The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program prepares high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. It is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community and Nation. JROTC teaches young men and women the kind of self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership skills that can help them successfully meet the challenges of adulthood. This program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the Nation, by instructors who are retired Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. Information about each military service's JROTC program is found on their respective websites. Additional questions should be directed to the contact addresses below: U.S. Army JROTC Program Headquarters U.S. Army Cadet Command ATTN: ATCC-JR-IM (Instr Mgt) 394 2nd Dragoons Road, Bldg 6573 Fort Monroe, VA 23651-5000 Phone: 800-347-6641 http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/ U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General TECOM C46JR 1019 Elliot Road Quantico, VA 22134-5001 Phone: 703-784-3706 https://www.mcjrotc.marines.mil/ Naval Service Training Command NJROTC Program 250 Dallas Street, Suite. A Pensacola, FL 32508-5268 Phone: 877-253-7122 (option 1) https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NJROTC/ U.S. Air Force JROTC Program Headquarters ATTN: AFOATS/JRI 551 East Maxwell Boulevard. Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6106 Phone: 334-953-5300 or 5275 https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/ View More
We greatly appreciate your desire to join the Armed Forces. Our entry rules are purposely tough because in the field, the lives of your fellow service members may well depend on your physical and mental capabilities to perform as part of the unit. The Military services each set and review their standards for enlistment based upon their particular mission. To appeal a decision made by a military service's recruiting command, you must submit your request in writing to the appropriate military service. Addresses for the military services are available on the DOD website at https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Mailing-Addresses/. There are also areas where your situation may not be an issue, such as the U.S. civil service. For information on civilian job opportunities, please visit the USA Jobs website. View More
The Selective service System is an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the U.S. Federal Government. Selective service is not part of the Department of Defense. Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It’s important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in a sequence determined by random lottery number and year of birth. Then, they would be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces. The U.S. Selective Service website has more information, including how to register and who must register. View More
Information about each military service academy is found on their respective websites. Additional questions should be directed to the contact addresses below: United States Military Academy ATTN: Public Affairs Office Taylor Hall, Building 600 West Point, NY 10996-1788 Telephone: 845-938-4011 Website: http://www.usma.edu/ United States Naval Academy * ATTN: Public Affairs Officer 121 Blake Road Annapolis, MD 21402-5000 Telephone: 410-293-1000 Website: http://www.usna.edu/ * Graduates serve in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps United States Air Force Academy ATTN: Public Affairs Officer 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 320 U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840-5016 Telephone: 800-433-9266 Website: http://www.usafa.af.mil United States Coast Guard Academy ** ATTN: Public Affairs Officer 15 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320-4195 Telephone: 860-444-8270 Website: https://www.uscga.edu/ ** The U.S. Coast Guard is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security; however, reports directly to the Department of the Navy only in wartime; in peacetime, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. United States Merchant Marine Academy *** ATTN: Public Affairs Officer 300 Steamboat Road Kings Point, NY 11024 Telephone: 516-726-5800 Website: http://www.usmma.edu/ *** The Merchant Marine Academy has a close relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces, as noted on its website, but is not part of the Department of Defense. View More
The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the Nation’s lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values. The USCIS website contains helpful information about laws, policies, and procedures for non-citizen members of the military and veteran community seeking to become naturalized United States citizens. Link: https://www.uscis.gov/military/military USCIS also operates a helpline toll-free military helpline, 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645, TTY 800-877-8339) and e-mail address at militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov exclusively for current members of the military and their families, as well as veterans. Link: https://www.uscis.gov/military/military-help-line View More
The Department of Defense employs 950,000 civilians, many serving in critical positions worldwide. There are multitudes of opportunities requiring a diverse range of skills. If a competitive salary, great benefits, unsurpassed training, and the pride of defending our Nation interests you, then your future is with DOD. As a civilian in DOD, you play an important role in the defense of our Nation and in supporting our Armed Forces. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and other DOD Agencies have civilian positions in nearly 675 occupations. Link: https://www.DODciviliancareers.com/ As a student or recent graduate, you may be able to begin your career in the Federal Government through internships, the Recent Graduates Program, Presidential Management Fellows Program, with the assistance of DOD scholarship programs: Link: https://www.DODciviliancareers.com/civiliancareers/studentsrecentgraduates View More
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is responsible for its own recruiting. You can learn more about each branch's recruiting policies, and contact a recruiter directly, at the following websites: Army: https://www.goarmy.com National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.com/ Marines: https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/process-to-join.html Navy: https://www.navy.com/careers Air Force and Space Force: https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join Coast Guard: https://www.uscg.mil/Join/ View More
Most answers to questions about a military service branch can be found by clicking one of the links below. In addition, each service also offers a “Contact Us” page which can be accessed via the Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQ page. Army: https://www.army.mil/faq/ Army National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.com/guard-faqs Navy: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Frequently-Asked-Questions/ Air Force: https://www.af.mil/Questions.aspx Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/FAQs/ Air National Guard: https://www.ang.af.mil/Contact/Questions.aspx Marine Corps: https://www.marines.mil/FAQ/ Coast Guard: https://www.gocoastguard.com/faq View More
Service members and their families have proven their strength in weathering unique issues, such as frequent moves, deployments and separations from loved ones. Because everyone struggles now and then, the Department of Defense provides confidential non-medical counseling, specialty consultations and other forms of free confidential help to service members, immediate family members and in some cases, Department of Defense civilians. Confidential help is available in person, via secure video, over the phone and online. Learn more at Military OneSource: Link: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-onesource/military-onesource-confidential-help-eligibility/ Military Crisis Line If you have an immediate need or are currently in crisis, call the Military Crisis Line for support at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). The MCL is a toll-free, confidential resource that connects service members in crisis, their families and friends with qualified, caring responders. Veterans Crisis Line If you are a military veteran in crisis or are concerned about a veteran who is, The Department of Veterans Affairs also offers confidential free support from caring, qualified responders, many of whom are veterans themselves. Link: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Text: 838255 National Suicide Prevention Hotline Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or TTY: 1-800-799-4889. This hotline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in a suicidal crisis. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. Your call is free and confidential. Link: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Psychological Health Center of Excellence Get the information you need with the Real Warriors Live Chat. A trained health resource consultant is ready to talk, listen and provide the guidance and resources you are looking for. Access our privacy policies and disclaimers to see our commitment to your confidentiality. Call: 1-800-273-8255 This link takes you directly to the Real Warriors Live Chat line: https://chat.magellanhealth.com/Cutesoft_Client/CuteChat/DCOE_SupportClient.aspx### View More
The Department of Defense issues a common access card, or CAC, ''smart'' ID card to active-duty military personnel, Selected Reserve, DOD civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel. A uniformed service ID card, or USID, is issued to military family members and military retirees to access service benefits and privileges. Military personnel, retirees, and their family members should notify their security office IMMEDIATELY if an ID card is lost, stolen, or misplaced. Information about obtaining and managing your CAC or USIC card is found on the DOD common access card website. Additional information and assistance is available at these DOD websites: Link: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/self_service/rapids/ Link: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/public/faq/Documentation-ID_Cards View More
The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, database contains information for each uniformed service member (active duty, retired, or a member of a reserve component), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DOD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DOD (including the patient population serviced through the Military Health Services System), and their eligible family members. DEERS registration is required for TRICARE eligibility and enrollment. You are responsible for keeping your information current on your record. Active Duty and retired service members are automatically registered in DEERS, but they must take action to register their family members and ensure they are correctly entered into the database. Once registered in DEERS it is important to keep your DEERS records updated when personal eligibility information changes. This includes addresses and family status (marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, etc.). Mistakes in the DEERS database can cause problems with TRICARE claims, so it is critical to maintain your DEERS information. Retail network pharmacies check TRICARE eligibility through DEERS. Prescriptions will be filled only for beneficiaries who are listed as eligible in DEERS. For more information on updating and correcting your information within DEERS please click on the link below. Link: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/public/faq/DEERS-Updating_and_Correcting_DEERS_Data View More
Veterans who believe the characterization of their discharge from military service was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade are encouraged to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction. All branches of the military consider you to have a strong case for a discharge upgrade if you can show your discharge was connected to any of these categories: Mental health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Sexual assault or harassment during military service Sexual orientation (including discharges under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy) The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs jointly operate an online tool to facilitate your application process. By answering a series of questions, you will receive customized instructions on how to apply, and to which board to apply, for a discharge upgrade or correction. Link: https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/ If you do not agree with a Service Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) decision, and have relevant evidence that was not considered with the previous application, you may submit a new DD Form 149 to your respective BCM/NR and apply for reconsideration of your case. Service members with a separation date on or after December 20, 2019, who have exhausted all available administrative remedies for a discharge or dismissal characterization upgrade by their Service BCM/NR, may be eligible to apply to the DoD Discharge Appeal Review Board. To learn more about the DARB and how to apply for review, visit the DARB page located on the Air Force Review Board Agency website. View More
If you believe an error or injustice exists in your military record, you may complete and submit a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record, along with sufficient evidence of the probable material error or justice, to your Service Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR). A few examples of records that may be corrected include: administrative information, pay and allowances, decorations and awards, performance evaluations and derogatory information, disabilities, promotions and rank, and separation and discharges*. *NOTE: Service members who are seeking a discharge upgrade and have been separated for less than 15 years, must first submit the DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the Unites States, to their respective Service Discharge Review Board. When applying to your respective BCM/NR, download and use the most current version of the DD Form 149 located on the Official DoD Website for DoD Forms: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd0149.pdf. Both the Army and Air Force offer online application portals and the Navy accepts applications via email. These methods are preferred and will streamline your application process and allow for timelier responses. You may also mail your completed application and any supporting evidence to the appropriate address on page 3 of the DD Form 149 but be sure to first check the websites below to find the most up-to-date instructions and information for your Service BCM/NR. Air Force Review Boards Agency (includes Space Force applicants) Website: https://afrba-portal.cce.af.mil/# Army Review Boards Agency Website: http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/ Board for Correction of Naval Records (includes Marine Corps applicants) Website: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/Pages/default.aspx DHS Office of the General Counsel Board for Correction of Military Records Website: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/BCMR/ If you do not agree with a Service BCM/NR decision and have relevant evidence that was not considered with the previous application, you may submit a new DD Form 149 to apply for reconsideration of your case. For discharge upgrade requests denied by your Service BCM/NR, you may also be eligible to apply to the DoD Discharge Appeal Review Board View More
The U.S. Armed Forces maintain an Official Military Personnel File, or OMPF, for every veteran and service member. If you are a veteran or a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force and are serving as active duty, reserve, or guard, or if you are retired, you can use the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System page on the milConnect website to request and receive scanned copies of documents in your OMPF. In some cases, OMPF records are not yet scanned into the DPRIS system on milConnect. To determine whether your documents are available online, what to do if they are not, and for many more details about your OMPF documents, visit the DPRIS section of the milConnect frequently asked questions page. For OMPF records not available in milConnect, military veteran health records, or for records requests from a veteran's next of kin or a member of the public, please visit the National Archives - National Personnel Record Center, Military Personnel Records for assistance: Link: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/military-personnel Link: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/other-medical-records View More
The DOD and other agencies are committed to connecting survivors with resources to relieve financial stress and provide assistance with decision-making around the death of a service member. Military OneSource contains a list of helpful resources. View More
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts initiative is a workforce development program. Its goal is to find an effective way to help military spouses get the training and education they need to have portable careers. Accounts for education and training leading to a credential in a portable field are available for eligible military spouses at https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa. View More
Thank you for your desire to support the well-being of our service members. The Department of Defense does not operate a program for members of the general public to send care packages and holiday mail to deployed service members. However, those wishing to send materials to service members can do so by contacting any of the various non-DOD military service organizations who still do this work. One example is the American Red Cross, which has a Holiday for Heroes program run by their local state chapters. Family members, extended family members and friends who want to send care items to their military member should follow these tips provided by Military OneSource. View More
A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain statutory requirements are met. In such a case, the Department of State will issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, also called a Form FS-240, in the child's name. Please visit the Department of State's website for more information, including how the CRBA may be replaced or amended if necessary. View More
Requests for Service member contact information should be sent to the respective military branch of the individual whose information is being sought. However, in most cases, military regulations and the Privacy Act of 1974 do not permit the military departments to provide home addresses or telephone numbers of service personnel. Moreover, regulations do not permit the public dissemination of listings of names and addresses of service personnel. In cases of family emergency: The American Red Cross assists DOD with relaying family member communications to military members and coordinating with the military commands for service members to be granted emergency leave as is necessary. To speak to a Red Cross Emergency Communications Specialist call: 1-877-272-7337. More information is found on the American Red Cross website at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/emergency-communication.html. To locate Americans abroad in event of an emergency, please contact the Department of State: From the U.S. & Canada: 1-888-407-4747 (Option: 0) From Overseas: +1 202-501-4444 https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html View More
For detailed information on DOD health care services and benefits for military members, retirees and their families who are beneficiaries of the Military Health System, please visit these DOD websites: Military Health System: https://health.mil/ TRICARE: https://www.tricare.mil/ View More
There are many outstanding nonprofit organizations that provide no-cost support and services to members of the military and veteran community. Although the DOD is not able to endorse or recommend individual organizations, some of these organizations may be found at these links: The National Resource Directory: https://nrd.gov/ Community based support for military members and families: https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Community-Support-of-Troops/ Community based support for veterans: https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Veteran-Support-Organizations/ View More
The Military One Source military installation directory offers a search engine to find specific military installation offices and resources. Whether you are planning a move to your next duty station or need general information about installations, this site is a useful resource that contains overviews, contacts for programs and services, check-in procedures, and community information for installations worldwide. View More
Military OneSource is the 24/7 connection to information, answers and support for military members and their families working to reach their goals, overcome challenges, and thrive as members of our military community. Military OneSource also offers portals with information and services pertinent to each military service branch at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/branch-of-service/. In addition to Military OneSource, DOD operates a network of websites that offer specific assistance for military members and families: American Forces Travel: https://www.americanforcestravel.com/ Blog Brigade: https://blog-brigade.militaryonesource.mil/ DOD Customer Moving Portal: https://move.mil/ Education Directory for Children with Special Needs: https://efmpeducationdirectory.militaryonesource.mil/ Exceptional Military Family Program: https://efmpandme.militaryonesource.mil/ MilitaryChildCare Portal: https://militarychildcare.com/ Military Installation Resource Directory: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/ Military Spouse Employment Partnership: https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/ Military Life Learning: https://millifelearning.militaryonesource.mil/ MyCareer Advancement: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/ Plan My Deployment: https://planmydeployment.militaryonesource.mil/ Plan My Move: https://planmymove.militaryonesource.mil/ Spouse Education and Career Opportunities: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/ View More
DOD issuances contain the various policies and procedures the govern and regulate activities and missions across the defense enterprise. They take the form of formal directives, instructions, publications and manuals, administrative instructions, and directive-type memorandums. DOD also publishes forms that are used for a variety of internal purposes and for members of the public to request information and services. These documents may be found on the DOD Washington Headquarters Services issuance website. Each Military Department publishes forms and regulations that similarly govern and regulate the activities within its respective military branch: U.S. Army: https://armypubs.army.mil U.S. Marine Corps: https://www.marines.mil/News/Publications U.S. Navy: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/doni/default.aspx U.S. Air Force: https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/Product-Index U.S. Space Force: https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/Product-Index/#/?view=cat&catID=20 View More
The Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review manages the Department of Defense Security Review program, reviewing written materials both for public and controlled release. This includes the mandatory pre-release review of official government and defense industry work products, as well as materials (such as books and articles) submitted by cleared or formerly cleared individuals pursuant to their voluntary non-disclosure agreement obligations. DOPSR also coordinates official work products with Defense enterprise stakeholders to ensure that information being released is both accurate and represents the Department’s official position. View More
The Defense Department and military seals are protected by law and reserved for official use only. Under U.S. Code Title 18, Section 506, unauthorized use of the seals may include, but is not limited to commercial, marketing, advertising or promotion use by any nongovernment entity and is punishable. Military services have provided alternatives to their seals for commercial purposes. They include logos or coats of arms. Permission to use any of these emblems must be granted by the respective services. There is no substitute for the Defense Department seal. View More
Department of Defense photographs and imagery, unless otherwise noted, are in the public domain. They are available for use, subject to specific guidelines. For current guidelines on using DOD photographs and images, and limitations for public and commercial use, please visit the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center. As part of its mission to provide central visual information management, the Defense Media Activity provides distribution services to the DOD, other U.S. Government departments, archivists, historians, the media and interested members of the general public. DOD imagery may be found from various official sources. View More