Can an Army Infantryman wear both the EIB and CIB on the uniform? What happens if you get both?

PV2 J M — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:32:21 -0400

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 9:36 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:36:32 -0400

No, only one badge from Category I and II can be worn.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 16 at 2018 9:42 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:42:22 -0400

Wear the most prominent badge.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Mar 16 at 2018 9:54 AM

SPC James Harsh — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:54:57 -0400

Not supposed to wear it in the field unless it's sewn on, can you even wear your award or does it offend troops that don't have an award, I would pin on CIB whenever possible, that and a combat patch was good because I remember not having one

Response by SFC Johnathan Severs made Mar 16 at 2018 10:31 AM

SFC Johnathan Severs — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 10:31:57 -0400

The answer is no. I have both, but I wear the EIB over the CIB. Not because I’m not proud of both but the EIB is a challenge whereas the CIB is very circumstantial especially when units start blanketing them on some deployments.

Someday they’ll figure out a way to combine them but until then, only one.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Mar 16 at 2018 12:16 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:16:46 -0400

One or the other. You can't wear both at the same time. I have both but am most proud of the CIB because you know when the bullets are hitting the concrete blocks all around you-you probably deserve it.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Mar 16 at 2018 12:42 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:42:54 -0400

Short simple and sweet - No.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 1:07 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:07:51 -0400

Iwhen I was a SPC I had the same question posed to me when I went looking for a job at a LRSD unit. I was embarrassed to not know the answer. AR 670-1. Look it up.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 2:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:27:27 -0400

Just chose the one you like.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 2:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:40:46 -0400

You can only wear one or the other, never both. While one earns an EIB, you must sacrifice for a CIB.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 16 at 2018 3:04 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:04:36 -0400

NO,NO, NO you wear either, and if I saw you wearing an EIB when you were awarded a CIB, then you would be in my office for a long talk. Check the regs- it is spelled out as to what class badge and where it is worn.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Mar 16 at 2018 3:46 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:46:57 -0400

I feel sorry for anyone who feels ashamed enough to wear their EIB over a CIB. You may feel like you didn't "earn" the CIB, but you should still wear it with pride for what it represents.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 4:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:33:51 -0400

Negative, Ghost Rider. One or the other. I know guys that have both that choose to wear the EIB, though it has lower precedence, and I know guys that wear the CIB because they say it proves that they know how to do their job. But you cannot wear both at the same time.

However, quick side not, there is rumor of a MIB (Master Infantry Badge) being talked into production and policy for those who have earned both. Perhaps it will come to pass? Who's to say anymore. The Army has so many different chest candies, it gets really difficult to keep up with.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 16 at 2018 5:06 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 17:06:27 -0400

What? Why would you want to? Clearly the CIB takes precedent.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 16 at 2018 9:15 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 21:15:55 -0400

I would have to say no ,at least back in my day that would not be a proper way to display these awards,what I've said on similar posts is that the individual wearing these devices knows their true meaning and recognition by others is superficial by comparison .

Response by CPL Vince Higgins made Mar 17 at 2018 3:07 AM

CPL Vince Higgins — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 03:07:34 -0400

Yes you can.

Response by SSG Julian Vazquez made Mar 17 at 2018 7:33 PM

SSG Julian Vazquez — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 19:33:23 -0400

EIB IS A TEST SHOULD BE DONE EVERY YEAR TO TEST IF YOU STILL AN EXPERT JUST LIKE ANY SQT IN THE WORLD.

Response by SGT Jeffrey Tyree made Mar 17 at 2018 7:34 PM

SGT Jeffrey Tyree — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 19:34:10 -0400

regarding the comments about guys wearing EIB instead of CIB. It went like this a decade ago or so - dudes were saying, I earned my EIB and showed up for my CIB. It got bad enough apparently that guys in the 82nd were ordered to stop it and wear the CIB. Now, I also know from personal experience with those who said/did the same thing, these were also the type that were badge guarding EIB cadre that bragged about nogoing joes for stupid stuff. So, grain of salt anecdote. We all knew "those guys". Everything was also tougher at their old unit or 5 years ago

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2018 10:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 22:19:54 -0400

The CIB is a higher award than the EIB. So the CIB would be worn over the EIB if you were authorized to wear both.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 4:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 04:55:07 -0400

The 1SG is absolutely correct. I had this debate with my NCOIC last week. He claimed that if you've earned both awards, you have to wear the CIB as it takes precedence. This is not true. You can wear either badge if you've earned them both, but not simultaneously.

Response by SSG Jeff Hane made Mar 18 at 2018 8:35 AM

SSG Jeff Hane — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 08:35:56 -0400

Why is this even a discussion?... This is a board question, that every E4 & above should know...

Response by SSG Gerald Pera made Mar 18 at 2018 10:14 AM

SSG Gerald Pera — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 10:14:18 -0400

He may wear one at a time, but not both at once.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Mar 18 at 2018 1:14 PM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 13:14:25 -0400

Response by PFC Neil Macdonald made Mar 19 at 2018 9:24 AM

PFC Neil Macdonald — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 09:24:27 -0400

CIB replaces EIB

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 9:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 21:24:54 -0400

Not in OCPs you can’t but on your ASUs you can

Response by MAJ Craig Clark made Mar 20 at 2018 9:35 AM

MAJ Craig Clark — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:35:39 -0400

Just wear them all....more the merrier

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 12:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 12:19:12 -0400

No, it is clearly stated in AR 670-1

Response by SSG Alvin Amezquita made Mar 20 at 2018 4:10 PM

SSG Alvin Amezquita — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:10:13 -0400

Of course you cannot wear both. But whoever does not want to wear the CIB must be out of there mind.

Response by SGT Louie Santana made Mar 20 at 2018 9:45 PM

SGT Louie Santana — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 21:45:46 -0400

One or the other. Would have to be full Hooah to wear both.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Leake made Mar 21 at 2018 8:36 PM

SSG Jeffrey Leake — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 20:36:07 -0400

Personnel who have been awarded both the EIB and the CIB are not authorized to wear both badges simultaneously. In such cases, the CIB has precedence according to Army Regulation 670-1.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 11:28 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 23:28:24 -0400

After I received my CIB, I wore both.

The CIB above my ribbons because the regs said I had to.

The EIB under my pocket flap, because that was the one of which I was most proud.

Response by COL Brice Barnes made Mar 25 at 2018 3:46 PM

COL Brice Barnes — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:46:51 -0400

As I understand the Regs', the CIB replaces the EIB, irrespective of one earning both.

Response by SPC Paul Missick made Mar 28 at 2018 7:50 AM

SPC Paul Missick — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 07:50:53 -0400

you can wear one of either not both. If you want to move up in ranks you will need the EIB

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2018 8:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 20:52:37 -0400

No. You wear the one you want to. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. I wear my CIB in most uniforms, but also wear my EIB and CAB on others. I do only wear my CIB on my dress uniform though.

Response by CPL Brian Birchell made Apr 2 at 2018 4:21 PM

CPL Brian Birchell — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 16:21:25 -0400

If you were the EIB but you also have a combat patch, doesn't it follow that you have both? It's too badd that they are not both authorized to be worn simultaneously in my opinion.

Response by MAJ Sean Finnerty made Apr 15 at 2018 7:59 AM

MAJ Sean Finnerty — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 07:59:53 -0400

No. You’d wear the CIB. However, even after earning your CIB, you’d still be strongly encouraged to earn your EIB.

Response by CPT Jay Goodan made Apr 16 at 2018 7:33 PM

CPT Jay Goodan — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:33:37 -0400

Why would one want to wear both?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 12:14 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:14:38 -0400

Coming from the USCG I'm not familiar with the EIB. Can you describe the badge and how it's earned? What's the "E" stand for?

Response by COL John Cornelson made Apr 19 at 2018 8:57 PM

COL John Cornelson — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 20:57:53 -0400

You are proud of your EIB, but holding both you would wear the CIB. Never both.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Apr 19 at 2018 9:05 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 21:05:53 -0400

If you had earned and were awarded the CIB why would you want to wear the EIB. A close comparison of the EIB and CIB will reveal the CIB is essentially the EIB with a wreath around it. Now, I know what you are thinking, some people earning the CIB may actually not have earned to EIB, so be it but you might think if you were awarded both you should be allow to wear both. I guess in the same vein as the Airborne wings and the Glider or Ait Assault wings, in which case both are worn. As I think about this I would probably want to be able to display both. While similar they are indeed meant to represent two different accomplishments. So, I don't know. It must be an Army thing.
No disrespect intended.

Response by SFC Dean Allen made May 21 at 2018 3:29 AM

SFC Dean Allen — Mon, 21 May 2018 03:29:36 -0400

OK, the EIB says you are a well trained troop. Troops with less training have not yet earned it. I get that. It is fine for a troop to take pride in achieving any difficult accomplishment. I also understand there are a lot of fine troops, with varying degrees of training and experience, who have never been sent into combat. You can be a gung-ho super-troop, but if you are never in combat, you will never earn a CIB.
All that said, I have been through quite a few schools and was honor grad several times. I have several rows of medals - for going where I was sent, and doing what I was told.
I only earned three distinctions in combat and those are the ones I am proudest of. I wear my CIB, usually on my VFW Post Commander's cap since mine was in Vietnam and I have not been on active duty in many decades.
I only display ONE medal on my desk, my Air Medal, again because that's the only one that was for combat action. Finally, I am proud to have earned the right to wear a combat patch on my right shoulder. In fact, I have three of those to choose from, 101st Airborne, 2nd Infantry, and 18th MP Brigade. I am proud of all three and have fond memories of the men I served with earning the right.
So, if you earned both an EIB and a CIB, suck it up buttercup, the CIB is the big boy award, wear it with pride.

Response by CPT John Hanaberry made Jun 9 at 2018 10:05 PM

CPT John Hanaberry — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 22:05:27 -0400

Can’t understand if you have been in combat why you would wear EIB? CIB is the real deal, what you train for

Response by CPT John Hanaberry made Jun 9 at 2018 10:16 PM

CPT John Hanaberry — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 22:16:00 -0400

SFC Severs the EIB is a challenge and the CIB is not? Ranger Inf Advisor Vietnamese Army ‘ 68 - ‘ 69 mine was not 100 hour war or ‘ Circumstantial’In 68 and 69 we lost over 27,000 guys. Your comments are ignorant outrageous and damn insulting

Response by CPT John Hanaberry made Jun 9 at 2018 10:25 PM

CPT John Hanaberry — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 22:25:44 -0400

One final point you can get killed earning the CIB

Response by CPT John Hanaberry made Jun 9 at 2018 10:30 PM

CPT John Hanaberry — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 22:30:02 -0400

MCPO sad to hear you are more proud of your EIB over your CIB. Must have been some hot war

Response by CPT Mike Sims made Jun 12 at 2018 8:34 PM

CPT Mike Sims — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 20:34:34 -0400

I think maybe the question should have been... can you wear CIB and CAB at the same time? Wearing an EIB, and a CIB is like wearing Airborne wings along with Master Airborne wings, or Aviator wings and Senior Aviator wings at the same time. Granted you earned both, but you should always wear the one that denotes higher achievement or accomplishment. Being that CIB and CAB are different awards - they should be allowed to be worn simultaneously. However the CIB should be worn over the top of the CAB since it has been in service longer, and to give respect that is earned to those who serve in our Infrantry forces and take the fight to the enemy - often within eyesight of those hellbent on killing you. That doesn't mean other troops don't engage in close quarter combat... we all know Iraq and Afghanistan have been anything other than a conventional war - where even support MOS troops are sometimes on the front lines engaged in battle... however, the EIB and CIB are definitely reserved for those who dedicate their lives to the rigors of serving and sacrificing ones life as an Infantry Soldier. So, as a former 19K (Armor enlisted), 13B (Artillery enlisted), 14E (ADA officer), 35D (MI officer), 35E (CI Special Agent / officer)... I certainly have much respect for my 11B brothers! Thanks for all you guys do!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 9:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 21:45:13 -0400

I get it, I have both but NO! Just wear the badge you earned.
Stop worrying about who's is bigger, which is better or whether it was earned. I was just as proud getting my CIB pinned as I was with my EIB.
Your fellow soldiers should follow and respect you! not some badge your wearing.

Response by SPC Craig Smith made Sep 2 at 2018 4:45 AM

SPC Craig Smith — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 04:45:57 -0400

They are 2 totally different awards and one can not and should not be compared to the other. Hopefully they pass the introduction of the MIB that will allow those that have both to wear and stand out from their peers.

Response by SGT Timothy Summers made Jun 27 at 2019 12:57 PM

SGT Timothy Summers — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 12:57:22 -0400

No. Those are completely different awards. EIB is awarded to 11Series for skills testing in controlled environments, the CIB is awarded to 11Series for engaging in combat with an enemy who are themselves engaging in combat with US Infantry. If you were to attempt to put them both on the uniform, I would honestly have to question why you would even attempt something as such. It is in AR670-1

Response by CPT William Jones made Jul 2 at 2019 10:31 PM

CPT William Jones — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 22:31:25 -0400

The CIB is awarded for meeting a couple mos qual. And then engaging the enemy in a direct fire activity. No mortars or rockets only rifles and maybe ieds at same time as rifle fire. Purely luck there are many 11 series that could go a whole deployment and not pull a trigger but kick doors lots of times. No CIB. But to get EIBOne must pass a series of infantry skills test which require some work. CIB luck of being in right place and time. EIB work study practice earn award. You may wear which ever one you choose but only one at a time. You could even change them during the gay if you chose.

Response by SPC John Decker made Oct 8 at 2019 6:46 AM

SPC John Decker — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 06:46:07 -0400

Without having read any of the other comments, my guess would be that the CIB takes precedence. To my way of thinking, it would be like weapons qualifications. You qualify marksman one time and then qualify expert. You don't wear both. Only the higher of the two. A combat decoration should be higher than a non-combat one.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2020 2:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 02:55:30 -0500

I have them both and a CAB. I only wear my CIB.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Oct 27 at 2020 2:35 PM

1SG Ernest Stull — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:35:41 -0400

You can only wear the cib. Why would you want to wear both you have earned the right to sit with those who have went before you

Response by CPT William Jones made Jun 23 at 2021 2:26 AM

CPT William Jones — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 02:26:15 -0400

You may only wear one at a time. Their is no precidence. You may even chande them as often as you like even twice a day. CIB is easier to get all you have to do is get shot at and shoot back while in an infantry unit. For the EIB you have to take a test covering various infantry skills and some people have failed to pass. For CIB just be in the right place and return fire. Easy peasy

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Jun 24 at 2021 2:26 AM

SSG Harry Outcalt — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 02:26:04 -0400

you get points for having both but as for wear the higher award always takes precedent....

Response by SSG Kevin Kirby made Jul 4 at 2021 6:21 PM

SSG Kevin Kirby — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 18:21:53 -0400

Both are tier 1 awards. Along with combat medic and CAB only one authorized at a time.

Response by SPC Collin Guizar made Aug 19 at 2021 11:34 AM

SPC Collin Guizar — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:34:12 -0400

No choose one