Combat Badge authorized for all

[catman]

By Brian MacKeil
Times staff writer


In a reversal of plans, almost everyone who comes under hostile fire will be eligible to wear a new Combat Action Badge.
The Army announced today that in response to soldier comments from the field, the service has decided to expand the pool of eligibility to ?justly recognize the actions of deserving soldiers in combat,? according to an Army press release.

The newly dubbed Combat Action Badge ?may be awarded to any soldier ? branch and military occupational specialty immaterial ? performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy.?

Back in February, the Army unveiled plans to recognize combat beyond what the Combat Infantryman?s Badge already honored. And while the rules had yet to be finalized, it was clear that personnel outside combat arms MOSs were unlikely to be eligible.

Only enlisted soldiers of officers below colonel were to be eligible for the CCB if they ?satisfactorily performed duty? while engaged in ground combat for any length of time with an infantry, Ranger or Special Forces unit no larger than a brigade or regiment.

?This is not for just coming under fire,? Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck, the Army?s chief of personnel, said in February. ?This is for doing an infantry job and enduring the daily endeavors that come with that job.?

But the new CAB is far less restrictive, and is open to most soldiers who are fired upon or who fire at an enemy, said. Col. Joe Curtin, an Army spokesman.

The CAB replaces the CCB, but leaves the rules intact for the Combat Infantryman?s Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, according to the release.

The CAB will be retroactive the beginning of the global war on terrorism. The effective date of the award is Sept. 18, 2001, said Maj. Elizabeth Robbins, Army spokesperson.

?It is going to be a huge morale booster for soldiers in theater,? said Curtin.

[catman]

Here we go guys, berets and costume jewelry for all!

Trav

[Packo]

Trav,

Actually this is what I've been wanting to see for along, long, time. There were thousands of cooks, clerks, motor T, what ever people in Vietnam and other wars that the Army never recognized as being in combat. Unless they were decorated for valor, or wounded, their combat went unnoticed. This proved to be problematic for many when they filed for PTSD claims since the VA would say: No CIB, No CMB, no PH or Valor awards, so no PTSD. The Navy and Marine Corps had the CAR which eliminated the guess work for those in "non-combat" mos's. (whatever "non-combat" means).

Glad they got it right.

Now, they can ditch those friggin' froggy berets to make this whole thing right. Bring back the C_ _ _ Cap and the Glider Patch!

Pack

[Chas H]

The award goes back to Sept 18, 2001. Those of us with service before aren't eligible.

What Paco said.

A shame it's not fully retroactive.

Barets oughta be for SF only(they got it,they're the ones who should be stuck with it).They're about the only headgear that anybody could have come up with that makes the cunt-cap look good.Maybe a nice black Stetson...

[thebrad]

The combat badge's restriction to infantry was evil... how about those engineers who were all expected to 'fight as infantry'?!

As for the baret - well... I'ld definately prefer a cover with a function to it other than giving me a bad tan line!

[MORTARDUDE]

I don't think the CIB's intentions were evil. But I agree anyone in combat should have recognition. In a war like Iraq, wouldn't everyone qualify ?

larry

[chucktoo1926]

Oh Man!!! Not another medal to be given away with each box of Cracker Jax. Imagine how those poor guys who Really earned those ribbons & badges on their chest, must feel when the requirements for receiving them has been so watered down, that nicking yourself while shaving gets you the Purple Heart.
Of us four brothers, JR, (only family dare call him that)a Marine, was wounded from shrapnel on Bouganville, and awarded the Purple Heart. We have never been able to find it, and knowing my brother, I have a good idea what he did with it. Years later, he died of complications from those wounds.
The only medal I earned was the "RUPTURED DUCK". And we all know how that was issued. They handed it to you as you passed through the door, back into civilian life.
Let's get back to the resquisit for medals being "above and beyond", or the next one to be down graded could be the "MEDAL OF HONOR"

[Keith_Hixson]

However,
Those engineers, tank crew members, and transportation etc that are in combat and under fire should also be recognized as having ducked bullets and having been in harms way.

I'm with Paco, long over due.

Don't due away with the CIB but others who have been in combat deserve recognition also.

I believe medics also have a combat medic badge. Which is good but others also deserve the recognition.

Also, I'm with Paco, it'll make it easier to verify that you really have been in combat.

Keith

[chucktoo1926]

"HOGWASH"