Do the army combat identification badge and the combat action. The star represents the united states and the lion represents europe. Medics in noninfantry units will receive the combat action badge. Commanders, however, should apply consistent criteria in awarding the cab. United states army miniature combat infantry badge. Army vietnam combat service identification badge usamm. Army combat service identification badges csibs identify a soldiers combat service within their specific army unit. The implementation of the current combat patch policy drifted far from its original intent. Army human resources command and will be announced in permanent orders. However, it is not intended to award all soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area. Dod passes on proposed army combat action badge changes. Special forces group combat service identification badge. The bayonet and grenade are associated with active combat. Combat engineers get awarded the cab combat action badge for instances of direct.
Subsequent awards of the same badge within the same qualifying period are not authorized. Initial award of the cib is authorized for soldiers who meet all eligibility. Only pinon subdued versions are allowed for wear on the army combat uniform. The expert infantryman badge, or eib, is a special skills badge of the united states army. Combat action badge eligibility recommendation expected by. Army skill badges, combat badges, and army occupational badges are worn on or above the left breast pocket of the army service uniform.
Currently, ssifwts recognizes a units participation in or support to combat operations against hostile forces, as designated by the secretary of the army or congress. What are the four specific eligibility requirements for the combat action badge cab. The infantry combat badge icb which has been instituted for recognition of infantry service in warlike operations. Improvised explosive devices ieds, vehicleborne ieds vbieds and the like are direct fire weapons. The words not to include aviation have been deleted from the criteria, to allow medical personnel attached to. The purpose of the acb is not to recognise combat duties but to recognise service with a combat element through formal force assignment. Ar 6701, paragraph 1918 states, all soldiers will wear the fullcolor u. Vfw eligibility campaign medal military service qualifying dates expeditionary navymarine corps feb.
The combat action badge cab may be awarded by any commander delegated authority by the secretary of the army during wartime or the cg, u. The requirements are laid out in a department of the army letter that also discussed changes to the combat infantryman badge cib and the combat medic badge cmb. This is the combat service identification badge csib worn by the u. Bronze star medals are awarded for meritorious or heroic action in combat. Any member of the army medical department, at the rank of colonel or below, who is assigned or attached to a ground combat arms unit of brigade or smaller size which provides medical support during any period in which the unit was engaged in ground combat is eligible for the cmb. Like the purple heart, a definitive set of criteria exists to determine whether or not a person is. Csibs are two inches in height, and are worn centered on the right front pocket of the army service uniform for males, and on the right waistline for females. The air force combat action medal afcam is a relatively new medal created for the united states air force in march 2007 to recognize air force members for active participation in ground or air combat the afcam was first awarded on june 12, 2007 to six air force members who were engaged in air or ground combat off base in a combat zone during operation enduring freedom afghanistan, october. Flag is the same for all camouflage patterns of the army combat uniform. When deployed to a designated combat zone, soldiers also may wear the companylevel or higher patch on their right sleeves to reflect the units in which they serve. United states army nato combat service identification badge. The armys principal regulation for military awards has been updated to. Learn about the eligibility requirements for the combat action badge, including information about its approval, retroactive awards, and wear policy. The army has specific guidelines on when and how to wear the patch, which it has revised to reflect the fact that soldiers now are deployed at smaller echelon levels.
Although similar in name and appearance to the combat infantryman badge cib, it is a completely different award. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with prescribed rules of engagement. You must actually hold an 11 series infantry primary mos while in a combat zone to be awarded a cib. The combat infantry badge cib is awarded to army enlisted infantry, infantry or special forces officers in the grade of colonel or below, as well as warrant officers with an infantry or special forces mos. A soldier can qualify for the cab if they meet all criteria. Red, white and blue are the colors of our national and gold is for excellence. To expand retroactive eligibility of the army combat action badge to include members of the army who participated in combat during which they personally engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at any time on or after december 7, 1941. Soldiers may be awarded the cib, combat medical badge cmb, and cab for the same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge is met. The award of the combat infantry badge and combat action badge. Listed below in order of group precedence are combat and special skill badges authorized for wear on the army uniform. Army changes criteria for three warzone combat badges. The purpose of the army combat badge acb is to recognise the unique service of a member operating with an arms corps unit within a warlike area of operations. Army forces are engaged with a hostile force for a shorter period of time, when they meet all other criteria, and a recommendation from the general or flag officer in command is forwarded to the chief of staff, army.
Badges of the united states army are military decorations issued by the united states department of the army to soldiers who achieve a variety of qualifications and accomplishments while serving on active and reserve duty in the united states army as described in army regulations 6701 uniforms and insignia, badges are categorized into marksmanship, combat and special skill, identification. The new cambat action badge badge has a rectangular design and encircling laurel wreath that echoes its inspiration, the combat infantry badge. New combatrelated devices authorized for decorations. In june 2005, the united states army officially announced the eligibility requirements for its combat action badge cab. Subsequent to december 6, 1941, recipients must have satisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry, ranger or. Army combat service identification badges acu army. The wording of the change to the combat infantryman badges criteria is as follows. Do you understand the difference between combat patch and a. Lummer clarified that combat badges, like the combat action badge, are awarded when. Army nato combat service identification badge usamm. Once soldiers report to their first units, they should wear their commands combat patch on their left sleeves. The requirements for the award of the cab are branch and mos immaterial. Is it appropriate to receive a cab for indirect fire.
The design and requirements were sent through channels to the u. Combat patch culture in an era of persistent competition. On 2 may 2005, the chief of staff, army, approved the creation of the combat action badge cab to provide special recognition to soldiers who personally engaged, or are engaged by the enemy. What is the criteria for combat infantry badge answers. A soldier can be awarded the cab and the cmb or cib for the same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge is met. United states army special forces group combat service identification badge. According to ar 600822 military awards 24 jun, the combat action. United states army vietnam combat service identification badge. The bronze star medal is an honor awarded by the united states government to men and women in any branch of the military who have demonstrated exceptional valor in combat. Air force officials at the air force personnel center released criteria this week for award of the new combat action medal, an award for airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. This item is the combat service identification badge for the special forces group the arrowhead shape alludes to the warfare skills possessed by native americans, which the special forces attempt to emulate. Seems to me that the point of the cabcib is that you were directly engaged with the. It would be the approving authoritys call as to whether or.
Blue represents the united states and red and yellow represent vietnam. Veterans who served in combat during a period of war after the gulf war, or against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after november 11, 1998, qualify, and are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for 2 years after. The cab, created by the army in 2005, recognizes soldiers who engage the. This is the combat service identification badge csib worn by the united states army vietnam. For this reason, eligibility is not related in any way to a candidates mos or their branch of service. Military combat action badge criteria the balance careers. The cib is awarded to infantrymen for participation in ground combat while the eib is presented for completion of a course of testing designed to demonstrate proficiency in infantry skills. Armed forces personnel after september 18, 2001 for performing duties in an area where. Yes, and im willing to bet the vast majority of us army soldiers do as well since the army is the ones with combat patches and combat action badgecombat infantry badgecombat medical badges. Assignment to a combat arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations is not required to qualify for the cab. The requirements to receive a cib cmbcab are pretty much the same across the different badges to.
The award is currently one inch by three inches, with the 1795 springfield musket over a field of blue, surrounded by an oak branch. For marines they get a combat action ribbon for army infantry a cib,for the medics and others they have their own but the combat participation thing still applies. The army also has broadened the eligibility criteria for the combat medical badge. While no fixed qualifying distance from an explosion of these devices can be established. Army defines criteria for new combat badge news stripes. The combat action badge is unique in that unlike the combat infantryman and combat medical badges, it can be awarded to soldiers of any rank, including general officers, whereas the cib and cmb are both restricted to colonels and below. Army veterans who fought in americas wars before 911 could learn in july if they will be eligible for the combat action badge, the award established by congress a decade ago to recognize non. The intended requirement to be personally present and under fire has not changed. Subsequent to december 6, 1941, recipients must have satisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry. The combat medical badge is an award of the united states army which was first created in january 1945. Your army bct banishes combat patches, badges to boost morale.
Army combat service identification badges vanguard. The army combat patch, officially known as the shoulder sleeve insigniaformer wartime service ssifwts, recognizes soldiers participation in combat operations. The army created the combat action badge in 2005 to honor those whod engaged or been engaged by enemy forces during the wars in. What should transpire if a soldier was awarded a cmb, cab. Armed forces personnel after september 18, 2001 for performing duties in an area where hostile fire or imminent danger pay is authorized, as well as for those personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy while performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.