First Team Soldier awarded Distinguished Service Cross

By Capt. Scott Kuhn

Sgt. (R) Daniel Cowart was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for valor, during a ceremony conducted March 20 on Fort Hood.

Cowart, a former member of 3rd Armored Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, was originally awarded the Silver Star for his actions in May, 2007 in Samara, Iraq, but following a comprehensive review of awards by the Army, it was upgraded.

Read more: First Team Soldier awarded Distinguished Service Cross

Guard children get a chance to bond during 'Sleeping with the Fishes' event

By Staff Sgt. Mary Junell

KURE BEACH, N.C. - Children of National Guard services members have a unique experience. They are not fully Army or Air Force brats as children of active duty service members call themselves, but they do have to deal with their parents being away for training one weekend a month, annual training in the summer, and other missions or deployments they are called to support. 

A group of North Carolina National Guard children recently had an opportunity to spend time with kids just like them during the Sleeping With the Fishes event March 23, at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. 

Read more: Guard children get a chance to bond during 'Sleeping with the Fishes' event

Navy Uniform Policy Update Announced

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced updates to uniform policy, grooming standards, uniform item availability and mandatory possession dates for new uniform items in NAVADMIN 075/19, released March 25.

Highlights include:

A command/unit logo shoulder patch is now an option for wear on the left shoulder pocket of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type II and III in place of the Don’t Tread On Me shoulder patch.

Read more: Navy Uniform Policy Update Announced

Guard members to see changes in GI Bill transfer benefits

By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Provisions allowing Guard members to transfer some or all of their Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse or children are set to change, limiting the timeframe Soldiers and Airmen can transfer those benefits.

"You have to have a minimum of six years [in service] in order to be eligible to transfer benefits, and after 16 years you're no longer eligible," said Don Sutton, GI Bill program manager with the Army National Guard, describing the changes set to go into effect July 12.

Read more: Guard members to see changes in GI Bill transfer benefits