Curious about everybodys opinion as to if a CAB is warranted. I am in a aviation unit. There have been several situations that have met the requirement, in my opinion for a CAB. Examples are, rockets being shot at aircracft, going between the two aircraft as well as small arms fire being shot at aircraft posing serious danger, but no damage occuring. Another example is door gunners following escalation of force and engaging buildings containing enemy. As far as I'm concerned, those meet the criteria for the CAB. My unit has not awarded these people the CAB, should they have?
The only example I can draw here is in the USN/USMC/USCG the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is only awarded for combat actions that take place on the ground, not for while they take place in the air.
I also believe the new USAF Combat Action Medal (CAM?) is the same way, combat involved outside of aerial flight.
I also remember stories from Vietnam vets that complained that Infantrymen assigned as door gunners weren't awarded CIBs because they were in aviation units yet they couldn't be awarded Aircrew wings because they didn't hold an Aviation MOS.
Not sure if that holds true for CABs, but it might, I suggest reading the regs and see what it says.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: shuman14,
Originally posted by shuman14: The only example I can draw here is in the USN/USMC/USCG the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is only awarded for combat actions that take place on the ground, not for while they take place in the air.
I also believe the new USAF Combat Action Medal (CAM?) is the same way, combat involved outside of aerial flight.
I also remember stories from Vietnam vets that complained that Infantrymen assigned as door gunners weren't awarded CABs because they were in aviation units yet they couldn't be awarded Aircrew wings because they didn't hold an Aviation MOS.
Not sure if that holds true for CABs, but it might, I suggest reading the regs and see what it says.
The requirements we had to meet for the CAB required shrapnel/bullet/RPG damage to your vehicles and equipment and/or injuries that deserve a Purple Heart. That is not even what the reg says, but it seems as if practically all commands go by this. Outside these things happening, there is no evidence to suggest it even happened other than sworn statements. They just assume we are liars because thats what they would do to get a badge.
On the other hand, I bet if one of the approving authorities went on a right seat ride and took some SAF that missed and left no damage, there would be a CAB in the works for him.
I also remember stories from Vietnam vets that complained that Infantrymen assigned as door gunners weren't awarded CABs because they were in aviation units yet they couldn't be awarded Aircrew wings because they didn't hold an Aviation MOS.
I know a guy that was an infantryman/door gunner in Vietnam. He got his CIB and a DFC and an Air Medal. They didn't have CAB's back then.
We had a pretty screwed up company, with half spread out between our brigade's infantry battalions, artillery battalion, cavalry squadron, the detention facility, and other support missions, and the other half of the company located next door to the brigade staff. Generally speaking, our guys attached to the combat arms units went through their supported unit and if it was legitimate never had any worries about being awarded the CAB.
Other guys that were located with other support missions were required to go through the company, but the company HQ (located with the brigade staff) was so spiteful and vindictive that some of its soldiers could get the CAB while assigned to other units they made the burden of proof extremely heavy, moreso than required by regulation.
I was one of those guys located on the @$$-end of a FOB with another support mission, and when I could I'd go out with random patrols to support the collection mission. I piggybacked off of the infantry battalion I supported to get my CAB. My company didn't know I had it until they received the orders awarding it.
I do know one thing. Half of those losers located with the staff suddenly submitted CAB paperwork about one month before we were supposed to redeploy the first time. I found out it was for a rocket that hit the other side of the brigade TOC about 200 meters away. So, the rocket hit the corner of the other side of a building 200 meters away, and the building all these guys were in was surrounded by 10-ft T-barriers. Man, don't get me started about the E-7s and officers up there that got BSMs for working the late shift making coffee for the commander, while we had E-6s and E-7s parti****ting in multiple engagements over the course of 16 months leaving out with an ARCOM and a "Good Game" smack...not that I'm bitter.
Medals mean nothing. I have three rows of ribbons. Some have far more, some have far less. Screw it, we were all there. I dont care if I never get another one. For the love of god just let me deploy to the war again.
We have a similar situation going on in our unit. Except the fobbits have an easier time getting CABs than the guys who go out daily.
The process is so ridiculous (sworn statements, award citation, _AND_ power point slides) that I don't even feel like trying. Besides, I'm not going to ask the infantry guys I'm with to fill out sworn statements after a mission just so I can get another piece of gay bling.
Oh, but the one time our headquarters rolls out, they hit an IED that doesn't even puncture the vehicle. You better believe all their CABs got approved.
Our whole companay got CAB's and we were national guard. It all depends if you're brass are willing to fill out the required paperword and can connect you with a mission that was engadged in a attack. Mind you we were combat engineers that took the heaviest casualities, at the time, in the whole state of California.
It all depends how much everyone fights for them. Just put some fire on your platoon sergeant/first sergeant to get this done.
Also if you were just attached to unit for a momentary lapse of time then it might be very hard to get one if you aren't strickly apart of the unit from beginning till end.
(b) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.
(c) Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or beingengaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
(d) Soldier must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB/CMB. (For example, an 11B assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an 11B assigned to an infantry battalion is not eligible for award of the CAB.)
