Posted on 06/24/2024 6:38:06 PM PDT by Miami Rebel
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has not qualified for the military pin that he proudly wears on his suit jacket despite repeatedly claiming the Army was mistaken for rescinding the badge, according to the congressman’s service record.
Nehls has received backlash from some other House members for wearing a Combat Infantryman Badge despite an investigation from CBS News that found the pin was revoked from his military record in 2023. Nehls has repeatedly claimed the Army “got it wrong” and that he did qualify for the distinction — but the Army confirmed to NOTUS that he was not eligible.
Nehls was given the award after serving as a civil affairs officer in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division in 2008, which later awarded him the infantryman badge. But that designation was a mistake, according to Army standards.
“The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) follows the Army’s regulatory guidance prescribed in the service’s guide on Military Awards, also known as AR 600-22,” said Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “For specific award discrepancies involving former Soldiers, I would refer you to the team at U.S. Army Human Resources Command.”
Military records show Nehls was given the Combat Infantryman Badge in October 2008 for his service in Afghanistan, which is also listed on his discharge documents. However, records obtained by CBS News showed the badge was rescinded after his records were amended due to his service as a civil affairs officer rather than an infantryman or Special Forces officer.
A Combat Infantryman Badge is only awarded to infantrymen or Special Forces soldiers engaged in active ground combat. The awards are specifically given to “provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only Soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain,” according to the Army.
Instead, Nehls was awarded the Combat Action Badge, which is given to soldiers outside those job fields who are “actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy,” according to Army guidelines.
“The Army reviewed the record of Rep. Nehls in 2023 and issued a DD215 to correct the record,” Army spokesman Bryce Dubee told the Washington Examiner earlier this month, referring to a military form used to correct any errors to discharge documents after they have been delivered or documented. “The DD215 did not include a Combat Infantryman Badge.”
Nehls has defended his military record despite the investigation, especially pushing back on the findings that the Texas Republican had earned one Bronze Star rather than two. Nehls later posted a photo last month that showed his two medals and the paperwork approving the designations in 2004 and 2008.
So, whoever first awarded him a CIB needs to be interviewed and explain the award. They don’t arrive in cracker jack boxes. There has to be a paper trail that describes the original award. And signatures of the officers that approved it. I hold off on “stolen valor” until all the paperwork is shown. A mistake was probably made, but the awarding of he CIB was done by a chain of command, not the rep.
PX warrior.
CIB’s were only awarded to 11 and 18 series back in the day.
Very well said.
If he walked the streets of Afghanistan, he risked his life.
If any reasonable person could say the badge was reasonably awarded as per regulations, he should be able to keep it.
If for some reason he has to give it back, the nation owes him thanks for his service (if not a medal).
What a dickhead...
Only frontline infantrymen earn the badge...
If you are 11 series you don’t get it. Period. Personally, I consider it stolen valor. Screw this guy.
THis.
“A soldier must meet the following requirements to be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge:
1. Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties
2. Assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat
3. Actively participate in such ground combat”
“A soldier must be personally present and under fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces primary duty, in a unit engaged in active ground combat, to close with and destroy the enemy with direct fires.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Infantryman_Badge
It is my understanding that he would have been entitled to combat pay, but not to any CIB.
Doesn’t matter anyone anywhere said, wrote or typed whatever - if you’re not infantry, 11 series, you cannot wear a CIB.
Period.
Anyone and everyone in Army.mil knows this, or should know. Especially after being corrected.
And most legit recipients don’t go around with them pinned on their civilian clothes like a poser.
Allowing a person to wear the CIB cheapens an exceptional way to recognize true patriots.
He needs to stop the stolen valor... Texans don’t approve, nor do we former infantrymen.
He knows if he served in combat or not.
Dick Durbin did and he is still a Dem vote in the Senate.
It’s a nice dynamic, we lose votes like Santos and the Dem’s liars-Cherokee Warren etc.... roll on.
Anybody check the Vindmans’ DD214?
Showpony.
I’m not understanding. Was he given the badge correctly and (from what I am reading) the DD215 revoked it in 2023? But he provided docs of the other awards? If it takes 15 years to correct a mistake I would have to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being as anything government is slow and full of mistakes. If not, then he needs to explain and apologize.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.