Newsroom: Guidelines & Policy

Links to the Military OneSource and network of MC&FP websites and applications are permitted. The fact that a website links to Military OneSource and other MC&FP websites does not indicate that the Defense Department has any responsibility for the content of that site, nor does it constitute an endorsement of that site by the department.

The pages on Military OneSource and other MC&FP websites may include hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. MC&FP provides these links solely for our visitors’ information and convenience. When visitors select a link to an outside website, they are leaving the site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the external website.

When linking to Military OneSource, use the following text:

“The Defense Department’s Military OneSource provides trusted information, answers and support on every aspect of military life 24/7/365 — private confidential counseling and a range coaching and consultations are available at no cost to active duty, National Guard, reserve members (regardless of activation status), their families and survivors. Learn more at www.MilitaryOneSource.mil or call 800-342-9647.”

When linking to other MC&FP websites, use the following text:

“The Defense Department’s Military Community and Family Policy websites provide trusted information, answers and support on aspects of military life to help service members, their families, survivors and organizations supporting members of the military community.”

Links to External Websites

All links and pointers to sites that are not MC&FP websites are considered external links, including but not limited to other government sites, nonprofit sites, organizations and educational institutions.

All hypertext links to external sites are accompanied by an exit notice; the disclaimers below apply.

Evaluation criteria for links on Military OneSource and other MC&FP websites

• Links must be consistent with sound public policy and support the mission of MC&FP and its programs.
• If the Defense Department or MC&FP has a formal relationship with organizations or businesses, MC&FP websites may link to their sites. All participating partners in a business venture with MC&FP will be treated equally.
• Links to commercial sites must avoid even the perception of favoritism or bias relative to other similar commercial sites.
• MC&FP regularly reviews the quality and usefulness of the sites it links to. However, MC&FP cannot be responsible for their content or privacy policies, as noted in the Disclaimer in the footer.

Broken Links

Sometimes external pages we link to are moved or removed, creating a broken link. If you think you have come across a broken link on our website, notify us via our Customer Support webpage.

Defense Department employees may use the Military OneSource and the network of Military Community and Family Policy program logos on Defense Department media. All others must request permission to use logos or wordmarks.

Request for Permission to Use the Military OneSource or other MC&FP Program Logos or Wordmarks (Official Graphical Identifiers)

Military Community and Family Policy is the approving authority for use of MC&FP graphical logos or wordmarks by entities external to the department or for purposes other than standard official usages.

The department has a concurrence system to process requests for use of the identifiers. Click here to submit a customer support ticket to initiate the process.

Without an official association with the department, and explicit input from MC&FP, requests may take longer to review.

For MC&FP Partners

If you are a recipient of funding and/or support, coordinate with the respective MC&FP program office, including Military OneSource, for its preferred recognition or requirements for funding/support. Recipients can initiate a request — name and contact information for the respective MC&FP program office is required. Requests not coordinated with the respective program office may take longer to process. Ultimately, input is required from a federal employee at MC&FP.

For Other Organizations

If your organization is not an official partner with MC&FP and it supports the military community, provide a description of the support and how the connection to Military OneSource would be beneficial.

For All Requests

Explicitly describe the desired use of the Military OneSource graphical identifier. When possible, provide a mock-up. Include the following with the request: where will it be used; how it will it be used; what information with which it is associated; and, if it will be used on a website, provide the URL. Be sure to specify how and where the identifier will be used for each desired use. Detailed information is required for a thorough review and informed decision.

• For most external uses of our graphical identifier, provide qualifying wording to explain why it is there. Common qualifiers include “Funding provided by” and “Support provided by.” The explanation cannot have an appearance of endorsement of any private company, service or product.
• What is the relationship between the department and this external entity or non-Military OneSource usage?
• Allow several business days for MC&FP to process the request.
• Specify your involvement with the request and provide your contact information. Include your organization, title, involvement with the project, and any involvement with the department.

Public Affairs Information

The Military OneSource website and the network of MC&FP websites, applications and programs are a part of the Defense Department and cannot post any product endorsements or provide preferential treatment to commercial websites. Submit any questions here.

For Defense Department Employees

MC&FP logos and word marks are official graphical identifiers of department programs and are for official use only to represent the department’s official position. They may be used to recognize funding or official support by the department if the usage has proper qualifying language to explain its presence on non-Defense Department or Military OneSource materials and it is reviewed and explicitly approved by the department. They cannot be used in a manner that has an implied or explicit endorsement of any private company, service, or product.

A federal Defense Department employee may use the graphical identifiers on official Defense Department media, employing proper discretion that the usage is appropriate.

Brand Guidelines

Brand guidelines provide guidance and specifications for use of graphic materials from the Military OneSource website and the network of MC&FP websites, applications and programs, including logos, colors, type, photography direction and other elements of graphic use.

Refer to the Programs page to review visual style guides for specifications and usage requirements.

Military OneSource and other MC&FP program information is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the department’s permission unless otherwise noted. Citing Military OneSource or other MC&FP programs as the source of the information is appreciated as appropriate. Materials generated by entities outside of MC&FP may be protected by copyright, and permission to copy these materials must be obtained from the original source. For information on materials generated by external entities with Defense Department funding, refer to individual component policies. This copyright notice only pertains to content on the public side of MC&FP websites (before the login). Content on Military OneSource Member Connect is subject to copyright protection.

Linking to Military OneSource and other MC&FP websites and applications, or use of program materials on external websites, does not constitute an endorsement of these websites by the Defense Department. See this section for other disclaimers and restrictions.

Disclaimer of Endorsement

The inclusion of links and pointers to websites is not intended to assign importance to those sites or to the information contained on those sites. It is also not intended to endorse or recommend any views expressed or products or services offered on these sites.

MC&FP does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of information contained on a linked website.

MC&FP does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites and does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.

MC&FP cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Visitors must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website.

MC&FP is not responsible for transmissions visitors receive from linked websites.

MC&FP does not guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Prohibitions

MC&FP will not link to any website that exhibits hate, bias or discrimination. Furthermore, MC&FP reserves the right to deny or remove any link that contains misleading information or unsubstantiated claims or is determined to be in conflict with MC&FP’s mission or policies.