Do combat arms soldiers look down on fellow combat arms brethren if they have deployed and not been awarded a combat badge/medal/ribbon?

2017-05-30T17:26:07-04:00

It seems like something so trivial, but is just deploying and doing your job enough to keep the respect of your combat arms peers? Does the fact that you were hit by an IED on a convoy, close enough to a falling mortar round, or engaged by small arms fire really make one a more qualified combat arms soldier? What are thoughts on those who were never in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 5:31 PM

2017-05-30T17:31:33-04:00

I deployed but don't have a CAB. But I can certainly attest that I have been treated better by others that have deployed since I got that patch on the right sleeve than prior to my deployment.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made May 30 at 2017 5:57 PM

2017-05-30T17:57:58-04:00

We definitely size each other up by what is worn on our chest. My personal story is I was an 0311/0369 Marine for 8 years 3 combat deployments in both Iraq and Afg. Got out, went National Guard as 92G (cook) can't wear a CAB or CIB or combat patch. So in my BDU's it looks like I have never deployed or have been awarded a combat action ribbon. I defiantly notice a difference in soldiers after they find out my history. Back to answer your question do they look down them? I think some do, but not all. I have learned over time if someone is trying to degrade you because you are lacking a piece of flare it is because they are childish and do not understand how the military works. Does the person that gets the CAB, CIB or CAR for a mortar round landing 800m away have any more combat experience than someone that has been at live fire range?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 6:10 PM

2017-05-30T18:10:20-04:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson It should make no difference. I have a Combat Action Ribbon, but that does not make me any better than anyone that does not. We are all brothers and sisters in arms and should treat each other with respect, and that goes with the different branches of service.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 30 at 2017 6:58 PM

2017-05-30T18:58:20-04:00

I respect all those that take the Oath and wear the Uniform,period

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made May 30 at 2017 7:43 PM

2017-05-30T19:43:30-04:00

This badge, that ribbon, this is just sad. Pathetic is more like it. They should stop medals, ribbons and badges until everyone gets over themselves

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 30 at 2017 8:18 PM

2017-05-30T20:18:08-04:00

I think the answer is yes. I would like to say they don't- but really what I have seen is that they do. It's often this subtle way they talk about things. But it's there in the air. Just my 2 cents. I don't think it's right, but I'm just answering your question.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-05-30T20:24:17-04:00

That is how it works. Does it mean it is right? No, but then we gravitate to those that are successful. We view those with badges and tabs as being successful. Comparing those with all of the badges and tabs to those without would mean that those without them are not as successful or experienced. As an Infantry Officer is it expected that you are Ranger qualified. If you don't have a tab then you are viewed lesser than your peers. Now, as a National Guard Officer I was one of few in my home state with a tab. At the time when I was drilling I was the only PL in my BDE with a tab that I knew of. In that case I was viewed in a different light.

I currently work with a group of soldiers that all but a couple have combat time and all of us are Ranger Qualified. I can't say I have seen a group of soldiers on their level. So if you were to see one squad that all of their soldiers were Ranger Qualified and one squad that no one was Ranger qualified I bet money that most people would opt to work with the squad with the Rangers in it.

I don't think we look down on those that don't have the awards but we look up to those that do have them. If a person feels they are on par with them that is their response. Tabs and badges may not correlate to being a better soldier, but it is a good maker.

Being honest, the pic I posted is my uniform. I am about to go back into the operational Army and out of the TRADOC world. If you could pick your PL and you saw a PL with my qualifications and skill levels surround by 5 brand new LTs without them, once again, you would naturally gravitate to the person with them.

I don't envy anyone with more badges or view them differently. If you are a jumpmaster and pathfinder then they can run a DZ. In that case they are more qualified than I and can accomplish task I can not. So why would be upset if they were view more of an asset than I. They are. I chose to go into the Airborne Infantry world. Schools are easier to come by. Some MOSs don't have that option. But then they should only look as far as their peers and not the rest of the Army. There is always someone better than you but then there might be a lot of others that don't have your drive an passion that are not as productive.

I hope this explains it well enough.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 8:27 PM

2017-05-30T20:27:56-04:00

Most do, to be truthful. Most guys with a CIB/CMB look down on (or at least look sideways at) people with a CAB, and everyone looks down on (or sideways at) people without any badge. I don't fully agree with it, and have known some real great Soldiers who don't have any validating heraldry on their uniform.
But fairness aside, especially in maneuver units, it makes some sense to at least have a bit of deference to folks who have done the maneuver thing for real. I don't buy into the looking down on others thing, but I also don't really buy the "we're all the same" thing either.

Everyone gets my Respect. Some things get my attention. Badges, Deeds, Reputation, they are all items of validation, and pretending otherwise is overlooking some realities of humanity I think.

Response by LtCol George Carlson made May 30 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-05-30T21:41:29-04:00

Just another reason I am thankful to be a Marine. The EG&A says all that needs to be said. The rest are just footnotes. Well, perhaps excepting the MoH. But even that is as much a product of opportunity and circumstance.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 30 at 2017 9:56 PM

2017-05-30T21:56:08-04:00

The better question would be: do combat arms Soldiers look down on non-combat arms Soldiers. If the answer is yes, perhaps some self-reflection is in order.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 31 at 2017 12:30 AM

2017-05-31T00:30:44-04:00

Well, I'm not a combat arms MOS, so I can understand and appreciate everyone's contribution to the bigger fight at hand. That being said though, no I don't believe having a shiny badge or whatever makes you any more or less qualified as a combat arms soldier. I've known plenty of Marines who could qualify as a bag of turds but they've got a nice fat stack of chest candy to show off on their uniform. A little token on your uniform doesn't mean you know how to do your job. Knowing your job means you know how to do your job.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2017 2:34 AM

2017-05-31T02:34:24-04:00

I think we all judge each other a bit by the tin we see. Is that fair? Probably not, but we see what we see and make our assumptions. You see wings, or a combat/expert badge, or certain ribbons and you get an idea of what they've done.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 31 at 2017 9:26 AM

2017-05-31T09:26:36-04:00

As an MP, I didn't look down on fellow MPs that didn't have a CAB. But I tended to not take what they said as serious as those that had CABs.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made May 31 at 2017 9:39 AM

2017-05-31T09:39:23-04:00

Interesting questions.
I would ask an active duty 82nd soldier if the saying "No war 04" is still being bandied about. If it is take a closer look at 2LT Private RallyPoint Member's, GySgt Bill Smith's, and CPT Private RallyPoint Member's statements. Even if it isn't the three statements referenced are still worth re-reading.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made May 31 at 2017 11:17 AM

2017-05-31T11:17:11-04:00

REALLY! lets talk about award criteria for SFC an above while deployed in a combat zone most of them revived by the status of BSM awards, some of them did nothing and to this day talk shit about they did in combat knowing they are not hero, but the soldiers like SSG and below who were in the fight and did the long hours and hard battles, some of them getting nothing but the combat awards their unit was awarded. I was a SFC who did not get BSM so I was in the fight because I had a CSM who held a grudge against people but did not see what and how they preform in combat knew this was enough. SO what about CAB, if the unit was awarded it, If I have orders I'll wear it but, I want talk how awards are given out by leaders and commanders, That's shifty deal we a soldier get because some commanders even wrote their own BSM and Silver Stars. For what? :(

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 6:08 PM

2017-06-01T18:08:25-04:00

Honestly? Seeing anyone over the rank of E-6 or O-2 without a combat patch makes me think less of them. We have been at war for almost 17 years and if you've dodged deployment that much I question your commitment to lead combat soldiers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 6:50 PM

2017-06-01T18:50:48-04:00

I thought everyone in the Army was special forces. That's what they all seem to tell me when we are arguing about how much water goes into a single bag of concrete. LOL! Army vet = knows everything about everything because of their combat history.

Seriously, I think some deserve a little more retirement than the rest of us.

Response by CH (MAJ) Mark Diddle made Jun 1 at 2017 7:32 PM

2017-06-01T19:32:12-04:00

Badges, tabs and patches can be a door opener but once in the door, what you're doing or not doing can get you kicked out faster than a piece of cloth opened the door.

I experimented with the badges/patches thing for myself. I spent several years in the Infantry. After school and work I re-entered as a chaplain. I started in an IN OSUT unit. When I first got there, I wore rank and branch. After about a week I put my EIB, wings, tab and DS badge on and was immediately treated differently. Once all the cadre knew me, I was treated the same with or without badges. Of course, when new cadre arrived it was funny when they'd walk into my office looking for the chaplain, when they saw stuff on my uniform, they'd usually say something like, "Excuse me, I'm looking for the chaplain." Got funny looks when I said that's me.

Response by PFC Howard Bryant Blackshear made Jun 1 at 2017 7:37 PM

2017-06-01T19:37:02-04:00

""NO"'''NONE Combat Veterans is ""JEALOUSLY"'for Combat Vets, When we come out the Field, Nasty, Stinking, go to the Mess Hall, The Non Combat Soldiers get up and leave, Some Makes Fun at us. ""So who looking down on "''WHO"''?????.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 8:10 PM

2017-06-01T20:10:04-04:00

I agree with 1lt Rosa about looking up to those that have it vs looking down on those that dont, but at the same time, i see alot of E7s and above that have never deployed, and i ask myself, how is it in in 16 years of war and deployments out the wazoo have some of these people who have been in since before that have never deployed...those are the ones that people tend to look down on

Response by SPC John Decker made Jun 1 at 2017 8:11 PM

2017-06-01T20:11:18-04:00

It's almost never a matter of personal choice. Those few I knew, back when I was in, that had seen combat, never seemed to lok down on those of us who had not. We all knew that, by volunteering, we might find ourselves in harms way. We also knew, without being told, that those men who had seen combat, would do everything in their power to make sure the rest of us would make it out. I have always thought that military personnel are not people but are assets to be used as necessary.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 9:25 PM

2017-06-01T21:25:06-04:00

Badges, medals, lol ur kidding me right. Not when soldiers are given specific badges for nothing more than their rank at time of deployment. This generation made a mockery out of the silver star. Simply stated unless theirs a V with it, you probably got it just for being a platoon Sgt or squad leader......No not impressed and not sorry

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 11:46 PM

2017-06-01T23:46:17-04:00

If you're feeling looked down upon, it is probably self-imposed stress. Yes, there are those who will pick on others for not having deployed or been in combat, but in a lot of cases, those are folks who've overinflated their own combat exploits. The vast majority of those I know not only don't look down on others, but actively seek to prepare them for the rigors of combat. That's what we call Army leadership, and if you're not thinking that way, you probably need a course correction, especially since a growing majority of soldiers from junior CPT/E-6 and below have not deployed.

Response by SPC Ruben Marin made Jun 2 at 2017 8:04 AM

2017-06-02T08:04:18-04:00

In from july of 01 to sep of 06 as a MP. Both units I was in deployed w/o me. The first bc their orders came down as I was out processing the unit and was not given the opportunity to stay. The second was an injury that took part of my vision during predeployment training. So now that you know my history, I can definitely tell you that I was looked at differently by almost all combat hardened soldiers. You get talked to differently and viewed almost as inferior for not having a badge or patch to show you were in combat. I've even had the luxury of being called for assistance only to have them tell me I don't understand their side of the story bc I've never been in combat. I get the sacrifice and hard work that is put into a deployment. I respect those whom have deployed bc of the sacrifices they make. But there is one thing I was always taught, and that is we are all human and therefore equals. In the Army I saw it the same way. You may have more bling on your uniform, you may be higher ranking, and you may have combat experience, but we all signed the dotted line with the same expectation of defending and protecting our country. I believe everyone should be looked at with the same respect as you would give that person who has deployed. I truly believe there is no need for the Petty "I'm better than stuff."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 9:57 AM

2017-06-02T09:57:04-04:00

I personally did not look down on people that had not seen combat, however I would get looked down on all the time because I did not feel the need to wear my CAB on my uniform, and being with a infantry unit, it was fun. I was the FO for them and did the same shit as them but because they thought that I had not seen combat I was still way below them that and I was a POG. That all changed when we had a ASU inspection, lets say after that I did not hear a word from anyone anymore.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 3 at 2017 12:26 AM

2017-06-03T00:26:58-04:00

I think the CAB is the most useless award ever created. Many MOS' increase a soldier's chance of being in combat. Take mine for example: 68W. Regardless every single military person may not get into combat. So? If one is joining for awards, then he/she clearly has their priorities mixed up.
Earning them was never a part of my service. When I got the CMB, I didn't even know it existed. I have an Army cap that I wear often and do not wish to 'broadcast' my achievements. I have a shadow box that I had made up, but my MOS and accomplishments while I served are what I have pride in.
There is a big difference between being trained for combat, ex: any MOS labeled combat and having combat experience.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 3 at 2017 12:59 AM

2017-06-03T00:59:39-04:00

Yes, they/you look down on everyone... until we are not there, and then we can't get there fast enough.... SGT Joseph Gunderson

Response by LCpl Folsom White made May 25 at 2018 2:57 PM

2018-05-25T14:57:11-04:00

I served a 4 year “peace time” enlistment in the marine corps as a 3043, supply administration, primarily with 3/7, 1stMarDiv. Most of us were newbies, but the senior NCOs were Vietnam vets and treated us a little harshly, lol. As one old Gunnery Sergeant put it, “I don’t give a $h!t if you like me or not, I want you to be prepared”.
I’m a member of our local American Legion Post and most of our active membership is Korean and Vietnam veterans. We have a couple WWII vets but they have health issues. What I want to say is, we have a Korean vet and two Vietnam vets who are the real deal, in the thick of it combat veterans. It’s just the opposite for me, I hold them in very high regard.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2018 3:21 PM

2018-05-25T15:21:38-04:00

I personally will cut jokes and poke some fun towards the other branches but at the end of the day anyone who steps foot into a combat zone deserves equal recognition unless you were awarded the Purple Heart bronze star, or etc. for being injured or killed or injured killed trying to to save brothers or sisters in arms!

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made May 25 at 2018 5:31 PM

2018-05-25T17:31:31-04:00

Combat comes in different forms and intensity. Combat for the Infantry is totally different from combat as a result of an IED or indirect fire. Being fired upon and returning fire is not the same as an infantryman. There is a difference between an assault and a defense. I have no problem with combat action badges realizing the combat was not that experienced by infantrman living and working in the badlands looking and searching for an enemy to destroy. I believe the badge is fair but in no means the same status as the CIB or the CMB. Back in the cold war days, the expert infantry badge and expert medical badges were highly respected.

Response by SSG Mark Vandolah made May 26 at 2018 1:19 PM

2018-05-26T13:19:23-04:00

All soldiers deserve recognition for the sacrifice and there service. But there is a difference between combat veterans and a your standard veterans that sat at a desk or behind enemy lines.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 26 at 2018 2:30 PM

2018-05-26T14:30:04-04:00

I've long been impressed with soldiers authorized to wear the jumpmaster wings, Ranger tab, Pathfinder, and the CIB. Although I wanted to get a star on my wings I couldn't because my duties in the Special Security Office took precedence and would sacrifice critical time as I headed a team or communications center at XVIII AbnC or the 82nd Abn Div. I was on-call status almost all the time I had served in the special security business.

Another obstacle I had before me in obtaining a CIB was that I was assigned Signal Corps and Military Intelligence duties that precluded such awards.

But at the least, I always felt I was accepted among the more decorated SF and Division troopers.

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made May 26 at 2018 4:32 PM

2018-05-26T16:32:23-04:00

It's stupid and childish for those with a CAB/CIB ect to treat others as if they're subpar. Do they treat those in PSD like that? Or the ones at the gallery? I hope not, because not everyone in the military is there to be certified BAMFs. Some just want to be a part of something bigger. If your ego is in such a bad need of a stroke that you have to use a decoration as a means to degrade others than you joined for the wrong reason.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2018 5:23 PM

2018-05-26T17:23:25-04:00

When I was newer I had a 1SG tell me that CIB/CAB didn’t really paint the whole picture, but if somebody had an EIB you knew they really earned that

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 26 at 2018 8:05 PM

2018-05-26T20:05:16-04:00

Some soldiers think their MOS is god's gift to the army. Case in point, as a tanker I experienced light infantry jeering us, they forget we all bleed red.

Response by 1SG Jim Wagner made May 26 at 2018 10:29 PM

2018-05-26T22:29:17-04:00

For me, personally, I don't care about tabs and awards as much s I do when I see a slick sleeve Senior NCO or Officer. As a PVT in Desert Storm, everyone looked up to the SFC Vietnam Vet we had in our Battalion that could do it all. He was our mortar sergeant and then commanded a Bradley after we lost an NCO. That Combat patch means a lot too me.

Response by CPL James Barnstead made May 27 at 2018 4:19 AM

2018-05-27T04:19:06-04:00

As long as people are truthful about what they did I respect them! If your job is to drive a trucks and never fired a shot, I respect that. It’s not everyone job to fight, or does everyone get the opportunity. Just be truthful about what you did!

Response by SGT Chad Beale made May 27 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-05-27T12:45:13-04:00

Well I say deployed combat experience speaks for itself. I am Combat infantry and yes I did and as a contractor do look differently at those with no CIB or Combat patch or specialty badges as enhanced training and skills that are needed in the field and in combat. Reality is those that fight and survive and do it again have the real skills that the Army is looking for in the War Zone that we are fighting in now.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2018 4:37 PM

2018-05-27T16:37:49-04:00

Badges and patches do not a Soldier make...

Response by PO2 Gene Cochran made May 27 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-05-27T22:51:42-04:00

I was in the Navy back in the day (68-73) I had many Marine buddies. We both had jobs, many were the same. We did it! Didn't do it for medals, it was just our jobs. Yeah, I have medals, I don't give a shit. I love the USA

Response by SSG Jeffrey Wilson made May 28 at 2018 5:54 AM

2018-05-28T05:54:00-04:00

Badges, Badges, we dont need no stinking badges..!!

Response by SSG Peter Klementowski made May 28 at 2018 8:10 AM

2018-05-28T08:10:16-04:00

No offense to my fellow brothers that sport the CIB/CMB but the CAB can be look at on three ways: Its awarded for those that don't qualify for a CIB/CMB yet are in direct combat action against enemy forces ex. Tankers, Cav Scouts, Aviation and such. It also awarded to those on the log packs and comvoys bringing up the beans and the bullets to those combat arm units that face daily ambushes and IEDs to keep the infantry humping, the tankers moving, the scouts rolling, and the birds flying (and morale with mail). And the rest are pen in on a FOB getting thr IDF that might make them qualify for one. As a former 31B I earned a CAB in 2003 since the MPs were right out there doing the samething as the infantry, Scouts, and tankers were doing in the early days. And still did later on but the mission was changing to PTT and MTT Ops. Now with that being said when I was in yeah the older troops always gave the younger guys flak for not having a CAB or combat patch but we trained them up, giving them hard learned lessons right from the battlefield, to get them ready and deployed back out them. Most of them earned a CAB for direct action against enemy forces. Now that I'm out I work with a former 11B and we knock on each other about CIB vs CAB but its all in good fun and we get a laugh. The only thing I never like were the chasers; the officers or senior ncos that wanted a combat badge so bad that they took chances to find contact with the enemy so as to qualify for one and possibly get troops under them killed.

Response by PO1 Kevin VonMoses made May 28 at 2018 12:19 PM

2018-05-28T12:19:26-04:00

I had a buddy that said it best... “Not everybody went into battle, but evey one of them signed up to.”

Response by PO1 Robert Ackerson made May 28 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-05-28T12:45:55-04:00

Its always troubling to me over this topic. I have served and was in combat, but I don't feel like I have to post my assignments to get respect. We all had changes to be assigned into a combat environment. It was in the draw.

Response by SSgt Robert Prest made May 28 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-05-28T13:01:46-04:00

I always looked up to men who were in combat before I went to the Gulf, don't know why they would not look down on me.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 28 at 2018 1:40 PM

2018-05-28T13:40:09-04:00

I wore my jump wings to church yesterday preceding Memorial Day. A Sister walked up to me, stared at the badge, and then said, "That's nice and pretty," as she stroked the wings. "Is that a . . . is that an ice cream cone . . . with wings?"

After explaining the badge she stepped back with her hands over her mouth. I got a good chuckle over it.

Response by David Weller made May 28 at 2018 3:15 PM

2018-05-28T15:15:41-04:00

My nephew was wounded in Aphgan. The soldier at Fort Polk treating him looked down on my wounded nephew due to the benefits (misnomer to me since he was wounded he was entitled to the help he received) he was receiving that this hospital orderly was not. My nephew was about ready to give a butt wipping to him but was able to contain himself long enough to just leave. This guy actually expresssd his opinion to my nephew while treating him.

Response by SGT David Shanley Jr. made May 28 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-05-28T15:51:43-04:00

An undeployed infantryman is no different than a pog. Change my kind.

Response by TSgt Michael Roser made May 28 at 2018 4:34 PM

2018-05-28T16:34:42-04:00

Not everyone who served could hold a combat arms specialty. Being color blind, all I was “qualified” to do for 26 years was support and logistics... Army tank mechanic at first, then Air Force Reserve freight specialist. No regrets. They couldn’t have earned those badges without the support specialists.

Response by SSG David Andrews made May 28 at 2018 6:20 PM

2018-05-28T18:20:53-04:00

I deeply respect all fellow veterans. I have special respect for those with combat decorations and even though I hold them in very high regard and envy, I am very very thankful that I do not have those same decorations. I will happily salute those brothers anytime!

Response by SrA Christopher Giles made May 28 at 2018 6:27 PM

2018-05-28T18:27:11-04:00

I was AF admin and I know just being AF I get looked at sideways...but is it weird or wrong for someone like me who never saw combat and only went to Manas to feel guilty about not having been in combat?

Response by PO2 David Davidson made May 28 at 2018 6:59 PM

2018-05-28T18:59:57-04:00

I have never felt looked down upon by those who served in combat, simply because I didn't. It has been my experience that we all know that we worked as a team for a common goal. But there are times that combat vets are awarded more defference because of what they have gone through. And that is right and proper. They experienced things I never will and I respect them highly for it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 7:06 PM

2018-05-28T19:06:36-04:00

Good point, LT. Those badges really dont mean squat. You get one for almost anything. But what it does do is tell me you have knowledge and skills that maybe someone without one doesnt have.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 8:40 PM

2018-05-28T20:40:26-04:00

Every one measures success in a different t way. I am retired from the military. To me success is when I keep that patient, soldier or civilian alive in surgery. I love my infantry soldiers. Some might think we aren't that important but when you are broken you want a good 66F to take care of you.

Response by SPC Ben Harris made May 28 at 2018 10:05 PM

2018-05-28T22:05:08-04:00

Well I served and was never sent anywhere. I signed the same check as everyone else who served. Just mine wasn't accepted it seems. I do think the men who saw combat should get more respect than I deserve. I salute those men . Thanks for all we all do or did.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 11:41 PM

2018-05-28T23:41:33-04:00

I've never met anyone in my service that has looked down on non-combat veterans. That said, there are perceptions as it relates to those that appear to "dodge" deployments or haven't deployed at least once in the 17+ years we've been in this persistent conflict in the ME. It's a matter of timing. I joined my first unit in 91 shortly after they came back from Desert Storm, feeling somewhat like I missed out. However, if you do your job and take care of Soldiers, the rest will fall in place. Back then, a Soldier could expect to deploy in some capacity at least twice in a 20 year career. For me, it turned into five (two to Bosnia and three to Iraq). As for what occurs in combat, that too is a product of timing and poor luck. Never met anyone that was in a hurry to get a PH.

Response by SFC Mark Pfeiffer made May 29 at 2018 2:04 AM

2018-05-29T02:04:47-04:00

I spent 14 years on active duty during the Cold War. I was US Navy at the time, and the greatest threat was Soviet ballistic missile submarines. As a Sonar tech on a tin can, we were often deployed closest to the Soviet Union as an early warning for the carrier. If the balloon ever went up, we would be the first to know. Our job was to stay afloat long enough to get out a flash message. No, most of us never heard a shot fired in anger. However, every mother's son and daughter slept safely at night because we put our lives on the line.
Do I Honor my brothers and sisters who are combat veterans? Yes. Does that make our offerings at the altar any less worthy? No. All gave some, some gave all.

Response by SSG Grant Hansen made May 29 at 2018 2:30 AM

2018-05-29T02:30:17-04:00

I got the CAB, but many others in my unit didn't.

What was the difference? My platoon went on a mission to Mosul and the other platoons didn't. They went to Hillah and Baghdad. What was different about Mosul? We had a bunch of crazy bastards attack the base right by where my platoon was sleeping that night. Other people on that same base didn't get the CAB that night simply because they were in a different area.

Had those idiots decided to attack a different section of the base, I never would have received the CAB. Had the other platoons been ambushed during their missions, they would have the CAB as well. But, for whatever reason, the bad guys attacked different convoys.

Does the CAB and the CIB mean something?

Sure. It means you got to find out what it's like to have bad guys trying to kill you.

That's it.

However, if someone got deployed and spent the entire time fixing vehicles, tending to the wounded in a hospital at BIAP or loading ammo on an aircraft , they did their part and that allowed everyone else to do their part.

If they were in country in any capacity, I respect that.

Response by Sgt Jared Anderson made May 29 at 2018 9:28 AM

2018-05-29T09:28:28-04:00

I think there is defiantly a difference. I grew up watching combat movies. Nothing will compare to the actual experience. Actually having an rpg just miss you. Impact on a wall next to a fellow Marine. Sending rounds down range engaging the threat hearing medic. By the time you turn around you see your guy unconscious with shrapnel ripped threw him. Being dragged to a safer area to be worked on with blood spilling out into the streets.

Actually put in positions where actually making the choice to take another’s life or not. Being on a react team loading vehicles and mortars coming in while loading. The experiences that bring your battalion 14 home in body bags and your platoon having a huge portion with Purple Hearts.

There is a difference. A real difference. To including the knowledge those people possess.

I also know guys that went into combat zones and maybe a shot was fired at their whole unit once during the whole deployment and no one was shot.

I think there is a major difference. But look down on? No. It’s not always a persons choice to be deployed or not. Or even into combat. Does that make that person less honorable? Does the person that took a job out side of one that deploys knowing they could not handle combat less honorable?
We needed our doctors back in Germany where some of our casualties where flown to just as much as our Coremen on the front lines or our riflemen. I was quite thankful when a bird would fly over we knew it was ours and were not concerned about enemy bombers like previous wars.

Thanks to the air force that suport comes from out side of combat zones as well.

All the guys out side of our combat zone making sure we were getting the logistics needed and as best as they could. All those training to replace us so we could have a break and come home in combat rotations that may not end up replacing us due to political agreements and changes in the war. But were training to go. I look at it as more of a validation badge. But also know there are zones and areas or people that have received it. That never actually “experienced” combat in its raw and personal form either.

Response by SPC Lisandro Pt made May 29 at 2018 10:28 AM

2018-05-29T10:28:04-04:00

as a lower enlisted grunt i would say yes. always respected the c.i.b ranger scroll+tab s.f all that high speed shit .ment you knew your stuff and you can tell a good n.c.o buy there squad plt company ect. but as a grunt i personally I did view being a grunt or a in a combat MOS more Superior to other Moss because I knew the type of training is not held at the same standard for combat MOS a postman in the army just ate the same type of Rifleman as someone in the Infantry Point Blank

Response by CSM William Payne made May 29 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-05-29T12:32:43-04:00

What’s interesting is that the lay of the land and combatives have change dramatically on the nonlinear battlefield. More Sericemembers are either wounded or killed by EIDs or indirect fire than in direct engagement with the enemy. Shortly before our deployment the unit we replaced had a member of their convoy team die in an IED attack, our command lost another in an IED attack during our tour and immediately after we left the unit that replaced us lost two in a rocket attack on our home base. The Green Zone, the supposedly “safe” area in Iraq was rocketed 444 times in the year we were there, killing three on the palace grounds and we had four wounded working out in the gym on another FOB by a rocket attack. This is why they issue you hazardous duty pay. Our particular TTP for our convoy team was to protect the principle at all cost and to push through the kill zone when engaged, notify command of the situation and let the QRF team to close with, engage, and destroy the enemy, apparently something that was looked down upon by the “real” Soldiers. Some of convoy team members, who went outside the wire almost everyday, heard that if they were not stopping the convoy, pursuing, closing with and destroying the enemy, that they were useless to the cause. You try to do your best in whatever mission you are given and make your contribution to the best of your ability. So we were only able to issue a small number of CABs for our deployment. But the Soldiers know what they experienced. Sometimes you can’t tell a book by its cover.

Response by PO2 Irwin Lyle Shattuck made May 29 at 2018 2:19 PM

2018-05-29T14:19:25-04:00

I did two tours on a destroyer to the Tonkin Gulf in 72-73 and again n 74. After getting out I became friends with a man who served as a NCO with the 101 airborne. Although I was on the gunline getting combat pay and having our distroyers hit by the NVA my friend was offended if I referred to myself as a combat veteran. He also put his CIB as his most rewarding medal and asked me if I had one. The Navy does not give them out and if so I'm sure are SEAL teams would be wearing them. I was offended by my friend looking down on me. On the other hand I have a friend who was a Green Beret and did things my friend can not dream of and treats me with full respect.

Response by SP5 John Petrasek made May 29 at 2018 2:22 PM

2018-05-29T14:22:36-04:00

If you weren't strafed today, thank the ADA!

Response by PO2 Irwin Lyle Shattuck made May 29 at 2018 2:37 PM

2018-05-29T14:37:11-04:00

If your in it to collect medals perhaps your in it for he wrong reasons. After all people collect all sorts of things. Don't get me wrong I'm proud of the medals I received in Vietnam but we also had people like John Kerry getting three Purple Heart just to get sent home! I see young soldiers to day with as many ribbons on their uniforms as a man on our ship who had been blown out of two rive boats in the brown water Navy in Vietnam. Seems to me if you tie your shoes correctly there's a ribbon waiting for you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 3:58 PM

2018-05-29T15:58:37-04:00

I think CABs are very subjective in how they are awarded. However there is not a whole lot of subjectivity with the CIB! Just my 2 cents!

Response by SGT Tim McCoy made May 29 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-05-29T16:31:05-04:00

What about those veterans that served between wars? WW II and Korea, Korea and Vietnam, Vietnam and Iraq? No combat tours but still in various theaters...

Response by SPC Robert Burns made May 29 at 2018 4:45 PM

2018-05-29T16:45:44-04:00

NOT EVERYONE WANT or CAN BE A HERO!
Just to be able, ready, and willing to take a bullet for / with your fellow soldiers is enough for me!

Response by SFC Mark Klaers made May 29 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-05-29T16:55:55-04:00

If I had fought in the Ardennes or Tarawa, I wouldn't consider someone that guarded the Panama Canal the entire war exactly my equal, no.

Response by SPC Jim Wentink made May 29 at 2018 6:19 PM

2018-05-29T18:19:37-04:00

I am a 12B who spent lots of time (+/- 6 months) humping the boonies with grunts in Nam. (11th and 196th LIB). Taking nothing away from the grunts, I was always a little pissed that they got a CIB and I didn't. We shared 100 percent the same experience. The only difference was the MOS.

Response by SGT David Barnes Sr. made May 29 at 2018 6:31 PM

2018-05-29T18:31:34-04:00

I as a combat veteran have no animosity towards those who have not served in combat. We are still all BROTHERS IN ARMS.

Response by SGT Ricky Winchester made May 29 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-05-29T19:00:12-04:00

I personally have never understood why the CAB is looked down upon. I got one while i was serving as an MP. We were not infantry so we cant earn the CIB but (some of us) still saw legit combat just like the infantry did so we got awarded the CAB because we are support, but the CAB is treated like its a small thing. Im proud of mine and im sure its just as much pride as any infantry soldier has when they earn there CIB. Just because its not a CIB doesnt mean that it doesnt have the same meaning. I do understand, however, that the CAB was given to everyone (support ops) who deployed which I dont think is the way it should be but it just so happens that way. I think people should learn why that individual earned his CAB instead of judging the patch in general, then judge the persons character instead. Just my 2 cents worth i guess

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-05-29T19:08:35-04:00

I have been in the National Guard for seven years and next year will be my second JRTC rotation followed by my second deployment year and word on the street is we will not be deploying yet again. As a soldier who hasn’t deployed and in a unit where most have I think I put the feeling of being a lessor soldier on myself. I have never felt looked down upon and I know there’s a huge difference between National Guard and active army but not once has anyone made me feel like I’m not part of the unit. I however feel like I’ll never truly be a veteran unless I deploy and contribute to our fight for freedom. Nobody wants their family’s to worry about them for an entire year but there’s a bigger part of me that’s hungry for a deployment. I know I would be proud to wear a combat patch and I sure the hell respect every one that does. There are some soldiers that also haven’t deployed that I respect very much because they work hard at what we do and then there’s some that are dead weight both with and without deployments. I guess a lot of it depends on the individual. I plan on going another thirteen years so I hope I can catch at least one deployment. God bless all of you who have deployed and made it home safe and RIP to those who didn’t make it home.

Response by 1LT Michael Bowen made May 29 at 2018 7:41 PM

2018-05-29T19:41:55-04:00

I don't give any extra credit for combat badges. I was on a base where we were less than a hundred yards from half a dozen motar shells landing. We were not given a combat badge because the Upper brass on the base said no one on the base would get those type of medals for attacks on the base. I was on convoys that took some direct fire but our own commanders deemed it was not enough direct fire. I also know of other people on smaller FOBs that got them because they were in a dangerous area.

Response by TSgt Sean LaPlante made May 29 at 2018 7:59 PM

2018-05-29T19:59:35-04:00

I’d like to think not. Very few people in my AF career field deployed. I personally haven’t deployed. However while I was in the Army (as a Cav Scout), I spent every many freezing nights in Germany securing our family housing area to see their safety while their loved ones were fighting in Desert Storm.

Response by SFC William Evans made May 29 at 2018 8:18 PM

2018-05-29T20:18:56-04:00

As long as these wars of been going on if you been in the army Military for more than four years and haven’t employed you’re hiding

Response by SPC Mason Day made May 29 at 2018 8:19 PM

2018-05-29T20:19:16-04:00

I served in the guard and on active duty from 87 to 95 I never felt looked down on by anyone but as an artillery man I felt inferior to those with combat patches that I served with even though I was a better soldier than some of them. Even to this day I have the utmost respect for all our vets especially our combat vets

Response by PO2 Keith Manning made May 29 at 2018 10:09 PM

2018-05-29T22:09:56-04:00

I have seen a CIB and a CAB be awarded for a minor combat encounter that resulted in no injuries or death. However, I know friends that have them for kicking down doors and applying pressure to the enemy, instead of playing "Dodge the mortar" on base. So, it's really hard to think anything badass about it anymore. However, any SM with a combat patch can leave it at that. For the combat patch tells enough of the story, without the implication that you had to take someone's head off whilst serving in the Middle East.

Response by SFC Marc Owens made May 30 at 2018 12:58 AM

2018-05-30T00:58:36-04:00

19Kilo, M1 Abrams Tank Crewmen are not awarded any special hardware for being in Combat. Never heard of Grunt, with or without their unique special awards, every say, "No thanks, don't send in the Tanks, we don't need them." Hell on Wheels, My Brothers.

Response by SFC(P) Richard Warren made May 30 at 2018 2:29 AM

2018-05-30T02:29:41-04:00

I don't have the time to look down on, or even up to, anybody else because of the decorations on thier chests. Everyone has something to teach you and everyone has something to learn from you.

My awards don't make me a good soldier, nor do my lack of awards make me a bad one. It's a soldier's empathy, communication ability, flexibility, adaptability, esprit de corps, and willingness to share the knowledge gained from experiences that decides that.

The only award that I will ever find myself in awe of is the Medal of Honor, and that's only because I would never want to have been a siruation to have earned it.

Response by SSG Michael Raysses made May 30 at 2018 5:23 AM

2018-05-30T05:23:34-04:00

My thoughts on this?... I've been deployed but I never saw COMBAT, unlike my fellow troops.. my MOS specialty kept me in "the REAR with the GEAR"... I was a QM FOOD SERVICE SERGEANT (92-G30)... so it was my responsibility to FEED and issue gear and equipment as necessary.... I was primarily a COOK, ran a crew of about ten soldiers including myself, had two MSG's who oversaw the operations daily, but it was our task to feed our men and women.... did they look down on us?... I don't think so... if they did?... I didn't pay it any attention... did they have my respect?... CERTAINLY!...a lot of those guys who went out on patrols, and missions were certainly TRAINED for that exposure and situations, I wasn't... but bottom line here guys and gals.... we ALL serve on the same team... and we're all an integral part of how it all works!... I was proud of my crew and the hot and cold chow we put out and served everyday... and they LOVED IT!... my hats off to all of our combat arms MOS TROOPS... and my thanks?... was when they'd come back up to my chow line, and say.."Hey SERGEANT RAYSSES, can I have seconds"???... YOU BET!!!... HOOAH!!.. SSG MIKE RAYSSES, USAR, Ret...

Response by Sgt Arnold Gasper made May 30 at 2018 6:04 AM

2018-05-30T06:04:25-04:00

Never looked down. However, did have issues with senior POG's who hid in crevices during war, to emerge after in line units spewing their arm chair nonsense.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made May 30 at 2018 6:55 AM

2018-05-30T06:55:01-04:00

Depends, IMHO. Back CONUS, not so much. Unless you run your mouth, are an E1-E3 or completely let your "I was there" stories run amok. More than likely, if the above happen, I will pull you aside and politely tell you to "Hush".
Now if you are a FOBBIT, Fob Goblin or a damned GEARDO; and you try to tell me "get off the phone" while I am walking to the DFAC for my 1 hot meal a week and talking to my bride, after having been at a COP and in the muhallahs the previous 7 days. I will more than likely explode, yell at you and threaten severe bodily harm to you. This isn't garrison, this isn't CONUS and unlike you, I deal with good and bad Iraqis everyday. All day. You, on the other hand have BK/ Green Beans and Hajji Shops.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 9:58 AM

2018-05-30T09:58:41-04:00

Like most people in the military, there are those that have seen action and those who haven’t. I’ve been around soldiers that have nothing on their chest but I would take into combat in a heartbeat and those that look like they’re leaning to one side because of all the crap on their chest that I wouldn’t want them in a squirt gun battle with local neighborhood kids. I’m not saying that those with CIB‘s or CAB’s aren’t combat effective, I’m just saying that it takes more than what’s on your chest to show me what kind of soldier you really are

Response by 1SG Jason LaNier made May 30 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-05-30T10:31:03-04:00

Some units go OCONUS to pull support missions, and never see any real action, i.e. they never get off the FOB. Some of these can be smaller leg infantry units that usualy are not trusted to go out on real missions. But they can guard!! Sorry guys, no you don't get the same respect unless you take rounds while you're there. If you're not out ever night kicking in doors like all your brothers from Light Infantry units and SOCOM, you are not shit, so don't expect to be treated like some kind of operator for sitting in a hesco shack, drinking coffee & watching a beautiful sunset, while over looking an open wasteland.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made May 30 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-05-30T11:53:41-04:00

I definitely don't look down on them. They still did their time as well and took the same oath that I did. We are different though and I can understand that there is a few differences and sometimes can be a little tough to relate just because of the combat experience but it doesn't take anything away from their service.

Response by Cpl Kurt Huber made May 30 at 2018 12:05 PM

2018-05-30T12:05:20-04:00

I don't have a CAR, not for lack of trying, but for lack of any major wars or battles after 1991.
Do I view those with a Combat Action Ribbon, badge, etc differently?
You are damned right I do, though our training during peacetime may have been the same, my experience in battle is ZERO, whereas if you trained beside me and I you, then you took fire and returned fire, you bet I look up to you and look at you differently, you experienced what I wanted and for what I enlisted for!
Wear you CAR, CIB, CAB or Medal proudly you are the elite!

Response by CSM Victor Gomez made May 30 at 2018 2:32 PM

2018-05-30T14:32:48-04:00

There has always been a healthy amount of rivalry between Combat Arms, Combat Support, and Combat Service Support Soldiers. Combat is no respecter of persons. As the Gulf War and OIF/OEF proved, you dont have to hold a particular MOS to be engaged by the enemy. I always taught my Soldiers, Combat and CS/CSS that the ratio of support for a warrior is five to one. That means that the driver, the fueler, the maintainer, the ordnance provider, the transporter, the medic, and the personelist in a warzone all have a right to be proud of their service. The word of God reminds me: Let no man think more highly of himself than he ought to and that: Pride goeth before a fall. The Army itself is to blame for allowing an unhealthy climate to exist between badge wearers and non wearers. A badge, especially the way they are given out these days, does not make one Soldier better than another. As a Combat Aviator my service takes a back seat to no one. Though I am proud of my wings and Air Medals I never looked down on a non wearer. As leaders we have a responsibility to build and develop ALL our Soldiers and not allow those we lead to think they are better than others.

Response by CW4 Jim Shelburn made May 30 at 2018 2:46 PM

2018-05-30T14:46:47-04:00

I always viewed all military personnel with respect. All served. That should be enough. We are all a Band of Brothers and Sisters.
CW4 Helicopter Pilot Retired

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 3:13 PM

2018-05-30T15:13:15-04:00

Honestly about it, I don't Care what badge you wear as long as you do you job to the best of your abilities. If I have to follow someone around and do their job and mine that's what is more frustrating than anything. Plus I've seen the army system of "award those you like and screw the rest" mentality. I personally have watched many people advance past me because they were buddy buddy with the command group and did nothing on a daily basis except meet up at 1700 for a beer from the command fridge. I don't have any combat action badges and i wouldn't wear them if I had them because a badge doesn't show my worth or experience. I pride myself on being a quiet professional and boasting every badge the army had to offer means you have never really done your job, but forced someone else to cover down on you while you spent months at useless schools that have no benefit to your mos.
NSDQ

Response by SFC Malcolm Haugen made May 30 at 2018 3:32 PM

2018-05-30T15:32:28-04:00

For me it don’t matter. We all held different positions on the same team. We all had our jobs working to accomplish the same objective.

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made May 30 at 2018 4:19 PM

2018-05-30T16:19:27-04:00

In all deference to those who have posted previously, a lot of the friction seems to stem from WHAT is missing and from where. When I completed my first deployment, it was with the CMB. One afternoon I was sent to do a supply drop to another aid station in our Regiment. The conversation was about signing up people for EFMB training, and I declined the opportunity with enthusiasm and probably in the vernacular that being a line medic had imparted. Their PSG called me on why I wouldn't want to achieve this great honor... I told him that his unwreathed badge took him 14 days to earn, and involved jumping through hoops in training. Mine took me a year off getting shot at, mortared, and then treating a casualty in the middle of a mine field. Obviously, I know my job, and his little test wasn't worth my effort.

Let's be honest. When a new troop arrives at a unit, peer assessment takes place. If i see a plethora of combat patches from Brigade or lower units, I feel more comfortable than if one crusty SSG is wearing a 3rd Armored patch and he is the de facto grizzled warrior that all the young kids go to for war stories... if I walk into a sea of flintlocks without any wreathes, and they are approaching deployment orders, I fear for my safety because I know that somewhere in that unit is a leader who THINKS he's hardcore and is mistaken, and whose Joes will be keeping me busy as a result.

Response by SrA Brian Walker made May 30 at 2018 5:13 PM

2018-05-30T17:13:02-04:00

I "deployed" to a rear area. I was "combat arms" (Air Defense Artillery should NEVER see actual combat, our fighting should be done several miles away, and in the air). Hell, I look down on anybody who thinks that without a certain decoration you are less than anyone else

If you served that's all that matters to me. I'm impressed by combat arms guys, but I've known some badasses in logistics/supply too, just for different reasons.

I just try to remember there are morons everywhere, and there are inspiring individuals as well, a pretty piece of metal doesn't make you one or the other.

Response by LtCol William Tehan made May 30 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-05-30T17:19:59-04:00

It’s not a matter of looking down on those who hav not been in combat. It is a matter of looking up to those who have been put to the test and performed as they should.

Response by PO2 Terry Croup made May 30 at 2018 5:33 PM

2018-05-30T17:33:47-04:00

For the most part, you do not get to pick your assignment. As a soldier, marine, airman, sailor or Coast Guard, you go, and do what they tell you to do. You try to do it as best you can for God and Country and your fellows. That's the way I felt about it anyway.

Response by SSG John Mitchell made May 30 at 2018 5:56 PM

2018-05-30T17:56:20-04:00

My experience you better be careful who you look down your nose at. Seen way too many given awards they never earned.

Response by SSG Will Phillips made May 30 at 2018 6:10 PM

2018-05-30T18:10:11-04:00

I have an EIB, CIB and a master parachutist badge. Earning those as an 11B paratrooper was a natural course of action. Have I and do I poke fun at fellow service members? Hell yes I have. I believe I have earned that right. That being said, I will NOT tolerate civilians disrespecting any service member no matter what their MOS/job was. The US armed forces works as team that is respected globally. The oath of enlistment/re-enlistment is a very serious thing ( think of the COL and senior AF NCO's disciplined over the puppet oath).
I look down upon no one who writes that blank check to the American people (including death if needed), when they join the armed forces.

Response by SSG Arthur Gonzales made May 30 at 2018 6:13 PM

2018-05-30T18:13:33-04:00

I've known many Marines who have requested to wear there combat Division patch while in the army and was approved. Try putting a 4187.

Response by SFC Phil M. made May 30 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-05-30T19:18:57-04:00

Yes, military definitely pay attention to what's on your chest. Even though I earned my CAB by going out on missions with my 11B brothers on a regular basis on multiple deployments, I constantly had infantry guys that didnt know me looking down on my CAB. At least until we put on our Blues and they saw my Purple Heart and Bronze Star with "V".....

Response by 1SG John Highfill made May 30 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-05-30T19:18:58-04:00

I’m a Viet Nam Vet who was a crew chief / door gunner I saw plenty of combat we weren’t eligible for any combat type award exept the Air Medal and you received on for every 25 combat missions. I don’t begrudge any award but I think the combat action award was given out liberally

Response by MSG Kevin Butterworth made May 30 at 2018 8:22 PM

2018-05-30T20:22:56-04:00

I was a non combat arms drill sergeant at Fort Knox after Desert Storm. The majority of the drills we're combat arms with combat patches. I had to prove myself for quite a while to get accepted by these professional soldiers.

Response by MSgt Ronnie Kelly made May 30 at 2018 8:24 PM

2018-05-30T20:24:01-04:00

And then there are those that where in actual combat and because they were/are in a branch that doesn't/did not have a CIB/CAB. They were there ,they saw action, or it was before all the awards. I personally think if you are more concerned what some is wearing on their chest you don't get it. I feel every one that raised their hand, picked up a weapon flew in a combat zone or what ever is a hero. Looking down on someone who does not have what you do on your chest does not make them any less of a hero than you are. IMHO

Response by SrA Scott Malone made May 30 at 2018 8:26 PM

2018-05-30T20:26:46-04:00

Never follow a Lt.

Response by SSG Andres Guarnizo made May 30 at 2018 8:27 PM

2018-05-30T20:27:31-04:00

The human side says yes, of course they do. The practical side of this is, what does it matter. At the end of the day these are just badges and ribbons and "should" not define anyone.

Response by PO1 Riley Greenwood made May 30 at 2018 8:42 PM

2018-05-30T20:42:51-04:00

I do not have a combat action ribbon but expect to see a sea service award on a Sailors Uniform and a warfare insignia at the least. I saw a LT the other day with any warfare qualification on his working uniform and I was thinking “what does he know”

Response by SPC Rick Postel made May 30 at 2018 8:49 PM

2018-05-30T20:49:46-04:00

Though not a combat veteran, it was just the time a gap of no conflict. I take care of many veterans from WW II to Afghanistan and the clinic I'm employed. Never have been disrespected any combat vet. Many times a combat vet has opened up to me about their harrowing ordeals especially their loss of their brothers. Sometimes an ear is just as comforting as the fresh bandages that I place on them. In the Regular Army I was Air Defense and changed to a couple of medical MOS when I joined the reserves. Been doing that for 38yrs as a civilian. Always respect those who served in war and peacetime.

Response by SPC Edward Banning made May 30 at 2018 9:38 PM

2018-05-30T21:38:49-04:00

A brother in arms should never look down on another regardless of their achievements. A certain respect should be expected but just because John got hit by an ied on Tuesday and Joe did the same patrol on Wednesday and did not doeant mean Joe is lesser a soldier than John.

Response by SGT Greg McCall made May 30 at 2018 10:09 PM

2018-05-30T22:09:37-04:00

I don’t look down if you don’t have one, but it is my most cherished award/badge

Response by Sgt Paul Harris made May 30 at 2018 10:55 PM

2018-05-30T22:55:18-04:00

Combat survivors deserve some respect for their experiences, but as any vet will tell you some inept dumbasses survived combat. You get the respect you earn. A good Marine or soldier (in my opinion) will most always have more respect for the combat vet, but combat vets need to remember they may deploy again with the individual they’re being arrogant with, and that might not be a good idea. A good Marine or soldier will teach others what they learned and encourage them to be better. Those vets earn respect.

Response by SSG Angela Madoux made May 30 at 2018 11:05 PM

2018-05-30T23:05:17-04:00

I think a lot of it has to do with your security in yourself. I know that I have aided in saving hundreds of critically burned Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen in the time I served stateside in a Medical MOS, and I am proud of being able to get those Rangers and Recon Marines back in the fight. That was MY job. If someone needs a CAB to feel fulfilled I feel a bit sorry for you. If you did your job and can look yourself in the mirror at night and know you did what you trained to do....and did it your best...THAT is something to be proud of. Patches and badges stand out, sure, but being able to put your money where your mouth is in terms of your capabilities matters a lot more to me. You can look real pretty, but what you know, how you act, and how you lead will come to light eventually, no matter what your wear on your arm or chest.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 12:28 AM

2018-05-31T00:28:37-04:00

Right or wrong. I don't need no stinking badge. Let me say this. Some wear that badge, (because) someone was looking out for them. These personal are the ones that look down on others without that badge. Not always true. I respect that badge. But not always the person. I thank you for your service. Be proud, be strong. My freedom is because of you. Thank you.

Response by MAJ John Knight made May 31 at 2018 1:51 AM

2018-05-31T01:51:06-04:00

Just remember, not all of us were in a position to be deployed. I was a Cold War soldier who lives with misplaced but real guilt for not being deployed. The closest I came to combat was saudis trying to blow me up when I was with OPMSANG for a year. I have terrible depression, anxiety and daily panic attacks. Meds keep the suicidal thoughts at bay.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 1:56 AM

2018-05-31T01:56:51-04:00

I'd probably pick him.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 6:10 AM

2018-05-31T06:10:29-04:00

That stuff is so misleading. I got bupkis for an ambush where 8 of the 15 of us got Purple Hearts in OIF1 (everyone lived). I got a combat awareness badge on my next tour, as a fobbit. What I find funny is EIB holders looking down their noses at CIB holders. “I got hazed while proving I’m an expert at my job, you merely got shot at while actually DOING your job!”

Response by PFC Ronald Vickery made May 31 at 2018 6:13 AM

2018-05-31T06:13:22-04:00

It was, for all of us VN Vets! If you served honorably , you didn’t have to have a medal to be respected , when you serve in combat or not you earned respect!

Response by SPC Brian Blaney made May 31 at 2018 6:21 AM

2018-05-31T06:21:05-04:00

I served during Desert Storm, my unit was not allowed to deploy, as our mission was a critical piece of the defense of Germany at the time. I was a silver bullet artillery crew member. We volunteered, as a unit, and it didn’t happen. It happens. Looking back I don’t mind we didn’t deploy, but if we did we all would of done our job well. It’s what we signed up for.

Response by Sgt Jared Duet made May 31 at 2018 8:16 AM

2018-05-31T08:16:52-04:00

I’ve know Officers and NCOs who pass out CARs like candy as soon as they hear the first holstile shot or IDF impact. They’re just trying to build a nice rack.

I’ve also witnessed vehicles hit by IEDs and a Marine who killed an intruder while on post and didn’t get anything.

Sometimes it depends on the units adgenda.

Response by PO2 David Bilbo made May 31 at 2018 8:28 AM

2018-05-31T08:28:32-04:00

As a two tour Vietnam vet I was in combat had mortar/rocket attacks etc. etc. etc. But the US Navy didn’t see fit to provide us Seabees with anything like a combat badge.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 11:01 AM

2018-05-31T11:01:33-04:00

Here's the real deal that no one is saying: We've been at war 15 years now. If haven't done your time in Iraq or Afghanistan, then you are a piece of shit. Period. Too many of us are on our 4th deployment, or more, and way too many shitbags are refusing to deploy. So, yes, if you don't have combat time, you will be looked down upon. You've had 15 years to get your ass in the shit and take the burden off one of us who have been there and done that. Any new Soldiers get a break until they have been in a few years, then there is no excuse.

Response by SP5 Larry Willhite made May 31 at 2018 11:07 AM

2018-05-31T11:07:00-04:00

Those of us who were in a frontline combat unit did not think quite as highly of those who were not in combat. But we did respect them, and could not have operated without them.

Response by SPC Todd Barclay made May 31 at 2018 1:13 PM

2018-05-31T13:13:32-04:00

Lien was said previously some guys get deployed some don’t. So does one look any different at the men and women who served in the Cold War and didn’t get into combat? we all signed up and took the oath, period.

Response by SSG Nathan Mitchell made May 31 at 2018 2:05 PM

2018-05-31T14:05:38-04:00

I've got a CAB. Big deal. No EIB. I was a 19K, so that's not really an option. I know soldiers with an EIB because someone drove by a checkpoint and fired an AK. I had 13 direct contacts (within 25 meters) with IEDs and direct fire contact on at least 2 occasions. It's not the bling, it's the real story behind it. One caveat is the 'V' device. This always gets special respect.

Response by SPC George Jones made May 31 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-05-31T14:34:00-04:00

Transportation specialist. Recieved light arms fire on occasion. No hero.

Response by SP5 Thomas Cook made May 31 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-05-31T16:05:31-04:00

If you served. You should be proud.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-05-31T17:01:01-04:00

The difference between a Combat Arms Soldiers and everyone else serving in the Army: Its not about the moments of terror when being engaged. It is about the long periods of time training to operate in a sustained direct combat environment before and after being engaged. For Combat Arms Soldiers, combat is a way of life. For everyone else, it is something that just happens to you. It is what it is. Don't try to make it into something it is not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-05-31T17:19:54-04:00

Who cares what other think

Response by SGT Justin Singleton made May 31 at 2018 5:31 PM

2018-05-31T17:31:00-04:00

Quick answer: yes. There is a hierarchy in the military. combat vet get an extra ten points, and a CAB gets an extra 15 points. CIB gets 20 points, and then it matters by MOS. SF get an extra 25 points, while simple grunts only get 20. Can scout’s get 10, while band gets 11.

Response by MSG Bob Metz made May 31 at 2018 5:49 PM

2018-05-31T17:49:50-04:00

An award does not make a Combat Vet. The fact that an individual was there in the “zone” ready and willing to follow orders and performing their duties in support of the war is sufficient...I did not earn any of these badges...but I was in numerous situations, alone or with others - where I could be shot at, wounded or worse...I never had to fire my weapon...but when I was in those situations...I was at the ready and willing to fire...these badges should be worn with pride by those it has been awarded to...but it should never be used to judge Combat Vets it was not awarded to...There’s a million stories in the Combat Zone... Some are shared - most are not...

Response by SSG Timothy Stevenson made May 31 at 2018 6:43 PM

2018-05-31T18:43:39-04:00

As a SSG I always enjoyed not wearing anything on my uniform, Ranger Tab, Jump Master and Air Assault wings, combat patch. Watching people try and talk down to you is hilarious and seeing their face come Greens inspection was priceless. You get the respect you earn, you don’t need a tab or wings or medals to be a great soldier. Just my .02

Response by Jack Jones made May 31 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-05-31T19:00:20-04:00

Regular Marines? I don't understand being a civilian. Sorry

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-05-31T19:33:16-04:00

Before I deployed, I remember talking to people about things not even Army related, and would see their eyes drift to my right sleeve. One they noticed no combat patch, their eyes would kinda glaze over, and they would tend to discount my knowledge about things. Didn't matter if what I was talking about was completely irrelevant to the military.

After the deployment, once they noted your patch, they'd listen. I started playing the mind games with people. Leave the patch in my pocket, pointedly notice when they look at my sleeve, then remark "Oops, forgot to put that on. " Pull out the patch, slap it on my arm, and then ignore their sheepish reactions.

If it takes a patch on a sleeve to validate anything someone says, you're an ass. It's one thing for someone without a combat patch, or maybe more accurately non deployed, to talk about deployments (obviously, this type of person is ignored,) but ignoring someone's expertise for lack of a patch is pretty unprofessional.

Response by SFC Jim Hoag made May 31 at 2018 7:37 PM

2018-05-31T19:37:00-04:00

Gee, I don’t have any of those awards, but I do have 2 earned Air Medals. Should I look down on anyone that doesn’t have that one? The answer is no. Everything depends on whether or not you were sent to a place putting you into combat. Many people served when no major events were happening. Mine AMs were earned in Vietnam.

Response by SGM Ronald Cheatom made May 31 at 2018 8:58 PM

2018-05-31T20:58:57-04:00

No, I do not. I am one of the very few who got a thrill from being in the face of the enemy, and engaging him, (infantry, and SF). However, I want for no one to have to do so. If you took the oath, but never had to face the fire, you are still my brother/sister

Response by SPC Jason Rueb made May 31 at 2018 9:24 PM

2018-05-31T21:24:45-04:00

I was 11H from 88 to 91 no combat tours. I used to feel bad about it but now I know 2 things. I didn’t cut the orders and God spared me. I have no shame, I did my job as ordered and stood ready 24/7

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 9:53 PM

2018-05-31T21:53:56-04:00

It used to for me but after this last deployment (my first) and being exposed to the politics, I'm willing to bet that more than half of the people walking around with them didn't earn them.

Response by 1LT Ken Parris made Jun 1 at 2018 2:37 AM

2018-06-01T02:37:14-04:00

I'm a Cold War veteran. As such, I was fortunate never to have been deployed in combat. If I had been asked, I would not have hesitated but that wasn't my lot in life. I did serve 27 years as a police officer in a violent inner city community where a number of my brothers were killed in the line of duty. A number of my brothers and sisters who deployed for the first Gulf War and later have said they appreciate the willingness to go to war and understand that the geo-politics of the day didn't warrant such happening. I've never felt "looked down upon" but I admit I am a bit envious of those who did serve in combat. It's what I trained to do.

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Jun 1 at 2018 3:21 AM

2018-06-01T03:21:58-04:00

Haha!! I’ve had a couple make comments to me about my CAB. I’ve even had a few comment about me being a FOBBIT. They’re idiots. I troll them, too. Yeah, I never took one step off of the safety of the FOB. Not once in five deployments. For real...I flew Apaches...we were in the air. Funny, though...I never heard one 11B or spec op dude complaining about us when we’d show up to bail them out of a bad situation

I’d say that most guys that have been around a bit, though, realize it takes all pieces to make the puzzle work. I couldn’t do my mission without refuelers, armament dogs, flight ops personnel, crew chiefs, cooks, etc...

And if the cards just didn’t fall the certain way, and one person was involved in something and someone else wasn’t...that wasn’t their fault.

However...just don’t talk too much shit about how bad you had it, or how you got your CAB by being involved in incoming when you were several hundred meters away from it. Don’t be that guy. Or girl.

Response by SGT Terry Ashburn made Jun 1 at 2018 6:29 AM

2018-06-01T06:29:12-04:00

I had 16 weeks of infantry school four weeks of surface to air missile school and was stationed in cold war Germany. I’ve always looked up to those with a CIB but I’ve always felt that I was not given due respect. Some don’t realize most of us in Germany were in a replacement pool for fallen comrades in Vietnam. I saw many being levied to that war zone. I have never gone to a VFW even though welcomed by the national parties , the VFW is for combat Vets. That’s the way it is.

Response by CPT George Langley made Jun 3 at 2018 11:29 PM

2018-06-03T23:29:39-04:00

A bit of history for perspective. For a very long time, there was only one combat badge, and it was for Infantry. The psychology behind that was (they say) that it was the only thing that made the otherwise least desirable job in the Army, walking instead of riding and wearing nothing more than a shirt, pants, and a helmet for protection from enemy fire, desirable. At least the guys in tanks had lots of armor around them and didn't have to walk, and artillery guys were generally slightly farther from direct contact and they got to ride in the trucks that towed the guns. I believe medics were the first to complain about not having a combat badge since they were as much at risk and had to walk as much as their infantry counterparts. So medics got their combat badge. Then others chimed in with the fact that they were in combat, too, and more badges was the answer. The subsequent "proliferation" of combat badges "stole" some of the psychological value of the CIB, and there you have the idea that the CIB is better than the rest.
As I recall from my one "combat" tour (I was part of Division Staff), a lot of folks were disappointed when they found out that they had to be assigned to Brigade or below to qualify for one of those badges. Maybe it was Battalion? I'm not sure. I wasn't in a combat arm at the time and I sure wasn't getting shot at.

Response by SGT Timothy Zeglis made Jun 12 at 2018 11:45 PM

2018-06-12T23:45:27-04:00

Our Sgt Major believed that unless you were actually hit by enemy rounds, the actual round itself if your humvee was hit and you lost a leg but had no shrapnel from it there was no award for it. Had soldiers blown off there feet blood coming out of there ear and they got nothing out of it. So not all soldiers walking around with nothing on there uniform rodent mean they have not seen any combat first hand. Alot of the time it's there chain of command came from a cobat arms mos and look down on there own soldiers.

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Jun 17 at 2018 7:44 PM

2018-06-17T19:44:18-04:00

I never did and never would look sideways at any service member and as far as badges well they are what they are a way of recognizing service rendered; if your looking sideways at a fellow service member check yourself your ego is out of control. VIRIS ET HONOS

Response by SCPO William Akin made Jun 24 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-06-24T14:59:23-04:00

Seeking enlightenment.
Its my understanding that the Infantry is the Queen of battle, and receives a CIB under certain conditions.
I also understand that Engineers are NOT granted the same award for keeping the bitch from getting raped.
Any truth to that.

Response by SFC David Bentley made Jul 2 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-07-02T22:51:16-04:00

As a leader I think that I judge folks more if they are trying too hard to put forward that they are a combat hardened super trooper with no deployments under their belt. I earned my CAB in Kunar Afghanistan in 09-10, everyone but one guy got a combat award in my unit so it didn't make anyone special. I think that how you use your combat experience makes the difference from a leadership perspective.

Response by SSG Michael Needham made Jul 9 at 2018 9:47 AM

2018-07-09T09:47:01-04:00

Been there and still feel the burn as a Nam Era vet ,non combat I am looked down on by my fellow Vets no combat unit patch I might as well been hiding out in Canada

Response by SFC Barbara Washington made Jul 25 at 2018 4:37 AM

2018-07-25T04:37:24-04:00

Yes, sad but true. A common theme was, “I see you are wearing a combat patch, but no bronze star?” Guess you must have done something wrong huh? Unfortunately, I’ve been in some units that roll out Bronze Stars like a prize from a bubble gum machine.

Response by SPC James Wynn made Jul 26 at 2018 2:05 PM

2018-07-26T14:05:51-04:00

Definitely a yes. It's no different than any other workplace. It's human nature to size up the next person and their qualifications. It shouldn't matter as much but that's just how it is. A decision shouldn't be based on badges and awards alone because this thing called red tape, poor COC's sometimes troops don't get awarded what was earned. But I myself am guilty of this on several occasions.

Response by SSgt Brett Ontiveros made Jul 27 at 2018 7:09 PM

2018-07-27T19:09:40-04:00

Yes they do! I think the main reason because they have the 3 different badges ( CAB,CIB, CMB) where as in the Marines Nd AF, they only have 1! So, regardless of your MOS, if your in combat as a supply guy or mechanic, you get the same recognition as an infantryman. If the Army wants to get rid of the division, they need to only have 1 combat badge for everyone!!! I earned mine while in the Marines as an 0331(machine gunner), but on the army I could only wear a CAB and not the CIB. But, they did let me wear my 1st Mar Div combat patch!

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Jul 29 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-07-29T12:32:50-04:00

And worse if you are a REMF.
As a medic I was only "regarded" when I was an infantry medic

Response by LTC John Bush made Jul 30 at 2018 9:20 AM

2018-07-30T09:20:13-04:00

I think the term "look down" is not correct. I think a person that has repeatedly exchanged direct fire with the enemy has a different mind set from one who has not and the same would be true ' but different' for indirect fire and IED exposure. This does not make anyone better or smarter just experienced. I think the same would apply to a firefighter, smoke jumper and a lot of other professions. Once upon a time an old NCO told me the difference between old soldiers in combat and first timers was the first timer thought they would surely die and the old soldier knew they probably would not. It took me a while to sort that out but it has some merit.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 9:03 AM

2018-07-31T09:03:23-04:00

I honestly could care less, I got out of the army before they started awarding them and could probably go back and get one awarded. I learned a long time ago that what’s on someone’s chest doesn’t make the sailor/soldier. Could be a guy who had a rocket explode close to them or even on the same fob as idf.

Response by SPC John Chambers made Aug 1 at 2018 7:42 PM

2018-08-01T19:42:11-04:00

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time on two different occasions. Iraq 2003-2004 I have been fighting tooth and nail ever since with the DOD to get the Combat Action Badge, to no gain as of yet. It seems when I left the military they said "too bad, so sad" and sent me on my merry way.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 1 at 2018 7:52 PM

2018-08-01T19:52:05-04:00

I don't begrudge folks who never deployed. They were lucky, their time was not up. I have talked to a few Vietnam era veterans who seemed to feel a little guilty for not getting into the combat zone. I tell them I am glad you did not have to go to combat, it was not your time to go.

Response by LCpl Gary Kain made Aug 3 at 2018 9:40 AM

2018-08-03T09:40:57-04:00

Although I am proud of my CAR, I don't think it really means much. When my unit came under fire (several times) while in Beirut, there were very few of us that actually engaged the enemy. Most of the unit was sent to 'security' bunkers, while I was routinely in a machine gun position manning an M-60. We were all awarded the CAR, but most of those guys didn't even have to police brass for an after action report, so not really a big deal.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Aug 4 at 2018 7:52 AM

2018-08-04T07:52:12-04:00

Let's take it one step further. I have civilian friends who work for Raytheon and GE. I tell them that they are part of what we used to call "Defense Plants," who provide combat service support to those who are engaged in combat operations. They should be proud of providing logistical support. The same is true of those in uniform who help those who were chosen to deploy...and keep in mind, it's usually not a matter of choice. Plenty of troops who didn't "get to go" wanted to. Let's not make them feel inferior for something out of their hands.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Aug 5 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-08-05T23:36:01-04:00

Being prior infantry, we do have that notion to size-up each other based on what we have iif haven't done in our career. When we're younger, we expect our fellow grunts to find the enemy and take the fight to them. It's what we are trained to do. Personally, I never looked down on one of my fellow grunts if he wasn't around for firefights or other engagements. It's simple luck on whether or not we find ourselves in a TIC. However, there is a learning curve and respect combat one earns and learns once they are directly engaged, and in doing so having to fight your way through it, killing the enemy. There should be a standard that holds people to higher standard and expectation. Havjng proved your metal shows a lot more about your character than any training can provide. Your 'quiet man' stateside can be an animal in fight, while your gung-ho leader can be a useless bag of sand when rounds start flying.

I believe earning your stripes is a necessary step and a well-deserved aim. It doesn't prove that others who haven't earn it aren't capable, but it shows the potential of that soldier and his/her units capabilities and leadership.

Response by SGT Robert Martin made Aug 6 at 2018 10:51 AM

2018-08-06T10:51:13-04:00

It takes less than a minute to size up a fellow trooper. Badges don't mean shit. Be the trooper that knows his shit does his job, and aways takes care of his people. Blue falcons with a Silver Star are just blue falcons.

Response by SGT Darryl Borton made Aug 8 at 2018 8:29 AM

2018-08-08T08:29:00-04:00

Plenty of nobody's earned CIB's while hiding behind cover crying for mommy...CAB's were invented for the "me too" and "trophy for everyone" generation and in my opinion diminished the importance of the CIB. Idiots will look down on you for not having either, the contribution to the fight is always what matters, be it back in the TOC or in the middle of a TIC...The way I see it, you can be a great athlete without having ever been to the Olympics but you don't know how you stack against the competition so the glory goes to the dude in the arena (sounds like a quote from someone)

The Corporate Infantryman

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2018 1:26 PM

2018-08-16T13:26:00-04:00

You can look at it any which way you want, but unless you are Infantry, you will be looked at differently than those hat are. I’m not Infantry and when I deployed I was Combat Support. Combat support elements have the potential to see just as much action and the nature of warfare being what it is makes every deployed individual a potential combatant. I just say don’t worry about it. Who cares what other people think about YOUR JOB! Everyone has a function and we all know the individuals that under perform. I will say that you also do t have to wear your badges. That is 100% an option.

Response by CW3 Dan Mackey made Aug 18 at 2018 12:20 AM

2018-08-18T00:20:00-04:00

They use it as a pecking order tool. I have a CIB and because earning my EIB (one of only 3 in our Regiment 505 PIR) was such an honor when I got it I wore my EIB on my BDUs. I did wear my 82nd combat patch. I wore my CIB with Star and Combat Jump Wings on my dress uniforms but not on my BDUs. Originally I felt Grenada was a poor comparison to my dad's CIB. After Bosnia and Afghanistan (in the 80s) I felt like I had more than earned it yet it was a thing I did at that point and everyone that mattered to me knew I had lots of time in the mix and never cared what I choose to wear. When I was still in the 82nd having a CIB was like a free pass to be lazy for some and for others it was like a rank multiplier Spec 4s with would lord over sargents without. We would only put CIB holders in squads with NCOs that had CIBs.

Response by CW5 Ivan Murdock made Aug 22 at 2018 8:20 AM

2018-08-22T08:20:38-04:00

They don't, what they look down at is the extremes that people will go to, to get or wear a combat accouterment. They weaken the award and make it questionable. If the commanders as a whole fully stuck to what it was designed for and approved ONLY those deserving it wouldn't be an issue.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Aug 26 at 2018 10:50 PM

2018-08-26T22:50:51-04:00

No I do not, It is not the fault of the soldier, it is the fault of the person in command who refuses to acknowledge the courage and facts that these men and women have been in combat. If you have been in combat then you need to be awarded a combat ribbon at the very least.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Aug 26 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-08-26T22:51:32-04:00

I was in the mech unit but was still awarded one.

Response by SSG Douglas Schoenhut made Aug 27 at 2018 12:42 AM

2018-08-27T00:42:31-04:00

Last I knew for Medics you can only get the CMB. You also must be supporting the right kind of unit and treating patients while under attack. There for awhile they were saying that only the primary medic (the highest ranking or the one that was charge) could receive the badge. Most medics under fire may also be treating patients and will still never receive this. On the other hand I have heard of some units that the minute a rocket comes in all medics receive it. I think that until solders see this going on that they do look up to the badge until they start to see how two medic with the same circumstances where one will receive it and the other will not. They can be in the same place and doing the same job but be assigned different unit or other such problem.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2018 7:17 AM

2018-09-01T07:17:02-04:00

Or their S1’s and CoC’s could have simply dicked them. I know several guys who still have CAB/CIB packets still pending from 2012-ish.

Response by Sgt Joshua Seavey made Sep 4 at 2018 12:26 AM

2018-09-04T00:26:55-04:00

Personally, I treat all military the same. It’s based off their actions and how they present them selves and how well they wear the uniform. I won’t hold inexperience accountable unless I know they were trained or been through it and are still f!(king it up, but rather educate when I’m able to.

Also I know two types of combat vets.
A$$holes: they just want to look or talk down someone.
Not A$$holes: they’ll respect you until you mess that up

Response by CPT Dennis Stevenson made Sep 6 at 2018 4:53 PM

2018-09-06T16:53:16-04:00

This sounds like the crap that goes on in high school: everybody gets a trophy. Not every MOS is eligible for badges. I have a CIB and I earned it. If you don't, so what; you're helping the overall effort and that's all that counts.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2018 12:16 AM

2018-09-12T00:16:20-04:00

I spent 24 years in the Army - 7 as a Cavalry officer and 17 as a Foreign Area Officer. Spent my time in Korea for 2 years to command because I didn’t want a basic training command. Spent more time overseas in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, you name it. Wasn’t allowed to go to Ranger school as an Armor officer at the time, then did Cavalry Leader’s Course in lieu of Airborne. Broke my knee before SFAS and stayed FAO. To anyone who looked down on me because I had a slicked uniform - whatever. Just because you went to a course doesn’t mean you can automatically lead. Prove yourself and I’ll respect you. Look down on someone without tabs and you just proved you aren’t a leader.

Response by SPC Russell T. Andrews made Sep 14 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-09-14T20:36:25-04:00

Who really cares? If you have served honorably and we're willing to make the sacrifice , even if it meant your life,in my eyes there is no greater man made reward..

Response by SP5 Ward Posey made Sep 22 at 2018 11:14 AM

2018-09-22T11:14:03-04:00

I am old, I have a dumb question, What is a CAB. I know what a CIB and CMB is but what is a CAB. ?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 5:30 PM

2018-10-26T17:30:23-04:00

Badges are important to the Army. Why? Because when everyone is wearing the same uniform that is how you can tell the guys who have done stuff. That’s not to say those that don’t haven’t done anything but when you only get a few seconds to size someone up the badges stand out. Just like every officer has a college degree. Some enlisted, actually, a lot of enlisted soldiers have degrees but there is no badge for that so you have to actually talk to them and get to know them to find out. So a CAB is just a participation trophy they hand out to the non Infantry people(some Infantry that didn’t get to do Infantry stuff). I think it’s just a waste of material- but I’m bias and hold a very unpopular view of the CAB. There does need to be something for the other direct combat MOS’ like Armor to distinguish them from the cook that was in a fob when a mortar hit on the other side of the FOB.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2019 8:16 AM

2019-02-15T08:16:45-05:00

If they look down on them then they are ignorant and just unprofessional. My brother was a 19K with 3ID during the push to Baghdad in 03'. Camr under fire, killed the enemy with his tank, you name it. However, never received a CAB. The CAB was never really a big thing until about 2005 when they started being issued out like candy.

Response by MSG James Devereaux made Sep 23 at 2019 4:36 PM

2019-09-23T16:36:12-04:00

The toughest part is living up to it every day. DOL/RLTW

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 23 at 2019 5:40 PM

2019-09-23T17:40:01-04:00

I have waited at the VA pharmacy many times and encountered many who were Vietnam era veterans. Sometimes I feel a sense of shame that they are harboring. I try to make them feel better by saying it was not your time, consider yourself lucky.

Response by CW4 Jim Shelburn made Sep 23 at 2019 8:11 PM

2019-09-23T20:11:31-04:00

People are people. Some will look down and some not.

Response by MSG Mark Stinson made Oct 13 at 2019 11:09 PM

2019-10-13T23:09:26-04:00

For my point of view it’s a personal choice and the individual involved.
During a two hour battle in the Nam where the NVA attempted a human wave assault; which was not a common tactic. Greg (RIP) and I, both E-5’s had our 43rd Cambodian Company with 112 men in an RON position. One of our OP/LP’s fired a six round burst alerting us that trouble was in route. We were at a 100% posture and when I arrived at the perimeter I saw the muzzle flashes in the moonless night. With calling in artillery and CSA we were able to haunt the assault and inflict a high body count. The day before our detachment Captain came out visit us for a few days of our 30 day combat mission. We knew the reason why; he didn’t have a CIB or any medals for valor. With this opportunity presented him he did not show up. After the firing stopped Greg, who at the time was at the other side of the perimeter in case it was a diversion with the main assault to hit the other side. We were walking through the perimeter and Greg asked, “is the captain with you?” I replied, “no I haven’t seen him.” Just about then we saw a head pop out of a fighting position. There were three fighting positions in the center for our 60mm Mortar crew. Greg shouted, “is that you sir?” As he started climbing out of the hole Greg then added, “sir, you can come out now it’s all over.” In other words at the moment of danger he dropped into the fighting position and stayed hidden during the firefight. For his action that night he was awarded a CIB and a Bronze Star with a Very. The original narrative was the account of my actions during the attack. Major Bridgewater the B-40 commander submitted the paperwork for a BS w/V on my behalf. But the good major rotated back to the states. With the new Major in command the captain in question typed up the award for himself and the new Major gave me a direct order to sign as a witness because at first I protested.
In 1996 I was able to get in contact with Major Bridgewater and toward the end of a three hour phone call asked if I had received the award. I explained that caption XXXXXXX rewrote the award for himself. (Ret, Colonel) Bridgewater exploded and took the time to resubmit the paperwork through Sen Kobe’s office because at the time I was an Instructor at Ft McCoy, WI. It was approved and it was awarded after my graduation from the Senior NCO Battle Staff (2-S ASI) Course. Hell it even made it into the ‘Soldier Magazine’. But the rest of the time that the captain in question remained he was not ever respected and was the butt of many jokes. It is reprehensible for anyone to steel the valor of another, (taken from the movie ‘where the Iron Crosses Grow’. I will never review his name because I never want his family to find out the truth.
One other point; in Special Forces, rank means nothing for it only determines the you’re paid each month. It’s your reputation that determines your status with your teammates, reputation is everything.
There is another problem; the Bronze Star was for Valor in WWII. At some point it had duel purpose. First for a singular act of heroism a Victory is attached but if for Meritorious Service the ribbon is black which we refer to as a Participation Trophy.

Response by SGT Michael Porter made Nov 2 at 2019 8:24 PM

2019-11-02T20:24:38-04:00

Let me start off by saying I respect ALL Veterans regardless of branch of service or MOS. I don't think it's so much as looking down as it is a matter of pride. My brother was in the Navy, my best man went into the Air Force and I have close friends and relatives who were Marines. I give all of them crap for not being Army but I respect that they served. Some of my Marine friends were Infantry but they were not Airborne so I give them crap. I got my CIB before I got my EIB. The badges are just status symbols. You will tend to group up with others who are in the same status group as you. It doesn't make us better. It just makes us different. I served a couple of years in the TXARNG after getting my CIB, with the exception of the BN CSM I was the only NCO in my battalion to have it. They thought I was a superhero. I was just a SSG with more experience. Nothing more. It's just like a football rivalry. You talk crap before the game but when it's over you are shaking hands and patting each other on the back. Just my view on this. AATW

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Nov 4 at 2019 3:22 AM

2019-11-04T03:22:16-05:00

Ignorance can be found in any ranks,we also adore our rivalries, but ONLY a narrow mind denies we are a TEAM including MANY support elements ,I recall how our GLORIOUS mechanics in the 1/10 and 1/7 Cav,t they worked MANY weekends.The you have that kind of IDIOT who party's while their track is being serviced in the bay.
You are well fed the Medics are good.and YOU think you're ABOVE it all?
Funny...I NEVER met ANY elite guy like that.
Hell I honor those who FIGHT me as they are soldiers with the same CRAPPY job I have.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 9:55 AM

2019-11-22T09:55:37-05:00

I hate to say it but most combat action badges are expert marksmanship badges for terrorists.

As an 88M I trained my drivers good enough not to run over IEDs and avoid roadside bombs.

And combat arms soldiers? Yeah they got my respect for having rough job that doesn’t translate to much in the civilian world. But them being “tougher” is not aways the case. I’ve mopped the floor with many combat arms soldiers through combatives and Jiu Jitsu training to know it’s not just the MOS that makes them tough of effective.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 9:10 AM

2019-12-05T09:10:36-05:00

I have to admit that when I see a senior NCO or officer and I don't see at least a SSIFWTS (combat patch) I do have questions about their service. But then again as a reserve Army 1SG I have had Soldiers who had multiple tours who for whatever reason did not get a CAB or CIB. They were / are very good Soldiers who I have great trust in. I also have first hand experience with a senior NCO who had a rare medical MOS and his CoC would not let him deploy. JM, Ranger tab, EIB while on active duty but changed his MOS for the training and civilian job skill set. He was tore up they wouldn't let him deploy and came to me monthly asking for help.
At the end of the day I think it's like the old saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover."

Response by SSG Rob Lawrence made Dec 6 at 2019 11:19 AM

2019-12-06T11:19:47-05:00

I was prior service Navy when I joined the Army. My combat service in the navy was shown by me being awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. This award was worn along side my other ribbons. I also was awarded the Vietnam Service ribbon and wore one deployment stripe on my left uniform sleeve to show the time I spent deployed to Vietnam. No one ever looked side ways at me or questioned my combat service. I did have one experience during a uniform inspection that was somewhat funny. While standing in ranks the XO of the company were checking me out. The XO looked me over and moved on to the next man. The 1st Sgt then started o look me over. He then said, “Jones, I see you have a Vietnam service ribbon, why don’t you have a patch for the unit you served with in Vietnam on you left sleeve.” The XO then spoke up and said, “ Top, personnel that served in the Navy in Vietnam do not have a unit patch to put on their sleeve.” The 1st Sgt got real red in the face from being embarrassed and just nodded his head. I am guessing the XO knew more about the navy than the 1st Sgt. I might also note NO ONE asked me about my missing unit patch again while I was being inspected.

Response by SGT John Hacker made Dec 19 at 2019 11:47 AM

2019-12-19T11:47:56-05:00

If you served, you have my respect, as CIB recipient, its the service that counts.

Response by PO1 Todd B. made Dec 20 at 2019 5:23 PM

2019-12-20T17:23:59-05:00

Those that do show the mark of immaturity. Period. Without those who are not combat oriented, the rest of us would not be able to out jobs IN combat.. And people that look down on others like this, seem to forget that important fact.

As far as I am concerned, someone looks down on another and I see it, will get a dress down from me right there. I don't put up with that shit.

Response by SPC John Leite made Mar 19 at 2020 2:39 PM

2020-03-19T14:39:26-04:00

I was in Army active service from 1975 -77 then 3 years in the Montana Army national Guard and the Nevada Army National Guard for another 3 years, Active duty I was a 17B20 Field Artillery & Ground Surveillance Radar Operator and in the Guard I decided I wanted to drive a tank so went into Armor. never deployed, never even went outside US borders. I consider myself one of the "lucky ones". I have ALWAYS wondered how I would've reacted to being deployed into a combat zone, I'd like to think that I would've just fallen back on my training and kept my eyes and ears open, I'll never know for sure, I do feel terrible for the men and women that come home dead or wounded and maimed. I support them in every way that I can through monthly donations to organizations like VFW and Wounded Warrior. can't say that I worry about what a combat Veteran may think about someone like me that was never deployed but those that HAVE deployed have my FULL support.

Response by SSG Robert Peterson made Mar 19 at 2020 3:17 PM

2020-03-19T15:17:43-04:00

Honestly and like it or not, you will be judged by tabs on your shoulder and badges on your chest

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2020 6:09 PM

2020-03-19T18:09:27-04:00

I admire and respect all awards, but what impresses me the most are good leaders, leaders who motivate others to bring out their best to serve our country.

Response by SSG Marshall Paul made Mar 19 at 2020 11:05 PM

2020-03-19T23:05:36-04:00

what I hear you asking is, do I, CIB holder, feel that support guys are worthy of my respect. you may rest assured that you are and in fact you need to also think kindly of the poor grunts, they don't always know how much work it takes to rearm the gunships, locate and load ammo out on slicks, and then still take fire running resupply and medical. so, yeah, we love you. besides they deliver those badges in a big basket that they fly in and drop out side of a huey. depending on the war zone, I guess.

Response by CPT William Jones made Oct 7 at 2020 11:26 PM

2020-10-07T23:26:39-04:00

Hero badges for real hero stuff not just doing your job. Mostly things most soldiers would not do. For merit decorations doing job a little better than most or with extra hard conditions

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Oct 27 at 2020 2:47 PM

2020-10-27T14:47:34-04:00

Unless you were in a unit that never crossed the line into the conflict area then you should at least have a over seas medal and a campaign medal.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Mar 28 at 2021 6:16 PM

2021-03-28T18:16:49-04:00

Nat'l Guard drill and soldiers arrive with newly shaved heads and "I'm Hard Core" attitude - and I reply no you're not, you don't have Jump Wings!

At Drill sometime before Iraq, Three soldiers with their hair at something close to maximum length, but all have Jump Wings, and everybody else with shaved heads thinking they're high speed.

Response by SFC Ronald Moore made Mar 4 at 2022 6:17 AM

2022-03-04T06:17:33-05:00

In the suck, what don't kill you goes unreported. Aka just wipe some dirt on it and it will be ok.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Mar 31 at 2022 12:30 PM

2022-03-31T12:30:12-04:00

I went in in 1975, and my stint was strictly a non combat military, but there was a ton of Nam Vets in Senior positions, hell even some JR enlisted served deployments to Nam. The only thing we wore then was rank and Marines on our left pocket, and my jump wings, we didn’t even have name tape or badges. That’s it. The only way you’d know if they saw combat was if the were wearing a uniform that wasn’t a BDU, or they mentioned it. You see a SSGT with 5-6 rows of salad you could see his life story on his chest, not easy to get salad in the Marine Corps, at least that was true in 1975. I don’t think anyone ever looked down on anyone doing their job, shitbirds or guys trying to terminally skate had it rough at times.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Mar 31 at 2022 5:10 PM

2022-03-31T17:10:50-04:00

Unfortunately it happens way too often. Sad but true. The thing that bothers me is that a Soldier may have deployed and actually done some of the things required to earn them. But because some units like to place extra rules on how to earn them, some of these Soldiers don't get anything at all. It can become a popularity contest.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jun 6 at 2023 7:52 PM

2023-06-06T19:52:28-04:00

Good evening SGT Joseph Gunderson. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing this Brother Joseph. I'm guilty of dping that a lot after I returned from deployment from Afghanistan in 2012. I saw a lot of NCO's with a deployment patch, but no CAB, CIB, or EIB. After a awhile I stopped being judgemental, because He or She will have the opportunity to earn it before their time is up with the Military.