ALNAV 034/24 Authorization of Combat Awards and Devices for the Red Sea Area Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued a message authorizing Combat Awards and Devices for the Red Sea Area ..read more

Capt. Sarah EasonHeadquarters Marine Corps Deployments, permanent changes of station, and long work hours are just some facets of military service that put a strain on a marriage. The pressure increases when both parties in the marriage are service members. Manpower Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, is creating a dual-military monitor billet to alleviate stresses associated with dual-military couples’ orders assignments process ..read more

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs The Air Force is now accepting applications, from April 25 to May 31, for Airmen aspiring to become the inaugural cohort of warrant officers in the information technology and cyber career fields. Plans to re-introduce warrant officers to the Air Force was announced by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2024 Warfare Symposium in conjunction with the Department’s plan to Reoptimize for Great Power Competition ..read more

from DOD News The "Saving on a Valuable Education," or SAVE plan, announced in August 2023, is not just for civilians. Service members, family members and civil servants alike can also benefit from the program to help reduce or even eliminate student loan debt. The SAVE plan, managed by the Department of Education, is an income-driven repayment plan that calculates payments based on a borrower's income and family size — not their loan balance — and forgives remaining balances after a certain number of years.  ..read more

Commissaries on Hawaii will no longer issue single-use shopping bags starting on April 30 By Keith Desbois, DeCA public affairs specialist Commissaries on Hawaii will no longer issue single-use shopping bags starting in April, as the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) follows local laws to reduce waste and protect the environment, the agency announced. In accordance with the state of Hawaii Ordinance 19-30 signed December 15, 2019, disposable carryout bags will no longer be available at Hawaii commissaries effective April 30, 2024 ..read more

From CNIC Public Affairs The Navy has made it easier for active duty service members and their families to utilize recreational vehicle (RV) parks on installations for long-term stays. The Navy has made it easier for active duty service members and their families to utilize recreational vehicle (RV) parks on installations for long-term stays ..read more

By David Vergun , DOD News The Defense Department's Military-Civilian Transition Office is responsible for designing, overseeing and evaluating DOD transition and reintegration programs, which are available to all eligible military members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families.  Taking care of people is a top priority for DOD, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. He noted that service members received a 4.6% pay raise this year—the largest in two decades. The department is also working to make child care more affordable, make moves easier, help military spous ..read more

By David Vergun , DOD News The biennial Survey of Active-Duty Spouses is now available for the nearly 600,000 Defense Department active-duty spouses to complete. The survey has new, expanded sections on remote work and financial well-being.   It's the only official DOD-wide survey for active-duty spouses. Input collected through this survey will provide the department with a barometer on how to adjust policies and programs to address the needs of military families in the U.S. and abroad, said Lee Kelley, principal director for the Department's Military Community and Family Policy Office ..read more

By David Vergun , DOD News As of Jan. 1, active-duty service members are now authorized to receive reimbursement for costs related to relocation of one household pet due to a permanent change of station move. The relocation expense for either one dog or one cat includes travel costs within the U.S. or overseas and any other travel requirements, according to the Joint Travel Regulations Office.   ..read more

by C. Todd Lopez , DOD News In January 2023, the Defense Department kicked off the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot program. As the program enters its second year, lessons learned from the first year will be used to make it even better going forward.  The three-year MSCAP program is designed to help military spouses find employment fellowships with participating companies. Following the conclusion of those fellowships, some military spouses may be offered full-time employment ..read more