CIB
Silver and enamel badge consisting of an infantry musket on a light
blue bar with a silver border, on and over an elliptical oak
wreath. Stars are added at the top of the wreath to indicate
subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the
third award and three stars for the fourth award.
The bar is blue, the color associated with the Infantry branch. The
musket is adapted from the Infantry insignia of branch and
represents the first official U.S. shoulder arm, the 1795 model
Springfield Arsenal musket. It was adopted as the official Infantry
branch insignia in 1924. The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength
and loyalty.
Awarded to personnel in the grade of Colonel or below with an
infantry military occupational specialty who have satisfactorily
performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry unit,
brigade or smaller size, during any period subsequent to 6 December
1941 when the unit was engaged in active ground combat. The policy
was expanded to permit award to Command Sergeants Major of infantry
battalions or brigades, effective 1 January 1967. Specific criteria
for each conflict was also established. Only one award is
authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos, Dominican Republic, Korea
(subsequent to 27 July 1954), Grenada, Panama, and Southwest Asia.
The complete criteria for each area and inclusive dates are listed
in Army Regulation 600-8-22.
EIB
CIB (Combat Infantrymans Badge) is supposed to be awarded to
participants in a war, and EIB (Expert Infantrymans Badge) to
successful candidates who pass the EIB test.
