I remember also during some of our missions using the RG-33 as a bunker at our job sites because we didn't have bunkers. I had at least 1 rocket land very close to me - close enough to feel the concussive wave - but I never felt it would be appropriate to put in for a CAB for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. These unofficial combat badges began to appear shortly after the creation of the Combat Infantryman Badge and while the practice continued until the creation of an official non-infantry combat badge it never became widespread. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier not eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the … (b) Iraq War (OIF, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010; OND, 1 September 2010 to 31 December 2011). [8] Most commanders do not issue the CAB to qualified soldiers unless they are directly engaged in combat. The Army is apparently still trying to hammer out the exact criteria for the new badge. Unofficial combat badges for non-infantry soldiers were in some instances worn in violation of uniform regulations or included in personal award displays wherein the rifle and blue field of the CIB were replaced with the appropriate army branch insignia and color. The Combat Action badge is unique in that unlike the Combat Infantryman and Combat Medical badges, it can be awarded to soldiers of any rank, including general officers, whereas the CIB and CMB are both restricted to colonels and below. The average infantryman has earned the CIB 100 times over. According to AR 600-8-22 Military Awards (24 JUN 13), the Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any Soldier not eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) after the … Unfortunately, there are some unit blankets for awards, and individuals who earn awards that shouldn't, its a real shame, that the system we have for awards doesn't take into account a whole resume. o Updates guidance and combines paragraphs for the Aviation Badges (para 8 – 13 ). One being jealousy? However, like the CIB and CMB, only one can be awarded per "qualifying period;" as defined in AR 600-8-22. Award of the CAB to a 2 mile long convoy engaged by direct fire only to the lead element, for example, would not be reasonable whereas an indirect attack where you were within the concussive wave and took cover would be reasonable in my opinion. III. US Soldier Killed by Indirect Fire in Afghanistan Is Identified, Soldier who died rescuing four from Bronx fire will receive Soldier's Medal. When I returned from my deployment, I was plagued by a vague sense of guilt about my still-badgeless buddies. This page was last edited on 23 November 2020, at 03:15. I've only personally witnessed 1x where a non-combat arms unit stuck it out in a hostile engagement. Second and subsequent award of the CAB will be indicated by superimposing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath; one star for the second award and two stars for the third award. Or in a way some people getting them and some people not. It is time for the disparity of the Combat Infantry Badge to end. If you are looking for something with the badge, click on the links to go direct to that page in my shops. Looking at how many times we took close fire from mortars and rockets, not to mention the convoy(s), where we were hit I don't know how I don't qualify for one. I thought the whole platoon was going to get one because I thought it was a blanket thing as well, but they only gave us the combat badges. The rest of the platoon eventually earned theirs though. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier not assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) after the date of September 18, 2001, and: The CAB may be awarded to any army branch or military occupational specialty including infantrymen except when serving in a role where they would be eligible for the CIB. o Updates criteria and clarifies guidance for award and processing of the Combat Infantryman, Medical, and Action Badges (paras . It's my understanding that this is a no no, and I rated only a CMB or nothing at all. Fellow troopers, I submit to you that our Army would be better served by recognizing our soldiers who have faced an enemy in direct-fire combat with a Combat Action Badge. The day they made the CAB was the day the Army says let's give everyone a participation medal. Notably, it is granted exclusively for contact with enemy combatants, so actions by noncombatants like detainees or rioting civilians do not qualify. Am I right? Combat Action Badge Criteria. Section II, Combat and Special Skill Badges. Here’s why: The Enemy Always Has a Say. The soldier must be performing their assigned duties associated with the unit’s combat mission in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, For all named conflicts beginning after the effective date of this publication. We are an Army in transformation. No one cares about the Combat Infantryman Badge, a three-inch piece of black plastic some Army infantrymen wear on their uniforms. While you could be non-combat arms and be awarded a CAB for simply seeing 1 SIGACT take place, be near one, or breaking contact from one. But I feel like they didn't give to us for a number of reasons. The only current qualifying period for the CAB is the Global War on Terrorism. : In 2009 I was awarded a CAB as a medic organic to an infantry unit. Award of the CAB for indirect contact therefore falls within both doctrine and regulation. The CAB, whose design features both a bayonet and grenade, … 8 – 6 , 8 – 7 , and 8 – 8 , respectively). That's why I never attempted to convert my CAR to CAB. But now that I think back on it, it kind of is. To date, a separate award of the CAB has been authorized for qualified Soldiers in the following qualifying period: Award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized. sir. The requirements are laid out in a Department of the Army letter published on June 3. I was also happy for the duct tape on my Windows and also the sheet I had really secured on there. However, I am not saying that anyone is better than or worse than someone who has or doesn't have a CIB. The Combat Action Badge (CAB) is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army (non-infantry & medic).The emblem features both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. Question: 8-10 vehicle convoy (can't remember exactly), one vehicle hit. On combat uniforms it is worn on the blouse above the "U.S. ARMY" nametape and on dress and service uniforms it is worn on the shirt or jacket above any ribbons and medals. Assignment to a Combat Arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations is not required to qualify for the CAB. All soldiers quickly acted and did what they were trained to do. Well again I'm sorry for writing a novel. The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a United States Army military decoration.The badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers in the rank of colonel and below, who fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of either an Infantry or Special Forces unit of brigade size or smaller at any time after 6 December 1941. However, as ribbons are generally seen as less prestigious than medals and badges, the CAB was then proposed as the "Close Combat Badge" (or CCB), thus granting the award badge status vice ribbon. The Combat Action Badge (CAB) is a United States military award given to soldiers of the U.S. Army of any rank and who are not members of an infantry or special forces unit, for being "present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with prescribed rules of engagement" at any point in time after 18 September 2001. Problem is it was 2004, before the CAB and before NCOs and officers had an eye out for this. But of course I took it as a man and just figured well it's not a big deal. The keys are active engagement by the enemy and satisfactory performance IAW the regulation. We earned the CAB. The Combat Action Badge (or CAB) is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The Combat Action Badge (CAB) is a United States military award given to soldiers of the U.S. Army of any rank and who are not members of an infantry or special forces unit, for being "present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with prescribed rules of engagement" at any point in time after 18 September 2001. They went to war and knocked on death’s door. 10% of combat arms will ever see combat. My bad for writing a novel. I'm a proud 11B and we could sit here and argue all day about who did what and when. Being in a barracks and not taking any action would not be appropriate. ARLINGTON, Va. — After 60 years of debate, Army officials have finally decided to create a badge for non-infantry soldiers that recognizes their direct participation in ground combat. Everyone should care that the infantrymen who wear it risked breaking their mothers’ hearts. But my wall locker also practically tipped over, so know it was fairly close. (b) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized. Qualifying conflicts, operations and periods, AR 600–8–22, Ch 8-8, para 3f-g, 5 March 2019, Army Regulation 600–8–22: Personnel-General: Military Awards, "Dozens of combat badges awarded to soldiers who engaged against ISIS forces", "Secretary Rumsfeld Townhall Meeting in Kandahar, Afghanistan", https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN18147_R600_8_22_admin2_FINAL.pdf, "Awards and Decorations Branch, Soldier Programs and Services Division", United States Army Human Resources Command, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Combat_Action_Badge&oldid=990157147, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from public domain works of the United States Government, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with prescribed rules of engagement after September 18, 2001, U.S. Army soldiers not in an infantry or special forces unit, The soldier must be personally present and under hostile fire while performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed. [13] When worn, the CAB is worn on the left side of a jacket or blouse. The emblem features both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade.The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier not eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is …