Sub squadron sees
change of command

The change-of-command ceremony took place aboard the attack submarine USS Tucson, where Murphy served as commanding officer in 1983.

The 1981 U.S. Naval Academy graduate is retiring after 24 years of naval service.

He has served on four submarines and a variety of shore commands, including as aide to the chief of naval operations and on the staff of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs.

Bruner's sea tours were on four submarines, including command of the USS Florida.

His previous assignment was as executive assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Department of Defense announced Friday a significant increase in the death gratuity for the survivors of service members killed in action and the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage for service members deployed to designated combat zones.

A new federal law increases the immediate cash payment from $12,420 to $100,000 for survivors of service members whose death results from hostile actions and occurs in a designated combat operation or zone, while training for combat or performing hazardous duty.

The maximum amount of soldier's life insurance coverage was raised to $400,000 from $250,000 for all service members effective Sept. 1, and provides that the Pentagon will pay or reimburse the premiums to service members who are deployed in a designated combat zone for $150,000 of coverage.

The new law authorizes a special death gratuity of $150,000, retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001, for survivors of those who die in a designated combat operation or zone, while training for combat or performing hazardous duty.

The Pentagon has designated all areas where service members are in receipt of the combat zone tax exclusion as qualifying combat zones, and all members deployed outside the United States in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom in qualifying combat operations.

The services will identify eligible survivors and begin making the retroactive payments within a few days.

All beneficiaries for retroactive payments will be contacted by mail or telephone. Anyone not contacted who believes he or she may be entitled to added benefits should contact: