August 8, 2007:
In response to
many requests from the troops, the U.S. Congress has changed the law for
distribution of the "death gratuity" paid to the next of kin of military
personnel killed in action. Until the change, the $100,000 death gratuity was
paid out to next of kin, as defined by law (either a will, or according to the
standard legal hierarchy of spouse, children, parents, siblings and so on).
Troops wanted to treat the death gratuity like an insurance policy, and define
a specific distribution. So now, troops may designate up to half the death
gratuity to anyone they wish.