airmen make pledge to prevent sexual assaults

    While American and coalition forces continue fighting the war on terrorism, there are silent criminals among the warriors who cause battle wounds of another kind: sexual assault. There were 165 sexual assault reports in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal 2008, a dramatic increase compared to the 131

  • President salutes former prisoners of war

    President Barack Obama issued a proclamation April 9 marking Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, noting that American prisoners of war exemplify the courage and sacrifice that defines the nation's men and women in uniform. "These brave warriors have paid a massive share of the costs of freedom,

  • VA budget adds mental-health services for combat vets

    The proposed Department of Veterans Affairs funding request will provide more post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury services to combat veterans, as well as other mental-health care and services for wounded warriors, President Barack Obama said April 9. "The nightmares of war

  • Reading program reaches out to military families

    Through the program's military initiative, doctors and nurses at 20 military hospitals, including one in Germany, soon will receive training on how to promote early literacy for children. They also will be provided with free books to present to parents with children ages 6 months to 5 years when

  • Ceremony to recognize vets not eligible for Vietnam Wall inclusion

    One-hundred twenty-three American heroes from the Vietnam War era will be honored posthumously this month during the annual In Memory Day ceremony, according to Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. In Memory Day was created to pay tribute to the men and women

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Civilians and officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in academic year 2010 to 2011 have until May 1 and May 6, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board here. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit

  • CSAF addresses 386th Airmen during AOR visit

    The Air Force's top officer spoke to 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen as part of a visit to the Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 6 and 7. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz also took time to visit the Airmen of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group and speak with the combat

  • Top spouse discusses deployment family issues

    The Air Force's top spouse discussed the challenges Air Force members and their spouses face during deployments while she visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing April 6 and 7. Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz, has long been considered a champion of military spouses

  • AFMC will use new media to announce award winners

    Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs officials are venturing into the world of new media and for the first time will attempt to report the annual AFMC Enlisted Awards live as names of Airmen selected are announced April 9 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. A Public Affairs

  • Heritage Coat production uncertain despite favorable reviews

    Though Air Force officials here have not made a final decision on the new service coat, pre-decisional results show Airmen who sampled the Heritage Coat gave it high marks. Survey feedback showed 92 percent of wear test participants deemed the coat suitable for military uniform, and overall 66

  • AF Small Business officials spread word about innovation

    Air Force Small Business officials spread the word about the innovation, agility and efficiency of small businesses to more than 1,400 contracting professionals attending the National Contract Management Association, or NCMA, World Congress here April 5 to 8. Ronald A. Poussard, director of the Air

  • Airman's Roll Call: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Web sites, campaigns and other events, observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Defense Department officials launched a new Web site and campaign April 3 that gives servicemembers fresh initiatives and new teaching methods to prevent sexual

  • Family care forum kick starts Year of the Air Force Family

    Senior Air Force officials and family care professionals set the direction for the Year of the Air Force Family April 2 here. More than 200 Air Force behavioral specialists, chaplains, family advocacy personnel and other family support members separated April 1 into five groups and focused on

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here have released the current demographics report which offers a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force. This data is current as of March 31 and also can be found at the Air Force Demographics Web site.  Statistics are rounded to the nearest

  • Gates lays out defense budget recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates laid out his recommendations for the 2010 budget during an April 6 Pentagon press conference . The secretary said he included his experiences in national security to make the decisions. To start, Secretary Gates plans to significantly restructure the Army's Future

  • AF Research Lab personnel begin VPP journey

    Building on an already strong culture of safety, Air Force Research Laboratory personnel began the process recently to incorporate the Voluntary Protection Program into all levels of the organization. Since its inception by Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials in the early 1980s,

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War is identified

    The remains of a U.S. Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, were identified recently and have been buried with full military honors, said officials from the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office. Lt. Col. Earl P. Hopper Jr., from Phoenix, was buried April 3 at the National

  • AF officials cite quicker process for filling acquisition jobs

    In an effort to speed up hiring in the critically manned acquisition career fields, Air Force Personnel Center officials here announced a streamlined process to fill key civilian jobs in half the time. The growing shortage in acquisition positions resulted in Department of Defense officials

  • 'Today's Air Force' features RED HORSE units

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the RED HORSE units are paving the way for progress in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also featured, security forces are involved in a close quarters training exercise and a large inventory for the F-16s in Poland. See what might be the largest construction

  • Air Force officials separate E-7, E-6 promotion release dates

    Air Force officials here are initiating a new process to separate the release dates for the master sergeant and technical sergeant promotion lists. The new master sergeant promotion list will now be released on May 14 and the technical sergeant list will be released on June 18 after 12 years of

  • Airmen cover the fallen with American flags for families

    For some, it means red, white and blue. It means 13 stripes for the original colonies and 50 stars for the states. For the families of the fallen, the American flag means so much more. Because of this, two Airmen assigned to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here take their mission

  • Groups use social networking sites to reach out to supporters

    From fundraising to volunteering, troop-support groups are taking full advantage of social networking Web sites to reach out and gather support for troops at home and abroad. "We created three MySpace pages a few years back and a Facebook page this year," said Andi Grant, president and founder of

  • Fiscal 2010 budget to reflect 'fundamental shift' in defense

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will make budget decisions this weekend that will indicate a "fundamental shift in direction" for the department, the Pentagon press secretary said April 3. "These are not changes to the margins," Geoff Morrell said. The changes will affect the fiscal 2010 Defense

  • Combat rescue, special tactics retention bonuses available

    Qualified special operations officers are now eligible for a maximum of $100,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years. The bonuses are due in part to a $2.5 million deposit from Department of Defense

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    A total of 308 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced April 3. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 865 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign ends May 1

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 9 to May 1, provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 36th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions benefit active-duty, Reserve,

  • AFPC officials launch improved Airmen Development Plan

    Active-duty officers, and soon civilians, can now more effectively map their careers with the recent phase two launch of the Airmen Development Plan. The phase II version includes a new audit trail feature and the ability to generate weekly e-mail notifications. The ADP application was introduced in

  • Tricare officials launch Web page to down alcohol abuse

    April is Alcohol Awareness Month and Tricare officials here are committed to creating a "buzz" about the effects of alcohol abuse. A new Tricare Web page at http://www.tricare.mil/alcoholawareness sheds some light on alcohol abuse and promotes responsible drinking. Heavy alcohol consumption is a

  • Force support officers represent flexibility

    Responding to evolving needs from the field has prompted several transformations in the manpower, personnel and services community over the past few years, including the recent stand up of an initial skills training course for force support officers. "Our Air Force officers are showing great

  • Air Force officials hold Caring for People Forum

    More than 200 Air Force behavioral specialists, chaplains, family advocacy personnel and other family support members gathered to discuss how to care for the Air Force family April 1 in Arlington, Va. The Year of the Air Force Family: Caring for People Forum started in a hotel in the shadow of the

  • Gates signs policy for dignified transfer operations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved a policy change that, under strictly delineated conditions, allows media filming of dignified transfer operations of fallen servicemembers' remains at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The new policy is slated to be implemented April 6, Pentagon spokesman

  • Language emerges as element of national security

    Language and culture are "almost inextricably intertwined," and military personnel must be knowledgeable in both to be fully effective when operating overseas, the director of a military language school said. Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language

  • Officers selected for Olmsted Scholar Program

    Six Air Force officers have been selected to participate in the Olmsted Scholar Program for the class of 2010. Each year, the competitive program offers grants for two years of graduate study in a foreign culture to career line officers from all four branches of the U.S. military. The following Air

  • Reserve commander briefs Congress

    Two units received a "positive plug" in the congressional record when the commander of Air Force Reserve Command testified March 25 before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. touted the strong Yellow Ribbon Program partnership initiatives between Airmen

  • Air Force uniforms: How materials are selected

    Air Force Uniform Office officials have a responsibility to provide Airmen with functional and effective military uniforms, but in doing so are asked the same question over and over: "Why can't you just purchase clothing from a brand company and put the Air Force symbol on it?" The answer to this

  • Spangdahlem comm facility earns top award

    Striving for excellence is standard for the people at the Global Information Grid facility here.  They have placed no lower than runner-up in the Europe Defense Information Systems Agency annual awards since 2001. They garnered a first place finish once again, capturing the DISA Outstanding GIG

  • Top Air Force leaders discuss top Air Force issues

    Air Force senior leaders discussed key issues facing the service during Corona South March 27-28 at Bolling Air Force Base here. Corona meetings, hosted by the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, are held several times a year to bring together major command commanders, Air Staff

  • Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program reaches milestone

    The advisory board of a new program mandated by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act held its inaugural meeting here March 30. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program fulfills the requirement of establishing a national combat veteran reintegration program. The program's goal is to prepare

  • Wilford Hall officials to participate in smoking cessation study

    Air Force smokers who want to kick the habit may benefit from a smoking cessation study and program that will be conducted from Wilford Hall Medical Center here. The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $3.6 million grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis to

  • Scholarships available for chaplaincy students

    In an effort to better provide spiritual care to Airmen, Air Force officials are offering scholarships for individuals who want to become service chaplains. The religious professional scholarship program is designed to help fill manning shortfalls within the chaplaincy for underrepresented faiths

  • ARPC officials announce captain, lieutenant promotions

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here announced the second half of fiscal 2009 line and nonline captain and the second half of the fiscal 2009 first lieutenant promotions. There were 299 Air National Guard and 299 Air Force Reserve officers selected for promotion to captain, and 252 Air

  • AF officials announce new discrimination hotline number

    The Air Force Discrimination Hotline has a new toll free number that will serve all active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen. The hotline number will ensure all unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment concerns are quickly identified and addressed. "The Air Force is committed to ensuring

  • Air Force officials begin Phase II of NCO retraining program

    Two deadlines are quickly approaching for Airmen identified for retraining under Phase II of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. These Airmen must submit a retraining request by April 6 and must also complete a retraining package by April 29 for the Air Force specialty code

  • Revised 'Little Brown Book' now available

    Air Force officials here recently revised Air Force instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, also known as "The Little Brown Book," and the electronic version is available now with hardcopies expected to be available in May. The guide has long been a staple of establishing expectations and

  • Updated Professional Development Guide available online

    The latest version of the Air Force Professional Development Guide is now available online for all Airmen. The 500 page, 30.8 MB document is of particular interest to enlisted Airmen in the ranks of staff sergeant through senior master sergeant who want to begin studying for their next promotion

  • Changes make Letter of Evaluation more effective

    The Air Force Personnel Center recently introduced several changes to Air Force Form 77, Letter of Evaluation, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve and refine its processes.Some of the specific improvements included upgrading the form's layout and usability, creating dropdown boxes to eliminate

  • AFPC automates notifications for probationary periods

    In AFPC's ongoing effort to improve consistency and efficiency across the Air Force, supervisors will now receive an e-mail notification when one of their civilian employees is within 90 days of completing a probationary period. New employees and new supervisors serve an established probationary

  • Career enlisted aviator positions open

    The Air Force has immediate openings for in-flight refueling specialists, flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems specialists, airborne operations specialists, flight attendants and aerial gunners. First term Airmen who have completed half of their initial enlistment may apply for an

  • NCOs selected for Enlisted-to-AFIT program

    Air Force officials selected nine enlisted Airmen to continue their education through the Enlisted-to-Air Force Institute of Technology Graduate Degree Program. "The Air Force has a strong tradition of valuing education," said Lt. Col. Douglas Wall, Air Force Personnel Center's chief of

  • Servicemembers teaching others while deployed

    Education is something the military encourages servicemembers to seek whenever they can, as long as it doesn't interfere with the mission. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get university teachers to deployed areas, but that's where certain deployed personnel, all of whom have at least one

  • Airman's Roll Call: Stimulus package to aid Airmen

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the $1.7 billion in Defense-related appropriations through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and what effect it will have on the Air Force.With a focus on Airmen care, families and environmental stewardship, the Air Force's portion of the stimulus

  • Innovative brain therapies offer hope to injured troops

    Innovative therapies that have assisted previously comatose patients regain consciousness may be incorporated on a greater scale to treat troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, a brain injury expert said here March 23. Dr. Philip A. DeFina, chief executive and scientific officer at the

  • Push-Pull to test real-world Air Force capabilities

    Push-Pull 2009 may sound like a new type of fitness regimen to some, but to about 150 regular Air Force retirees it will be a mobilization exercise of a different kind April 6 through 10 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The Push-Pull 2009 exercise is designed to exercise and evaluate mobilization

  • Equal opportunity crosses service lines

    Equal opportunity advisers from the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and surrounding Army units here are currently hosting their quarterly Equal Opportunity Leader's Course here. The classroom is filled by more than 40 Soldiers from across Iraq with one exception: Master Sgt. Joe Newton, the

  • SOS 'blends' training model incorporating new technology

    Academic and military researchers are introducing and proposing new approaches on leadership and teamwork training at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Officials with Air Education and Training Command, the sponsor organization, partnered with researchers at the University

  • 'One Voice' coordinates Air Force positions on joint and interagency issues

    Air Force officials recently announced the establishment of a new Headquarters Air Force capability devoted to providing Air Force leaders with coordinated Air Force positions for use in communicating with non-Air Force entities. This new capability is called "One Voice." "Each day, members of the

  • Mail must be addressed to specific servicemembers

    A recent increase in mail addressed to "Any Servicemember" has prompted the Military Postal Service Agency to remind the general public not to send mail or care packages addressed in such a manner. "Mail to 'Any Servicemember/Any Wounded-Recovering Warrior,' deposited into a collection box and

  • 'Today's Air Force' features joint warfighting

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the importance of joint warfighting and the building of a joint force. Also featured is Operation Arctic Care 2009 which takes place in Alaska and brings much needed medical care for local villagers. The Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor, is

  • Joint training exercise strengthens AF, civilian partnerships

    Law enforcement officials from Lexington, Mass., teamed up with 66th Security Forces Squadron personnel here March 16 for a joint training exercise conducted by members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations team, otherwise known as STOP. The training combined classroom

  • Stimulus package to aid Airmen

    Improvements in dormitories, child development centers and energy conservation plans will come to fruition as the Air Force receives about $1.7 billion in Defense-related appropriations through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, military finance officials said. "The Air Force fully supports

  • Pay incentives help military avoid nursing shortage

    Army, Navy and Air Force nurse corps members are highly trained, capable and critical to the wartime mission of each service, the corps' leaders told a congressional committee this week here. The Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee heard testimony March 18 from the services'

  • Thrift Savings Plan provides retirement nest eggs

    About 614,000 servicemembers are saving for retirement in the federal Thrift Savings Program, which was opened to military members in 2002, a senior Pentagon official here said March 19. The TSP, explained Chuck Witschonke, assistant director of military compensation for economic analysis, is a U.S.

  • Verifying records, personal information vital to career

    Successful career progression for Airmen requires hard work, planning and dedication, but even more importantly, an accurate personnel record. Of all the actions Airmen can take to affect their chances for promotion and professional development, the most important is ensuring their personal

  • DOD officials release sexual assault statistics

    Defense Department officials here released March 17 a congressional report that examines sexual assault allegations in the military services and sets policies for reducing incidents. Key components of the annual analysis include a finding that indicates a rise in the number of incidents reported in

  • Special assignments considered for Airmen in time of need

    Being the parent of a teenager with a bipolar disorder is often a difficult and emotional journey, said an Airman from Randolph Air Force Base recently. "Like any parent of a child with special needs, there's always a concern that the next location will not have the medical or psychiatric facilities

  • Science, engineering jobs available to transitioning Airmen

    Air Force science and technology civil service career fields are in need of trained and educated applicants, which is ideal for veterans interested in post-military careers.Science, technology, engineering and math, called STEM, initiatives are availabe to train and educate transitioning Airmen, or

  • AFPC officials establish diversity council

    Air Force Personnel Center officials drafted a charter and established working groups for its diversity council, the center's most recent endeavor to advance diversity initiatives Feb. 26. One of the first of its kind in the Air Force and comprised of military and civilians, the council will serve

  • Gen. Schwartz to Airmen: 'We are a family'

    The chief of staff of the Air Force had a message for Airmen during an Airmen's Call here March 11: "We are a family and everyone in this room counts. "This is a big-tent Air Force," Gen. Norton Schwartz said. "In our business, you don't measure your worth by your proximity to the fight," he said.

  • New records viewing system improves access to unit records

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here will release the new Personnel Records Display Application in early April. PRDA is an electronic viewer for the Automated Records Management System, facilitating search, retrieval and management of personnel records in ARMS through a role-based-access

  • Accountability system helps leaders, families during crises

    Air Force officials here want to ensure the safety of all Airmen and their family members when a natural disaster or large-scale crisis strikes, and a new program being implemented April 1 will help account for personnel. Air Force Personnel Center officials will use the Air Force Personnel

  • Pentagon plans sexual assault prevention campaign

    Just as the armed forces paved the way for integration more than 60 years ago, Defense Department officials are working to prevent sexual assault not only in the military, but also throughout the nation, the department's top prevention expert said here March 6. "It is our goal to develop a sexual

  • Bystanders key to preventing sexual assault

    When it comes to preventing sexual assault, Airmen have a responsibility to look out for their own, the Secretary of the Air Force's policy expert on preventing sexual assault told members of Congress here March 6. Charlene Bradley and other sister service representatives testified before the House

  • DTS expands, earns greater customer approval

    The Defense Travel System has expanded its reach and gained ground in customer satisfaction, the director of the Defense Travel Management Office told a congressional panel March 5. "In terms of improvements, the department has focused its efforts on expanding DTS usage, making DTS more user

  • Guard essential at home and abroad, says chief

    The National Guard is playing an essential role domestically and overseas, Gen. Craig McKinley said here March 6, challenging leaders to do more with the same amount of money. The chief of the National Guard Bureau spoke to about 700 leaders attending the National Guard's 2009 Domestic Operations

  • Job opportunities available for Airmen in recruiting

    The decision to increase the Air Force end strength from 316,000 to 330,000 at the end of 2008 forced Air Force Recruiting Service officials here to ramp up the number of recruiters across the nation, offering more Airmen a chance to enter a uniquely challenging career. "Recruiting offers a direct

  • Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

    Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

  • Process for validating reserve early-retired pay explained

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here are finalizing procedures for validating the receipt of retired pay before Citizen Airmen, both guardsmen and reservists, turn 60 years old.Since Jan. 28, 2008, Guard and Reserve Airmen can reduce the age they receive retirement pay by three months for

  • Prescription crosscheck program helps Tricare beneficiaries

    The Tricare military health plan is ensuring patient safety for its 9.2 million beneficiaries through a revolutionary drug utilization program, a senior Tricare official said last week. "We cover about 2.2 million prescription medication claims per week -- that's about 120 million prescriptions per

  • Overweight youth pose recruitment challenges

    Fat is bad for one's health. And as defense officials attest, it's also bad for recruiting, and for national defense. Curtis Gilroy, the Pentagon's accessions chief, lamented during a congressional hearing that many recruitment-age youth are too overweight to qualify for military service. And as a