Soldiers receive CIB, CMB & CABs during ceremony

Courtesy Photo | German Brig. Gen. Frank Leidenberger, commander of Regional Command - North in Afghanistan, speaks with Soldiers during a badge pinning ceremony, June 5. During the ceremony, 34 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment Soldiers were recognized for performing their duties while being engaged by the enemy and awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge and Combat Action Badge. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KONDUZ, AFGHANISTAN

06.05.2010

Courtesy Story

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

Story by: Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KONDUZ, Afghanistan – Thirty-four Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment from the 10th Mountain Division’s, 1st Brigade Combat Team were awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge and Combat Action Badge, June 5.

“You are doing a tough job,” said German Brig. Gen. Frank Leidenberger, commander of Regional Command - North. “Without you, we couldn’t make a difference.”

“We have a motto, ‘One team, one mission’” said Leidenberger. “I’m especially grateful that you, as U.S. Soldiers, come here to serve together with all the allies and our Afghan partners to make this a better country.”

The CIB was established by the War Department Oct. 27, 1943. Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the “Fighter Badge” to recognize the nature of the infantryman who ground it out in the mud and engaged the enemy on the ground combat.

To be eligible for the CIB, the recipient must engage or be actively engaged in ground combat with enemy forces while assigned as an infantryman or to a U.S. Army Special Forces unit.

In addition to the 30 Soldiers awarded the CIB, two Soldiers were awarded the CMB.

Created during World War II as a companion badge to the CIB, it was designed to provide recognition to the field medic who accompanies the infantryman into battle and share the rigors of combat.

In recent years, the Department of the Army approved the award of the CMB for combat medics assigned to other combat units, such as armor and cavalry. However, the primary requirement for eligibility remains; the recipient must satisfactorily perform their duties while engaged in active ground combat.

“With the nature of the noncontiguous battlefield we face in modern combat operations, other [career fields] besides the infantry face the possibility of engaging the enemy in combat,” said Maj. Christopher Bresko, executive officer for 1-87 Inf. “In particular, operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have forced the [U.S.] Army to evolve into an army of Brigade Combat Teams with a renewed Warrior Ethos. No longer are infantrymen the only Soldiers subject to the rigors of combat. Other combat arms and support Soldiers often share the risks once associated only with frontline Soldiers. In a war without a front, these Soldiers have also met with the enemy head on and engaged them just as efficiently, and in some instances, at the same time as their infantry brothers.”

On May 2, 2005, the Army Chief of Staff approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to those Soldiers who personally engaged, or were engaged by the enemy, but were not infantrymen or medics performing duties with combat unit. Assignment to a combat arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive 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 zone.

During the ceremony the CAB was awarded to two Soldiers.

“I appreciate your service to your nation,” said Lt. Col. Russell Lewis, 1-87 Inf. commander. “You have all stood up and answered your nation’s call.”

• Date Taken: 06.05.2010
• Date Posted: 06.12.2010 02:10
• Story ID: 51277
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE KONDUZ, AF