News/Features

DOD begins implementing Naming Commission recommendations

by Jim Garamone

DOD News |

So long, Fort Bragg. Hello, Fort Liberty.

The Naming Commission process is now over and the names of bases, posts, ships, streets and more named after Confederate soldiers will change.

William A. LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, today directed all DOD organizations to begin full implementation of the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense recommendations. LaPlante acted at the end of a 90-day waiting period that began after the Naming Commission released its third and final report in September.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III accepted the renaming recommendations in September.

The services and other DOD agencies have until the end of the year to complete the process.

Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard chaired the congressionally mandated Naming Commission. The commission’s mission was to provide removal and renaming recommendations for all DOD items “that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America.”

While Army bases are the most conspicuous examples, many installations have street names or buildings named after Confederates. The Navy will rename the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, which commemorates a Confederate victory, and the USNS Maury — named after a

See NAMING, Page 12

The Naming Commission recommended Fort Liberty as the new name for Fort Bragg, N.C.

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Air Force releases policy on Military Parental Leave Program

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The Department of the Air Force announced the expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program for Airmen and Guardians via guidance memorandum, which mirrors the Department of Defense’s Directive-type Memorandum 23-001 – “Expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program.”

Effective Dec. 27, 2022, the updated policy authorizes birth parents 12 weeks of parental leave following a provider-recommended period of convalescent leave and non-birth parents 12 weeks of leave following the birth of their child. The policy also grants adoptive parents and eligible foster parents 12 weeks of parental leave.

Previously, birth parents received six weeks of parental leave following their convalescent leave, and non-birth parents received 21 days.

The expansion is in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. It also builds on the DoD’s support of military families and service members by streamlining and enhancing the parental leave benefit for active and reserve component service members (on active duty for 12 months or more) who give birth, adopt a child or provide long-term foster care.

Members who were on maternity convalescent leave or caregiver leave on Dec. 27, 2022, before the new policy went into effect, will also receive the expanded benefit.

Both the birth and non-birth parents can take the leave administered in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the DAFGM. The expansion of the MPLP, which applies to all eligible service members as of Dec. 27, 2022, takes precedence over previous DoD issuances and service regulations.

The DAFGM is located here.

Additional FAQs are located here.

Examples:

EXAMPLE 1. A service member adopted a child on Dec. 27, 2022. This member is eligible to take up to 12 weeks of non-chargeable leave in accordance with DAFGM2023-01 para 3.2.2.10.2.

EXAMPLE 2. A service member designated as the primary caregiver is granted 6 weeks of maternity convalescent leave following the birth of a child and uses only 3 of the 6 weeks as of Dec. 27, 2022. Since the member will have unused caregiver leave as of Dec. 27, 2022, they would be eligible to transition to the expanded parental leave policy and take up to 12 weeks of non-chargeable leave after convalescent leave ends in accordance with DAFGM2023-01 para 3.2.2.10.2.

EXAMPLE 3. An Airman adopted a child on Nov. 25, 2022, then started secondary caregiver leave on Dec. 15, 2022. Since the Airman took leave in a consecutive increment from Dec. 15, 2022, to Dec. 26, 2022 (12 days), the remaining caregiver leave days automatically converted

See LEAVE, Page 10

Air Force outlines new Body Composition Program for Airmen, Guardians

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The Department of the Air Force is establishing new Body Composition Program standards for Airmen and Guardians after the abdominal circumference was removed from the Air Force-specific Physical Fitness Assessment in 2020.

Both the Air and Space Forces released the new Waist-to-Height Ratio BCP policy in January, with assessments to begin April 2023. The Body Composition Assessment is a separate and distinct measurement that is not part of the DAF Physical Fitness Assessment.

WHtR measures excess fat distribution in the abdominal region and is calculated by dividing waist circumference by height. Excess fat distribution in the abdominal region is associated with increased health risk.

“The goal of the new program is to empower Airmen to take charge of their health and fitness through lifestyle enhancement to optimize readiness,” said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. “Regardless of which risk category they fall in, everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to improve or maintain a healthy body composition.”

Body composition serves as an indicator of a member’s overall health and physical readiness. Department of Defense Instruction1308.03, DoD Physical Fitness/Body Composition Program, mandates the BCP as a requirement. Excess fat in the abdominal region impairs the body’s responsiveness to insulin. As a result, it contributes to increased health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal injuries, negatively impacting physical readiness.

The DAF BCP defines the waist as the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, which is normally the narrowest portion of the abdomen. WHtR is expressed in the following risk categories and associated standards:

Meeting Standard (Low-Moderate Risk): (WHtR < 0.55)

Not Meeting Standard (High Risk): (WHtR > 0.55)

Airmen and Guardians will maintain a WHtR of < 0.55 to meet the BCP standards. Airmen will complete their assessments annually around their birth month, while Guardians will complete it within their birth quarter.

There are no mandatory actions for Airmen and Guardians meeting the BCP standards, however, members will have their WHtR reviewed during their annual medical Periodic Health Assessment. They will re-