Badge of Honor, CIB

Field_Sailor · 10-18-2004, 06:30 PM

Submitted by Capt. Vincent Heintz, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry

As a company commander, I stand before our platoons and award the Combat Infantryman’s Badge to our Soldiers. I am struck by the honor and reverence paid to this symbol of courage and determination by the very Soldiers who dedicate themselves to excellence on every combat mission.

This award was created to recognize the sacrifice and hardships the Infantryman endures during his combat service. There is no award that Infantry Soldiers desire more than the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. This badge is a symbol of their courage and determination. It cannot be earned by any other means than doing the job they have trained for, engaging the enemy in direct contact. It is an honor that many other Soldiers may never have the opportunity to earn. It is an honor bestowed upon few members of the military.

As I look around the country of Iraq, through the eyes and ears of my Soldiers, my leaders and the news media, I begin to understand just how well our Soldiers are performing.

We are asked to perform our mission on a day-to-day basis in an extremely dangerous area. Yet, we realize that it can always get worse. We read about and hear about the sacrifices being made in Samarra, Fallujah, Baqubah and Najaf and we realize that our area can always become more dangerous. We pay homage to our brother Soldiers, Airmen and Marines who serve in these deadly areas.

We do not have all of the amenities you hear about on other Forward Operating Bases; no mess hall, no post office, no pool, no movie theater, no palace coffee shop, etc. But we are not as bad off as some others either. We reside in bunkers, not tents as our fellow Soldiers on the Iranian border do. We have a gym and a great mini PX, run by our own Soldiers. We have made our base a better place to live for our Soldiers, as we should.

We live in a dangerous place and in a dangerous time, yet each day we continue to perform at the highest levels. We are vigilant and alert for any action taken against us and ready to continue the fight to make Iraq a free and sovereign nation founded on democratic ideals. We spend as much of our time focused on military operations, as we do on civil military operations, all in the best interests of the Iraqi people.

The sacrifices made by United States Soldiers are great and are not always recognized and published by the media. All of the great things we have done for the people of Iraq should be reported, and recognized for what they are, just like the regular Soldiers over here are recognized with our badge of honor, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

01-17-2005, 07:12 PM

I am a Combat Infantryman from OP. JUST CAUSE and OP.DESERT/SHIELD/STORM and I am so PROUD of my fellow GRUNTS and the way you are upholding the Legacy of the GRUNTS that have fouhgt before them. I see everyday how you are being engaged by an elusive and cowardly enemy, but I know that we have the best trained GRUNTS in the world. Be Carefull and GOD bless.

02-01-2005, 04:01 PM

[b]I got my CIB at Afghan and I can say that I am extremely proud of earning the badge and I am even more proud of all the fellow INFANTRY soldiers who are fighting the fight for freedom in both Irag and all over the world. If you meet a soldier, thank him/her for their dedication to duty and country.

[i]SUA SPONTE

SSGMike.Ivy · 02-01-2005, 05:13 PM

I received mine in Vietnam and wear a 14K Gold one around my neck. Everyone who receives a CIB should be very proud and should wear it shinning on their uniform. Remember there are a lot of soldiers, Marines etc who due to their non grunt status do not receive the CIB, but in some cases may deserve one.

candocurrahee · 07-06-2005, 05:16 PM

I got my CIB when I was with the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry then of the 24th Infantry Division (home base then was Ft. Stewart, GA) in 1990/91 (Ops Desert Shield/Storm). I also earned my EIB when a private with the 5th Battalion, 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, KS. When I was on active duty, I would sometimes where my EIB instead of the CIB because I was just as proud of the EIB since I had to work so hard to earn it (as I did to earn the CIB).

'frisco kid · 07-07-2005, 10:28 PM

A Badge Of Honor, indeed. I recieved mine while serving with 2/502, 101st Abn. Div. in Vietnam JUN66-JUN67. It and my Parachutist Badge are my most prized awards. All who have earned them, no matter what war, are brothers with a special bond. Always be proud of who you are and where you've been, boys.

Bulletlauncher · 08-28-2005, 10:19 AM

Rcvd mine in Ramadi, Iraq. God Bless the 124th Infantry.

Paddiegrunt · 04-03-2006, 08:31 PM

Hail Brother!!
Got mine for humping the paddies in Nam, Oct 67 to Oct 68 with 2/60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division

asclay · 04-04-2006, 08:22 PM

Hell, yeah! I'm an 11B and I got my baptism in fire during OIF last year at Haswah in Iscandaryiah, Iraq with 2/ 11 ACR. The sad part though was that I was awarded a CAB instead of a CIB because I was assigned to a armor unit. I know, I know the big green weenie strikes again!

**RR691983** · 04-05-2006, 04:23 AM

OEF IV Jul '03-May '04
OIF III Aug '05-Aug '06

Lead the way

HOHEITAI · 05-31-2006, 05:31 PM

Earned my Combat Infantryman's Badge in Korea while serving with the 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division (Mar-Dec 1951).

Paddiegrunt · 06-30-2006, 04:40 PM

I totally agree with you Brother, I earned mine in the rice patties of Nam in 1968

BrianP · 06-30-2006, 05:16 PM

I have a question about the CIB. I am Infantry but my unit is turning into a Cav Scout unit and they are sending me to Cav school. Now if i go to Iraq with my Unit which is now Cav will i still get the CIB because i also have the Infantry Mos?