How long (roughly) does it take for a CAB request to be approved?

2018-08-03T04:42:33-04:00

As of right now, I'm trackin that it has to have sworn statements and basically be sent up the chain to our Colonel. But it's been weeks now, at least 3, and there is still no word yet. I was told by our platoon leader that our battery commander is too much of a coward to push for the award that we earned on our deployment. The platoon sergeant and leader are both mulling over all of us as a platoon taking this matter to IG when we redeploy stateside here shortly if we're denied, because our unit is I guess already doing to be dealing with IG due to dumb shit happening with the main body while we were down-range.

So I suppose my 2 primary questions are - how long does it take for a CAB to be approved/awarded, and would IG really be able to do anything for us in this regard?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 5:39 AM

2018-08-03T05:39:34-04:00

Nice King of the Hill reference with your name.

Command signatures can take multiple weeks/months, depending on its priority level in comparison to everything else going on. For instance, in my current unit a PCS Army Commendation Medal (which is signed by a COL) has to be submitted no later than 108 days from the Soldier's PCS date. Even that far out, we won't get it back until very close to the Soldier's PCS date. I'm not saying its right or wrong, just offering insight. At the Brigade level, you are one of potentially 3500 Soldiers whose issues might come across the Brigade Commander's desk; we always want to believe our issues should take top priority, but that is the case at every echelon. Back in 2006 I didn't get my CAB awarded until a month or two after returning from the deployment.

From my limited experience with IG, they can conduct an inquiry to ensure proper processing procedures and regulations were followed, but they cannot force a commander to make a favorable decision. There are many things in regulation left up to the commander's discretion. Have you or your leadership specifically taken the concern to the next highest echelons, like the Battalion CDR/CSM or Brigade CDR/CSM? Be sure to record the answers provided from each inquiry, so any complaint you make can be directed in the right location for expedience.

If in doubt, you can ask your local IG office and they will inform you of realistic expectations of their process.
https://www.daig.pentagon.mil/faqs.aspx

Before you file a complaint / Frequently Asked Questions | Office of the Inspector General | The...

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 3 at 2018 10:46 AM

2018-08-03T10:46:51-04:00

I don't really see how this is much of an IG complaint... If the chain of command kicks back an award they can simply say that they didn't feel the event(s) warranted awarding of a CAB. Your commander being a "coward" has very little to do with the process. Little known fact, ANYONE can put ANYONE in for an award with the proper paperwork. That is how awards work. Your platoon leadership can go about submitting the paperwork. If your Battalion kicks it back then they kick it back. Now, if regards to a timeline, it takes a while. The process can take quite some time depending on how active your leadership is in getting paperwork pushed through. The LTC and CSM are going to be where your longest hold ups are and the S1 shop may drag their feet as well. This kind of depends on how dedicated these people are to doing their jobs quickly, what else may be going on, and the kinds of systems that the unit has in place to ensure the proper processing of paperwork. God help you if the paperwork was lost somehow because that does happen. DA200s are your greatest friend in these processes. Would IG do anything about this? Probably not. Awards are a merit based decision placed on the signatory officer(s) shoulders; if anyone in the chain thinks that they aren't deserved then they are within their rights to shoot them down. There are any number of Soldiers running around right now who were involved in events that fall under the qualifications of awarding CABs that have never, and probably will never be awarded them. It happens.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Aug 3 at 2018 11:05 AM

2018-08-03T11:05:36-04:00

Way to throw your battery commander under the bus, maybe he has a RP account and now knows what you think of him, or HELL be super private use the open policy and walk right and tell him what you think of him since your posting it on social media for him and anyone that knows him what you think. Awards have a process I'm retired and still waiting for DOA to approve or even look at my BSM packet. Takes forever.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 3 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-08-03T11:20:18-04:00

Length of time from incident to approval varies but 3 weeks isn't uncommon nor is it an exceptionally long wait time considering the recommendation for the badge has to travel from Company to BN, to BDE and then to the 2 Star for approval a lot like an MSM or Bronze Star. But from where I sit you guys have bigger issues than the time it takes for a CIB to process.

In the Army I grew up in, Platoon Leaders don't tell PFCs "that our battery commander is too much of a coward to push for the award that we earned on our deployment" That's highly unprofessional and tells me as an old Soldier a lot about the PL and PSG. Took me under two minutes to type the awards process and progression for you so you could see the steps a CAB has to go through to be approved and that 3 weeks isn't unreasonable.
You could also look at AR 600-8-22 and figure it out, there's a table there that lists the process and procedures (which is what your PL and PSG should be telling you). There's no fight for your commander to make unless the recommendation comes back disapproved.

The IG in my experience seriously looks into any grievance they are presented with, but there is a reason CABs go through an approval process. Make sure when you talk to the IG you include the " I was told by our platoon leader that our battery commander is too much of a coward to push for the award that we earned on our deployment. The platoon sergeant and leader are both mulling over all of us as a platoon taking this matter to IG when we redeploy stateside here shortly if we're denied," That always helps paint a picture for them as to the units leadership climate.
In any case, I appreciate you serving and that you get your CAB if authorized one.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 3 at 2018 12:08 PM

2018-08-03T12:08:05-04:00

While it sucks to not be awarded in a timely manner, 3 weeks isn't long at all. I didn't receive my CAB until 2 months from redeployment. I had been in a firefight with my CSM doing a ride along at one point. The bigger issue is that you have a 1LT or 2LT talking shit about your commander with a private. Had I have been there I would have asked the LT to come talk with me aside for a minute and explained that we can denigrate our superiors in front of subordinates. I think that there's probably some significant problems with your platoon and battery leadership if your PL thinks that he can just tell you that your commander is a pussy.