DS Logon - A Must for Retirees

WASHINGTON— The Department of Defense Self-Service Logon (DS Logon) is a relatively new, secure, self-service logon ID that allows Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) members and affiliates to access numerous government websites using a single username and password. Besides the convenience of needing only one username and password to access these websites, DS Logon provides a high level of authentication that goes beyond simple username/passwords used by most websites. This allows government agencies to provide real-time, personalized information to users. A DS Logon is also useful in situations where Common Access Card (CAC) authentication is not available or the member does not have a CAC like most Retirees.

Currently, the following groups of people can obtain a DS Logon:
• Service Members (Active Duty, Guard/Reservists, Retirees)
• Veterans
• Spouses (including Surviving Spouses)
• Eligible Family Members (18 and over)

Users must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to obtain a DS Logon account. There are two types of DS Logon accounts: a basic account and a premium account. The main difference is:
• A basic account can be obtained online without verification of your identity, but it does not provide access to personal information in VA or DOD systems. The main advantage of a basic account is that it enables you to upgrade more quickly to a premium account when you go in person to a VA Regional Office or a TRICARE Service Center.
• A premium account allows users to access websites that contain their personal information.  This logon can be used across DOD and VA applications such as the eBenefits portal; TRICARE Online (TOL) portals;  Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE); MilConnect: Transferability of Education Benefits; Health Net Federal Services; Humana
Military; MyTricare.com; and TRICARE-overseas.com, to name a few.  It will be the primary method of single sign-on for all DOD and VA web authentication in the not-too-distant future, and for the Army, will replace the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) login.

There are several ways to obtain a DS Logon account: First, visit the “DS Logon – My Access Center,” https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dsaccess/.  A basic account can be established immediately on this site. Upgrading to a premium account may also be accomplished at this site. The quickest and most convenient method of obtaining a premium account is to complete the “remote proofing process” on this site which involves using a secure ID that users may already have, such as a Social Security Number, and answering three basic, personal questions. CAC holders may upgrade their accounts immediately using their CAC.

Individuals who do not have a CAC and who cannot complete the remote proofing process for some reason may request an activation code from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) if they have a myPay account established at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
Users who cannot complete any of these preferred processes may obtain a DS Logon premium account by visiting a VA Regional Office or a TRICARE Service Center. These locations can be found on the “DS Logon – My Access Center” website.  Many RAPIDS offices (military ID card offices) can also provide DS Logon accounts. Check in advance with whatever office you’re visiting to make sure they have the capability.

There is a link to the DS Logon page from the MyArmyBenefits homepage (http://MyArmyBenefits.us.army.mil), or for more information, visit the DS Logon website directly at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dsaccess/, or call the DEERS/DMDC
Support Office at (800) 538-9552, or the VA Call Center (for remote proofing only) at (800) 827-1000.