YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Soldiers in South Korea are among those granted temporary permission to wear the Army’s “intermediate cold wet boot” this winter with the new Army combat uniform, the Pentagon announced this week.

The black boot will be allowed in lieu of the tan version of the winter combat boot, which matches the new ACUs but is in short demand.

The policy extends to soldiers in colder regions of the United States, Europe and Alaska.

The exception is expected to last through April.

Stanley main gate to be closedCamp Stanley’s main gate will be closed to all but tactical vehicles and buses through Nov. 26 due to road paving, Area I officials said Thursday.

Tactical vehicles and buses still will be able to use one lane of the main gate road, which will be paved up to Building 2243. There will be some detours, officials said.

All other traffic should use the Prison Gate entrance, officials said.

Renovated Guam NEX to openThe Navy Exchange on Guam was to cap a $9 million renovation project with a grand opening of its main store on Friday.

The work, which began in April 2005, increased the store’s retail space by 30,000 square feet, according to a NEX news release.

Among changes were consolidating and relocating the sporting goods and toy departments, previously at NEX II, and transferring the bookstore from outside NEX to inside the facility. All departments, such as the clothing areas, also doubled in size, according to the news release.

NRA offers free membershipsWASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association is offering free one-year memberships to all troops on active duty as a token of appreciation for their service.

The promotion, which began earlier this month, is open to full-time servicemembers and reservists called up to active duty. A membership usually costs $35.

Troops who sign up for the membership will be asked for their name, address, rank and e-mail address, but not Social Security or credit card information. They will have to provide additional personal information if they decide to renew their membership next year.

The membership also comes with a free subscription to one of the organization’s three magazines: American Hunter, American Rifleman, or America’s First Freedom.

To sign up for the free membership, visit www.nra.org/supportourtroops.