DoD and VA Benefits Login Consolidation: Active Portals, Login Changes
Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Military Health System, are deactivating legacy credentials and phasing out long-standing tools like DS Logon.
In their place, federal systems require certified identity federation services, such as Login.gov and ID.me, that require multi-factor authentication and identity proofing.
DoD and VA Benefits Login Consolidation: Active Portals, Login Changes
In past decades, service members and veterans managed their careers and healthcare through a patchwork of websites, but that system is coming to an end.
The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have retired or have “sunset” standalone portals, consolidating records into centralized platforms. To access today’s benefits and other data, you must switch to modern multi-factor authentication for security’s sake.
In the Early 00s
During the early 2000s, military branches and defense agencies relied on more isolated systems. The Army launched an online resource for soldiers, the Veterans Health Administration built online portals for appointment scheduling and prescription refills, and the Military Health System (MHS) set up multiple websites for treatment facilities.
Having multiple logins worked about as well as one could expect, with users juggling too many usernames and passwords across too many systems.
Single-Factor Passwords=Security Liabilities
Single-factor passwords became major security liabilities as cyber threats grew, but transitioning service members faced roadblocks when their military personnel files failed to transfer to other veterans benefit systems.
Federal agencies want to address these problems through standardization and streamlining efforts, including making logins simpler and more secure.
The DoD’s consolidation efforts have moved claim tracking, appeals, education benefits, and medical records from standalone platforms to VA.gov. What follows is a list of currently active and DoD-deactivated portals and login options servicemembers and their families need to be aware of as benefits and access to them change.
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Active Portals/Logins
DS Logon (DoD Self-Service Logon)
Launched: 2009 (Defense Manpower Data Center / Department of Defense).
Current Status: Active at press time but being phased out.
Access: DS Logon Service
The Department of Veterans Affairs ended support for DS Logon on its platforms in 2025. Users switched to Login.gov or ID.me. Within Department of Defense applications, the legacy DS Logon was retired and myAuth began in May 2025 for milConnect and ID Card Office Online. Other applications transition in phases.
MHS GENESIS Patient Portal
Launched: February 2017 (initial rollout at pilot military medical facilities; deployment completed across all Department of Defense installations in early 2024).
Current Status: Active.
Access: MHS GENESIS Patient Portal
Replaced TRICARE Online (TOL) as the online health management portal for the Military Health System. The platform enables service members, retirees, and family members to view electronic health records, schedule appointments, etc. Access is authenticated through a Common Access Card (CAC) or DS Logon, with authentication shifting as the Defense Manpower Data Center migrates user accounts to myAuth.
Defense Travel System (DTS)
Launched: Mid-2000s (DoD-wide rollout).
Current Status: Active.
Access: Defense Travel System (DTS)
Operates for official military temporary duty (TDY) travel booking and voucher settlement. Authenticated via CAC/ECA. Modernization efforts continue, with more upgrades to booking and voucher services.
milConnect
Launched: December 2008 (by the Defense Manpower Data Center).
Current Status: Active.
Access: milConnect Portal
Serves as the central portal for Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record management, SGLI updates, transfer of education benefits, and service record verification. The authentication backend transitioned from DS Logon to myAuth and Common Access Card (CAC).
eBenefits
Launched: 2009 (joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense initiative).
Current Status: Being closed.
Access: eBenefits
In 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs started migrating core tools (disability claims tracking, appeals, payment history, and document uploads) to VA.gov and now routes to VA.gov, with eBenefits maintained only for remaining administrative redirects ahead of full phaseout.
myAuth
Launched: 2025 (by the Defense Manpower Data Center).
Current Status: Active.
Access: DMDC myAuth Gateway
Created to replace DS Logon as the authentication gateway for Department of Defense-affiliated people without smart card or CAC access. Delivers identity verification and multi-factor authentication for portals such as milConnect, ID Card Office Online, and other Defense Manpower Data Center applications.
Non-Active Portals and Services
Army Knowledge Online (AKO)
Launched: 2001, upgraded to AKO 2.0 in 2019.
Current Status: Deactivated.
The Department of the Army shut down AKO 2.0 in 2021 (classified AKO-S offline in 2022). Its functions were replaced by the Army Enterprise Service Desk, Army 365 (Microsoft 365 environment), and IPPS-A for personnel records.
My HealtheVet
Launched: 2003 (expanded through the 2000s and 2010s by the Veterans Health Administration).
Current Status: Legacy authentication retired; medical tools integrated into VA.gov.
My HealtheVet username and password logins were deactivated in 2025. Prescription refills, secure messaging, medical records, appointment scheduling) merged into VA.gov Health Services and the VA Health and Benefits Mobile App, authenticated via Login.gov or ID.me.
Tricare Online (TOL) Patient Portal
Launched: Mid-2000s (by the Military Health System).
Current Status: Fully deactivated and decommissioned.
Replaced by the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal during the Department of Defense rollout of its modern electronic health record system. Following deployment, clinical features, prescription management, and appointments were migrated to MHS GENESIS.
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About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
