Posted on Aug 13, 2014
Refusing to award the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
224K
88
56
15
15
0
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?
Awards
Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Badges
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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.
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.
(16)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
I have never heard of any other branch outside Infantry getting a CIB just because they were in an INF coded position. Detailed to INF does not meet the regulation for awarding a CIB. And NEVER,EVER have I heard of medics getting a choice of CIB or CMB. What’s next? Issue everyone a Ranger beret? Oh wait- they did already do that.
(1)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
Yeap. 18s are combat arms so they do but those rules don’t apply to all MOS. RVN? If you are talking about Vietnam era the rules have changed since those days. You can no longer play Infantry for a couple of months and expect to get a CIB. If that was the case I would have a star on mine.
(2)
(0)
MSG Dan Castaneda
COL (Join to see) - At the beginning of the war our 18Ds were given the choice of CIB or CMB. Somewhere along the way, they stop getting the option and now just get CIBs.
(1)
(0)
9
9
0
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.
(9)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
Yes, AR 600-8-22 has a provision for retroactive award of decorations and combat badges. Let HRC decide whether it’s legit or not. If it has been longer than 5 years, he will have to demonstrate an injustice. If he isn’t CIB eligible, he may be CAB eligible.
(0)
(0)
7
7
0
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 .
(7)
(0)
6
6
0
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...
(6)
(0)
CSM Richard StCyr
05-07 under the 4th ID, they ratcheted down on CIBs and CABs and you had to do a very good job on the write ups ( which I think was a good thing ). It got to the point we were templating kill radiuses and blast effects of IEDs, mortars and rockets on diagrams as an inclusion to the packets for Soldiers targeted but not wounded. Direct fire engagements, or wounding's were much easier to document. Took us more time but maintained the value of the badges, spent many a late night after missions making sure shit was squared away.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
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.
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.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
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!!!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
Do you have anything other than his word that he's ever been remotely near combat?
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google