Online Submissions
The process for submitting a Joint Hometown News Release has been improved. Traditionally, these forms were filled out by hand by the service member, and then mailed or emailed to our staff. Now, all releases can be submitted by each service member and processed by a unit's public affairs officer using our NEW online system.


Public Affairs Officers
You will automatically be directed to the registration page the first time you access the Web site. Please fill out all of the required fields and spell out all abbreviations. It may take up to 24-48 hours for your application to be accepted. You will be notified via email that your account has been approved. Once your account is approved, you will be directed to your "dashboard." More information about how the online system works can be found in the "Joint Hometown News PAO Guide," which is located on the right hand side of your JHNS account home page. To create a PAO account, please click the link below.

  • Create a PAO account


Service Members
We are here to tell your story! Whether a promotion, re-enlistment, retirement or any other achievement in your military career, we will share your story with your hometown. Make sure you attach a photo with your release, as most media outlets want to run a photo with your story. To fill out a Joint Hometown News Release, please click the link below.

  • Complete a Joint Hometown News Release Form
Our History

The Hometown News program, originally known as the Army & Air Force Hometown News Service, has been in existence for more than 40 years, with the Army originally running its program in Kansas City, Mo., and the Air Force originally running its program from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

In 1978, after the results of a study conducted by the Defense Audit Service were released, a decision was made to consolidate the two operations into one location in San Antonio, Texas. In 1979 the Air Force's operation moved there, followed by the Army's operation in 1980. The consolidation resulted in a savings of 35 personnel positions, with a work force of 63 performing the mission previously done by 98 people.

Since 1980, automation and other efficiencies resulted in the continued downsizing of the organization to a strength of 39 people.

In October, 2008, the organization's name changed from the Army & Air Force Hometown News Service to the Joint Hometown News Service, when the organization became part of the Defense Media Activity, a new organization created by the 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission Report.

In 2013 the organization started using a new, online release system that drastically reduced the amount of time and manpower needed to produce and release each story. It also reduced the amount of paper release forms the organization receives each week. The staff now consists of three people who process more than 70,000 releases each year.
LINKS

  • Defense.gov (The Official Web Site of the Department of Defense)
  • Defense Media Activity
  • Army.mil (The Official Web Site of the United States Army)
  • Air Force.mil (The Official Web Site of the U.S. Air Force)
  • Airman Magazine
  • Army Recruiting
  • Air Force Recruiting
  • Soldiers Magazine On-line
  • All Hands Magazine On-line
  • Marines Magazine On-line
  • DoDLive
  • American Forces Network
  • The Pentagon Channel
  • Stars and Stripes