Posted on Aug 13, 2014
Refusing to award the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
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I was told by one of my previous Soldier that he has not been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. This Soldier has deployed twice to Afghanistan with a Infantry line Platoon. This Soldier has engaged with the enemy numerous times and has even been struck by Improvised explosive devices. During his second tour several months out from re-deploying his Battalion Command Sergeant Major and Lieutenant Colonel stated that they would no longer be accepting write ups for the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was never flagged or pending adverse action at any time. He is about to change duty stations and I know once he has that there is little hope that can be done about this. What can this Soldier due to make sure he is awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge he has earned?
Awards
Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Badges
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
This doesn't seem right to me. I think that is something left out here. I am not sure if it was something to do with him or if it was something that he did not know about.
For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:
Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
Be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
Actively engage the enemy in ground combat.
One issue that one may have is the reassignment of the infantry unit he was with. For example if his unit was designated to be an adviser unit or a supporting unit they are don't proforming infantry tasks. In that regard they would not be eligible for the CIB. I have seen this happen before. I have heard of infantrymen getting CAB instead. But I am not sure of situations of soldiers getting nothing at all. I would ask if he knows someone else that was with him that could make a statement. Even if I think he is telling the truth there would be a whole battalion of guys in the same boat. I would just be very cautious.
For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:
Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
Be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
Actively engage the enemy in ground combat.
One issue that one may have is the reassignment of the infantry unit he was with. For example if his unit was designated to be an adviser unit or a supporting unit they are don't proforming infantry tasks. In that regard they would not be eligible for the CIB. I have seen this happen before. I have heard of infantrymen getting CAB instead. But I am not sure of situations of soldiers getting nothing at all. I would ask if he knows someone else that was with him that could make a statement. Even if I think he is telling the truth there would be a whole battalion of guys in the same boat. I would just be very cautious.
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COL (Join to see)
I have never heard of any other branch outside Infantry getting a CIB just because they were in an INF coded position. Detailed to INF does not meet the regulation for awarding a CIB. And NEVER,EVER have I heard of medics getting a choice of CIB or CMB. What’s next? Issue everyone a Ranger beret? Oh wait- they did already do that.
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COL (Join to see)
Yeap. 18s are combat arms so they do but those rules don’t apply to all MOS. RVN? If you are talking about Vietnam era the rules have changed since those days. You can no longer play Infantry for a couple of months and expect to get a CIB. If that was the case I would have a star on mine.
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MSG Dan Castaneda
COL (Join to see) - At the beginning of the war our 18Ds were given the choice of CIB or CMB. Somewhere along the way, they stop getting the option and now just get CIBs.
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There's a regulation for Retro awards. This is messed up and is going to be a hassle. There must be something about this soldier, or not.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Yes, AR 600-8-22 has a provision for retroactive award of decorations and combat badges. Let HRC decide whether it’s legit or not. If it has been longer than 5 years, he will have to demonstrate an injustice. If he isn’t CIB eligible, he may be CAB eligible.
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Not sure of specifics but he can get everything resubmitted with basic info about his deployment with witness statements etc etc If it's past the two year deadline he can reach out to his congressman who can sponsor a late submission .
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