[91B]

Some of the guys I drill with were wondering about his CAB (Combat Action Badge) as combat badges are not generally awarded to General officers. I am not really certain as to what the regulation is about awarding the CAB though, but perhaps this is what the Kossacks are refering to.

[Safetgiver]

Haig wore one.

[airedale]

From Wikpedia on the CAB:

“The Combat Action Badge (or CAB) is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The emblem features both a M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement. Award is not limited by one’s branch of service or military occupational specialty, but is only authorized for wear on U.S. Army uniforms. A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award. In comparison to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the CAB has a silver rectangle backing rather than blue, and the CAB is 1 inch shorter in length than the CIB.”

I don’t see a limitation on rank like there is on the Good Conduct Medal which is limited to enlisted personnel. Based upon the above it appears to me that he’s earned this one.

[capydick]

From ArmyStudyGuide.com:

1: May be awarded to any soldier.

2: Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.

3: Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

4: Soldier must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB/CMB.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

The governing regulation for the award of the Combat Action Badge is AR 600-8-22. The badge was authorized by the Chief of Staff of the Army on 2 Mat 2005 and was retroactive. It may be awarded to “any soldier” (That includes General Officers)that are serving in a branch and MOS immaterial assignment in a combat arms unit in an area where hostile fire pay is authorized. When Petreaus commanded the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq he attained qualification for the CAB. Let me know when I can help again.

[mazda77]

Is it possible to imagine that in a 30 year career he might have just picked up the medal as a junior officer?

[Eagles Talon IV]

Suppose he earned the CAB before he was a general Officer? Isn't he entitled to wear it after he becomes one?

[hinckley buzzard]

Some of the guys I drill with were wondering about his CAB (Combat Action Badge) as combat badges are not generally awarded to General officers.

So, you and the guys you drill with think he was always a general? You think he might have earned it before he got his first star? WTF.

[MNJohnnie]

Here are just a few of the post by you where you are clearly trying to impugned the General's right to the award. That despite the fact all the information on it had been posted to you by various Freepers. Now that you have had your face rubbed in your error, you are desperately trying to rewrite history rather then simply admit you were wrong. Rather then continue to spin desperately for some hair splitting rational to avoid admitting error, just deal with it. You were wrong.

Post 21

Some of the guys I drill with were wondering about his CAB (Combat Action Badge) as combat badges are not generally awarded to General officers. I am not really certain as to what the regulation is about awarding the CAB though, but perhaps this is what the Kossacks are refering to. Post 43 Haig never wore a CAB as it is a new award that has only been awarded since the start of the GWOT. He probably wore a CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) which he earned as a junior officer in WWII (or Korea). Patraeus may have been awarded the CAB-I am unsure of the regulation-but combat badges are generally not awarded to senior officers.

Post 47

I am not sure what AR 60-8-22 says about the CAB. I believe that it says that the CMB is not to be awarded to officers above the rank of Colonel-and says the same about the CIB. There may not be any similar restriction on award of the CAB, but that is the only thing I can think of that might apply (other than the Kossacks being full of crap).

Post 58

I think it is infinitely more likely that he earned the BSM with V in a previous conflict as he was a division commander in Iraq and probably wasn’t as likely to be in position to show valor (commanders usually have a PSD to protect them). As I said, some of the guys I drill with were wondering about the CAB-I am unsure about the requirements under the regulation.

Post 67

I’m tracking-see my reply 47. I personally know soldiers who served a full tour in Iraq whose CAB was denied for what I think were trivial interpretations of the regulation. Because of that, I think it is entirely appropriate to ask questions when I see a General officer wearing it.

Post 162

I understand. I am not personally eligible for the CAB (instead I have been awarded the CMB). However, when we were deployed several of the soldiers attached to our squadron were denied their CAB in cases that were never adequately explained (for instance two of the guys in a HWMMV that was hit by an IED got it while the other two did not). It makes me raise an eyebrow to see a General officer wearing it.