Quarterly updates for personnel and dependents

 June 12, 2024

1. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) disseminated a newly developed policy on the OCOLA process on 16 May 2024.  Recent updates to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prompted changes to the OCOLA process, specifically affecting the way reductions are executed.  This latest guidance from OSD further adjusts the process to phase in reductions on a monthly basis not to exceed 2% per month and not to exceed 10% per year.  Feedback from Service Members over the past three years has been helpful in prompting improvements to the OCOLA process.
   
   

   2024 Election Information (Voting Overseas): Service Members, Civilians, and Contractors have the following options:
   
   

   1. Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote, change their voting address/home of record, and request their absentee ballot. The FPCA can be completed online.
   
   

   2. Complete and send the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). This gives the voter coverage if their requested state absentee ballot does not arrive in time. The voter can complete and send the FWAB, as well as the state absentee ballot when it arrives. The state will only count one vote, but it ensures the vote is cast. Voters can also find the FWAB online.
   
   

   3. Request an absentee ballot from their state's website.
   
   

   Please access the link below for additional resources and information: https://www.fvap.gov/guide/appendix/state-elections