ARMY COMBAT ACTION BADGE 3 June 2008
Posted by Service Officer on June 3rd, 2008
In 2005, the Department of the Army authorized the creation of the Combat Action Badge to recognize U.S. soldiers who engage the enemy in battle. This badge applies to men and women in our armed forces who might not qualify for awards such as the Combat Infantry or Combat Medical Badge, which are limited to those individuals serving with infantry or medical units. There is no doubt that the Combat Action Badge is a great idea; in Iraq and Afghanistan we are seeing soldiers from every military occupational specialty distinguish themselves in battle. However, the Army’s current policy limits eligibility to only those individuals who meet its criteria after 18 SEP 01. While the Combat Action Badge recognizes those who have served their country bravely in the 21st century, it overlooks the thousands of veterans who made similar sacrifices in previous wars. To rectify this injustice Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL-05) introduced H.R.2267 on 10 MAY 07 to retroactively award the Army Combat Action Badge to those members of the U.S. Army who were engaged by the enemy from 7 DEC 41 to the present day. The bill was then referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. This bill currently has only 27 cosponsors and will die in committee unless veterans take action to move it to the house floor. Those who would like to see the award of this badge to those who meet its criteria prior to 18 SEP 01 are encouraged to contact their legislators and request they support this bill. [Source: The American Legion Online Update 29 May 08 ++]
