PolicyBrief
S. 4138
119th CongressMar 20th 2026
A bill to waive the 60-day notice requirement for the posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork, United States Army.
SIGNED

This bill waives the 60-day notice requirement to expedite the posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork to the rank of major.

Roger Wicker
R

Roger Wicker

Senator

MS

LEGISLATION

Special Waiver Bypasses 60-Day Wait for Posthumous Promotion of Army Captain Cody Khork to Major

This legislation cuts through standard federal red tape to expedite a posthumous honorary promotion for Captain Cody Khork of the United States Army. Specifically, the bill waives the mandatory 60-day congressional notification period required under 10 U.S.C. 1563a(b). By removing this two-month waiting period, the bill allows the Army to immediately elevate Captain Khork to the rank of Major, ensuring his service record reflects this higher rank without the usual administrative delay.

Clearing the Path for Honor

Under current law, when the military wants to grant an honorary promotion to a deceased service member, they typically have to notify Congress and then wait 60 days before the promotion becomes official. This bill acts as a procedural 'fast-pass' for this specific case. For the family of Captain Khork, this means the recognition of his service and the transition to the rank of Major can happen now rather than months down the line. It is a targeted administrative fix that doesn't change broad military policy but does change the timeline for this specific honorary gesture.

The Logistics of Recognition

While most of us deal with bureaucracy at the DMV or when filing taxes, military promotions involve a complex set of federal statutes. By citing Section 1563a(b), the bill acknowledges that while the 60-day notice exists to give Congress oversight on honorary titles, it can sometimes serve as an unnecessary hurdle for families seeking closure or timely recognition of a loved one's sacrifice. This waiver is a direct way to honor a soldier’s legacy by ensuring the paperwork matches the merit of their service as quickly as possible.