ARMY RETIREMENT SERVICES

Army Echoes

Army Echoes informs Retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, and their Families about changes to their benefits and entitlements, developments within the Army, and how they can continue to support the Army.


Army Echoes

Where Can I Read

The current issue of Army Echoes is available in high-resolution (PDF) format. For past editions of Army Echoes, visit the Army Echoes archive. Note: If your system does not have the necessary software for viewing these files, free downloads are available at Adobe's web site.

How do I subscribe

The best way to subscribe depends on your status. If you are:
  • A Retired Soldier collecting retired pay or the surviving spouse of a Soldier who is collecting a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity, just ensure that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has your current mailing and email address. To update DFAS, create or update your myPay account. You may also call DFAS at 1-800-321-1080 or call the nearest installation retirement services officer, whose contact information is located here.
  • A “Gray Area” Soldier (in the Retired Reserve not yet collecting retired pay), just log into your new "future retiree pay account" on myPay to ensure it has your current email address. Call DFAS at 1-800-321-1080 with questions.
  • A surviving spouse of a Soldier and are NOT collecting a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity, send your name and mailing address to the editor at ArmyEchoes@army.mil to receive Army Echoes.
  • All others can download the newest edition from this website in February, May, August, and November or in the Army Echoes app, which is available in Google Play or the Apple iTunes app store.

What is different about the electronic edition

In 2020, the Army added an electronic only edition during August of each year. The February, May, and November editions are still distributed in both hard copy and electronic versions. Fiscal constraints prevent printing four editions each year. 

You can download the electronic edition on your iPhone, iPad, and Android phone using the free Army Echoes apps in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).  Electronic editions include links to additional information on external websites and to email addresses for RSOs and other resources.

The Army Echoes Blog posts updated content pertinent to Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses every week.

Army Echoes History

The first Retired Army Personnel Bulletin was published in March 1956. Previously, Retired Soldiers received information through inserts in their paychecks. After conducting a survey of Retired Soldiers, the Army changed the publication's name to ARMY ECHOES in January 1979. Today, ARMY ECHOES is a 16-page quarterly newsletter and the ARMY ECHOES BLOG, which is updated three times each week. The Army now mails or emails ARMY ECHOES to over one million Retired Soldiers and another quarter of a million surviving spouses. As publication and mailing costs have increased, the Army is shifting to more electronic publication. Soldiers who retired after January 1, 2012 may only receive ARMY ECHOES at the email in their myPay account.

Contact Army Echoes

  • Comments concerning Army Echoes can be emailed to:

    ArmyEchoes@army.mil

    or directed to:

  • Army Echoes Editor
    251 18th Street South, Suite 210
    Arlington, VA 22202-3531