How can I verify if I am eligible for the combat action badge?

MAJ Tim Schroeder — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:56:52 -0400

I left the year before the badge came out and my tours in Iraq had incidents that would make me qualified for it. I have idea about how to get it or add it to my DD214. Thanks.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 19 at 2016 11:00 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:00:36 -0400

IIRC you'd have to go thorough the same process applying for it as if you were still in theater. That is, a write up of the event, witness statements and then it goes up to the chain to the approving authority, which is usually the first GO in the chain of command.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 19 at 2016 11:15 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:15:33 -0400

Sir you do not say what the dates of service are that you feel are supportive of your request..
Was it before or after Sep 18 2001?
": What is the eligibility date for award of the CAB?
Award of the CAB is authorized from 18 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized."

Prior service members seeking the CAB do not need an endorsement of a GO.
"1: I have separated from the Army and I am now a veteran. Who do I need to have my CAB recommendation endorsed by?
CAB recommendations for Veterans and Retirees require the same documents as listed in question 18 below, with the exception of a DA Form 4187. A memorandum is submitted in lieu of the DA Fm 4187 and an endorsement by a General Officer is not required."

": Can Soldiers who are no longer in the service still be awarded awards and badges (specifically the CAB)?
Soldiers may receive awards after they have separated from service. Paragraph 8-54d, Army Regulation 600-8-22, states that “there are no statutory or regulatory time limits pertaining to award of badges.” Requests pertaining to Soldiers who have separated must include copies of each Soldiers DD Form 214."

" Can retroactive requests for the CAB be scanned and sent to Human Resource Command (HRC) via email?

Yes. All retroactive CABs for Soldiers must be routed through the Soldier's chain of command and include an endorsement from the first General Officer in the chain of command. Requests should be sent either by email to the Awards and Decorations Branch or through official mail to:

USAHRC
ATTN: AHRC-PDP-A, Dept 480
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408"

https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Combat%20Action%20Badge%20CAB

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_8_22.pdf

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 askhrc.army@us.army.mil

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 12:23 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:23:45 -0400

From HRC:
The recommendations (packet) should contain:
◦All information pertaining to the soldier and his unit of assignment during the period for which the soldier is being recognized and clearly identify what award is being recommended i.e. Deployment Orders, DD214, Officer or Enlisted Record Brief, etc.
◦A narrative of the action(s) for which the soldier is being recognized.
◦Eyewitness statements attesting to the act(s) of valor or service performed, sworn affidavits, certificates, and any other related documentation.
◦Corroborating evidence is best provided by former commanders, leaders, and fellow comrades who had personal knowledge of the circumstances and events relative to the recommendation.

That last one is usually the hard part.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2018 9:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 21:21:22 -0400

I have put in several former soldier's for aretroactive CAB.

It's an easier process for vets in some ways. Contact me if you would like some help.

Response by SGT Benjamin Alarca made Dec 29 at 2021 4:08 PM

SGT Benjamin Alarca — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:08:01 -0500

I was an infantryman with the 2/187 Inf, Ft Campbell, KY during Desert Storm. During my service there, the members of our entire company were each awarded the CIB in the field. Since I was already involuntarily extended at that time, I immediately out processed upon my return in May 1991. Although I was physically awarded the badge, it was never noted on my DD214 because I out processed so quickly upon my return. How can I find out if I can be authorized the award? I have met the deployment requirements, but I feel that the hastily ETS procedure prevented the documentation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2025 7:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 19:37:03 -0500

My small comms unit arrived in Bagram sometime in late November early December 2001, before 10th Mountain and 82nd Airborne joined the club. Everything I have read says they arrived in December 2001, but it seemed like it was just us, 5th SFG, 160th SOAR, some spooks and Brits for quite a long time....guess time flies. This was when we had armed Afghans walking all over the compound and we were burning shit, just like in the Platoon movie. Anyways, on two trips to Kabul, once in my HMMWV and once with the Brits, there is a spot about halfway that has large hills on each side. As soon as we got close we starting hearing loud snaps and 2-3 cracks. It wasn't until we saw the dust coming from the ground that we realized what was happening. When we called it in, all we would get is "drive faster"...trust me, we were already hightailing it out of there. Mind you this was when we only had the HMMWV M1038A1 troop transports with the canvas tops and doors, not the up-armored HMMVWs, so sticking around was not an option. We were firing at the top of the ridge on the east side, but we couldn't see anyone. Another time, I went with the Brits and sure as shit, more rounds. They stopped their vehicle for like what seemed like forever talking back and forth on the radio trying to get permission or something. No more rounds came in. Eventually, we just drove away. Guess they had some ROEs they had to follow and this didn't qualify. I don't know if this would qualify for the CAB, that was over 20 years ago.