ALCON: How could an 11B enlisted guy get a CAB instead of a CIB? My only thought is that the guy was working at a BDE HQ.

LTC John Campbell — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:28:12 -0400

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Jun 9 at 2016 10:36 AM

CPT John Sheridan — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:36:42 -0400

Meets the requirements for a CAB while serving in any position, not qualified for a CIB. CIB is for Colonel or below, Infantry or Special Forces, in an infantry, ranger or Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 9 at 2016 10:37 AM

SSG Pete Fleming — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:37:31 -0400

Would it depend on duty assignment and actual involvement in combat operations?

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jun 9 at 2016 10:42 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:42:12 -0400

Not assigned in an MOS Q position. Like Working in the Chow hall as the guy who goes around telling you to get your cover off the table, or you cant use the by pods on your SAW and that it must lay on the floor or in your lap!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 9 at 2016 10:43 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:43:24 -0400

Above BDE level slot is my guess.

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Jun 9 at 2016 10:44 AM

SFC Thomas Howes — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:44:32 -0400

I don't know I know a guy that was 11B in zone and never left the FOB and got a CIB go figure that one out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 10:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:45:20 -0400

I was attached to a tank company back in 2006. I was put in for a CAB. Being the prideful grunt that I am I threw it away and told them I wanted my CIB. Well that never happened. I didn't get my CIB until my next deployment. Which was only a year after.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 10:55 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:55:03 -0400

I was asked by my Team OIC if I wanted him to recommend me for a CAB for combat operations while I was on a Iraqi National Police Transition Team. I am an Infantryman but was not assigned to an Infantry unit and participated in direct action against the enemy. I refused the award as I had already earned a CIB from a previous deployment. It's definitely not unheard of for an Infantryman to receive a CAB instead of a CIB due to the modular capability of our Army.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 10:59 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:59:02 -0400

Not a Army guy, but could he have changed his MOS, or I was with a JTF in Iraq and we had a couple of 11 B's. We had mostly Engineers 12B's, 12C's Navy SeaBees (me) and Airforce and some Marines. The mission was GRD Corps Of Engineers working with Iraqi Government and MITT, CA and PRT teams and we did go outside to conduct leader meetings and contract meetings all the time and we did get in contact a lot but the PSD did most of the contact reaction. There were many task forces like this and like Law and Order, so he may have been on one of these not in a Direct Contact unit as his MOS. Just putting that out, non Army thing out there, as not all forces that worked outside the wire were direct action troops, this was COIN different concept and actions.

Response by SFC Matthew Mason made Jun 9 at 2016 10:59 AM

SFC Matthew Mason — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:59:30 -0400

Any MOS can be awarded the CAB if, and only if the individual/s are attached to a separate unit that doesn't have an MTOE for either combat line medics or infantrymen. At that time all persons in said unit are eligible for a CAB if criteria is met.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 11:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:22:25 -0400

Per Army Regulation 600-8-22 para. 8-8 c. (4):

Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB and/or CMB. For example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an infantryman assigned to an infantry BN is not eligible for award of the CAB.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 11:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:38:14 -0400

Maybe 11B is his SMOS, or he was assigned to another (non-Infantry) unit

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 11:46 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:46:04 -0400

There is a guy in my VFW who was Infantry. During his deployment he was tasked out from his Infantry Company to serve as a Gunner on a convoy that was being performed by an S&T unit. The convoy was engaged and he received a CAB. The highers that be justified it as since he was serving as a Gunner outside of his actual unit, no CIB authorized. Needless to say it is a sore subject for him.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 9 at 2016 12:02 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:02:52 -0400

When I was deployed I patrolled with an infantry squad. The squad leader asked me if I was trying to get my CIB. I responded no, because I was assigned to V Corps STB, not the right assignment to get a CIB. The CAB was created after I got back and got out. I suppose I could have done the paper work for a CAB, but it meant nothing to me (being a 11B). You have to have the right assignment to get the CIB, even if the right MOS/Branch. Clearly stated in the regs. So yea, it's possible for a 11B to get a CAB.

Response by Sgt Able Snider made Jun 9 at 2016 12:35 PM

Sgt Able Snider — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:35:07 -0400

Had a friend who was 11b, got attached to a CAV outfit, got awarded a CAB and then after deployment went back to his mother unit. Got a lot of flak over it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 5:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 17:40:43 -0400

If he is assigned to a non infantry platoon and his PL is not and infantryman or the outfit that he is assigned under are not infantry that's how and infantryman get a CAB in country.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 6:39 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:39:49 -0400

Did he have a previous mos?

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Jun 10 at 2016 1:24 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 13:24:44 -0400

The duty position the guy was in would determine if it is a CAB or a CIB.

Response by SFC Richard Alonso made Jun 10 at 2016 4:02 PM

SFC Richard Alonso — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:02:26 -0400

He could have been assigned to combat support teams such as an information operations team, or could have been part of a composite company doing convoy security, or detached to a HQ Manuver Enhancement Brigade.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 1:30 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 13:30:17 -0400

If the 11B was supporting a QM unit in its operations, he will be awarded the CAB do to the fact that at the time and moment he was not with an infantry unit, We had soldier supporting the 1st Armor Division, 3rd ID, 82nd and other combat units, and in they're case they were not outhorized the CIB because they were not 11B's

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 11:30 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:30:01 -0400

The CIB/CAB thing is sort of funny on how they apply it. So you can be an 11B (like I was when enlisted), but assigned to a unit that doesn't have an 11B slot. Also, at the time, the 11B wasn't my primary MOS. So, while deployed overseas to Iraq, my unit was on a Convoy Escort and we got attacked. Since I wasn't serving as an 11B primary, and the unit I was with didn't have 11B slots, I wasn't eligible for a CIB. Now, you get back stateside and you get into an 11B Slot, you're still going to have the CAB.