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 Infantrymans 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 wasnt 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
Im 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.
Johnnie-I’ve forgotten more about what it takes to qualify for a combat award than you’ll ever know-and I’m not talking about regulations. If you choose to go into fits of apoplexy because I wonder at a General officer wearing an award that I have seen other soldiers turned down for, that’s your prerogative. I’m not the only poster to have commented on such behavior on your part.