Posted on Apr 5, 2015
What are your thoughts on the Combat Action Badge, and it becoming retroactive to 1941?
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The Combat Action Badge was created in 2005 to honor those who'd engaged or been engaged by enemy forces during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but weren't eligible for similar awards available to medics or infantrymen.
It was made retroactive to Sept. 18, 2001, but since shortly after its founding, lawmakers and veterans groups have pushed to send it back much farther — to the outbreak of World War II.
As Maneuver Support Soldier, I know support personal (like Aviation, Engineers, MPs, Truck Drivers, etc. (in addition to our Medics who accompany maneuver forces) are often also directly engaged in close combat along side of our infantry and armor brothers. So, the CAB made sense to me, to accompany the CIB and CMB.
Despite the frenzy that ensued, and discussions of "CAB hunters," I still believe this is an important award, especially for MOSs like MP and Engineers.... who, as an example, during the surge in Iraq were rivaling our combat arms brothers in daily combat casualties.
I was personally shot at more and returned fire more in Somalia, than Iraq. So, this being retroactive also makes sense.
I think this is a good idea, and deserved, however, the logistics of doing this will be overwhelming.
Before you CAB naysayers chime in... Consider COP Keating... Those guys were not 11Bs. They were scouts and armor crewmen. 2 MOHs and many other medals were awarded there. 8 Soldiers were killed and many were wounded. Does not that merit such an award? There are many others like it.
What are your thoughts?
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/04/combat-action-badge-retroactive/25235333/
It was made retroactive to Sept. 18, 2001, but since shortly after its founding, lawmakers and veterans groups have pushed to send it back much farther — to the outbreak of World War II.
As Maneuver Support Soldier, I know support personal (like Aviation, Engineers, MPs, Truck Drivers, etc. (in addition to our Medics who accompany maneuver forces) are often also directly engaged in close combat along side of our infantry and armor brothers. So, the CAB made sense to me, to accompany the CIB and CMB.
Despite the frenzy that ensued, and discussions of "CAB hunters," I still believe this is an important award, especially for MOSs like MP and Engineers.... who, as an example, during the surge in Iraq were rivaling our combat arms brothers in daily combat casualties.
I was personally shot at more and returned fire more in Somalia, than Iraq. So, this being retroactive also makes sense.
I think this is a good idea, and deserved, however, the logistics of doing this will be overwhelming.
Before you CAB naysayers chime in... Consider COP Keating... Those guys were not 11Bs. They were scouts and armor crewmen. 2 MOHs and many other medals were awarded there. 8 Soldiers were killed and many were wounded. Does not that merit such an award? There are many others like it.
What are your thoughts?
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/04/combat-action-badge-retroactive/25235333/
Awards
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 75
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I think the CAB should be removed entirely. Infantrymen didn't ask for the CIB, it was awarded to them in recognition of enlisting knowing they would be on the front lines. They did not enlist to learn a skill or craft that would be beneficial to the civilian sector, they instead joined for the sole purpose of fighting the war. That's what makes them special, that's what made others say they deserved that special piece of jewelry.
For all others serving, perhaps you should have considered college to learn a skill or craft. It's called "The Army" and going to war should have been known not implied as a possibility.
Since when did you need a piece of jewelry to brag about?
For all others serving, perhaps you should have considered college to learn a skill or craft. It's called "The Army" and going to war should have been known not implied as a possibility.
Since when did you need a piece of jewelry to brag about?
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SFC Rob Hawkins
I personally think after reading most of these comments that maybe we are looking at this the wrong way. In reality, the CIB and the CAB are not 'awards', but rather acknowledgements of the experiences of the wearer. No one can choose to be put in for these badges, the enemy dictates who looks combat directly in the eye. I believe these badges help tell a story, and those that earn them honorably may look at them and know they answered the bell when it rang. Last time I checked we are all Army, it doesn't matter what your job is. The CIB was created for Infantry and cannot be replaced, only honored. It takes nothing away from the CIB when a CAB is awarded to acknowledge that a non-infantry MOS handled their combat responsibilities when they came knocking.
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SrA Jared Hall
By that rationality, it’s called infantry, you get your combat patch and campaign medal with your blue chord and crossed rifles. You did your job. There should be no Combat Identifiers. Only service/campaign medals by the whole “It’s called THE ARMY in WARTIME” logic. SFC (Join to see)
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SSgt (Join to see)
Actually I know a large number of guys that have enlisted and are interested in having a CIB pinned to their chest for one reason or other. I can honestly state that in my case I joined and served not for honor and glory as there was no such thing as a CAB but the fact that it has been created and I have been awarded it due to my tours and sacrifices, I will wear it very proudly. I could care less what the circumstances are for others who choose to wear it or not wear it. I know that I wasn't searching for it but it was awarded to me and I know that I earned every bit of it. For me and the brothers and sisters who fought alongside me who have also earned it, that is ALL that matters.
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MSG Thomas Currie
The CIB was created out of the fiction that infantry are the only soldiers who directly fight the enemy. That wasn't true then, and has become less and less true with every military action.
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I am all for it! Easiest way to justify the award is to make eligible awardees automatic for all veterans awarded to all that rec'd a V device as well as a purple heart eligible to receive the award. I'd appreciate seeing more wear the badge, especially when I think of the selfless service of those that have gone before us!
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SFC (Join to see)
So I know and could vouch for several officers and senior NCO's who never left the wire or vehicles to do combat patrols that earned silver stars and bronze stars while those who kicked in the doors and cleared building 13 hours a day 7 days a week simply earned a commendation medal.
Do their silver stars and bronze stars get downgraded while those who placed their bodies at the opposite end of the ENT barrels get upgraded to silver and bronze stars?
Do their silver stars and bronze stars get downgraded while those who placed their bodies at the opposite end of the ENT barrels get upgraded to silver and bronze stars?
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PO1 Jeff Doan
This badge would identify all who served in combat areas! Not just those who were involved in a "declared" war! Since WWII, there have been many conflicts and skirmishes that should qualify. Grenada is a prime example! I would not qualify for the badge. Although I was on active duty, and sometimes in areas where I qualified for Imminent Danger Pay....I never saw combat, nor was I in direct "boots on the ground" support of a combat action. For those who were...whether they were in Admin, Motor Pool, or Infantry....They deserve the recognition that has not been given for more then 3 decades!
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COL Charles Williams, Sir, I think this is an outstanding proposal, and I support it 100%. I believe CSM Michael J. Uhlig has provided an excellent set of screening criteria that would serve to streamline and expedite the process in many cases, anything beyond that would perhaps require validated proof such as unit documentation, sworn witness statements, etc.
For those who would balk at the volume of administrative work generated by this proposal I say tough crap! We've been down this road twice before in Army history, when the made the awarding of the Combat Infantryman's Badge retroactive, and again when they did the same with the Combat Medic's Badge.
Some tasks are worthy of undertaking, regardless of how daunting they may first appear. This is one of them. Besides, the onus for receiving this award falls upon the Veteran or his or her family; it's hardly as if the Department of the Army is being mandated to pour through hundreds of thousands of old service records in search of qualified recipients!
This is too easy; let's make it happen!
For those who would balk at the volume of administrative work generated by this proposal I say tough crap! We've been down this road twice before in Army history, when the made the awarding of the Combat Infantryman's Badge retroactive, and again when they did the same with the Combat Medic's Badge.
Some tasks are worthy of undertaking, regardless of how daunting they may first appear. This is one of them. Besides, the onus for receiving this award falls upon the Veteran or his or her family; it's hardly as if the Department of the Army is being mandated to pour through hundreds of thousands of old service records in search of qualified recipients!
This is too easy; let's make it happen!
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