Why are the CIB and CAB not authorized for wear simultaneously?

MAJ Brian Thornton — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 14:42:19 -0400

I was awarded the CAB during OIF 05-06, as an Infantry officer commanding an Engineer unit (this ineligible for the CIB), and the CIB during OEF 08, as an Infantry ETT (ultimately working with the ANP). Now retired, I don’t have access to the data as to why both awards were not authorized for wear simultaneously. Anyone?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 4 at 2018 3:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:03:14 -0400

Both are in the same awards group- and according to regs- only 1 of that group may be worn at a time.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 4 at 2018 3:55 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:55:59 -0400

They are the same class of badge.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2018 5:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:21:58 -0400

Sir, you absolutely have access to the data. AR/DA PAM 670-1 explains in detail why the two can’t be worn simultaneously.

Response by SPC Josh McCoy made Jun 4 at 2018 6:39 PM

SPC Josh McCoy — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 18:39:41 -0400

Why are you worried about the CAB when you have a CIB?!?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2018 7:02 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:02:07 -0400

The update to AR 670-1 allows for only one award from both Category 1 and 2, so you may only wear one Combat or Expert badge.
Similar to how you had to pick between EIB or CIB for display in earlier regulations, you must pick one of any the related badge now, equalizing the precedence of the awards.

Response by SFC Siva Williams made Jun 4 at 2018 9:04 PM

SFC Siva Williams — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 21:04:26 -0400

Badges are categorized by groups. The Infantry badges and the Combat Action badges are group I badges. You can only where one badge at a time from a group. See DA Pam 670-1 chapter 22 for reference.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 12:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:05:55 -0400

You are an Infantry officer, CIB.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 5:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 17:16:30 -0400

Sir,

I too have both and wear them singularly with equal abandon.

Response by SGT Detroit Brooks made Aug 9 at 2018 8:50 PM

SGT Detroit Brooks — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:50:14 -0400

The Combat Action Badge came, out in 2004, the IRAQi, war! It was for the other, Soldiers, not in (INF). Snice, that time some soldiers had earned, the CIB, more than twice! The 'CIB' from (Operation Just Cause) & the (1st, Gulf War) that's, a

Response by SPC W A made Jun 7 at 2019 7:46 AM

SPC W A — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 07:46:10 -0400

Get you a CMB, and achieve the trifecta

Response by SPC W A made Jun 7 at 2019 7:51 AM

SPC W A — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 07:51:13 -0400

Allow me to ask a similar question: Being eligible and authorized combat patches from three different divisions, can I wear all at the same time?

--"NO" (aside from being out of reg, that would look silly AF)

Response by CPT William Jones made Jul 2 at 2019 11:03 PM

CPT William Jones — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 23:03:14 -0400

I think they are in the same group and only one badge per group may be worn.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 3 at 2019 1:15 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 01:15:22 -0400

They aren't authorized per 670-1. As for WHY? 'Cuz the Army said so. That's good enough for me!

But seriously, the intent of the CAB is to fill the void of non-infantry Soldiers who end up doing the Infantry job (close with and destroy the enemy), for however short or long of a period is necessary for their own mission. The Army saw a lot of non-infantry getting into no-shit comvat and wanted a way to recognize their contributions/battlefield prowess/whatever you want to call it. The CAB is basically a CIB for non-infantry. If you have a non-infantry CIB and an infantry CIB, why would it make any sense to wear both?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 2:26 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 14:26:07 -0400

Aviator and Crewmember wings are, unfortunately, also not allowed to be worn simultaneously. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like that changed.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Dec 28 at 2020 4:23 PM

1SG Ernest Stull — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:23:44 -0500

The CIB takes precedence over the CAB. The CIB is a higher award.

Response by SSG Kevin Kirby made Jul 4 at 2021 6:20 PM

SSG Kevin Kirby — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 18:20:24 -0400

The badges are in tiers, tier 1 combat medic, cab, and cib only one is authorized at a time.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 20 at 2021 12:38 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:38:29 -0400

This is silly. If clothing sales sells it you can wear it. It may look silly but only other people care

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Sep 20 at 2021 4:10 PM

MSG Greg Kelly — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:10:59 -0400

Why would you want to wear both? That's my big question no Infantryman would ever wear a CAB its a thing we don't do. The Infantry god will strike you down. I am not saying those that earned the CAB are lesser But they have their club. CIB guys have ours. Like CMB guys have a special club we hang out talk and drink together. But they are different clubs, We cannot wear our CIB and our expert Infantry badges (EIB) together either. One because Army says NO and the Infantry God will strike you down.