Posted on 03/08/2006 2:11:59 PM PST by presidio9
Marines who encounter roadside bombs and respond appropriately now are eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon, according to the Marine Corps.
The ribbon was and still is awarded to Marines who performed satisfactorily in a firefight or under enemy fire, said Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee in a Marine Corps announcement.
But warfare has evolved to include a new threat — roadside bombs, also known as improvised explosive devices — Hagee said.
As of Feb. 25, such devices have killed 927 U.S. troops in Iraq — about 52 percent of hostile deaths — and wounded 9,549 troops — about 56 percent of hostile injuries — Defense Department figures show.
“I consider exposure to a detonated IED as being enemy fire, therefore, Marines who take appropriate actions during such an engagement meet both CAR (Combat Action Ribbon) requirements,” Hagee said.
The change in eligibility requirements is effective immediately and retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001, Hagee said.
“Marine Corps Forces Central Command will be responsible for coordinating a review of those individual cases previously submitted but not approved for the CAR,” Hagee said.
The Marine Corps has no numbers on how many Marines have been denied the Combat Action Ribbon because roadside bombs were not considered enemy fire, said Marine spokesman Maj. Douglas Powell.
The Marine Corps has awarded about 68,000 Combat Action Ribbons since the beginning of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Powell said.
Under the change in eligibility for the award, Marines still have to perform to a certain level under enemy fire to include an IED attack, Powell said.
Powell stressed that the change in eligibility is not a new criteria for the Combat Action Ribbon.
“It is a clarification of existing criteria,” he said.
Powell said he did not know how many Marines had been wounded or killed by roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan but said the number was “significant.”
“IED is probably one of the most significant threats we face over there,” he said.
The Army perspective
Instead of ribbons, the Army has three badges that specifically acknowledge a soldier’s participation in combat: the Combat Infantry Badge, which is reserved for infantry and Special Forces soldiers; the Combat Medical Badge, for medics, and the new Combat Action Badge, which is available to any active, reserve or National Guard soldier who meets the criteria.
The Combat Action Badge was authorized by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker in May 2005.
The criteria for the CAB specifically includes IED attacks as qualifying events, along with mortars, rockets, rocket-propelled grenades, and suicide bombers.
Alright!!!!! Finally, those who have stared Death in the face by encountering an IED can get recognition for doing so!
Sounds good to me, too. This is the least we can do for them.
The "Made-in-China" 9" blade got stuck in the pig at the first thrust--and didn't come out--broke off at the handle hilt. Utterly Worthless!
Lesson learned: Don't buy ANY "Survival" knives from the Tomahawk brand.
"I see", said the blind man.
Since I am retired Army I will defer to the Marines on this issue.
Any idea why there is no medal attached to it?
whoa...pop quiz ...good question ! it's the only navy\Marine ribbon with no medal attached, but darned if I know why.
In fact, you could have been awarded the Purple Heart and not get the CAR.
And at one time (may still be true today) it's only for Col & below. (or Capt & below in Navy)
The reason is that if there is no medal then when in Dress Blue A’s you would wear medals on the left and ribbons w/o medals on the right...thus the CAR would stand out!
Now another question....on a CAR what criteria rates multiple awards (stars)....I was overseas (Iraq) and was involved in many firefights, RPG attacks and two IED attacks....but yet I only rated one CAR? Interesting, the only thing I can figure is had I been deployed more than once maybe I would have rated it?!
The CAR is a personal award.
Unless it's changed,
You only can get 1 award per operation.
So, if you qualified in Operation Enduring Freedom,(regardless of the number of sh$t-storms you were in) you’d get the CAR.
If you again qualified in Operation Iraqi Freedom,you could again get the CAR which would be represented as a device on your ribbon.
BTW...Thank You for your service and...
Semper Fi
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