Posted on Jun 4, 2018
Why are the CIB and CAB not authorized for wear simultaneously?
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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?
Posted in these groups: 
Awards
Infantry
Badges
Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB)
Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Awards Infantry Badges Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 17
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Both are in the same awards group- and according to regs- only 1 of that group may be worn at a time.
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SSG (Join to see)
CDR Tom Davy - Not correct. AR-670-1 specifically states that Retirees must still follow regs with respect to how awards and decorations are worn on the dress uniform. Now, if he wants to display them while wearing a suit and he pins the miniature badges on his lapel, it should be fine. It all boils down to him wearing the dress uniform for ceremonies and other authorized events. If he chooses to wear the uniform, he must follow current Army regulations.
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SGT Ruben Lozada
I concur Sergeant Major. Same goes for the EIB and CIB. Only one can be worn on the ACU's.
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COL John F. S.
My dad earned both the EIB and CIB in WW2. He always preferred to wear the EIB badge because it had to be earned by the hard skill testing required (which made him a more proficient Infantryman). He fought through France, and Germany while in the "Fighting 69th Infantry Division" as it was named. It was in this Division that the 69th was the first U.S. Army Division to meet up with the Russians at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. So he had plenty of combat ribbons (medals) displaying the theaters across which he fought, as well as overseas combat zone arm patches belonging to different Corps. I had men in my command who fought overseas but because they fired their weapons and were in a combat zone, refused to wear the CIB badge as they stated, "simply because they shot at the enemy but never saw them or knew if they even hit them". I had one of my command Soldiers (an officer) hand me back his CIB for that reason. He didn't feel worthy just for having just been there so to speak as opposed to let's say, very hard and graphic fighting with all the results of it on both sides.
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Sir, you absolutely have access to the data. AR/DA PAM 670-1 explains in detail why the two can’t be worn simultaneously.
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1SG (Join to see)
armypubs.army.mil is accessible to all, and it’s pretty official, with the .mil and all that good stuff. Be that as it may, the man was a field grade officer as recently as OEF 8. I’d like to think that he’s capable of referencing it himself.
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LTC Stephen C.
Concur, 1SG (Join to see). I’ve been retired since ‘98, and I’ve had no difficulty thus far in accessing ARs, DA Pam’s, etc., especially those pertaining to wear of the uniform.
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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.
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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.
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.
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2LT (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) - Yes sir, it does. I was disappointed when the change came out because I was looking forward to wearing a CIB and CMB (it was previously authorized, One group 1 badge, one group 2 badge), but the new AR and PAM guidance is "Personnel may only wear one combat or special skill badge from either group 1 or group 2." DA PAM 670–1 • 25 May 2017, 20–16, d.(2) for combat uniform, 20–16, b.(3) for dress uniform.
Now I'm just glad that AFI 36-2903 allows me to continue to display my CIB and wings as I "cross into the blue" for a commission.
Now I'm just glad that AFI 36-2903 allows me to continue to display my CIB and wings as I "cross into the blue" for a commission.
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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?
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?
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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
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