Can a prior service Marine wear a CIB in the Army?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:41:37 -0400

Had a former Marine infantryman in my unit come into the Army under the 18x program, and went through infantry OSUT. He was a few months into the Army with a CIB. I asked how he got it, and he explained since he engaged the enemy as a Marine infantryman, he was allowed to wear the Army CIB? Any clarification on this.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 13 at 2019 5:50 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:50:06 -0400

Good question! I would refer you to Army Regulations regarding wearing badges earned while in other branches of the Military. My thoughts as a format 75C would be if he earned it as a Marine infantryman and is now an Army infantrymen, I would think he would be allowed to wear the badge. I do not know for sure, so I would refer you back to the Army Regulations regarding wearing badges, medals, and ribbons. You might want to start with AR 601-210. This reg specifies how to properly wear the Army uniform. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2019 6:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 18:10:01 -0400

According to AR 600-8-22, under the Combat Infantryman Badge, in the following subparagraph:

(5) Service members from the other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military (infantry and SF equivalents) assigned or attached as a member of a U.S. Army infantry or SF unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size may be considered for award of the CIB. All basic requirements as listed above must be met. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized for service prior to 18 September 2001.

So, if the Marine in question was assigned to a US Army Infantry unit and was granted permission through the proper documents and channels, then yes he can wear it. Now, if he doesn't have said documentation giving permission and is only wearing it because he used to be a Marine Infantryman, then he is more wrong than a 3 dollar bill and needs to take it off.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 13 at 2019 11:20 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 23:20:24 -0400

Go to yokoka

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 14 at 2019 11:52 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 11:52:48 -0400

Absolutely not. If he saw combat as a Marine, then he would have received the Combat Action Ribbon. He can still wear that. But the Combat Action Ribbon does NOT magically turn into a CAB/CIB when you switch branches. You just keep wearing the ribbon.

For context: A LOT of prior Marines try this... You'll see them wearing CAB's, CIB's and Marine unit patches as combat patches. As for the combat patches, you have to be a SOLDIER to be awarded a combat patch. Combat time while serving in another branch of service does NOT count. This is expressly stated in AR 600-8-22. But you still see it a ton anyway...

It's mostly ignorance, not malicious. I mean, prior Marines aren't generally Army Regulation experts when they first switch over. Why would they be, after all? But they DO need corrected though. That's how we learn.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 14 at 2019 5:03 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 17:03:58 -0400

No, he is not automatically authorized either the CIB or the CAB. Read AR 600-8-22. par 8-8 d. for the CAB and specifics for members of other branches. Para 8-6 e. covers the CIB and award to members of other branches. I'm still looking to see if the Marine Combat Action Ribbon is one that is transferable to the Army for wear.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Aug 15 at 2019 8:39 AM

SCPO William Akin — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 08:39:58 -0400

I guess my question would be why any self respecting Marine would switch over to the Army ;-)