Posted on Apr 5, 2015
COL Charles Williams
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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/
Posted in these groups: Us medals AwardsHqdefault Badges
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SPC James Johnson
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We def need the CAB, but it shouldn't be handed out like candy. The requirements should be equal to that(or pretty dang close) of the CIB. I can understand being hit by an IED and not having a target to engage afterwards, or a handful of similar situations also.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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Hooah! Thanks for your comments!
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SrA Mark Riv
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If you served your country during hostile action sure
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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Hooah! Thanks for your comments!
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SFC Senior Drill Sergeant
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Holy Crap! I can't believe this is being discussed, the award shouldn't even exist in the first place. Statistics show that the vast majority of casualties are borne by Infantrymen and that the percentage has doubled since WW2. The award criteria are more stringent for the CIB for good reason, the fights we get in are vastly different than a simple IED, IDF, or smattering of small arms fire. Stop pandering to the soft skill Soldiers and axe the stupid award.
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SFC Senior Drill Sergeant
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Ha! I will be the first to tell you that my beloved Army's award system is far from perfect (hell, nothing in the army is even close to perfect). I'm sure there are many thousands of undeserved awards of all types handed out over the years. However, the CIB and CMB were created to recognize the special sacrifice that the infantryman and his medics make on the battlefield. Again, what infantrymen do to make contact, once in contact, and to finish contact is very much different than what anyone else in the Army does. I would argue that the CAB was created out of jealousy, and detracts from the prestige of the CIB and CMB. To clarify, I don't hate the rest of the Army or detract from what they do, I just think they often forget that point of everything the Army does is getting the grunts to kill the bad guys. Oh, and don't tempt me about an all Infantry Army, that sounds absolutely brilliant (only partially joking).
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2LT Scott Armstrong
2LT Scott Armstrong
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I don't like to diminish anyone's service but it seems ridiculous to reach back and award things that were not in existence at the time of service. That is checking a political box, not recognizing military service.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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Thanks SFC (Join to see) for responding. I loved my job in the Army, and believed being an MP was the most important job in the Army. I also learned as a young Armor Officer, Maneuver forces were the certain of the Army Universe, and really in the Army Infantry is the center of that universe. I also knew as a MP, that no cared if we were around until we are not there. That is the life of all support Soldiers, and aside from you (Infantry), we are all support Soldiers. We know, we are not the main effort, but we know you can't do it alone or without us. I have seen silliness with all awards, but I think the CAB was necessary for many of us, who while not Infantry, are out patrolling, searching for and finding the enemy, and fighting with you and in support of you. Thank you again, and thank you for your service.
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SFC Bill Hayes
SFC Bill Hayes
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yes I believe Inf do see a lot of action but Rome plow opeartors were one of the most award Purple Hearts of all Engineers Unit in Vietman,couldn"t be awarded a CIB
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SFC Emergency Preparedness   Risk Comm & Surge Planner
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All in
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SPC Jesse Cannon
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I wish they would allow something for the CAV other than CAB. Were combat arms but dont get the recognition for it like infantry and medics. Wed do 2-3 combat patrols daily but share an award with cooks
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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... And MPs (who do wide area security just like our Cav brothers 24/7), and Engineers, Truck Drivers... and a bunch of other Pogues... At one time each branch has a design, but one design made better sense; I think. SPC Jesse Cannon.
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SPC Jesse Cannon
SPC Jesse Cannon
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I see what your saying and it is a valid point and i guess my pride in the cavalry wants more since pretty much anyone can wear a stetson were loosing our uniqueness
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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I have a stetson, and spurs, and am in the order of the spur from two CAV units. SPC Jesse Cannon. At one time, they were consider awards by branch. I understand as a Armor Soldier, being grouped with the rest of us is not your choice.
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SPC Jesse Cannon
SPC Jesse Cannon
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Honestly at the end of the day we all have our job. Ive got close friends who were tankers , mechanics, even infanty and mps and would take a bullet for every one of them. And im sure the Cav is on its way out as it doesnt really have a place im the modern era of wars we fight. It doesnt bother me so much now that I am retired. I do feel if the right criteria is met then it should be given to those who earned it. I think its a great idea but im just a specialist
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SPC Clifton Sommer
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As a holder of the CIB, I see nothing wrong with this idea.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
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Hooah! Thanks for your comments!
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MAJ Jim Woods
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I know this answer will get some negative reviews but here goes. No. It originated during a time when everyone needed a touchy feely. Everyone is jealous of the CIB. Only every one can't be Infantry. I am not saying that I haven't recognized the contribution that is required to support the Infantry. I just know that the Infantry's combat situation needs more Recognition. You want a combat specific award? Join the Infantry.
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COL Charles Williams
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COL All Source Intelligence
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While the retroactive plan is a valid and noble cause, the fact of it would be to just give them to everyone and make them even more tarnished than then are already...
The ability to exactly identify and prove those that were not only in DA combat would be difficult, AND that is specifically not the complete criteria for the CAB. The requirement for a CAB is that you are :
1. Personally engaged in Active, Ground Combat; AND
2. You complete an Offensive / Defensive Act while participating in combat operations, engaging, or being engaged by the enemy; AND
3. performing their assigned duties Associated with the unit’s combat mission; AND
4. Battle participation and Purple Heart are not sufficient;
I'd argue that dropping to the dirt doesn't count, IDF hits 20-50-100 meters away doesn't count, but that if you pull your weapon and returned fire in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement , that counts.
CABs (and CIBs) were given away as participation awards by several units over the last 20 years - highly tarnishing them. Specifically, I know a SGM who spent 2 hours in a bunker with no IDF within a click = got a CAB. The whole 2020 Jalalabad Admin unit was in a hard building when the FOB was attacked with no IDF within a half click and never left their desks = all got CABs. Complete failure of the Colonel to read and understand the regulation and criteria - Active, Ground Combat AND Offensive/Defensive Action AND Personally Engaged by or Engaging the Enemy.

PH / IDF / Battle Participation = Not Sufficient.

If DoD wants me to head up the effort with a team of 20 x 42s - I'd be happy to do it, but that also means I am going through all the CABs from 2001 to 2022 and there are going to be a lot of revocations... F

YI, I don't have a CAB and don't want one. I never ended up pulling my weapon in my 38 months down range and therefore can be a completely objective party. ;-)
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SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM
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Yes, i think so.
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MSG James Devereaux
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I feel only nauseous. Soldiers and their shiny things... This is all because they were told they were all winners and who was first wasn’t important.
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