Refusing to award the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

2014-08-13T19:37:16-04:00

I was told by one of my previous Soldier that he has not been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. This Soldier has deployed twice to Afghanistan with a Infantry line Platoon. This Soldier has engaged with the enemy numerous times and has even been struck by Improvised explosive devices. During his second tour several months out from re-deploying his Battalion Command Sergeant Major and Lieutenant Colonel stated that they would no longer be accepting write ups for the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was never flagged or pending adverse action at any time. He is about to change duty stations and I know once he has that there is little hope that can be done about this. What can this Soldier due to make sure he is awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge he has earned?

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Aug 31 at 2014 11:25 PM

2014-08-31T23:25:07-04:00

MAJ Keith Young is spot on. Regardless of PCS date, I would recommend starting the paperwork with your soldier and keeping in touch for follow ups as technology allows.

It'll be a long process and it's hard to say his next platoon/company leadership will follow through the same way as you would.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 12:35 AM

2014-09-01T00:35:25-04:00

This doesn't seem right to me. I think that is something left out here. I am not sure if it was something to do with him or if it was something that he did not know about.

For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:

Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
Be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
Actively engage the enemy in ground combat.

One issue that one may have is the reassignment of the infantry unit he was with. For example if his unit was designated to be an adviser unit or a supporting unit they are don't proforming infantry tasks. In that regard they would not be eligible for the CIB. I have seen this happen before. I have heard of infantrymen getting CAB instead. But I am not sure of situations of soldiers getting nothing at all. I would ask if he knows someone else that was with him that could make a statement. Even if I think he is telling the truth there would be a whole battalion of guys in the same boat. I would just be very cautious.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 1 at 2014 1:23 PM

2014-09-01T13:23:14-04:00

Well, as I recall and it may have changed, that besides being in a firefight and your time on "the line". One had to serve "satisfactorily" under fire, that is a very subjective standard. Oh and have the right MOS or unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:15 AM

2015-12-28T09:15:06-05:00

There's a regulation for Retro awards. This is messed up and is going to be a hassle. There must be something about this soldier, or not.

Response by CSM David Porterfield made Jun 6 at 2017 6:37 PM

2017-06-06T18:37:15-04:00

Not sure of specifics but he can get everything resubmitted with basic info about his deployment with witness statements etc etc If it's past the two year deadline he can reach out to his congressman who can sponsor a late submission .

Response by PO1 Scot Brown made Oct 21 at 2017 11:25 AM

2017-10-21T11:25:08-04:00

Request Commanders hours (Office hours USN/USMC). Request Mast.

Response by PO1 Scot Brown made Jan 25 at 2018 12:09 PM

2018-01-25T12:09:36-05:00

Could a Medical ELECT a CIB rather than a Combat Medical Badge if serving with an eligible/Infantry unit?

Response by PVT Jeromy Markin made Jan 26 at 2018 3:22 PM

2018-01-26T15:22:20-05:00

Easy enough to get witness statements from guys who saw him in combat and submit the paperwork with his new unit... however I know when I was in Baghdad 07 the specifics had changed to direct fire for the soldier involved... it may be hopeless or helpful... Include Example ... did the IED directly impact his vehicle and so on... i was with a combined arms unit Tankers/Infantry... we had a tanker CSM And BC... they were dicks enough to reject the submissions if the soldier was not directly involved... although the Reg. Does state any unit smaller than brigade can qualify if even one soldier draws fire... luckily mine was direct machine gun fight... it may be a chain of command issue or an issue with the awarding policies as America steps back from the War in Terror...

Response by SPC Josh McCoy made May 13 at 2018 4:46 PM

2018-05-13T16:46:18-04:00

Leadership failed this soldier. Hopefully he gets what he deserves along with an apology

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 13 at 2018 7:07 PM

2018-05-13T19:07:16-04:00

If you have the records, why can't you submit the award, and push it up the chain for him.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 11:02 AM

2018-05-31T11:02:58-04:00

File an IG complaint.

Response by SSgt Brett Ontiveros made Jul 27 at 2018 7:28 PM

2018-07-27T19:28:11-04:00

The big question is: what was his MOS while in combat? I know over 3 dozen soldiers who got the CAB even though they were serving with infantry units because they were not 11Bs. So, he should get at least that.

Response by SFC J.c. Bailey made Sep 15 at 2018 7:47 AM

2018-09-15T07:47:19-04:00

You must have an Inf. M.O.S, otherwise you might qualify for the combat action badge.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Nov 16 at 2018 10:51 AM

2018-11-16T10:51:05-05:00

I was always under the impression that Special Forces was under the Infantry Branch and everyone except the 18-D medics could be awarded the Combat Infantry Badge!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2019 7:57 AM

2019-04-10T07:57:46-04:00

I would have witnesses fill out DA form 2823 (sworn statement) and have it submitted. If still nothing I'm sure IG can do something about it. all in all it's a messed up situation.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 14 at 2019 12:52 AM

2019-08-14T00:52:22-04:00

Start with his chain of Command, but if he’s being told ‘they are not accepting any more CIB write ups’, then contact the Office of the Inspector General and/or your Congressman. Trust me, Commanders do NOT like OIG or Congressional Investigations! (I contacted the OIG while in Germany and my base housing issue was resolved the next day!) Please try to resolve this prior to changing duty stations because it will be EXTREMELY difficult to straighten it out once you leave. Also, I would collect every piece of documentation possible. Have your Senior soldiers write letters stating your combat experience. You have EARNED and DESERVE this award, so please ‘fight’ for what you have earned. Just because these Commanders don’t ‘feel’ like completing any more paperwork shows me a failure of leadership. You DESERVE what you’ve EARNED. Good luck in your efforts and Please DON’T give up!!!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 15 at 2020 11:48 AM

2020-01-15T11:48:18-05:00

Dig into AR 600-8-22. The CIB is very restrictive on who can get it, for what action and it goes as far to designate unit size and element and duties. So without a whole lot of background it's hard to tell if the Soldier is actually eligible . In any case to successfully submit for a retroactive CIB you will have to gather statements from battle buddies describing a particular action with a date time and location, it's best to secure a memo or letter from the Commander, PL or senior leader familiar with the action and why they omitted the Soldier (unfortunately folks get left off submissions). The process and requirements are outlined in the reg.

Because of the restrictions on the CIB, and element and mission requirements some Infantry Soldiers are not eligible for the CIB even though they are Infantry and performing Infantry missions. They then become eligible for the CAB. If they were struck by an IED after the 05-07 rotation they should have undergone screening for TBI and that should be in their medical records and will help support the retroactive packet. Prior to that if you weren't perforated you just turned up the headset volume over the ringing in your ears and drove on with the mission.

The bottom line is figure out what the troop is authorized, invest the time to build a packet and submit it. The worst that can happen is that it gets denied.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 12:14 PM

2020-01-15T12:14:31-05:00

I know this is 5 years old, but has it been resolved? Ive done several retroactive CABs, a retroactive CIB is basically the same packet.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Mar 4 at 2020 12:41 PM

2020-03-04T12:41:00-05:00

Read the reg! They can't deny it. If he was there.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 26 at 2020 2:38 AM

2020-09-26T02:38:18-04:00

If he doesn't want to fight it by going up the chain of command - I suggest he contact the Board for Correction of Military Records.

Response by CPT Derry Gallagher made Apr 18 at 2021 12:55 AM

2021-04-18T00:55:34-04:00

The award is self explanatory, "Combat Infantry Badge". Want one, transfer to the Infantry. It's my most cherished award, fought for and hard earned. I nearly removed one from a public information officer, he was commissioned Infantry, never saw combat. He complained to the old man that I was picking on him.

Response by PO1 Darren Martin made Jun 9 at 2021 11:51 AM

2021-06-09T11:51:05-04:00

Will add this happened to me with my Purple Heart in 2008. I was injured in country and medvac out to Germany in late 2008. I was medically retired from a VBIED but was never awarded my Purple Heart it got pinned on me but I never physically received the certificate. I was an individual augmentee and I was out of sight and out of mind with my brigade in country.

I was out about 2 years and got both my end of tour award and purple heart. I had to get witness statements and I had medical records. It was a pain but was worth it.

Response by SSG William Ryan made Jun 19 at 2021 6:48 AM

2021-06-19T06:48:38-04:00

If he was an 11 series during those actions he should get it. If not, CAB it is. Think prior to CAB just like with EIB, you could get a letter and awarded just not authorized to wear if you were not 11 / 18 series.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 3:05 AM

2021-06-20T03:05:12-04:00

Way late to the party but the CIB/CAB/CFMB can be awarded retroactively.

A 4187 needs to be filled out with a copy of orders from when he was there, and as many MFR's from Soldiers who were there that witnessed the act as you can manage.

We tried doing this for one of my NCO's for his CAB, but unfortunately we couldn't locate anyone he served with from when it happened to have the MFR's written up.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 20 at 2021 8:52 AM

2021-06-20T08:52:02-04:00

Do you have anything other than his word that he's ever been remotely near combat?