Office Of The Under Secretary of Defense For Personnel & Readiness

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel & Readiness

News

Latest News

DoD Announces Implementation of the Brandon Act 
5 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.

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. 

Twitter Feed

You are NOT alone. The military health system has many resources available to help Service members, families, and v… https://t.co/Nrcrb74ngS

Today we @DoD_USD_PR salute all Gold Star Spouses and the loved ones lost or injured during service to our country. https://t.co/V3uiDxaO8m

RT @DeptofDefense: Today, we honor Gold Star Spouses, those who have lost their beloved partners in service to our nation. We extend our de…

RT @Military1Source: On #GoldStarSpousesDay, we recognize the strength, pain and incredible tenacity of the spouses of service members who…

RT @Military1Source: They’re growing, they’re finding their interests, they’re making mistakes — being a teenager is challenging. Access re…

RT @DoDEA: Today is National School Librarian Appreciation Day! We love our school librarians and appreciate them for ALL that they do, es…

RT @DeptofDefense: Join the @374AirliftWing in taking a stand against sexual assault during #SexualAssaultAwarenessandPrevention Month. Le…

RT @DeptofDefense: April is the month to celebrate the resiliency and bravery of military children! With over 1.6 million military kids nav…

RT @DeptofDefense: As a @USNavy Corpsman, I pledge to be ready to serve and protect my fellow warriors at all times. With honor, courage, a…

RT @MilitaryHealth: Thank you to all of the #Military & civilian physicians who provide care to our service members and their families. We…

RT @ArmedwScience: No, the DoD doesn’t have an old video game repair shop, but if you’re like @usairforce Staff Sgt. Megan O’Neil, you can…

RT @DSPO_BeThere: If you're concerned about a loved one, friend, or coworker, review our Small Steps, Save Lives #suicideprevention tool on…

RT @DeptofDefense: Congratulations on receiving your doctoral hood, @usairforce Senior Master Sgt. Anique McElveen! She joins an elite grou…

RT @DeptofDefense: Building and fighting for 81 years. Happy Birthday, @USNavy Seabees! https://t.co/kh2SJ8OXBi

RT @Military1Source: Survivors are eligible for a range of benefits. Tune in to this episode of the Military OneSource Podcast 🔊 to underst…

RT @DSPO_BeThere: We recognize our valued suicide prevention partners in honor of #WomensHistoryMonth! Learn how Resilience Coordinator Vi…

RT @DSPO_BeThere: Need help finding a counselor or therapist? @Military1Source and the Military and Family Life Counseling Program offer…

RT @DeptofDefense: On #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay, we honor the sacrifice and service of those who fought in the #VietnamWar. We pay tri…

RT @DeptofDefense: .@usairforce Senior Airman Aliyah Wyrick from the @51stFW proudly fulfills mission requirements and supports fighter squ…

RT @DoDEA: Congratulations to Kadena High School senior and AFJROTC cadet Dominic for earning a full-ride Air Force ROTC scholarship to The…