National Guard and Reserve troops under Title 32 orders due to the pandemic would be eligible for VA home loans under a bill introduced this week by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. "This legislation would expand home loan guaranty eligibility for members of the Reserve Component and grant them greater access to homeownership to live the American dream after service," says Moran.

A draft policy circulating among Pentagon officials would ban public displays of the Confederate flag by troops and Defense Department personnel. The proposal, which needs Defense Secretary Mark Esper's signature to become official, would apply to displays in public spaces overseen by the Pentagon.

A $250.9 billion spending bill in the House would block use of military construction funds appropriated since fiscal 2016 to build a southern border wall. The bill would also cut off funding to border-wall projects delayed because of a national emergency.

Command Sgt. Maj. Rogelio James has taken the reins of the Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade, 335th Signal Command (Theater), based in Maryland, assuming command from Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Eddy, who is deploying to Kuwait as part of the 335th Signal Command (Theater) (Provisional). "Realizing this is the first Army Reserve cyber brigade, I thought this would be an opportunity to work with an Army Reserve organization that is becoming a part of history in this time -- while creating new opportunities for soldiers," James said of his new post.

A noncombat incident in Kosovo on July 4 resulted in the death of Pfc. Alexander Blake Klass, a member of the Oregon Army National Guard, and the incident is under investigation. Klass was with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and was serving as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission called Operation Joint Guardian.

Eight Air Force Reserve medics with the 927th Air Refueling Wing based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida have been released from quarantine after being deployed to New York to help during the COVID-19 crisis more than two months ago. After being tested when their service in New York ended, the medics self-quarantined for more than 14 days and were tested a second time before they returned to their homes.

The Avalon Fund has awarded a $12.5 million grant to Tulane University to establish the Center for Brain Health to develop treatments for veterans suffering from brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder. The center will also study cardiovascular and psychological conditions in veterans as well as professional athletes.