Combat Infantrymans badge

[gsh341]

The issue of the CAB was brought about because there were non-infantry units (artillery, engineers, etc.) deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan that were doing foot patrols, kicking in doors and essentially being infantry. The infantry units were awarded the CIB, but the non-infantry units doing the exact same job in the exact same manner and the exact same time and place were not allowed to be awarded the CIB since only infantry can get the CIB. This caused some grief for some people, so the issue was addressed and the CAB was born.

Essentially, every soldier deployed to a combat zone, whether they ever come withing 100 miles of combat or not, are awarded the "Combat Patch" (SSI-FWS or Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service). The CAB was designed and intended to show that a soldier had not only been deployed to a combat zone, but had actually been engaged in combat with the enemy.

Basically the CAB differentiates between the REMFs and FOBBITS and the soldiers that actually went in harms way and performed their mission under fire.

And no, going to the chow hall and eating the mystery meat for dinner does not qualify you for a CAB.

PS - I earned my CAB during a haul mission to Mosul in early 2004 to bring damaged vehicles back to Kuwait.

[xmas_asn]

Got mine in 2007

[Hoosier70]

1st award in '91, 2nd award '03

[Kickstart]

Originally Posted by ah8176

What's the difference between the Combat action Badge and Combat Infantrymen Badge?

Is the CIB only awarded to the Infantry?

In my time you had to be Infantry and in a Combat zone for a minimum of six months to be eligible for a CIB, my unit didn't let anyone go on R&R until they had seven months in country.
We had men from the Artillery, FO's (Forward Observers) who humped,shot, sweated and bled the same as we grunts did but were not eligible for the CIB. Sucked for them!

[E.Marquez]

I have two... I'm not looking for a third.

[E.Marquez]

Originally Posted by Hoosier70

1st award in '91, 2nd award '03

Which war, conflict, or operation in 91?

c. The CIB is authorized for award for the following qualifying wars, conflicts, and operations:
(1) World War II (7 December 1941 to 3 September 1945).
(2) The Korean War (27 June 1950 to 27 July 1953).
(3) Republic of Vietnam Conflict (2 March 1961 to 28 March 1973), combined with qualifying service in Laos (19
April 1961 to 6 October 1962).
(4) Dominican Republic (28 April 1965 to 1 September 1966).
(5) Korea on the DMZ (4 January 1969 to 31 March 1994).
(6) El Salvador (1 January 1981 to 1 February 1992).
(7) Grenada (23 October to 21 November 1983).
( 8 ) Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Korea (23 November 1984).
(9) Panama (20 December 1989 to 31 January 1990).
(10) Southwest Asia Conflict (17 January to 11 April 1991).
(11) Somalia (5 June 1992 to 31 March 1994).
(12) Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom, 5 December 2001 to a date to be determined).
(13) Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 19 March 2003 to a date to be determined).

[leadbutt]

RVN 68, 2nd time same general area 70-71

[slugger6]

I was awarded my CIB in Vietnam.

[1stIDvet]

There was an instance at camp anaconda (Iraq) where a mortor came in the FOB and landed 100 meters or so away from some commo shed/connex. The commo guys all received CAB's. I bet if they wear them they dont feel to proud.

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by 1stIDvet

There was an instance at camp anaconda (Iraq) where a mortor came in the FOB and landed 100 meters or so away from some commo shed/connex. The commo guys all received CAB's. I bet if they wear them they dont feel to proud.

Well, there are entire ships' crews that recieved C.A.R.'s during Vietnam, because the ship came under fire from shore several miles away. The ship might not have even been hit, or returned fire, but everybody got a C.A.R.. Even those who slept through it in their bunks below decks.

C.A.R.'s are routinely given for incomming. So, why not C.A.B.'s too.

I went through a lot of incomming (some close, some not so close) before I was finally awarded a C.A.R. when the com bunker took a direct hit with me in it. So, I guess they figured it was warranted ... The convoy ambush, gukes in the wire, and firefights while humping a radio on patrol, went unreported too, but you only get one per war, anyway.

I was a commo guy, too.