Mandatory self-service logon required

  • Published
  • 66th Force Support Squadron
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Defense Department and Veterans' Administration developed a solution that will allow servicemembers and veterans access to benefit-related information securely, Air Force personnel officials recently announced.

The requirement to get the Department of Defense Self-service, or DS Logon, was stipulated in a November 2010 Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness directive to the services to implement methods ensuring all new servicemembers obtain a DS Logon upon entry to service. Also, all existing servicemembers, active duty and Guard and Reserves, in possession of a CAC, must acquire their DS Logon by November 2013.

"The Air Force is still working through details on registering new recruits," said Steve Tupeck, 66th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section chief. "In the meantime it will be up to first duty stations to ensure personnel establish their DS Logon as part of their in-processing actions."

The DS Logon will remain with an individual for as long as there is an affiliation with the DoD or the Veterans' Administration for benefits. The DS Logon is the means to access various related informational and self-service websites.

The DS Logon is a secure, self-service tool that allows access to websites using a single username and password. This supports the Personnel Identity Protection Directive, Department of Defense Directive 1000.25 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology e-Authentication guidance. A person's Personally Identifiable Information and Personal Health Information is very important and deserves a level of security above that of simple usernames and passwords that are used most often for many websites.

"Registering for a DS Logon with a CAC automatically grants a premium account (level 2) for access which allows servicemembers to view personal data, apply for benefits online, check status of claims, update address information and more," Tupeck said.

There are several websites that currently recognize DS Logon for access and more are coming.

"There are a number of actions the DS Logon can facilitate when accessing the various websites, like the eBenefits, milConnect and RAPIDS Self-service," said Tupeck.

These include the ability to access information regarding your personal information, health care eligibility, personnel records, review Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance elections and convert SGLI to Veterans' Group Life Insurance after separation, change address information or generate ID card applications in DEERS, request VA Home loan Certificate of Eligibility and transfer Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits.

The list of websites that accept DS Logon can be found on the My Access Center within the myaccess website at https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/dsaccess.