Hometown News Releases now accessible from any computer Published March 3, 2014 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Joint Hometown News Service launched a new online submission system making it easier for service members and Department of Defense civilians to publicize achievements such as promotions and decorations, to their local media outlets. The new hometown news release submission program is now fully digitized, and includes a feature that provides the service member with a unique link to show their achievements via social media. "This new system is really a quantum leap forward for the Joint Hometown News Service," said Michael Tolzmann, the chief of the print operation division with the JHNS. "We've gone from the 1980s, where paper and the U.S. postal system were the means to acquire information, to an online system that is modern, easy to use and up to date, with real-time feedback." The new system will allow the JHNS team to release newly-submitted stories to the hometown newspapers the same day or within a week, depending on the number of submissions, Tolzmann said. Scott AFB personnel can access the new HTNR link on the public web page: www.scott.af.mil. After completing the form, the submission will be reviewed and approved, and then sent to news outlets. Individuals can expect to receive an email with information on which publications the news release was sent to and links to the published story. Each year over 500,000 individual news releases are distributed to the 14,000 newspapers, television and radio stations subscribed to JHNS's free service. "The Hometown News Release program is one of the most effective communication avenues for Airmen to showcase their accomplishments and achievements with family and friends back home," said Col. Kyle Kremer, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander. "The resulting media coverage connects our local and national communities together, and is a way to build grass-roots support for the military by presenting our Airmen in a factual, positive light." The following are standard story topics. Please note that photographs are highly encouraged whether an official photo or one portraying you on the job. If you submit a photo, please ensure it's high quality resolution. Military members -- Graduation from basic training. ' -- Completion and commissioning from Officer Training School. --. Graduation from initial-entry, Air Force specialty code or Military Occupational Specialty producing schools. -- Promotions to grade E-3 and higher as the promotion occurs. Selected for promotion to E-9 and 0-6 and above. -- Arrival for duty is open to all permanent changes of stations to both CONUS and overseas. -- Major exercises. This includes only those exercises announced to the news media by the Department of Air Force, Department of Army or the Department of Defense, or active-duty unit deployments overseas from the United States. -- Awards and decorations for individual achievement (Achievement Medal or higher; copy of citation required), plus the Humanitarian Service Medal. -- Re-enlistments. Include the number of years for which enlisting and number of years already served. -- Retirements. Include the number of years served. Forms may be submitted up to 30 days before actual retirement date. A biography is preferred with all retirement submissions. -- Forms are accepted after completion of initial summer training and upon graduation and commissioning from the service academies. Degree, level and field of study should be included. -- Receipt of ROTC scholarship, completion of ROTC summer camp, and commissioning through the ROTC program. -- Individual achievements such as: a. Receipt of college degree. Include field of study, type of degree, and the name and location of the institution granting the degree. b. Airman/Soldier or NCO officer of the month, quarter, or year at all levels of command. c. Best individual in a job or career field for the month, quarter, or year at all levels of command. Include criteria for selection. A supporting cover story is desired. d. Direct commissions and warrants. e. Suggestion awards of $50 or more. Cover story is required. f. Participation in a national news event. Cover story is required. Examples include space shuttle support, Presidential inauguration, or significant humanitarian operations. -- Competitions. This includes only individuals and competing team winners in departmental contests that test readiness in combat-related skills with competitors drawn from a worldwide pool. It does not include unit winners nor titles and awards presented to units. -- Selection for service-funded, degree producing programs and selection for Training With Industry programs. -- Sports. Selection for membership on U.S. Olympic or Pan-American Games teams, American Athletic Union (AAU) national-level participants, National Sports Festival participants, and winners of sports events at Air Force, Army or DOD levels. Also includes winners of the National Rifle Association-sponsored national and higher level competitions. MAJCOM-sponsored sports events at MAJCOM championship level are also acceptable. Dates, location, and category of events should be included. These events should normally allow winners to advance to further service or DOD competition. -- Graduation from all in-residence, nonspecialty-related schooling of four weeks or longer. This includes such schooling as staff college, war college, industrial college, and NCO academies. -- Assumption of command at all levels. Civilian Employees -- Civilian of month or quarter at all levels of command. -- Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. -- Civilian Award for Valor, MAJCOM level. -- Army or Air Force Civilian Award for Valor. -- DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award. -- President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service. -- Receipt of Suggestion Award of $500 or more. Cover story is required. -- Graduation from military schools (as in paragraph A-3) when the civilian employee is a member of a class primarily made up of military personnel. -- Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. -- Commander's Award for Civilian Service. Any questions about the HNTR form or program can be directed to Public Affairs at 256-4241.