Combat Action Badge

[2Tours N Iraq`]

"The Combat Infantryman Badge was approved by the Secretary of War on 7 October 1943 and announced in War Department Circular 269 dated 27 October 1943" (http://www.army.mil/symbols/combatbadges/infantry.html ) and "the Combat Medical Badge was approved on 29 January 1945" (http://www.army.mil/symbols/combatbadges/medical.html ). Originally they were issued as a tool to boost morale within the infantry community and combat medics that served with them as well as a recruitment tool for more volunteers to fill the dwindling infantry ranks. Over the past 50+ years since their inception, those two badges have been viewed as the most prestegious badges worn in the Army. I understand that the fog of war has erased the front lines and now all soldiers are (in theory) warriors, as they should be. As an infantryman, I have mixed feelings on the creation of the new badge for non-infantry personnel. I feel that some sort of recognition is in order but to have a badge that resembles the CIB has obviously struck a nerve. The new badge has the same basic design as the CIB with the musket being replaced with a bayonet on top of a hand grenade. As of the last time I checked, the only thing bayonets have been used for here in Iraq was to open MREs. I feel that the recognition for combat action service should be a gold star imposed on top of a combat patch to denote actually serving in a combat capacity instead of merely getting a combat patch for sitting behind a desk in Kuwait or Qatar tucked safely away where the real action is. It is my opinion that this will serve as a quick means of combat action recognition but will not detract any of the prestige associated with the CIB or CMB.

Now that my opinion has been stated, what is everyone's opinion of the new Combat Action Badge?

*Note: This thread is NOT intended to upset, incite anger, or otherwise offend anyone. It is created for everyone to voice their opinion about the subject and to provide everyone with a feel for what the common consensus is about the Combat Action Badge.*

 

[The Kraken]

2Tours,

I tend to have feeling similar to yours. I think it's all about a "I feel good about myself" thing for vets.

I know that on occasion the CIB has been awarded to combat engineers.

It was always my understanding the the service/campaing medal awarded to a participant was sufficient to indicate service in a combat or foreign theater of war. I guess some people just want more baubbles, bangles and fruit salad.

I've often felt that there should be a differentation in aviator/crew member wings for those that flew in combat and those that didn't. Perhaps a small gold star in the middle of the shield to indicate combat experience.

There's ONE HECK OF A DIFFERENCE between serving in combat and serving in a combat area.

Oh well, just look at the first ribbon at the top of the heap. That starts to tell the story. If it's any arragement of colors other than red, white and blue then you know "the rest of the story".

Geez, some of these soldiers nowadays have more rows of ribbons after one year of non-combat service than I had after 2 tours in sunny southeast Asia . . . but that's OK. I'll take quality over quantity anytime.

 

[2Tours N Iraq`]

I'm right there with you on all of those points.

 

[puckvirus]

After spending 7 years in the infantry I can honestly say that I feel strongly against the creation of a new combat action badge. There are certain perks that we get out of being in the infantry like our beloved CIB. At the same time we work our butt off a great deal more and suffer a great deal more then the average (non infantry) soldier. That’s not to say that other MOSes don’t put in their work. Alls I'm saying is that there are some people that join the infantry for the blue cord. Its important to us that have earned it and the responsibility that it imposes upon those who ware it. It also means that we get an all experience paid vacation to hump 25K /day with an 80 pound ruck to move into an ORP then to conduct combat operations with the same fire and energy to make it out alive and onto the next objective.

CIB & CFMB: nothing else like them.

Now I would not be opposed to the Army coming out with a Combat Action Ribbon like the Marine Corps have. Something that could be worn on their Dress Uniforms. However some might see that an expeditionary medal, or the ribbon in which they received while in operation.

-My 3 cents.

 

[The Kraken]

Puckvirus,
That's one of my points. That's why service medals are given, to denote service in an area of operation.

I think the main problem stems from the recipients point of view that the service ribbon is not easily recognizable as an indicator that the wearer was in a combat area. They need something big, bright, shiny and gaudy.

There's nothing I respect more than the CIB, especially when it has a star or two above it and it's coupled with a silver star, bronze star with "V" or ARCOM with "V", not to mention the MOH.

 

[puckvirus]

I can see their point of view. If not the one I'm about to state:

If I was a different MOS that would not entitle me to a CIB or CFMB, say an 88M (Truck Driver) and I served in Iraq doing convoy duty along MSR Tampa I would want some type of recognison more then my combat patch for this indication.

HOWEVER The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal meets these criteria. I'm not sure (since I was in an Infantry Batallion while in Iraq) if members of these MOSes are being awarded this ribbon. My Batallion recieved both awards.

http://armyawards.com/gwotem.shtml

Specific Criteria

Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility, or meet one of the following criteria:

-- Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of time in the area of responsibility;

-- While participating in the designated operation, regardless of time, is killed, wounded, or injured requiring medical evacuation from the area of eligibility;

-- Service members participating as a regularly assigned air crew member flying sorites into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of Operations Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom are eligible to qualify for the medal. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day twoard the 30 or 60 day requirement are eligible.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Whenever anyone would ask me about my fruit salad, I'd point at a "warm and breathing" ribbon and say "This one's for kissin' the Admiral's ***, and this one's for kissin' the captain's ***, and this one's..." etc.
The "most earned" decoration on my uniform in my opinion was my Navy Wings.
Rick

 

[The Kraken]

I have to agree with you, Rick, but can you hover ?????

 

[Firebrand]

What about us Joe's who didn't pick their branch, but their branch picked them. Through ROTC, I requested Infantry (#1 choice), but the Army in it's infinite wisdom gave me Ordnance (#6 of 6). For the Infantry guys who think they work harder than anyone in the army, go spend a day in an Ordnance motor pool. Without us, the Army can't move, shoot, or communicate. I guess we're just not important enough to be recognized.

 

[The Kraken]

I think the operative word in 2Tours' thread is combat.

Being in a combat zone is very, very different than being engaged in actual combat.

I do not mean to diminish anyone's role in any military operation, but there is a significant difference.