Department of Defense Launches New ‘My Military OneSource’ Mobile Application

 Nov. 9, 2020

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The Department of Defense launched a new mobile app that quickly connects service members, their families, and survivors to resources and support to help them rejuvenate, be well, and thrive. The My Military OneSource mobile app is now available for free download on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

The My Military OneSource mobile app provides a customized way for users to experience one of the military’s flagship support programs – Military OneSource. The app offers a fast, 24/7 gateway to personalized military benefits, access to experts, guides for the military, and much more. Unique features include:

• A personalized experience based on a user’s profile
• MilLife Guides – a curated library of “must-know” information about military life, spanning topics from PCS to finances, from relationships to recreation
• Benefits Finder – an easy way to get top-line information about the benefits available to service members and their families
• Advanced search functionality to ease navigation, and the
• Ability to immediately connect with live support.

“We are excited to offer an innovative, personalized approach to receiving support, resources, and expertise through the My Military OneSource mobile app, in the same way our folks are used to receiving other information in their lives” said Matthew P. Donovan, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “The Department of Defense is committed to providing valuable support to help our military service members and families thrive, and this mobile app was developed with their needs in mind.” 

To ensure the My Military OneSource mobile app continues to meet the needs of the military community, we will evaluate user feedback to help inform ongoing updates and enhancements, as well as new features.

Part of the Department of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy offers a suite of programs, tools, and services – including My Military OneSource and MilitaryOneSource.mil – that connects the military community to resources they can use every day, from relocation planning and tax services to confidential non-medical counseling and spouse employment. These initiatives contribute to force readiness and quality of life by providing policies and programs that advance the well-being of service members, their families, survivors, and other eligible members of the military community.

Military OneSource is a DOD-funded program that is both a call center and a website providing comprehensive information, resources, and assistance on every aspect of military life. Service members and the families of active duty, National Guard, and reserve (regardless of activation status), Coast Guard members when activated for the Navy, DOD expeditionary civilians, and survivors are eligible for Military OneSource services, which are available worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to the user.

Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew members escort rescued U.S citizens

 

Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew members escort rescued U.S citizens at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Nov. 7, 2020, in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta. The soldiers are assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo, which is trained and prepared to support disaster assistance efforts within Central America.

Cali Cover

 

Marine Corps Cpl. Sathya Breckinridge provides cover during an integrated training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 5, 2020.

Supply Support

 

Navy Seaman Brian Chan moves a box of supplies aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 2, 2020.

Malabar Formation

 

The USS John S. McCain sails in formation with Indian, Australian and Japanese vessels in the Indian Ocean, Nov. 3, 2020, during Malabar, an India-led multinational exercise.

Food Bank

 

Arizona National Guard service members prepare boxes of groceries for delivery to area residents at a food bank in Three Points, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has activated more than 800 Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen to support the community during this emergency response.

Food Distribution

 

Arizona National Guard service members deliver boxes of groceries to area residents in Three Points, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has activated more than 800 Arizona citizen soldiers and airmen to support the community during this emergency response.

Colorful Corps

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Keavious Blackmon participates in training at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 2, 2020.

Stepping Up

 

Air Force Senior Airman Alvaro Barboza climbs the ladder on a firetruck during an observance at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 28, 2020.

Recruit Work

 

Marine Corps recruits participate in the final challenge of recruit training, known as the Crucible, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Nov. 6, 2020.

Soldiers Compete for Best Medic, Best Warrior Title During Pandemic

 Nov. 9, 2020 | BY RUSSELL TOOF, ARMY

With extra safety precautions in place due to COVID-19, soldiers from Regional Health Command Europe, alongside soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, competed in a Best Medic and Best Warrior competition in Baumholder, Germany, Nov. 3 and 4, 2020.

After a grueling 48 hours that tested the competitors physically and mentally, winners for the respective competitions were announced.

Army Sgt. Michael Metcalf and Army Spc. Walter Galdamez from U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Bavaria earned the title of Best Medic team. Army 1st Lt. Jacob Schwanz and Army Spc. Brenden Lopez, both from MEDDAC Bavaria, and Army Sgt. James Gabisum from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center were the Best Warrior winners in the officer, soldier and noncommissioned officer categories, respectively.

"My motivation for competing was seizing the opportunity to be able to not only train with the soldiers I work with in a clinical setting, but also to really have the opportunity to go out and train on basic warrior tasks and drills," said Schwanz, the executive officer at U.S. Army Health Clinic Grafenwoehr. "I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to compete and to be able to learn from the others here."

Surviving on just a few hours of sleep over a two-day period, Galdamez was just as happy.

"I came here to be challenged," said Galdamez, a lab technician at U.S. Army Health Clinic Vilseck. "My everyday task is to work in a lab, and it was very nice to go out and do something different and prove I'm not just a lab tech."

Galdamez and Metcalf both earned their Expert Field Medical Badge back in September.  That competition tested competitors in similar areas to the Best Medic.

"Those soldiers didn't have to be here, but they volunteered to challenge themselves to be the best and to earn the title of Best Warrior/Best Medic," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Brunell, the Regional Health Command Europe command sergeant major. "So I'm proud that they accepted this challenge."

Competitors had to complete the Army Combat Fitness test, day and night land navigation, weapons qualification, a stress shoot, a timed 8-mile road march, a written essay, multiple choice test and an oral board. The last event was providing care to simulated injuries that one might experience in a battlefield environment.

"Events like this are important because they test our medical field craft in a high stress environment," Brunell added. ''But it's also more than that. Our medics get to prove that they are not only great medical personnel but also some of the best soldiers in our Army.''

(Russell Toof is assigned to Regional Health Command Europe)