DESCRIPTION: A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall
consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a
bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the
top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award,
two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth
award.
II. SYMBOLISM: In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, the
Combat Action Badge provides special recognition to Soldiers who
personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during
combat operations. The bayonet and grenade are associated with
active combat. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and
loyalty.
III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: The Combat Action Badge (CAB) may be
awarded by any commander delegated authority by the Secretary of
the Army during wartime or the CG, U.S. Army Human Resources
Command and will be announced in permanent orders.
(1) 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, it is not intended to award all soldiers who serve in a
combat zone or imminent danger area.
(2) Specific Eligibility Requirements:
a. May be awarded to any soldier.
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
being engaged 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.
(3) May be awarded to members from the other U.S. Armed Forces and
foreign soldiers assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet
the above criteria.
(4) Award of the CAB is authorized from 18 September 2001 to a date
to be determined. Award for qualifying service in any previous
conflict is not authorized.
(5) Subsequent awards:
a. Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualifying period.
b. Second and third awards of the CAB for subsequent qualifying
periods will be indicated by superimposing one and two stars
respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points
of the oak wreath.
(6) Retroactive awards for the CAB are not authorized prior to 18
September 2001, applications (to include supporting documentation)
for retroactive awards of the CAB will be forwarded through the
first two star general in the chain of command to CG, U.S. Army
Human Resources Command, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, Alexandria, VA
22332-0471.
(7) Wear policy is contained in Army Regulation 670-1.
(
Soldiers may be awarded the CIB, CMB and CAB for the
same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge is
met. However, subsequent awards of the same badge within the same
qualifying period are not authorized.
IV. DATE APPROVED: On 2 May 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army,
approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to
soldiers who personally engage, or are engaged by the enemy. HQDA
Letter 600-05-1, dated 3 June 2005, announced the establishment of
the Combat Action Badge.
V. SUBDUED BADGE: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth.
The metal badge has a black finish. The cloth badge has olive green
base cloth with the bayonet, grenade, oak wreath and border of the
bar embroidered in black.
VI. MINIATURE BADGES: A dress miniature badge, 1 1/4 inches (3.18
cm) in length is authorized for wear on the mess uniforms. A
miniature badge, 1 3/4 inches (4.45 cm) is also authorized in lieu
of the regular size badge.
from:
http://www.army.mil/symbols/combatbadges/Action.html?story_id_key=7285
