Posted on May 27, 2025
How can I retroactively get my Combat Action Badge? Where can I find some assistance on this process?
7.7K
72
31
47
47
0
Awards
Combat
Responses: 10
Good luck. I've tried this a few times and each time was shot down. Every Chain I submitted thru all said that receiving IDF (46 times but who's counting?) was not a proper criteria.
(5)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
SGM Jeff Mccloud - I was the only Reservists assigned to my team of 4 personnel at Basrah. I also did the most PM missions. I guess my Team Leader didn't quite care for me all that much
(0)
(0)
SGT Warren Crutcher
When I was in Iraq my unit's band members all got CAB's when a rocket hit the building next door to them while they were practicing. I got blown off the top of a bunker while installing a SAMS E dish and got nothing but a medical discharge and a wheelchair. Most people in y unit got AAM's and ARCOM's if you were enlisted and all the officers left with Bronze Stars.
(2)
(0)
3
3
0
(3)
(0)
SGM Jeff Mccloud
SGT James Hart (Retired) - Start with the easy stuff; gather copies of the DD-214, ERB, awards, orders and certificates that all show your time from your OIF tour.
Then sit down and take some time to write your personal narrative, describing your actions on the day or days that would have met the requirements for a CAB.
Then write the request memo, explaining why your command did not submit for the CAB at the time, or how that submission might have gotten stalled and lost in the process.
Then the hard part: you need two buddies who were there, who witnessed your actions that qualified for a CAB, they need to write sworn statements that corroborate your own narrative.
You'll probably need to reach out to a few people to come up with the two that can and will provide sworn statements. If one of those statements is from someone in your chain of command (PL, CO) that would really help.
I have never written one myself, but I have helped a few guys with current contact info for other guys to help with sworn statements from 10-15 years prior, this is definitely the biggest challenge in the process.
If you have an award from OIF that specifically describes you in a situation that warrants a CAB, like proximity to enemy direct or indirect fires and whether you could have reasonably been injured by the blast, detonation or explosion. then you can get by with one sworn statement.
Start with your old unit, and with anyone who remained in that unit. If none stayed in, you might get the unit AGRs to help with current contact info.
Then sit down and take some time to write your personal narrative, describing your actions on the day or days that would have met the requirements for a CAB.
Then write the request memo, explaining why your command did not submit for the CAB at the time, or how that submission might have gotten stalled and lost in the process.
Then the hard part: you need two buddies who were there, who witnessed your actions that qualified for a CAB, they need to write sworn statements that corroborate your own narrative.
You'll probably need to reach out to a few people to come up with the two that can and will provide sworn statements. If one of those statements is from someone in your chain of command (PL, CO) that would really help.
I have never written one myself, but I have helped a few guys with current contact info for other guys to help with sworn statements from 10-15 years prior, this is definitely the biggest challenge in the process.
If you have an award from OIF that specifically describes you in a situation that warrants a CAB, like proximity to enemy direct or indirect fires and whether you could have reasonably been injured by the blast, detonation or explosion. then you can get by with one sworn statement.
Start with your old unit, and with anyone who remained in that unit. If none stayed in, you might get the unit AGRs to help with current contact info.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
After getting out of a army hospital from Vietnam I was sent to Okinawa never got any medals for serving in Vietnam I was told I had to buy them if I wanted any medals I guess they just forgot about some veterans on that note just give in and buy it.
(2)
(0)
0
0
0
Just go buy it I called and asked about my combat ribbons was told they didn’t have any in stock so I bought them
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You can try, but it's not gonna get you anywhere. I took hostile fire, and returned fire, on multiple occasions, had witnesses testify, and everything, and I never got my authorization for it. But then again, my DD214 has all kinds of mistakes on it that still haven't been corrected after NUMEROUS requests.
At the very least, I got them to remove the Silver Star I didn't earn pretty much as soon as I asked "why is this here? I was never awarded that".....
At the very least, I got them to remove the Silver Star I didn't earn pretty much as soon as I asked "why is this here? I was never awarded that".....
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I also found this from the Army HRC site.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/sites/default/wcmtfiles/files/24648_0.pdf
https://www.hrc.army.mil/sites/default/wcmtfiles/files/24648_0.pdf
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I was put in for one initially when I was assigned to the 7th Trans BN at Bragg. I changed units and somehow my name was removed after I left and another guy in the unit who on R&R at the time of the incident babe was put in place of mine. I ended up having to get a general signature asking with a witness (buddy lay) statement and full documentation of being in Iraq. Thankfully I was a general’s driver for a little bit. After explaining to the now retired general the situation, he gladly signed off and I was able to get my CAB.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Best of luck on that. I've been shot at well over 500 times with rifles, handguns, and RPGs, survived mortar attacks, dodged a roadside IED that exploded, disabled an SVBIED with my M4, and defended myself hand-to-hand against three different combatants, all of which are substantiated, and I couldn't get my CAB.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Correction of Military Records
The secretary of a military department, acting through a board for correction of military records, has authority to change any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. A correction board may consider applications for correction of a military record, including a review of a discharge issued by courts martial.
The veteran, survivor or legal representative generally must file a request for correction within three years after discovery of an alleged error or injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within the prescribed time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so. It is an applicant’s responsibility to show why the filing of the application was delayed and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider it despite the delay.
To justify any correction, it is necessary to show to the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all available evidence, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of arguments supporting the requested correction. Application is made with DD Form 149
The secretary of a military department, acting through a board for correction of military records, has authority to change any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. A correction board may consider applications for correction of a military record, including a review of a discharge issued by courts martial.
The veteran, survivor or legal representative generally must file a request for correction within three years after discovery of an alleged error or injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within the prescribed time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so. It is an applicant’s responsibility to show why the filing of the application was delayed and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider it despite the delay.
To justify any correction, it is necessary to show to the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all available evidence, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of arguments supporting the requested correction. Application is made with DD Form 149
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In some cases, the local VA can make a call on your behalf add pull your DD214 where it will state what awards you have received.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google