Are there others who choose not to wear the Combat Action Badge because its value has lost so much meaning?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:01:13 -0400

Just wondering if there are any soldiers that like myself have been awarded the CAB due to direct combat but do not wear it because it has been given out so frivolously that it has lost its luster. For instance, I know another soldier that had been awarded a CAB because a mortar landed in the FOB he was at and didn't know about the mortar until the papers were being submitted for the CAB.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 12:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:07:31 -0400

To me, your combat patch you wear is what shows you were in combat. Although some will argue the distinction between the "FOBits" and those that leave the wire, I would argue that the job on the FOB is just as important at the one off, because they all tie together. Why do we need something on our chest to say we were attacked....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 7 at 2015 12:08 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:08:43 -0400

SGT Justin Wills, I knew a Soldier in 1954 w/ a CIB. He said his CP occasionally took sniper rounds. He wore the CIB. Just follow the reg, promotion points all count.

Thank you for your service and please appreciate what you survived.?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 7 at 2015 12:24 AM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:24:54 -0400

I could tell you many stories... But, I will just say he CAB is NOT pointless. The issue with the CAB (and the CIB for that matter) is the fidelity in the system, which revolves around Commanders. Awards and decorations have long been a source of frustration, consternation, and debate. But, that said, the CAB is a worthwhile award, like the CIB, and CMB, so long as we Commander maintain the fidelity in the system. The CAB sailed off the tracks more than once. Again, I (like you am sure) could tell you many stories..

But, for Armor, CAV, Engineers, MPs, Loggies, etc. who are out an about everyday fighting and supporting, this is a good and necessary award, which has been discussed and debated since I came in the Army. It is not only our Infantry brothers who fight up close and personal.

Your choice not to wear it, is your choice. Just like a Captain in our Brigade who threw away his orders for CAB because he thought he did not deserve it working in the Brigade TOC vs. the MP Soldiers of the line who in the thick of it day in a day out.

I know of an incident... where (seriously) Soldiers were sitting at a shuttle bus stop on VBC, a rocket hit lost lake, over 500 feet away, and they made a case for them receiving the CAB... seriously? The Brigade and Corps said no... so they bypassed them and went MNCI... who approved them...

I was shot at more in Somalia, and returned fire more there, but I still value an appreciate my CAB, and the day it was awarded for. Lots of damage to our squad convoy, lots of returned fire by our great gunners, but no injuries, and we all made it back in one piece.

I will always remember the squad I rolled with in Baghdad during 15 months of the surge... they allowed me to come home safe and sound.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 7 at 2015 1:20 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:20:07 -0400

I will never dismount my EIB for my CAB. Then again, they are all in a box in storage. I'm just happy I have all my pieces.....even some extra.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 1:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:36:41 -0400

To be honest brother, even the CIB has been victim to this. During a complex attack on FOB Pasab last year in Afghanistan the enemy drove a VBIED into the wire, blew a hole in the wall, and several heavily armed Talivan entered the FOB. There were only maybe 10 people directly involved in the combat that ensued. To my utter disgust they gave blanket CIB's ans CAB's to the entire FOB. Keep in mind an entire Squadron of 3-2 Cav out of Germany was on the FOB at the time. Who by the way, other than than a couple soldiers who wete involded in the fight, were completely absent from the battle.
In these times when the wars are winding down, it seems that everyone is just trying to get some. And for officers, it looks better on them if more soldiers in their command receive awards whether deserved or not. It's a sad trend and I don't see it going away anytime soon. Hell, E7's and above receive Bronze Star Medals just for showing up to deployment. For an E6 and below to get that you have to risk life and limb.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 1:48 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:48:28 -0400

Here's my two cents on the CAB/CIB and any other shiny badge that you earned. Wear them, all the time. Pay to get them sewn on your uniforms and be honest if anyone asks about them.

A lot of Soldiers don't wear there special skill badges, they think it's cool to be "seen for their performance" instead of what they wear on their chest. Here's the thing, your junior Soldiers look up to you, they want to be like you, they want you to share your experiences with them so they can learn. It gives you an opportunity to tell your story about different experiences throughout your career and your Soldiers will ask about them.

In a couple years there won't be that many combat veterans left in the Army, you can already see the difference. No badge is pointless and having one doesn't make you more of a Soldier just like not having one doesn't make you less of a Soldier. Wear them all proudly!

Response by SSG Alex Toulomelis made Apr 7 at 2015 2:38 PM

SSG Alex Toulomelis — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 14:38:22 -0400

I personally feel that this "badge" was created to keep the masses happy. When we deployed in mass to Iraq and Afghanistan we had large groups of Soldiers performing Infantry-like missions and a larger number of Soldiers were now exposed to fire. Everyone thought they deserved a CIB because a bullet flew at a convoy they were in once. The Army could not and would not award CIB's to non-infantry so they created this badge to recognize those that were not infantry but served in an infantry role while deployed. What happened was because of the vagueness of the badge everyone and their brother thought they "deserved" it. That is why you see so many people rocking the bayonet taco. I have said it for years that there is a big difference between someone who served in a combat zone and someone who served in combat. If you dont know what I mean when I say that I am sure you are proud of your CAB!

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Apr 7 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:05:03 -0400

Yes and No, I believe it'll start out as liberals Coming out against firearm owners as an excuse for the bigger picture, for their continuing war against Christians and Jews that they have been wagoing since they have taken control since 2008....this not a hit against anyone, just an observation. most liberals are scared to fight and don't own firearms.if you love homosexuals and Islamist can you make a good liberal. This is why they have them fight a so called proxy war if u will......for them... once they have lvl the playing field......then they will really attack

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 7 at 2015 3:22 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:22:11 -0400

I don't worry about others are awarded or why. I know I earned mine, wear it with pride, and thank GOD I didn't get it posthumously

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 7 at 2015 4:47 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:47:36 -0400

I was grateful for the creation of the CAB not for personal reasons, but for my selfish CAV reasons. When the infantry got a CIB and the CAV guys were right in the crap with them in the same Bradleys, they rated a combat patch and a kick in the junk. When my beloved Kiowas and Apaches landed looking like spaghetti strainers they got said combat patches and a kick in the junk. When our FARP members were dodging RPG's and small arms tryig to refuel and rearm the grunt's air support assets they also received a kick in the junk. The fact that CAB's are awarded for a mortar round landing on a FOB somewhere is not a problem with the CAB, but the leadership allowing it to be awarded. Just because we know someone who worked the system to get theirs doesn't take away from the value of the CAB, CIB, CMB CAR,etc. I'm just grateful my family wasn't awarded a folded American flag. The rest is just bling that very few Americans will ever understand anyway.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Apr 7 at 2015 5:27 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:27:49 -0400

I do not have a CIB or a CAB. But, when the CAB came out my first thought was, isn't the right shoulder patch good enough?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 5:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:37:35 -0400

Ok yeah, ER NEGATIVE! For a mortar landing in the FOB?? REALLY? HFS!!!
But I remember when they first started really giving this out in 2003 early 2004. I mean, that was an honor. Back to that soldier, did the 1SGT put his whole company in because their little FOB got mortared?

This is how I would've felt listening to that story... Just saying

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 6:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:41:51 -0400

I know many who choose not to wear their badges. However, for them, it's due to comfort ("damnits" rubbing their skin) and not wanting to pay to have them sewn on. That can be a bit pricey...you have the badges sewn on, then you have to have the name tapes, US Army tape and rank sewn on, as well. But to address the original question, if one has it, be proud and wear it. 99.9% of the time (blanket awards being the .1%) it was awarded for a reason and that reason was backed up with sworn statements, eye witness accounts, SIGACT reports, etc. All of these documents are scrutinized now, to the point that if you didn't experience it, you don't get it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 6:42 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:42:54 -0400

So you are saying didn't earn yours? Or are you more self rightous then others?
This thread demeans the badge more than those who hold it over other people's heads. If you earned it wear it unless you are just lazy. We as a nation went war allot of people say combat.

Please don't brag about what you wear or don't wear.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 6:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:53:42 -0400

Sometimes I don't wear boots. I wamt people to think my feet are tough. Besides everyone wears them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 9:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 21:02:08 -0400

During deployment, after IDF hit directly outside my compound, I was offered a CAB. I declined because I didn't want to have that story behind wearing the badge. I wanted 30 points, but I felt it would be cheap for me to accept it.

Response by 1SG Brian Allen made Apr 7 at 2015 10:15 PM

1SG Brian Allen — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 22:15:30 -0400

I was in one hell of a fire fight when I got mine. I was in Arab Jabour during 2005-2006. I was a 1SG in a Cavalry Troop. We had 96 men and in 5 months 33 of us were wounded. We are 19Ds so we were not eligible for a CIB. We earned it and I will never forget what we endured to receice that badge.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 11:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:50:12 -0400

I probably could have gotten one but i was not involved in what I consider "Direct Combat." I was not involved in a firefight. We received incoming. Therefore, I never pursued the processing of one.

Now, if I felt that I truly deserved it and earned it under the heat of battle I most certainly would wear it proudly.

I wear my badges proudly and definitely expect my Soldiers to do the same. Once they are earned they should be worn.

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made Apr 8 at 2015 3:17 AM

SSG Clayton Blackwell — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 03:17:21 -0400

I left in 1998, so CAB wasn't a thing then. But while I was in, I didn't wear everything they gave me. If I felt I earned it, I wore it. If I felt I didn't, I didn't wear it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 1:11 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 01:11:59 -0400

Some units try and maintain the integrity behind the award. During my deployment they were extremely tight with CABs/CIBs. There were troops in my Battalion who were hit with falling shrapnel from a mortar and didn't receive a CIB. I was close enough to feel the concussion on Route Tampa and didn't receive a CAB. Truth be told, a CAB was the last thing on my mind at the time. While I think that's a little too far the other direction, it's better than what other units have done.

I agree completely that the mortar hitting the FOB criteria is ridiculous. Using that metric my entire Platoon would've earned their CAB many times over. Instead we had 3 troops in my Company earn a CAB. I suggest you continue to wear it. It coming cheaply to someone else does not take away from what you did to earn it.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 8:25 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 20:25:34 -0400

I would have been honored to had received the CAB, many earned it in OIF 1. I was medically retired after sustaining a non-combat injury in theater and before the badge was created. I never stayed in touch with anyone in my unit and have no eye witnesses or other evidence needed for the award., so many of us will not be able to receive the award.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 10:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 22:20:45 -0400

I can see the argument with wearing badges to give the lower enlisted a sense of leadership and pride being part of tradition. I'll give it more thought. There were interesting points brought up to wear it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 4:08 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 16:08:50 -0400

I earned mine by getting directly shot at by a 50 caliber machine gun when I was an Afghan Police Mentor. All of the Infantrymen who were with me earned their CIBs during the same firefight. I do wear mine and I believe that I earned it.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 19 at 2018 10:41 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:41:56 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member This discussion re: CAB brings to mind the CAR, Combat Action Ribbon of the US Marines and US Navy.

Wore as a ‘personal decoration’, on the right side of the awardee’s chest, the award of a CAR is highly controlled by the Marine Corps! Unless actively engaged, as in “returning fire”, Marines seldom receive a Combat Action Ribbon.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jun 6 at 2019 1:10 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 13:10:08 -0400

Since 2001, 2.77 million service members have served on 5.4 million deployments across the world with soldiers from the Army accounting for the bulk of them. Deployed personnel were under 30 years old on average, over half were married and about half had children.

According to Wikipedia there have been over 100k Cabs awarded.

So your "given out frivolously" idea is wrong.

Even at the worst case scenario only 10% of troops have been awarded CABS, and some of those, like me, are in the National Guard, and no longer on Active duty.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 6 at 2019 2:44 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:44:27 -0400

From a Cold War, 1978-2002, former paratrooper, 11B1P, turned aviator, 15B/41, who was never sent to a theater of operation, no right shoulder patch, guy: I respect and am just a little jealous of your badges and patches. You earned them, wear them proudly. (Those who have them because of distant proximity and an administrative bonus will be, well, almost embarrassed to explain what they did to get it to the kids and grandkids.)

Response by SSG Max Goodman made Nov 16 at 2019 9:19 PM

SSG Max Goodman — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 21:19:06 -0500

I Earned my CAB went out of the wire almost every day and took fire alot of the time. Just cuz we are not inf does not make my award any less valuable. Worn mine along with both sets of wings.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Oct 31 at 2020 2:38 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 14:38:25 -0400

First off when the CIB was created it was originally submitted as the "warrior badge" politics turned it into the "infantry badge" in a time when INFANTRY was not a career field. So in the beginning tankers were give the CIB as they were '"infantry support" the current CIB was made that way after Vietnam.

The Bronze star was retroactively awarded to anyone who had received a CIB. The Bronze star, and Air Medal for aviation, was supposed to be used for non infantry who saw active combat.

I do not know what you people think is different in how the CIB is awarded and how the CAB is awarded here is the regulation for both:

For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:

(1) Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.

(2) Assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.

(3) Actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.

The CAB:

(a) May be awarded to any Soldier.

(b) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.

(c) Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

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

Notice the ONLY Difference is whether you are infantry, and in an infantry unit, or not.

MP's and Transport guys (88M) got the brunt of the fighting in Iraq.

Distinct recipients CAB

68,686 in OIF (as of June 26, 2012)
37,914 in OEF (as of June 26, 2012)
3,828 in OND (as of June 26, 2012)
30 OIR (as of February 12, 2018)

Distinct recipients CIB
Iraq War: 41,628
War in Afghanistan: 36,518
Inherent Resolve: 30

So the CAB has not been awarded more than the CIB, even though it is open to any soldier.

So your ideas about it are all wrong.

The only decorations I care about on my unifomr are my CAB and my Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made May 2 at 2021 11:45 AM

1LT Vance Titus — Sun, 02 May 2021 11:45:05 -0400

When the Purple Heart was reinstituted for WWII its award was made retroactive for WWI service members who were eligible to receive it. Should consideration be given to the retroactive award of the CAB?

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Feb 26 at 2023 4:11 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 16:11:34 -0500

I wish I knew how to answer the question. I've been in multiple situations in which I qualified to receive the CAB while deployed. Shot at while on the ground, shot at from the ground while flying in a UH-60, survived an ambush, engaged a mobile mortar team running from a shoot site, went hand-to-hand with someone who tried to take my M-4, had a mortar land 12 feet from me and NOT explode, and so on. Didn't receive the CAB once! I know my situation is a racial discrimination thing, but I still don't understand why other troops and leaders who qualified for CABs didn't get one. Maybe it's for the best, though.