Army Creates Medal for Troops Who Come Under Fire

NY Times ^ | February 13, 2005 | THOM SHANKER

[R. Scott]

I’m quick to take offence sometimes. 19 of my 21 years was with the Transportation Corps, the rest of the time was with AG.
When my Purple Heart orders finally caught up to me the Colonel who presented it to me asked (with a grin) how a boat person got a Purple Heart. I replied that 40% of us earned them and went back to work.

[izzatzo]

Agreed, that's what the CIB is and I thought the same for the Combat Action Ribbon-don't see need for another.

[quadrant]

I know little about the Army, but I thought the CIB was awarded to grunts, not to other branches who may have been under fire but are not infantry.

[neverdem]

Thanks for finding the regulation.

[neverdem]

I know little about the Army, but I thought the CIB was awarded to grunts, not to other branches who may have been under fire but are not infantry.

It's my guess that these armored, cavalry, combat engineering and field artillery units are being used as being dismounted infantry so much that it can't be denied. I'm quite curious about how it will be designed.

[neverdem]

being used as being dismounted infantry

pardon the dumbass redundancy, thank the Lord it's probably the end of the thread

[Redleg Duke]

That is one of the crappy things about a CIB. As a Regleg, you can fight right along side of them and you are not entitled to it...because you aren't an Infantryman.

There are several non-Infantry MOS's that get up-close and personal on a regular basis and cannot get the CIB. I think this is a good thing.

[Lazamataz]

What about those soldiers who know somebody who was in combat? Is there a IKSICC ("I know someone in close combat") badge? And what about the IRACOTI ("I read about combat on the internet") badge? And, most importantly, the ITMUWICIBV ("I think my uncle was in combat in vietnam") badge?

[quadrant]

Is this new ribbon designed to replace the CIB? To be awarded in addition to the CIB? Could one receive a CIB but not the new ribbon and vice versa? Will non-combat arms units that come under fire be eligible for the new award?

My guess the ribbon will become just another ward that all upwardly mobile officers (like the current Chief of the Corps of Engineers who wears paratrooper wings on his blouse) will need to receive to be eligible for promotion.

[neverdem]

Is this new ribbon designed to replace the CIB? To be awarded in addition to the CIB? Could one receive a CIB but not the new ribbon and vice versa? Will non-combat arms units that come under fire be eligible for the new award?

It's called the Close Combat Badge. It's not going to be a ribbon. It will probably be like the CIB or jump wings, worn above ribbons when wearing the Class A uniform.

"In particular, the badge will be for soldiers who serve with armored, cavalry, combat engineering and field artillery units at the brigade size or smaller that come under attack and "close with and destroy the enemy with direct fires," the Army official said."

[quadrant]

I'm certain this thing will become another must have for ambitious officers.

[pfflier]

Fair 'nuff.