While protecting the ISG in areas such as Kirkuk, Mosul and Tikrit, Cousins and his team defended convoys of up to 15 vehicles and groups as large as 50 people.

They also helped with the investigations, such as mass graves discoveries. Although Cousins' team was sent to high-risk regions in Iraq, they never suffered a casualty or fatality.

Capt. Cousins was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in March 2004.