When did the Army change the rules for CIB awards to include everything up to 1995 in "Vietnam Era"?

SGT(P) Joe Zitzelberger — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 12:05:24 -0500

I recall some of my NCOs who had been in Vietnam and the DR (Operation Power Pack) saying they were originally given a 2nd award, then it was taken away. Then there were some Panama and Desert Storm guys given a second award, which I assume was taken away after they lumped everything in with Vietnam. Has anyone else seen this happen?

And as a funny aside, I think it's kinda hilarious that I, having enlisted in 1989, am now a "Vietnam Era Vet". Only the Army...

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 30 at 2017 12:20 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 12:20:58 -0500

I don't remember the date, but I have 3 sets of orders for the CIB each from a different conflict, when I went to our PAC with my 3nd set (GF1), they told me of the change and now I had no authorization for any stars on my CIB anymore

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Dec 30 at 2017 12:59 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 12:59:05 -0500

When I showed up for my first tour in RVN with the Airborne Brigade of the 1st Cav most of the senior NCO's wore CIB's with one star awarded for the Dom Rep and RVN. Sometime in early '67 the CIB criteria changed and the 2d award orders were revoked.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 30 at 2017 1:34 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 13:34:41 -0500

1975 as far as I know

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 2:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 14:05:37 -0500

Joe, it's simply a qualifying "Era". The military isn't considering you a Vietnam era veteran in the traditional or colloquial sense. The qualification eras are largely to avoid the ostentatious number of multiple awards (stars), that would be required for someone serving from, 1985 - 2005, for example. They could ostensibly have been part of 8 separate engagements. I was awarded a CAB in 2004 in Iraq. Ten years later, in Afghanistan I didn't qualify for another CAB even though the theater, and decade were inextricably different.

Response by PO1 Michael Moe made Dec 30 at 2017 11:04 PM

PO1 Michael Moe — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 23:04:44 -0500

According to the US Department of Labor, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) states, "A Vietnam era veteran is a person who

served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days, any part of which occurred between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975, and was discharged or released with other than a dishonorable discharge.
was discharged or released from active duty for a service connected disability if any part of such active duty was performed between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.
served on active duty for more than 180 days and served in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975."[1]
In 2004, the US Census Bureau reported there were 8.2 million Vietnam veterans who were still in the country,[needs update] 2.59 million of them being reported to have served "in country."

More than 58,000 U.S. military personnel died as a result of the conflict.[2] That includes deaths from all categories including deaths while missing, captured, non-hostile deaths, homicides, and suicides. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes veterans that served in the country, then known as the Republic of Vietnam, from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975, as being eligible for such programs as the department's Readjustment Counseling Services program, also known as the Vet Centers. The Vietnam War was the last American war with conscription.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2017 2:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 02:29:54 -0500

The Vietnam Era as far as the CIB is concerned didn't end until the mid 90's. All of the vets you see with a star on their CIB served in Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, or Somalia and then served a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan from 2001 an on. The best answer I ever got for why the Vietnam Era was so long was that Grenada was still technically an anti-communist mission...and then well...the DoD just forgot to declare a new era until the mid-90's and saw no reason to back date the end of the Vietnam Era.