Defense.gov - News Articles

A soldier wears a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program pin at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., April 25, 2018.
Defense Officials Tout Progress in Fight Against Sexual Assault
By Jim Garamone | April 30, 2020
The Defense Department is making progress in combating sexual assault and harassment in the military, DOD officials said upon releasing an annual report on the subject.

Air Force basic military graduation is held at the 320th Training Squadron’s Airman Training Complex on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 16, 2020.
Service Personnel Policies Help With Retention During Pandemic
By C. Todd Lopez | April 29, 2020
Military services have adjusted personnel policies amid the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage existing service members to stay longer — and many are doing so.

Melody Marino, a 16-year-old student at Spangdahlem High School, attends a virtual math class from her home in Arenrath, Germany, April 20, 2020.
Learning Continues for DOD School System Students Despite COVID-19
By C. Todd Lopez | April 28, 2020
School is back in session for Department of Defense Education Activity students worldwide after a swift transition from brick-and-mortar to digital classrooms because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Judy Adank, a United Service Organizations volunteer, uploads food orders on a computer at Fort McCoy, Wis., July 20, 2019.
Registration Opens for Virtual Military Spouse Symposium
By | April 24, 2020
Military spouses can learn how to search for federal jobs, make a career change, polish their resumes and more at the fourth annual Virtual Military Spouse Symposium.

An F- 22 Raptor takes flight as part of Exercise Polar Force 19-4 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 2, 2019. Aircraft similar to this F-22 recently intercepted Russian aircraft near Alaska.
COVID-19 Doesn't Stop Homeland Defense
By C. Todd Lopez | April 21, 2020
The coronavirus hasn't kept U.S. Northern Command or the North American Aerospace Defense Command from defending North America, the commands' top officer said.

Soldiers with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division guide a 3rd Brigade tank onto a ship at the port of Gwang Yang, South Korea, Feb. 29, 2020. The soldiers conducted redeployment operations for the brigade during the COVID-19 outbreak.
DOD Provides Leave Leniency Due to Travel Restrictions
By David Vergun | April 20, 2020
Travel restrictions made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the Defense Department providing leave leniency for service members who accrue too much leave and might otherwise lose it.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over Afghanistan, March 17, 2020.
DOD Continues Global Military Operations Even as It Battles COVID-19
By David Vergun | April 14, 2020
As the Defense Department supports the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues its vital national security missions, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.

A wallet with cash and credit cards.
As COVID-19 Crisis Continues, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Protects Military
By David Vergun | April 15, 2020
While active-duty military members support the global effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ensures that COVID-19 doesn't jeopardize their economic livelihood.

Army personnel depart from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and head to New York City, April 8, 2020. The deployment is part of a larger mobilization package of doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists from Air Force Reserve units across the nation in support of the COVID-19 response. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, is providing military support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help communities in need.
Military Medicine on Front Lines of COVID-19 Response
By Terri Moon Cronk | April 10, 2020
Military medicine is at the front lines of the national COVID-19 response, bringing unique and agile expertise and rapidly deployable resources to the fight, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs said.

Air Force Senior Airman Zachary Anderson and Staff Sgt. Michael Zitelli perform a basic post-flight operations inspection on a C-17 Globemaster III while wearing personal protective equipment at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, April 7, 2020.
Despite COVID-19, U.S. Military Remains Ready to Fight
By C. Todd Lopez | April 9, 2020
The Defense Department is doing a lot to combat the spread of COVID-19 across the nation, but its primary mission — the defense of the nation and its interests — continues unabated, Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist said.

Per Army guidance, soldiers are authorized to wear the neck gaiter and other cloth items, such as bandanas and scarves, as face coverings. Soldiers should not, however, fashion face coverings from Army combat uniforms or other materials that have been chemically treated. Personal protective equipment, such as N95 respirators or surgical masks, must be reserved for use in medical settings.
Defense Health Official Urges Personnel, Families to Wear Face Masks
By Terri Moon Cronk | April 7, 2020
Defense Department personnel and their families — military and civilian — are urged to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Defense Health Agency official said.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Maxime Copley, 86th Medical Group medical technician, writes down patient information during COVID-19 drive-thru screening at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 31, 2020.
Manpower Chief Discusses Personnel Aspects of COVID-19 Response
By Jim Garamone | April 2, 2020
Defense leaders are working around the clock to carry out the DOD's priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic — including protecting military and civilian personnel and ensuring the viability of the force.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, center; Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right; and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López hold a virtual town hall meeting at the Pentagon to answer questions on the department’s COVID-19 response, March 24, 2020.
Esper Lists DOD's Top Priorities During COVID-19 Pandemic
By David Vergun | March 24, 2020
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón "CZ" Colón-López hosted a virtual town hall meeting from the Pentagon on DOD's COVID-19 response.

Brittny Sutton, a  Career Skills Program installation administrator with the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program, gives a CSP class to transitioning soldiers, Feb. 19, 2020, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.The program is changing because of the coronavirus threat.
Transition Programs Adapt to Coronavirus Threat
By | March 20, 2020
The military's Transition Assistance and Yellow Ribbon Reintegration  programs are changing to decrease the potential of transmission of the coronavirus, officials in Washington announced.

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab.
Defense Health Agency Officials Answer Questions on COVID-19
By David Vergun | March 18, 2020
The Defense Health Agency hosted a live Facebook town hall meeting to answer questions about COVID-19.

Navy Adm. Charles A. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, briefs reporters at the Pentagon via telephone from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., about Stratcom's response to COVID-19, March 17, 2020. The admiral is pictured on the monitor.
Nuclear Triad Will Continue to Deter, Stratcom Commander Says
By Jim Garamone | March 17, 2020
Navy Adm. Charles A. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, discussed Stratcom's response to COVID-19 during a telephone news conference at the Pentagon.

New York Army National Guard Pfc. Michael Ulrichy, assigned to the 4th Finance Detachment of the 53rd Troop Command, distributes hand sanitizer to members of the Mamaroneck Highway Department near New Rochelle, N.Y., March 13, 2020. Ulrichy and more than 250 other New York National Guardsmen were helping a New York State Department of Health task force to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 virus cluster outbreak in Westchester County, N.Y.
DOD Officials Explain New Coronavirus Domestic Travel Restrictions
By Jim Garamone | March 15, 2020
Defense officials announced restrictions on domestic travel for service members, Defense Department employees and family members in response to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Soldiers prescreen personnel entering U.S. Army Garrison Casey in Dongducheon, South Korea, for symptoms of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, Feb. 26, 2020. Additional screening measures of a verbal questionnaire and temperature check are in response to the heightened awareness of COVID-19 following a surge in cases throughout South Korea and are meant to help control the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the force.
DOD Halts Travel To, From COVID-19 Affected Countries
By Jim Garamone | March 12, 2020
In response to the growing coronavirus epidemic, Defense Department officials are looking to safeguard the health and safety of military and civilian personnel and their families.

Airmen from the 14th Medical Group train with a medical training mannequin during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course in the Walker Center Feb. 23, 2020, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. TCCC has become the standard of medical training proficiency for military personnel to prepare them for potential combat situations in an ongoing effort to heighten medical readiness.
Military Medical Budget Prioritizes Readiness, Reform
By Terri Moon Cronk | March 5, 2020
The military medical budget for fiscal year 2021 prioritizes the medical readiness of the military force in addition to their readiness of the medical force, while sustaining beneficiaries' access to quality healthcare, a Defense Department official told Congress.

Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the fiscal year 2021 Department of Defense budget request, in Washington March 4, 2020.
Readiness Up Across the Force, Chairman Says
By C. Todd Lopez | March 5, 2020
The fiscal year 2021 Defense Department budget request supports the National Defense Strategy and will help the military in its efforts to build readiness and modernization.

A pilot with the 36th Fighter Squadron steps down from the cockpit of an F-16 Falcon fighter jet in support of exercise Cobra Gold 2020 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, Feb. 24, 2020.
Esper: DOD Budget Request Reflects Readiness Priorities, Tough Choices
By David Vergun | Feb. 26, 2020
The National Defense Strategy provides a road map for DOD to address the reemergence of strategic competition from China and Russia, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said at a hearing on the 2021 defense budget request.

A hospital worker prepares to draw blood at Naval Branch Health Clinic Jacksonville’s laboratory in Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 9, 2019.
Military Health System Changes Focus on Readiness
By David Vergun | Feb. 19, 2020
The Military Health System is implementing significant reforms aimed at building a more integrated and effective system of readiness and health, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs said.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Colorado Springs, Colo.
Service Academies Focus on More Robust Sexual Assault Prevention
By David Vergun | Jan. 31, 2020
The service academies are boosting their sexual assault prevention programs in an effort to decrease sexual assaults.

Health.mil - News Articles

 

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.

MHS pharmacies adapt services amid COVID-19

By Military Health System Communications Office | April 30, 2020
Pharmacies across the Military Health System are adapting their prescription services to protect high-risk patients and pharmacy customers and staff from COVID-19 exposure.

 

Senior Airman Brittany Campbell prepares urinalysis samples for testing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman)

Medical lab workers ensure readiness and wellness behind the scenes

By Military Health System Communications Office | April 24, 2020
Medical laboratory professionals usually work behind the scenes, performing vital duties to ensure the health and readiness of the force.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. Melissa Legowski, nurse practitioner from the 99th Medical Group at Nellis Air Force Base, briefs Guyanese nurses during a lecture at the Linden Mackenzie Hospital during New Horizons exercise 2019 in Linden, Guyana, June 13, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)

A look into the future: Embedded Health Engagement Teams

By Zach Huebschman and Kelley Schlitt, U.S. Air Force International Health Specialist | April 22, 2020
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- International Health Specialists from 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) are piloting a new global health engagement model to improve health and readiness for U.S. military forces and partner nations.
 

Telework made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased internet reliance and heightened the need for safe cybersecurity practices. (Photo by Eric Pilgrim)

Cybersecurity critical for DoD teleworkers during pandemic

By Military Health System Communications Office | April 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of balancing our continued commitment to the military healthcare mission with our own personal hygiene and well-being.

 

Students and instructors in the METC Respiratory Therapist program practice safe distancing and wear face coverings while training with mechanical ventilators. (Photo by Oscar Lopez)

Military Medical training continues during Covid-19

By Military Health System Communications Office | April 14, 2020
FORT SAM HOUSTON – While military and civilian health care workers around the globe do their part in the fight against COVID-19, the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) is preparing the future enlisted medical force to provide critical support to these front-line providers.
 

Zekelia Rembert, virtual health nurse care coordinator, reviews patient photos using the virtual health cart at the Virtual Medical Center at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 10, 2019. The team at the Virtual Health Center at Brooke Army Medical Center and Regional Health Command - Central has been selected as the 2018 U.S. Army Medical Department Mercury Award winner for Health Information Technology Team of the Year. (U.S. Army photo by Jason W. Edwards)

Military hospital dials in virtual healthcare to combat COVID-19

By Lisa Braun, Medical Education and Training Campus Public Affairs | April 13, 2020
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, April 8, 2020 – Deb Deja’s follow-up visit with her provider at Brooke Army Medical Center was fast approaching when COVID-19 hit the news and the city.
 

Louisiana Air National Guardsmen sort medical supplies at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, March 31, 2020, while supporting COVID-19 response efforts. Medical supplies were stored at the sports arena before being distributed to drive-thru community-based COVID-19 testing sites. (Photo By: Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dan Farrell)

Guardsmen Remain Adaptable in Face of Coronavirus

By Jim Garamone, DoD New, Defense Media Activity | April 9, 2020
Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel and Army Brig. Gen. D. Keith Waddell, Louisiana's adjutant general, remotely briefed Pentagon reporters April 8 on the Guard's contribution to the fight.

 

 4/1/2020 By: Lt. Gen. Ron Place, Director, Defense Health AgencyShare this page Social Media Links Share on Facebook   Share on Twitter   Email this page Other Social Media Recommended Content:  Coronavirus Who would have imagined this? We’ve stopped almost everything else we were doing and turned our energies toward fighting this pandemic. As the specific impacts take shape within the United States, the Military Health System is surging forward, implementing standing plans and showing agility in responding to events that some believed were unthinkable even a few short months ago.  Federal and state officials are requesting military medical forces to assist in stemming the spread of infection both directly and indirectly. Hundreds of thousands of professionals who are supported by the relatively young Defense Health Agency are reinforcing our civilian medical capabilities. Just as we’ve done throughout our history, when the U.S. military is called in times of crisis and natural disaster, we answer.  Military medicine is providing assistance in unprecedented ways. Already, two hospital ships, the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort, are positioned in Los Angeles and New York City, respectively, providing much needed additional medical capability to civilian medical facilities overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. The Army has also established field hospitals in New York and is increasing bed space elsewhere with the phenomenal work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It’s the right thing to do, right now.  In the best of times, the primary mission of the Military Health System is to maintain a medically ready force and a ready medical force. This means we must ensure American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are medically ready to deploy anywhere, anytime to defend the Nation. It also means we must develop and sustain our own medical teams to be trained and ready to support the force. Shifting focus from this primary mission carries risk; however, after two decades of conflict, we are well prepared to both identify risk and develop strategies to mitigate it.  This is not theoretical. We’re taking actions with tangible effects. For instance, we are rapidly shifting as many physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals as we can from administrative duties to direct patient care. We’re plowing new ground by graduating new doctors and nurses months early from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the military’s medical school, so they can join the fight – now. In our military hospitals and clinics, we’ve limited elective medical and dental procedures, so we can decrease surgical inpatient needs, shift clinical staffing toward COVID response, and conserve medical resources for the COVID fight.  Additionally, we’re identifying patient bed space on military installations and planning how to quickly convert – or return to use – unused space, with all of the needed equipment and supplies. That means, in some cases, converting office space once used as patient rooms when our military was twice the size, back to treatment areas. Fighting this pandemic is all-hands-on-deck. No good idea is off the table.  The reassuring news is that the Military Health System is, in some ways, uniquely suited for this crisis. Just as every Marine is a rifleman, every medical provider in our system is a generalist. While many of our health care providers normally do focus on specific diseases or specialties, they are trained to treat patients across the range of needs wherever they’re called to serve. Agility is part of what we offer our nation every day.  Facing multiple challenges is nothing new for us. Together, across the levels of government, we can do this. At this extraordinary time, we can play a significant part in caring for citizens in need, while still ensuring our military forces are medically ready to defend our Nation. With the support of the 9.5 million beneficiaries who depend on us for their health care, our agile and dedicated Defense health team is surging thousands of service members to the front lines, helping our fellow Americans, and meeting our obligation to the nation’s sons and daughters who have volunteered to defend them.  You also may be interested in... All (85) Articles (61) Publications (17) More » Videos (5) Technical Documents (1) Forms & Templates (1) DoD to honor nurses during National Nurses Week 2020 Article 5/6/2020 Image of an OR nurse with mask and protective suit National Nurses Week begins on National Nurses Day, May 6, and culminates May 12.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | National Nurses Week Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor Honors Nurses during National Nurses Week Article 5/6/2020 Image of military nurses The MHS theme of 2020 National Nurses Week is “Integrating for Excellence.”  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | National Nurses Week DHA collaborates to further sequence the SARS-CoV-2 Code Article 5/6/2020 Image of person testing genomes in a lab Scientists race to understand COVID-19 building blocks and find a vaccine.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus Be Cyber Vigilant and Avoid COVID-19 Scammers Article 5/5/2020 Soldier sitting in front of two computer monitors Take these steps to protect your personal information  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Cybersecurity Awareness MHS expedites COVID-19 and flu test results Article 5/4/2020 Image of technician taking a nasal swab of a patient Find out how to access results and stay safe  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus Mobility Airmen conduct historic first aeromedical evacuation mission using Transport Isolation System Article 5/4/2020 Image of three people exiting an aircraft The TIS is an infectious disease containment unit designed to minimize risk to aircrew, medical attendants, and the airframe.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Global Health Engagement | Global Health Engagement CDC maintains childhood immunization guidelines during COVID-19 Article 5/1/2020 A child receives a vaccine during a visit to the clinic. What you need to know about getting your child vaccinated  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Immunization Healthcare | Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | Month of the Military Child Army veterinarians post FAQ for pet owners to Army Public Health Center COVID-19 website Article 4/30/2020 Woman laying on couch with her dog Studies are underway to investigate human to animal transmission in multiple animal species.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Mental Health Care COVID-19: Know symptoms and next steps to help ensure full recovery Article 4/30/2020 Soldier taking the temperature of another soldier Symptoms of COVID-19  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus BAMCheroes appreciation Video 4/29/2020 DHA Seal Our community has been a great source of support! Check out some of the positive feedback Brooke Army Medical Center has received for our incredible healthcare professionals.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus Amid COVID-19, seasonal influenza still a threat to force readiness Article 4/29/2020 Hospital Corpsman administers a flu shot to a navy officer. New Southern Hemisphere flu vaccine available May 2020  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Influenza Summary and Reports | Immunization Healthcare | Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | Influenza, Southern Hemisphere Defending the Homeland: WRNMMC on front line of COVID-19 war Article 4/29/2020 Image of soldiers and businessman in suit walking through an emergency shelter lined with beds and medical equipment For patient and staff safety, WRNMMC started restricted access control points March 12.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Military Hospitals and Clinics MHS pharmacies adapt services amid COVID-19 Article 4/28/2020 A pharmacy technician stands at a car window delivering medications while wearing a mask and gloves. Curbside, drive-thru, parking lobbies among solutions for prescription pickup  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Public Health General’s visit punctuates engineering efforts converting arena to alternate care site Article 4/27/2020 Image of a contractor and a soldier looking at a blueprint The project cost $1.26 million and was completed in one week.  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus | Public Health Video Message from LTG Ronald J. Place, MD Video 4/24/2020 DHA Seal Thank you for continuing to do your part to help flatten the curve  Recommended Content:  Coronavirus << < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >>  Showing results 1 - 15Page 1 of 6 Health.mil News Articles Calendar of Events Gallery Infographics Photos Videos In the Spotlight Search News Search News Refine your search  Articles  Events  Infographics  Photos  Spotlights  Videos

From the front lines to the home front, Military Medicine is always ready

By Lt. Gen. Ron Place, Director, Defense Health Agency | April 1, 2020
Who would have imagined this? We’ve stopped almost everything else we were doing and turned our energies toward fighting this pandemic. As the specific impacts take shape within the United States, the Military Health System is surging forward, implementing standing plans and showing agility in responding to events that some believed were unthinkable even a few short months ago.
 

Military medical professionals take their oath at their graduation from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences during a ceremony in Washington, May 18, 2019. More than 200 USU military medical students and graduate nursing students will be graduating early in 2020 to support their colleagues in the U.S. military health system amid the global coronavirus pandemic. (DoD file photo)

200 new doctors, nurses to join military medical ranks early

By USU Staff | March 27, 2020
More than 200 military medical students and graduate nursing students from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, known as USU, will be graduating early to support their colleagues in the U.S. military health system amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

 

Air Force medics and health personnel around the globe are resolutely following and ensuring compliance with guidelines issued by the Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg.

Air Force takes next steps to assure 'unblinking' operations
readiness and capabilities amid pandemic

By Lt. Gen Dorothy Hogg, US Air Force Surgeon General | March 23, 2020
How do you stand “shoulder to shoulder” in a time of COVID-19? For the United States Air and Space Forces, and indeed the entire United States military, this is no small question.

 

The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB) is the central epidemiologic resource for the U.S. Armed Forces, conducting medical surveillance to protect those who serve our nation in uniform and allies who are critical to our national security interests. AFHSB provides timely, relevant, actionable and comprehensive health surveillance information to promote, maintain, and enhance the health of military and military-associated populations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

How DHA monitors the spread of health outbreaks

By Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | March 13, 2020
The Defense Health Agency works as a combat support agency to the military services and Military Health System with epidemiology data that improves the health and readiness of all service members and their beneficiaries.
 

Lt. Col. John Merkley, Army Public Health Center, tests out a boothless audiometry headset system, one of four systems demonstrated by manufacturers during a workshop hosted by the DoD Hearing Center of Excellence at this year's National Hearing Conservation Association Conference. (HCE photo)

Innovative military hearing health programs showcased at national conference

By Military Health System Communications Office | March 5, 2020
Hearing standards for new Air Force recruits saved the military service millions of dollars, according to a presentation by the Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence at the annual National Hearing Conservation Association conference last month.