Office Of The Under Secretary of Defense For Personnel & Readiness

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel & Readiness

News

Latest News

DOD Issues Exceptional Family Member Program
23 Jun '23

The Defense Department has issued its own Exceptional Family Member Program, a move that ensures consistency across the services for military families with special needs.  

New Defense Dep artment Policy Standardizes Exceptional Family Member Program Across the Services
23 Jun '23

The Defense Department has enacted changes to ensure consistency across the service branches for military families with special needs. Previously each service set its own processes and guidelines because there wasn't standard policy guidance from the department. 

Department of Defense Approves Policy to Reimburse Pet Expenses Due to a Permanent Change of Station 
21 Jun '23

The Department of Defense has approved a new policy to cover pet travel expenses, like pet shipping or quarantine fees, incurred by Service members during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). As of January 1, 2024

DOD Plans to Return to 'Defense Travel System'
13 Jun '23

In a memorandum released last month, the Defense Department announced that previous directions to begin using the new MyTravel system have been repealed, and agencies should instead return to using the existing Defense Travel System.

Milita ry Marks Half-Century of the All-Volunteer Force
13 Jun '23

Military training instructors throughout the U.S. armed forces began shouting this (or something very like it) at their charges soon after the American military ditched the draft and returned to its all-volunteer roots in 1973. 

In 75 Years Since Women's Armed Services Integration Act, Female Service Members Have Excelled
12 Jun '23

Just 75 years ago today, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed, for the first time, women to serve as regular members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. 

Defense Civilian Training Corps Kick-Off Marks Milestone in Strengthening DOD Civilian Acquisition Workforce
12 Jun '23

On June 8, the Defense Department marked a new milestone in its commitment to modernizing the acquisition workforce with the launch of the Defense Civilian Training Corps. 

Biden Moves to Improve Opportunities for Military Spouses
9 Jun '23

At Fort Liberty, North Carolina, today, President Joe Biden signed an executive order designed to strengthen economic opportunities for military and veteran spouses, caregivers and survivors. 

Bug Awareness Week: Small Bugs Pack a Pathogenic Punch
9 Jun '23

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center partners with its Department of Defense stakeholders and the National Institutes of Health to promote Bug Awareness Week, an annual public health campaign held June 10 – 17 to heighten awareness of the potential risks associated with insect-related transmissible diseases. 

Austin Says Qualified Patriots, Including LGBTQ+, Bolster Defense
7 Jun '23

This 12th annual Pride Month, the Defense Department honors the service, commitment and sacrifice of the LGBTQ+ service members and personnel who volunteered to defend America, stated Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in a June 1 news release.  

Officials Say DOD Must Be Employer of Choice to Meet Manpower Goals
6 Jun '23

On Jan. 27, 1973, Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird Jr. announced that the U.S. military would fill its ranks exclusively with volunteers rather than with draftees. On July 1, 1973, the military draft ended.  

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Pride Month 
1 Jun '23

This Pride Month, we honor the service, commitment, and sacrifice of the LGBTQ+ Service members and personnel who volunteer to defend our country. Their proud service adds to America's strength.

DoD Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Pride Month Observance  
1 Jun '23

Department of Defense Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans gender Queer Intersex Pride Month Observance

Back on Track: DOD Fellowship Guides Military Spouse's Workforce Return
24 May '23

For military spouses, finding employment can be difficult and daunting, especially after a big move. But a lot of spouses have the potential, drive and skills that would be great assets to the workforce, and it would be a shame to see them go to waste.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Visits Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the Ted Stevens Center
23 May '23

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks visited Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, today to gain a deeper understanding of the quality-of-life issues facing servicemembers stationed in the Arctic, receive operational updates, and visit the Ted ..

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Visits Eielson Air Force Base and Ft. Wainwright
23 May '23

Today Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert Cisneros, Jr. signed a policy to implement the Brandon Act and improve the process for service members to seek mental health support.

Civilians, Service Members Recognized for excellence in Sexual Assault Prevention, Victim Advocacy
22 May '23

The Defense Department recognized a group of service members and civilians for their outstanding work toward sexual assault prevention and victim support in an annual award ceremony held at the Pentagon this month.

Arm ed Forces Wellness Centers Help All to Improve Lifestyle, Health Outcomes 
16 May '23

Maintaining fitness is often a challenge for service members and their families, but COVID-19 wreaked havoc with fitness routines and the Defense Health Agency would like to get people back on track.

Austin Says Taking Care of Troops, Families a High Priority 
12 May '23

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with paratroopers and family members of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Fisher Houses Off er Free Stays, Comfort to Ailing Military Families, Vets 
10 May '23

It might be the well-stocked kitchens, the shelves of movies or the wheelchair-accessible showers that have drawn hundreds of thousands of military members, veterans and their families to Fisher Houses over the past three decades.

STEM Event Urges Students to Dream Big 
10 May '23

Ignite the imagination. Launch creativity. Explore opportunities. Temple University Ambler, in conjunction with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, hosted an Engineering Prototype Day on April 21 to showcase..

DoD Announces Implementation of the Brandon Act 
5 May '23

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support
5 May '23

Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a policy today to initiate implementation of the Brandon Act and improve the process for service members seeking mental health support.

DoD Hosts Month long Celebration of Military Spouses 
4 May '23

The Defense Department will celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Month in May with a monthlong series of virtual events designed to help spouses meet career and personal goals.

DoD Implements New Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance Adjustment Process 
3 May '23

The Defense Department has announced updates to the adjustment process for the overseas cost-of-living allowance, which is aimed at creating financial predictability for service members stationed outside of the continental U.S.

Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Speaks at the USNA Alumni Leadership Forum 
29 April '23

Hello everyone and thanks for inviting me to speak today. I want to begin by thanking all of you for your selfless service to our nation. For those of you who might not know, I'm a former naval officer, and it means a lot for me to come and speak to all of you today.

Game On: Sailors Celebrate Military Children 
21 April '23

Put your game face on! Sailors assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan raced into action to show their appreciation for Sullivans Elementary School students at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, during Month of the Military Child.

Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Speaks at the Syracuse Service Summit on the Value of Service 
20 April '23

Thank you Dr. Armstrong for the introduction and thank you to Secretaries O'Keefe and Rostker for the thought-provoking discussion to start our morning. You have both provided extraordinary service to the nation. Secretary Austin sends his regrets for not being able to join you all today for this important forum.

DOD Names Mr. Bryant Parmeter as the Inaugural Chief Talent Management Officer 
10 April '23

Brynt Parmeter has been named the inaugural Chief Talent Management Officer (CTMO) at the Department of Defense (DoD), a position that will reside in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)).

Month of the Military Child 2023 - Taking Care of Our Military Children
3 April '23

The Defense Department is observing April as Month of the Military Child and will highlight programs, resources and services available to support the overall well-being of military children, youth and teens.

DOD Official Says Training for Ukrainians Is Ongoing
30 March '23

Since the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine just over a year ago, the U.S. has provided more than $32.5 billion of security assistance in the form of military hardware and ammunition. Allies and partners have also provided military hardware.

Service Members Get Extended Parental Leave
29 March '23

The Defense Department issued a new policy to provide 12 weeks of paid, non-chargeable parental leave to service members who have a child through birth, adoption or a long-term foster care placement of at least 24 months.

DoD Announced New Bereavement Leave Benefit for Members
29 March '23

Today, the Department of Defense announced a new non-chargeable, paid bereavement leave benefit for service members who suffer the loss of their spouses or children. Directive-type Memorandum 23-003 ..

DOD Announces Six New Measures To Enhance Well-Being
22 March '23

Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at improving the lives of our dedicated military force and their families.

DOD Announces Next Steps on Suicide Prevention in the Military 
16 March '23

Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a memorandum on the Next Steps on Suicide Prevention in the Military.

Military Celebrates Women's History Month 
10 March '23

March is Women's History Month. This year's theme, "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," acknowledges the pioneering women...

Department of Defense Releases Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence 
10 March '23

Today, the Department of Defense (DOD) released the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2021-2022.

Physician Says DOD Focused on Improving Mental Health of Force 
7 March '23

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said the department is committing resources with a focus on preventing suicides of military and family members.

Austin Charts Path Forward in Message to Force 
2 March '23

The new missive comes two years after the secretary's first message to the force, which outlined his priorities to defend the Nation from enemies foreign and domestic.

Job Search Tool Connects Military Spouses, Employers 
28 Feb '23

The Defense Department's Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with over 600 partner employers consisting of corporations, small businesses, non-profits and federal agencies who have committed to recruit...

Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) Releases Report Families 
24 Feb '23

Today, the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) released their independent report, providing their findings and recommendations.

Service Members Should Avoid Foods With Poppy Seeds 
22 Feb '23

Service members may want to hold off ordering that "everything" bagel. It's not an urban legend: Eating poppy seeds can cause diners to test positive for codeine on a urinalysis, Defense Department officials said in a memo released yesterday.

DoD Releases Policies to Ensure Access to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care 
16 Feb '23

On October 20, 2022, the Secretary of Defense released a memorandum, "Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care," directing the Department to take a series of actions to ensure Service members and their families are able to access non-covered reproductive health care.

Sesame Workshop Rolls Out Self-Care Content for Military Families 
31 Jan '23

Like many Americans, emotional well-being is something that many military families have said they're struggling with since the pandemic started, according to Sesame Workshop, which works with the Defense Department to bring information to military families through its websites and free apps.

Consolidated Department of Defense Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance
31 Jan '23

The Department of Defense recently released the memorandum for the Consolidated Department of Defense Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection (FHP) Guidance – Revision 4.

Biden Announces Abrams Tanks to be Delivered to Ukraine 
25 Nov '23

President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. That is the required number to equip an entire Ukraine tank battalion.

Leaders Detail Future of National Guard 
24 Jan '23

The National Guard remains an integral part of U.S. military might, and it's changing to remain effective for the future, Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said today.

DOD's Safe Helpline Has Aided Victims for a Decade 
24 Jan '23

For over a decade, the Defense Department's Safe Helpline has provided a secure place for military survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones to get support and information 24/7.

If It Is Worth Dying for, It Is Worth Living for 
24 Jan '23

Army Capt. Garrett Boyer is an active-duty psychologist at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. In his commentary below, he shares a story of a combat veteran to encourage others to seek mental health help if needed. Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

DOD Now Accepting Applications for New Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot 
12 Jan '23

The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot program provides spouses of currently serving members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, to include active, reserve and National Guard components, with paid fellowships at civilian employers across various industries and locations.

DOD Rescinds COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate  
10 Jan '23

Today in a memo, Secretary Austin rescinded the Aug. 24, 2021 memorandum mandating that members of the Armed Forces under DoD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the memorandum of Nov. 30, 2021, pertaining to the vaccination of National Guard and Reserve personnel. 

DOD Begins Implementing Naming Commission Recommendations 
5 Jan '23

The Naming Commission process is now over and the names of bases, posts, ships, streets and more named after Confederate soldiers will change.

DHA Will Serve 'Anytime, Anywhere — Always,' Says New Director 
5 Jan '23

Army Maj. Gen. Telita Crosland yesterday became the Defense Health Agency's fourth director in its nearly 10-year existence, pledging to continue taking the DHA "down its path of excellence."

DOD Releases Memo Expanding Military Parental Leave Program  
5 Jan '23

The memo provides details on transition to the new expanded parental leave for Service members who were on leave under the old military parental leave program as of Dec. 27, 2022, and had not used all of their maternity convalescent leave or their caregiver leave.

DOD Survey Asks Participants to Weigh in on Exceptional Family Member Program  
30 Dec '22

WASHINGTON — Soldiers, family members and civilians are the Army’s most valuable resource. This year, to meet the needs of an evolving Army, policies have been reexamined and programs changed to improve quality of life for the force.

New in 2023: Allowance will help low-income military families 
30 Dec '22

A new allowance, designed to be a safety net for lower-income active duty military families, is set to take effect Jan. 1. It will help these families make ends meet, and addresses hunger and food insecurity.

DOD Shows Progress in Supporting Service Members, Families 
20 Dec '22

The Defense Department and military services are making progress in one of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's priorities — taking care of service members and their families. 

In New Year, BAH Rates Will Increase By Average of 12.1% 
15 Dec '22

The Defense Department has released the basic allowance for housing, or BAH rates for 2023. Those rates have risen, on average, by 12.1%, said the Pentagon press secretary during a briefing today.  

DOD Survey Asks Participants to Weigh in on Exceptional Family Member Program  
30 Nov '22

Last month the Defense Department released the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2021, which showed a 15% decrease in suicides from 2020 to 2021. But that hasn't meant the department can shift focus away from suicide prevention, the deputy secretary of defense said. 

DOD Survey Asks Participants to Weigh in on Exceptional Family Member Program 
17 Nov '22

For the first time, the Defense Department will offer those enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, also called EFMP, an opportunity to provide detailed input about their experiences. Feedback will be used to improve how the program provides services to participating families. 

Feed

@DeptofDefense Warfighter Brain Health Initiative unifies the operational and medical communities to optimize Service member brain health. Learn what @DoD_DHA Health Hazard Assessment team is doing to keep Service members safe at https://t.co/vfyJt6bM81 https://t.co/r4pLz2T8tv

RT @SecDef: We’re working with @POTUS and @FLOTUS to provide new options to make childcare more affordable for military families. Depende…

Brain health is key to mission readiness, and there are several steps that the military community – Service members, veterans, health care providers, researchers, educators, and families - can take to maintain a healthy brain. #BrainHealth https://t.co/FzJPoN5Jb0

Now is the time to review your current health plans, consider your needs for next year, and learn more about coverage choices. #Tricare open season ends soon. https://t.co/AfUdCRWr9g

DOD is raising blast overpressure risk awareness and working to mitigate exposure. We are committed to brain health & addressing traumatic brain injury. Visit https://t.co/Xy22Ey2UXx #BrainHealth

#DYK The mobile military life is not a barrier to adoption, and the Department of Defense @Military1Source provides a variety of resources to make adoption easier, including reimbursement. https://t.co/6WKp5egapg

Want to learn more about @Tricare Open Season and all the options available to you? https://t.co/1lY8b6BjAF

Honoring the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation on this #VeteransDay. Your sacrifice and dedication have shaped the very fabric of our freedom. Thank you for your courage, resilience, and commitment to preserving the values we hold dear. #Gratitude https://t.co/7TGdjEvhCK

I am proud of the work and dedication of our @DoDEA teachers and staff. Our schools are first in the nation because of them...shaping tomorrow, today! #FutureLeaders https://t.co/vXjbbLKGQ2

RT @marforres: #Marines with Marine Forces Reserve and @MARFORSOUTH participated in a motivational run through the streets of New Orleans i…

Happy 248th Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps! On this special day, we salute the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve with honor, courage, and commitment. Thank you for your dedication to protecting our freedom. #SemperFi #MarineCorpsBirthday https://t.co/RCKnHtLnXr

From the Revolutionary War to present-day, Native and Alaskan Americans have demonstrated bravery, sacrifice, and excellence in the U.S. Military Services. Learn more about their advancements in military medicine at Americans in Military Medicine. #NativeAmericanHeritage https://t.co/cz1pDjJ4HI