Over on the chiefs site there is a topic being started concerning the establishment of a CG Combat Action award. They reference a new alcoast 361/08, but it is not yet posted on the comms site.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

ALCOAST 361/08
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD COMBAT ACTION RIBBON
A. MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25 (SERIES)
1. ON 16 JULY 2008, THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROVED THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (CAR). THE
CAR WILL BE AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD IN THE GRADE OF
CAPTAIN AND JUNIOR WHO HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN GROUND OR
MARITIME COMBAT.
2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: THE CAR IS AN INDIVIDUAL SERVICE AWARD.
THE PRINCIPAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERION IS SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
UNDER ENEMY FIRE WHILE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN A GROUND OR
MARITIME ENGAGEMENT. NEITHER SERVICE IN A COMBAT AREA NOR BEING
AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL OR A COMBAT AWARD/BADGE FROM ANOTHER
SERVICE AUTOMATICALLY MAKES A SERVICE MEMBER ELIGIBLE FOR THE CAR.
THE FOLLOWING AMPLIFYING GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED:
A. DIRECT EXPOSURE TO THE DETONATION OF AN IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE
DEVICE (IED) USED BY AN ENEMY, WITH OR WITHOUT THE IMMEDIATE
PRESENCE OF ENEMY FORCES, CONSTITUTES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A
GROUND OR MARITIME ENGAGEMENT.
B. PERSONNEL WHO SERVE IN CLANDESTINE OR SPECIAL OPERATIONS, WHO
BY THE NATURE OF THEIR MISSION, ARE RESTRICTED IN THEIR ABILITY TO
RETURN FIRE, AND WHO ARE OPERATING IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE RISK OF
ENEMY FIRE WAS GREAT AND EXPECTED TO BE ENCOUNTERED, MAY BE
ELIGIBLE FOR THE CAR.
C. THE CAR WILL NOT BE AWARDED TO PERSONNEL FOR AERIAL COMBAT,
HOWEVER, A PILOT OR CREWMEMBER FORCED TO ESCAPE OR EVADE, AFTER
BEING FORCED DOWN, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD.
D. PERSONNEL WHO EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, ARMY COMBAT
INFANTRYMAN/MEDICAL BADGE, OR AIR FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL WHILE
ON DUTY WITH ANOTHER SERVICE OR AS A PRIOR SERVICE MEMBER, MAY BE
ELIGIBLE TO WEAR THE CAR. APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOLLOW IN
PARAGRAPH 3.A.
3. IMPLEMENTATION:
A. INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EARNED THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AIR
FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL OR ARMY COMBAT INFANTRY/MEDICAL/ACTION
BADGE FOR ACTIONS ON OR AFTER 1 MAY 1975, MUST REQUEST
AUTHORIZATION TO BE AWARDED THE CAR. REQUESTS WILL BE ROUTED
THROUGH THE MEMBERS COMMANDING OFFICER AND ADDRESSED TO COMMANDANT
(CG-1221). REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF THE RECOMMENDATION FOR
THE ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE AWARD. REQUESTS WILL BE REVIEWED
INDIVIDUALLY AND RESPONSES WILL BE PROVIDED IN WRITING FOR UPDATE
IN THE MEMBERS SERVICE RECORD AS APPROPRIATE.
B. EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2009, NO AWARD OF THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION
RIBBON, AIR FORCE COMBAT ACTION MEDAL, OR ARMY COMBAT
INFANTRY/MEDICAL/ACTION BADGE IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE COAST
GUARD UNIFORM, EVEN IF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY WAIVER FROM CGHQ.
SERVICEMEMBERS MAY WEAR THE NEW RIBBON IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF
AUTHORIZATION FROM COMMANDANT (CG-1221).
C. RETIRED/SEPARATED SERVICEMEMBERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO RETAIN
PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE COMBAT SERVICE AWARDS.
D. AWARDS OF THE NAVY COMBAT ACTION RIBBON FOR SERVICE PRIOR TO 1
MAY 1975 REMAIN AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE COAST GUARD UNIFORM AND
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR CONVERSION TO THIS AWARD.
4. ELIGIBLE OPERATIONS: THE COMMANDANT DETERMINES WHICH OPERATIONS
MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THIS AWARD. CURRENTLY, THE AWARD IS
AUTHORIZED FOR OPERATIONS ALLIED FORCE (KOSOVO), DESERT STORM,
ENDURING FREEDOM AND IRAQI FREEDOM. THIS LISTING IS NOT ALL
INCLUSIVE, AS THE CAR MAY BE AWARDED IN MINOR OPERATIONS, AS WELL
AS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIONS.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE:
A. ENLISTED MEMBERS AWARDED THE CAR WILL RECEIVE ONE AWARD POINT
TOWARD THEIR SERVICEWIDE EXAM. MEMBERS WHO PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED
CREDIT FOR A COMBAT SERVICE AWARD FROM THE NAVY, ARMY, OR AIR FORCE
WILL NOT RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CREDIT FOR CONVERSION TO THE CAR.
B. SUBSEQUENT AWARDS. A 3/16-INCH BRONZE STAR WILL BE WORN TO
DENOTE SUBSEQUENT AWARDS. A 3/16-INCH SILVER STAR WILL BE WORN IN
LIEU OF FIVE BRONZE STARS. ONLY ONE AWARD PER OPERATION IS
AUTHORIZED.
C. GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA FOR THIS AWARD WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE
NEXT CHANGE TO REF (A).
6. AWARD DESIGN AND AVAILABILITY: THE AWARD DESIGN ADDS A SMALL
WHITE BAND TO EITHER SIDE OF THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE BANDS IN THE
CENTER OF THE NAVY AWARD. A GRAPHIC OF THE NEW RIBBON IS AVAILABLE
AT THE MEDALS AND AWARDS WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/MEDALS.
INITIALLY, THE RIBBON WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FROM CGHQ AND WILL BE
PROVIDED WITH AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THE AWARD. THE RIBBON WILL BE
AVAILABLE COMMERCIALLY IN ADVANCE OF THE 1 JANUARY 2009 FINAL
IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR PERSONNEL WHO HAVE THEIR RIBBONS
PROFESSIONALLY MOUNTED.
7. DIRECT QUESTIONS TO MR. GABLE AT (202) 475-5385, CWO HUGHES AT
(202) 475-5384 OR MS. DAY AT (202) 475-5386.
8. RDML DANIEL A. NEPTUN, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

That's outstanding!

quote:

THE
CAR WILL BE AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD IN THE GRADE OF
CAPTAIN AND JUNIOR WHO HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN GROUND OR
MARITIME COMBAT.

Can someone help me out with what this means, what are grades of "captain" and "junior" ? -Jeff

I had to read it twice myself, it means anyone of the rank of Captain and below. I.E. CDR, LCDR, LT, LTjg, ENS, Warrant and any enlisted are eligible.

funny, I though a Capt's GRADE was O-6 and his Rank was Capt.

I spoke to Ms. Day (from the MSG) about the three original PSUs (-301, 302, & -303) from Desert Storm, and there is a possibility that all three PSUs qualify.

She is looking for first hand accounts of SCUD missile attacks, with Officer corroboration.

Any members of the original three PSUs should send their first hand accounts to: deneen.a.day@uscg.mil.

Wouldn’t units that already meet the criteria for the CAR be listed once it becomes available to wear?

quote:

I spoke to Ms. Day (from the MSG) about the three original PSUs (-301, 302, & -303) from Desert Storm, and there is a possibility that all three PSUs qualify.

Since this is an award for individuals I hope they will pay close attention to the criteria rather then handing it out enmass to anyone that was in the unit at the time they were deployed.

Interesting. Several USCG personnel served in Iraq for six-month stretches, 2006-2007 -- at least one was awarded a Bronze Star. They usually weren't authorized to return fire (Blackwater: wait until we are killed first), but were frequently in combat "action," receiving rocket, mortar, and small-arms fire.

I was in Iraq at LSA Anaconda for a year. That base was subjected to rocket and mortar attacks on average 2-3 times a week minimum. It would be interesting to know if all the service members there were awarded their service's equivalent of the CAR.

If so, there are 10's of thousands of military folks, just from that base, that will be wearing them in the future.



Hmmm, wonder if I can get one as a civilian......

Am I reading the message correctly...as a recipient of the CAR while serving in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm, as of January 2009 I am no longer authorized to wear it on my uniform?

What kind of horse crap is that, I have to CONVERT it to a Coast Guard ribbon. All that does is give the appearance that I earned it in the Coast Guard.

AND, they want a copy of the recommendation? There is no written award for the CAR. It's awarded by a field commander based on direct observation. I found out I rated the award after doing a database search after I'd already left the Corps. I had to get a correction to my DD214 (a DD215) to prove I rated the award.

Thy Coast Guard will just have to accept my DD215 from the Marine Corps. If that's not "legal" enough, I don't know what is.

I'll have to say, that chaps my arse that I have to convert an award like the CAR to a Coast Guard ribbon. They don't just toss CARs around like candy. Perhaps I should convert the Eagle, Ball and Hook tattoo on my arm to the Coast Guard seal and pretend I was never in the Marine's.

quote:

I'll have to say, that chaps my arse that I have to convert an award like the CAR to a Coast Guard ribbon.

And well it should. The Navy/Marine Corps CAR is considered a PERSONAL DECORATION. The wording and designation of the award is important. Notice that the CG followed the USAF in designating this CG CAR as a service award (must be geting a special on surplus shirts).. This is a noteworthy award to the individual and is for a specific event in time.

The proper course would have been to authorize the conversion of the Combat Action Badge (a new U.S.ARMY badge), and the USAF Combat Action Medal( a new USAF service medal). Then start the award of the CG CAR on a specific date, and change the designation to a decoration. The U.S. Army CIB/CMB already have a long history for conversion to the decoration.

Why follow the USAF, when USN/USMC precedent is LONG set.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

Can't be inciting a mutiny, however, I'd be inclined to start a move up the chain of command to get this policy changed.

To me, this is gross disregard in respect to two of our proclaimed "Core Values":

A) The organization is showing zero honor by forcing more than a few of us to "convert" decorations that give off false indicatia of service.

Meanwhile, we mark our folks on "integrity". The CG CAR says, "I particpated in combat action in the Coast Guard," but the question will be, "Well, did you serve in combat in the Coast Guard, or were you with another organization?"

B) The organization is showing little respect to the personal accomplishments and scarifices made by its own prior-service members.

"Well, we don't care if you lived in a shallow hole in the ground every night for 11 months, we want OUR OWN Combat Action Ribbon...yours doesn't matter anymore...convert or don't wear it."

I'm all for the CG establishing it's own CAR. However, establish the decoration and award it accordingly. Don't minimize the sacrifices of your prior-service members by forcing them to convert to your new "award".

I've always been of the understanding that, as a prior service member, as long as the Coast Guard has a corresponding medal/award as those which you brought with you, you are authorized to wear them on the uniform. So, what is the issue with keeping a CAR from another service? Is it the fact that the Army issues CABs and there are no corresponding Coast Guard Combat action badges???

Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing a CAR displayed in Nate Bruckenthal's shadow box at the LDC in New London. As a member of the LEDET who relieved Nate's team after he was killed, I'd say he most assuredly deserves the CAR. I wonder, if he and his team weren't issued the CAR, perhaps the oversite had something to do with the CG's creation of their own CAR???

Secondly, why aren't the TACLET's deployed to Iraq issued CARs. The danger and possiblity is OBVIOUSLY there 24/7. Can't argue that fact when one of our members has a shadow box hanging on the wall in New London.

After my previous post regarding rocket and mortar attacks a question popped into my head. The base I was at was very large. Seems it was about 15 sq miles (could be mistaken). So the question is........would a person get a CAR for being on one side of the base when a mortar round landed on the other side of the base, x miles away? I wonder how it is determined what loevel of imminent danger/combat one must be in to qualify?

Anyone have any knowledge of this?

quote:

I've always been of the understanding that, as a prior service member, as long as the Coast Guard has a corresponding medal/award as those which you brought with you,

Mr H;
I got to support NEARLY everything you said, but this small section. I would suggest NOT using that as an arguement, becuase it is factualy incorrect. Until the recent manual change, NONE of the stuff you brought with you was authorized, and before that it was only PERSONAL decorations, not service medals or unit awards. It takes away from an otherwise excellent point.

I didn't get the 'convert' thing for MEDALS either since all ribbons DO transfer over now.(well, OK, not the markmanship ones) Sure, have a way to convert a BADGE if it is same criteria, but not medal or ribbons. That would affect some of the folks I see walking around with CABs. (RAID teams have been the most likely source for CABs) That is a good one to 'transfer.'

quote:

quote:

I spoke to Ms. Day (from the MSG) about the three original PSUs (-301, 302, & -303) from Desert Storm, and there is a possibility that all three PSUs qualify.

Since this is an award for individuals I hope they will pay close attention to the criteria rather then handing it out enmass to anyone that was in the unit at the time they were deployed.

Well, the SCUDS covered a pretty big area, and the units were concentrated. Now they just have to make sure they don't cover the entire time period the units were deployed...

Hmmm...maybe I can get 1 for night the Army "stevadummies" were playing around with an Iraqi AA gun that somebody had hauled back to the Port of Dammam, and hadn't bothered to check if it was loaded, until somebody sat on it and started pushing pedals and pulling triggers. Those 5 - 10 rounds raised the pucker factor in the port area a bit.

I hear you Master Chief - A "rule of thumb" is what I meant to say more or less. Of course it doesn't apply to all Meds and Awards.

Not that this has anything to do with the "conversion" topic, but I was perusing the new Meds and Awards Man yesteday. Found 2 ribbons and one medal (13 years old) that I rate and never received. The medal is the Armed Forces Expediationary Medal. Based on the time frame, I'm thinking it was a mass award given to the members of the 210' I was on during the Cuban Exodus.

I wonder how many of a crew of 80+ are walking around with no idea they rate a medal that'll give them 5-pts veterans preferenace, and make them eligible to join the VFW. I remained on the ship for another two years after the Cuban/Haitian crises and I had no knowledge of the award.

I also find it uncanny that this kind of stuff tends to fall by the wayside and goes unnoticed for years. If a crew rates an award, how difficult is it to run a crew roster search in Direct Access that covers the timeframe of the award? Get your people their awards, even if they've transfered!

Same thing happened to my Old Man (my Dad). I've seen a photo of him wearing 9 ribbons back in the late 70's. Wanted to make him a shadow box for Father's Day a few years so I petitioned his records from Navy Bupers. His records come back with FOUR awards...in 25 years of service. Of thhose four, he was only actually wearing two on his uniform. I don't think my dad would have been wearing seven awards he didn't rate...I think the rest of them fell through the cracks and since he was an Engineer he didn't bother to follow up on the paperwork.

A Navy MUC earned by my PSU during Desert Shield/Storm showed up in Direct Access in 1996.

Another one earned in Haiti in 1994 showed up in D/A in 1997. I was able to get a clean copy of the actual citation.

I was unable to track down a copy of the Navy MUC award citation for Desert Shield/Storm and units list (to include all three CG PSUs) until I obtained a scanned copy of a copy of a copy from the CNO Office finally in 2002.

Don't know why, but sometimes it takes a while.

My records do not reflect three awards the Mellon received for the Nam deployment. I recently requested the records. Now I just need to see whether or not I want to expend the enrgy to get them corrected.

Others that were on the ship at the same time also never had the awards catch up to them either.