Retiree Activities Office

• The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) connects Virginia’s veterans and their families to federal and state benefits, support, quality care, and recognition they have earned. The Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is organized into seven service delivery sections: benefits; veteran and family support; veterans education; transition and employment; care centers; veterans cemeteries; and the Virginia War Memorial. The Board of Veterans Services, the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services Organizations, and the Veterans Services Foundation work closely with DVS to support the effective delivery of services to Virginia’s veterans and their families. Go to their website to learn more about Virginia Veterans Services: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/
• Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act was enacted in response to the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to improve national security. The goal of the REAL ID Act is to prevent identity fraud by establishing minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Department of Homeland Security started Real ID Act enforcement on 7 May 2025. This affects what forms of documentation can be used to access certain federal facilities, military installations, and to board domestic commercial flights. You can check your state’s compliance on the Department of Homeland Security website (REAL ID | Homeland Security)   Eventually, you will need to have the NextGen ID card because the old forms of ID will not be valid to access military installations; this will be true even if your old ID card has an INDEF expiration date on it. Military retirees, dependents, and surviving spouses who already possess military, or DoD issued credentials, will still be granted installation access for the foreseeable future even if you have an “old style” ID card (DD Form 2, DD Form 1173, DD Form 1173-1 or DD Form 2765 (blue, pink or tan ID)). DoD will formally announce when a date has been set.

         All old-style ID card holders are encouraged to get a NextGen ID card soon!

• New ID Card procedures: Pass and ID are now accepting appointments to change the current Military ID Cards to the new ID Cards. To schedule, an appointment click on the “How do I update my ID Card?” link under the FAQs.
• Do You Have a DS Logon? MYAIRFORCEBENEFITS – A Department of Defense (DoD) Self-Service Logon, or DS Logon, offers secure, self-service access to informative government partner websites for Airmen, Guardians, retirees, surviving spouses, and families. The free DS Logon ID account allows its members access to their personal information on DoD and Veterans Affairs (VA) partner sites using a single username and password. It can be used for viewing personal profiles, health information, pending applications, open claims, and more. The DS Logon can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. New user accounts are verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Therefore, to obtain a DS Logon, all applicants must be affiliated with the DoD or VA and have a listing in DEERS under one of the following categories: active duty, Reserve Component, retiree, or veteran; eligible family members (over 18 years of age); DoD civilians and contractors. Sign up for a DS Logon today.   DS Logon
• NEW Electronic Prescription from an off-base provider? There are two methods to activate the new prescription: 1. TEXT “Get in line” to 844-866-2689, and follow the instructions. 2. VISIT the SATELLITE Pharmacy in person to activate the new prescription.
• AFTERBURNER Publication is going electronic beginning 2025.  The final 2024 Afterburner publication will be circulated in the coming weeks and will be the last newsletter publication to be sent out both electronically AND hard copy.  Due to the rising printing and mailing costs and budgetary constraints, delivery of the Afterburner will migrate to online delivery beginning with the first issue of 2025.  We recognize this is a big change, but we are committed to getting retirees the news and information they need.  Current and previous publications can be accessed on the Retiree Services website at https://www.retirees.af.mil/Afterburner