Posted on Apr 30, 2014
MAJ Deputy Director, Combat Casualty Care Research Program
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I didn't learn until after leaving Afghanistan that some units were being awarded CABs for indirect rocket attacks if the rocket landed within 300ft of them. I was even told that a COL got CABs for just bout everyone in barracks at Bagram because a rocket landed outside. 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. Seems to me that the point of the CAB/CIB is that you were directly engaged with the enemy.
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Responses: 23
SSG Robert Burns
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I think being shot by an actual bullet would also constitute being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm just saying.
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SPC Cesar Flores
SPC Cesar Flores
>1 y
POGS want to get awarded the easy way
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SGT Donald Morrison
SGT Donald Morrison
>1 y
See I was there before the CAB so we weren't even taking notes. 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.
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SFC Giovanni Bennett
SFC Giovanni Bennett
7 y
Love the response Brother. The day they made the CAB was the day the Army says let's give everyone a participation medal. Non Infantryman and Combat Medics received a combat patch to show they were in "combat" Soldiers wake up in the morning and are told, "Hey the base got rocketed last night. We earned the CAB. Ceremony is at 1300."
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COL All Source Intelligence
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
MAJ Ken Landgren - I always refer back to the Reg (page 110):
"A Soldier must be personally present and under hostile fire while performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement,... a Soldier must also be performing in an offensive or defensive act while participating in combat operations, engaging, or being engaged by the enemy." "Award of the CAB is not automatic and will not be awarded solely based on award of the PH."
So (in my humble opinion), you must be participating in "active, ground combat" AND "performing an offensive or defensive act". So hiding under a desk = doesn't count, a mortar landing 5 feet away = doesn't count (but you probably get a PH), if your vehicle runs over an IED = doesn't count (but you probably get a PH), etc.

I know that the regulation was not followed very well and saw a platoon of admin Soldiers in a hard building working on OERs (August 2020) throughout a complex attack on the other side of the base all get CABs... never left their desks... I questioned the justification and veracity of the write-ups with the Colonel signing, but it was his call, not mine.
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COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
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Edited 10 y ago
According to ADRP 3-90 Offense and Defense (31 AUG 12), there are eight forms of contact including visual; direct; indirect; non-hostile; obstacles; aircraft; CBRN; and electronic warfare. 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 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 prescribed rules of engagement. Award of the CAB for indirect contact therefore falls within both doctrine and regulation. Commanders, however, should apply consistent criteria in awarding the CAB. 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. Being in a barracks and not taking any action would not be appropriate. The keys are active engagement by the enemy and satisfactory performance IAW the regulation.
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SGT Donald Morrison
SGT Donald Morrison
9 y
Question: 8-10 vehicle convoy (can't remember exactly), one vehicle hit. We report the hit, box up, let the hit vehicle into the box. All soldiers quickly acted and did what they were trained to do. Problem is it was 2004, before the CAB and before NCOs and officers had an eye out for this.
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SPC John Fann
SPC John Fann
8 y
sir. I believe it really has a lot to do with your PLT and your CC, as I was at FOB kalsu 2010, and during that time we were getting IDF alot. there was one I remember clear as day. As I'll never forget the boom. And wave. It was easily within 300ft, but our CHUS where spread out and our squads the same. But I feel like they didn't give to us for a number of reasons. One being jealousy? Or in a way some people getting them and some people not. Fairness. But of course I took it as a man and just figured well it's not a big deal. But now that I think back on it, it kind of is. I was vertical construction. So we had missions galore. And actually 2nd PLT had a lot to do with why our unit as a whole received the MUC, very proud of that, and also that my company was able to go to Iraq Kuwait and Afghanistan all in one tour. My bad for writing a novel. But also during that deployment our BC was getting in trouble for sexual harassment. And it was just a very interesting deployment. 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 was also happy for the duct tape on my Windows and also the sheet I had really secured on there. The glass didn't break. But my wall locker also practically tipped over, so know it was fairly close. But my squad didn't get one, which I feel like it was deserved not suppose not, I am sure there are ARs for time to submit that type of stuff am I correct sir. Well again I'm sorry for writing a novel. But getting a bit of That out was nice, there is a lot more like our convoys, using Otis spunkmier muffins to bet cars off our convoys and also the brighter lasers the ROE was really scary! But all together very proud, another thing I thought was interesting was how we had a warrant officer whom claimed to have earned one for
sitting somewhere while waiting for a chopper ride. Was within distance. But he was the only one around, where as my squad had the whole group of us. I suppose thought that's kind of how shit rolls downhill. But they hadn't even told us a distance because I don't think they really had that good of an idea to adress it, but God bless
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SGT Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
The Marine CAR is a little more selective on who gets it. That's why I never attempted to convert my CAR to CAB.
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COL All Source Intelligence
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
From 600-8-22: The "creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy. The CAB is intended to serve as a companion to the CIB and CMB to recognize the greatly expanded role of non-infantry Soldiers in active, ground combat." "The intent has been clarified over time as being personally present, under fire, and engaging in action against the enemy in ground forces combat. It is not awarded for battle participation credit." Receiving IDF (even within 5 feet) does not meet the requirements.
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MSG(P) Student
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Sir,

When I was deployed to Iraq there were several instances of situations like what you describe. People who lived on a FOB, never leaving it except to redeploy home, were getting CABs because the FOB had incoming morter fire. This was even if the morters landed on the other side of the FOB from these personnel, never really putting them in harms way. Certainly never causing them the need to return fire and "engage" the enemy.

Other poor award decisions I saw was rank based awards. My first deployment EVERY E-6 and above in the Battalion was awarded the Bronze Star. Not a single Soldier below that rank received one. It caused a lot of resentment within th ranks to see a guy who never was engaged get a Bronze Star while the SMs that ran nightly patrols and IED sweeps earned AAMs and ARCOMs.

The flagrant awarding of these awards in situations where they are not warranted only serves to cheapen their meaning. Instead of the CAB showing that a Soldier has fought for his or her life it is instead a bit of a joke. It's almost like a campaign ribbon at this point.... If you deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan you get one. Even if you lived in a bunker the whole time.
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COL Ardis Ferguson
COL Ardis Ferguson
>1 y
MAJ (Join to see) - A CPT took her MCT with 20 Soldiers to Tarin Kwot in 2012, the MCT came home with seven Soldiers wearing Bronze Stars. In this case, leaders got it right. It doesn't always happen like that, but 793d earned them.
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SGT Jordan Curtis
SGT Jordan Curtis
6 y
Sounds like the 76th deployment to Iraq in 2008 to me. Am I right?
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MAJ Multifunctional Logistician
MAJ (Join to see)
6 y
If you google ranks of those who receive Medal of Honor, you can see that awards are not based on ranks. Don't let anyone else obscure your ability to understand what's true and what's perceived to be true.
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COL All Source Intelligence
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
MAJ (Join to see) - Medal of Honor requirements (and recipients) are far different than normal combat EOT awards being discussed by the MSG(P) and this thread. Since the BSM is the the combat equivalent of the MSM, they require "Outstanding Meritorious Service", whereas the ARCOM with "C" device requires "Exceptionally Meritorious Service". What the difference is between the definition of Outstanding vs Exceptional is for the recommender and approver to decide.
As COL Ferguson said, the leadership needs to take a rigorous review to make sure the LTC that never left his CHU and the E-7 coordinating in the field to complete CI investigations and build source networks...
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