Today I saw a chaplain with a long tab and a combat action badge. Is there a scenario where this is possible?

100% legit this is him

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2014/may-online-only/unconventional-warfare.html

The patch is the US Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson SC.
I am one of the Admins at This Aint Hell. I research Stolen Valor all the time. I don’t want to get preachy but I do want to make a few points.
Never assume that just because something doesn’t look right to you that it’s a case of stolen valor. Very often asking a simple question or two will resolve your concerns.
Do not confront someone until you have absolute proof, just a suspicion is not enough. I would rather see someone get away with Stolen Valor than insult a real vet who has a messed up uniform or anyone on active duty.
I personally do not like the recent popularity of the confrontation Videos, getting in someone’s face, yelling screaming and shouting will more than likely get you in trouble god help you if the person is legit.
One last point,
You have taken the picture of an Army Officer without his permission, published it on a Social Media site devoted to the Military where undoubtedly his peers will see it and attached a stolen valor tag as well as a veiled implication. What in the Hell were you thinking? How would you feel if someone did this to you?
I hope the Admins of this site remove the photo.

Yes. Seems like an SF guy who got commissioned into the Chaplain field. You can get a CAB if the enemy engages you, even if you don't engage the enemy. I assume he would have gotten the CAB as a Chaplain.

Here is the criteria for the CAB:

- May be awarded to any soldier.
- Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.
- Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

SSG Robert Burns He is only a CPT. Probably was prior enlisted. For the CAB, all they have to do to earn it is be actively engaged by the enemy. It's kind of like seeing an O wearing a DS patch. It's odd and I would usually ask why they turned to the dark side and would get a little chuckle and an explanation.