DOD Amends Assisted Reproductive Services Policy for Severely Ill and Injured Active Duty Service Members
By Joseph Clark , DOD News
The Defense Department has amended its policy covering assisted reproductive technology services to expand access for severely ill and injured active duty service members.
Under the amended policy, active duty service members with a qualifying illness or injury may now access this extended benefit regardless of their marital status, and they may now use donor gametes (sperm, egg, or both) and embryos, when procured at their own expense.
By David Vergun , DOD News
The Defense Department's Military-Civilian Transition Office is responsible for designing, overseeing and evaluating DOD transition and reintegration programs, which are available to all eligible military members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families.
Taking care of people is a top priority for DOD, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. He noted that service members received a 4.6% pay raise this year—the largest in two decades. The department is also working to make child care more affordable, make moves easier, help military spouses pursue their own careers and assist service members with transitioning out of the military.
By David Vergun , DOD News
The biennial Survey of Active-Duty Spouses is now available for the nearly 600,000 Defense Department active-duty spouses to complete.
The survey has new, expanded sections on remote work and financial well-being.
It's the only official DOD-wide survey for active-duty spouses. Input collected through this survey will provide the department with a barometer on how to adjust policies and programs to address the needs of military families in the U.S. and abroad, said Lee Kelley, principal director for the Department's Military Community and Family Policy Office.
By David Vergun , DOD News
As of Jan. 1, active-duty service members are now authorized to receive reimbursement for costs related to relocation of one household pet due to a permanent change of station move.
The relocation expense for either one dog or one cat includes travel costs within the U.S. or overseas and any other travel requirements, according to the Joint Travel Regulations Office.