Army creates new combat badge for non-infantry soldiers

[Skyshark]

Then why after10 jumps to the Marines have to get the "gold wings"? Food for thought. LOL

In regards to the comment on the Army wanting special "badge thingies" on thier chest.

[USMCRET6391]

The issue is not things like aircrew wings or jump wings or the scuba bubble, the issue is whether a non infantryman should get some sort of recognition for ground combat. The Navy and Marine Coprs took care of this years ago with the Combat Action Ribbon, the Army is finally shaking loose from hide bound tradition.

[Skyshark]

I was just cracking a joke about the wings. Sorry, that's why I put the LOL there.

On another noteOther MOS's already get recognition for "combat" it's called a combat patch. EVERYONE that serves in a combat zone for 30 days REGARDLESS of rank, sex or mos gets to wear one if they earned it. Now because the Infantry has a badge everyone has to have one? Come on where are te going to draw the line? Again, I feel that if you are of COMBAT ARMS, and you qualify for one then cool, but not EVERY mos.

[mikecase33]

Ok, in regards to the "combat patch", people in Camp Arifja, Kuwait get Hazard duty and hostile fire pay an they have it made here...there is nothing dangerous about this place and they get everything they Soldiers in Mosul get. Every award will be given out to soldiers who don't deserve it......that is just the nature of the beast.
SSG Case

[regross99]

I agree with USMCRET6391 note, and was wondering my self why the Army does not include Combat Action Ribbon. I would this would solve the problem. I think the CIB is just too sacred to make another award similiar to it.

[tsc977]

The whole point of the combat patch is to signify those who have served in combat area. I could even agree with the combat action ribbon if need be. But I do not agree with the CAB. It's pogues trying to be like the infantry.
On a side note it seems most infantryman hold their EIB in higher regards than their CIB.

[Rusty24]

Because to get the EIB you must complete a course, to get the CIB, you do not have to have completed the EIB course.

[Devo327]

Newbie to the forums...first post. Just wanted to weigh in on this topic with a few quick thoughts.

1) I would have to agree with Covert...some sort of badge should be awarded to non-combat MOS's in the AO, especially in today's non-linear battlefield.

2) People will always technically "qualify" for awards or badges however, deep down inside, they know if they earned them on not.

3) I earned my EIB...3 tries in a 6 year time span..pain in the *ss it was, I am very proud of that Kentucky Rifle...still admire those who have earned a CIB a hell of a lot more though.

[Field_Sailor]

5 jumps.

[ScreaminChief]

Well, it's been a long time since I first posted on this thread. Now that I've been to Iraq and been awarded a CAB, I think I have a pretty good perspective on things in this matter. The main difference between having a combat patch and a CIB or CAB is the fact that to earn a badge you had to have taken fire, or been in an actual firefight. People stationed in Kuwait get combat patches, and don't get shot at. It's the difference between being nervous about where you are, and being faced with the reality that the next round could actually take you out. That's a big difference.

Now, did I do anything special to get awarded this? No. I happened to be about 30M from where the rockets landed that day and the E7 with me was hell-bent on getting another badge so he put us in for them. But we were 30M away from not coming home and a lot of soldiers never had to face that reality. As with any award, it will get abused and people will get it that don't deserve it. That's the nature of the beast. If your skin is that thin that you loose sleep over that kind of thing then you probably shouldn't be in the military.

In the end, I don't think the CAB is a bad idea, nor do I think it takes anything away from the CIB. It is just eye candy after all. Only the actions of the individual really matter. It is nice for those who actually risked their lives to be recognized above those who were just in the same general area.