8-11. Combat Action Badge
a. On 2 May 2005, the CSA approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engaged or are engaged by the enemy. The CAB is intended to serve as a companion to the CIB and CMB to recognize the greatly expanded role of non-infantry Soldiers in active ground combat.
b. The requirements for award of the CAB are branch and MOS immaterial. Assignment to a combat arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations or performing offensive combat operations is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, the CAB is not intended to recognize Soldiers who simply serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area. Battle participation credit alone is not sufficient. The unit must have engaged or been engaged by the enemy.
c. Award of the CAB is not automatic and will not be awarded solely based on award of the PH.
d. Specific eligibility requirements include:
(1) May be awarded to any Soldier.
(2) A Soldier must be personally present and under hostile fire while performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement in an area where hostile fire pay, or imminent danger pay is authorized.
(3) Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB or CMB. For example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an infantryman assigned to an infantry BN is not eligible for award of the CAB.
e. In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may also be awarded to Servicemembers of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria (for example, KATUSA in the 2d Infantry Division).
f. Retroactive awards of the CAB are not authorized prior to 18 September 2001. Award of the CAB is authorized for operations listed in table 8–2 (award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized).
g. Subsequent award of the CAB is not authorized for the same qualifying period, as identified in table 8–2. The CAB may be awarded as follows:
(1) Wartime awards approval authority. When delegated wartime awards approval authority by the SECARMY or designee, the following authorities apply:
(a) Brigade commander level for Soldiers assigned to, attached to, or under the operational control of brigade-level or smaller units.
(b) The first general officer in the chain of command for Soldiers assigned to units at echelons above brigade.
(c) The next higher general officer in the chain for award to a general officer.
(d) Authority to award the CAB is also delegated to Army regional medical center commanders receiving casualties directly from the wartime theater. Army medical center commanders must ensure the Soldier meets the requirements in paragraph 8–8d.
(e) When no authority applies or has not been delegated, recommendations will be submitted through command channels to HRC ADB for processing.
(2) Retroactive processing. Table H–1 prescribes mandatory procedures for processing retroactive requests for combat badges.
(a) Requests for retroactive award of the CAB will not be entertained except where evidence of injustice is presented.
(b) The first general officer in the chain of command may disapprove retroactive requests for award of the CAB.
(c) Veterans and retirees may submit requests for retroactive award of the CAB to Chief, ADB, HRC (AHRC–PDP–A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5408.
