§ 578.69 - Combat Infantryman Badge.

(a) Specific eligibility requirements. There are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB):

(1) The Soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.

(2) Must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.

(3) Must actively participate in such ground combat. (Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.)

(b) The specific eligibility criteria for the CIB requires that:

(1) A Soldier must be an Army infantry or special forces officer (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or Special Forces Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), who, subsequent to December 6, 1941, has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Eligibility for Special Forces personnel in MOS 18B, 18E, 18F, and 18Z (less Special Forces medical sergeant) accrues from December 20, 1989. Retroactive awards of the CIB to Special Forces personnel are not authorized prior to December 20, 1989.

(2) A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question can be of any size smaller than brigade. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry troop would be eligible for award of the CIB. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

(3) Personnel with other than an infantry or Special Forces MOS are not eligible, regardless of the circumstances. The infantry or Special Forces SSI or MOS does not necessarily have to be the Soldier's primary specialty, as long as the Soldier has been properly trained in infantry or Special Forces tactics, possesses the appropriate skill code, and is serving in that specialty when engaged in active ground combat as described above. Commanders are not authorized to make any exceptions to this policy.

(4) Awards will not be made to general officers or to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.

(5) On or after September 18, 2001, the following rules apply:

(i) A Soldier must be an Army infantry or special forces (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or special forces MOS, who has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat, to close with and destroy the enemy with direct fire.

(ii) A Soldier must be personally present and under fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces primary duty, in a unit engaged in active ground combat, to close with and destroy the enemy with direct fire.

(iii) Soldiers possessing MOS of 18D (Special Forces Medical Sergeant) who satisfactorily perform special forces duties while assigned or attached to a special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat may be awarded the CIB. These Soldiers must have been personally present and engaged in active ground combat, to close with and destroy the enemy with direct fires. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized for service prior to September 18, 2001.

(iv) Those Soldiers possessing MOS of 18D who qualify for award of the Combat Medical Badge from September 18, 2001 to June 3, 2005 will remain qualified for the badge. Upon request any such Soldier may be awarded the CIB instead of the Combat Medical Badge. In such instances, the Soldier must submit a request through the chain of command to the Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address), for conversion of the Combat Medical Badge to the CIB.

(v) Service members from other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military (infantry and Special Forces equivalents) assigned or attached as a member of a U.S. Army infantry or Special Forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size may be considered for award of the CIB. The specific eligibility requirements listed in § 578.69(a) must be met. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized for service prior to September 18, 2001.

(c) The CIB is authorized for award for the following qualifying periods:

(1) World War II (December 7, 1941 to September 3, 1945).

(2) The Korean War (June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1953).

(3) Republic of Vietnam Conflict (March 2, 1961 to March 28, 1973), combined with qualifying service in Laos (April 19, 1961 to October 6, 1962).

(4) Dominican Republic (April 28, 1965 to September 1, 1966).

(5) Korea on the DMZ (January 4, 1969 to March 31, 1994).

(6) El Salvador (January 1, 1981 to February 1, 1992).

(7) Grenada (October 23 to November 21, 1983).

(8) Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Korea (November 23, 1984).

(9) Panama (December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990).

(10) Southwest Asia Conflict (January 17 to April 11, 1991).

(11) Somalia (June 5, 1992 to March 31, 1994).

(12) Afghanistan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, December 5, 2001 to a date to be determined).

(13) Iraq (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, March 19, 2003 to a date to be determined).

(d) The special provisions authorized for the Vietnam Conflict, Laos, and Korea on the DMZ are outlined in paragraphs (d)(1) through (5) of this section.

(1) During the Vietnam Conflict, any officer whose branch is other than infantry who, under appropriate orders, has commanded a line infantry (other than a headquarters unit) unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size for at least 30 consecutive days is deemed to have been detailed in infantry and is eligible for award of the CIB notwithstanding absence of a written directive detailing that Soldier in the infantry, provided all other requirements for the award have been met. Orders directing the officer to assume command will be confirmed in writing at the earliest practicable date.

(i) In addition, any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted Soldier whose branch is other than infantry, who under appropriate orders was assigned to advise a unit listed in paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section or was assigned as a member of a White Star Mobile Training Team or a member of MAAG-Laos as indicated in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section will be eligible for award of the CIB provided all other requirements have been met.

(ii) After December 1, 1967 for service in the Republic of Vietnam, noncommissioned officers serving as Command Sergeants Major of infantry battalions and brigades for periods of at least 30 consecutive days in a combat zone are eligible for award of the CIB provided all other requirements have been met.

(2) Subsequent to March 1, 1961, a Soldier must have been—

(i) Assigned as advisor to an infantry unit, ranger unit, infantry-type unit of the civil guard of regimental or smaller size, and/or infantry-type unit of the self-defense corps unit of regimental or smaller size of the Vietnamese government during any period such unit was engaged in actual ground combat.

(ii) Assigned as advisor of an irregular force comparable to the above infantry units under similar conditions.

(iii) Personally present and under fire while serving in an assigned primary duty as a member of a tactical advisory team while the unit participated in ground combat.

(3) Subsequent to May 24, 1965, to qualify for the CIB, personnel serving in U.S. units must meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Individuals who performed liaison duties with the Royal Thai Army of the Army of the Republic of Korea combat units in Vietnam are eligible for award of the badge provided they meet all other requirements.

(4) In Laos from April 19, 1961 to October 6, 1962, a Soldier must have been—

(i) Assigned as member of a White Star Mobile Training Team while the team was attached to or working with a unit of regimental (groupment mobile) or smaller size of Forces Armee du Royaume (FAR), or with irregular type forces of regimental or smaller size.

(ii) A member of MAAG-Laos assigned as an advisor to a region or zone of FAR, or while serving with irregular type forces of regimental or smaller size.

(iii) Personally under hostile fire while assigned as specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(5) In Korea on the DMZ. The special requirements for award of the CIB for service in the Republic of Korea are rescinded. Army veterans and service members who served in Korea on or after July 28, 1953 and meet the criteria for award of the CIB outlined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, may submit an application (to include supporting documentation) for award of the CIB to the Commander, USA HRC, (see § 578.3(c) for address). Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized for service prior to July 29, 1953.

(e) Subsequent awards. To date, a separate award of the CIB has been authorized for qualified soldiers in any of the following four qualifying periods:

(1) World War II (December 7, 1941 to September 3, 1945).

(2) The Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1953).

(3) The Vietnam Conflict. Service in the Republic of Vietnam conflict (after March 1, 1961) combined with qualifying service in Laos (April 19, 1961 to October 6, 1962); the Dominican Republic (April 28, 1965 to September 1, 1966); Korea on the DMZ (after January 4, 1969); El Salvador (January 1, 1981 to February 1, 1992); Grenada (October 23 to November 21, 1983); Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Korea (November 23, 1984); Panama (December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990); Southwest Asia (January 17 to April 11, 1991); and Somalia (June 5, 1992 to March 31, 1994) is recognized by one award only regardless of whether a soldier has served one or multiple tours in any or all of these areas.

(4) Global War on Terrorism. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (November 20, 2001 to date to be determined) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (March 19, 2003 to a date to be determined).

(f) If a Soldier has been awarded the CIB in one of the qualifying periods outlined in paragraph (c) of this section, that Soldier is not eligible to earn the CMB in the same period.

(g) Who may award—(1) Current awards. Current awards of the CIB may be awarded by the Commanding General, USA HRC and any commander delegated authority by the Secretary of the Army during wartime.

(2) Retroactive awards. Retroactive awards of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge may be awarded by the Commanding General, USA HRC to active duty Soldiers and Reserve Component Soldiers. Applications for retroactive award of the CIB and CMB will be forwarded through command channels to the Commander, USA HRC, (see § 578.3(c) for address). Retirees and veterans should address their application to the NPRC, (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address). Retroactive award of the CIB and CMB are authorized for time periods specified above to fully qualified individuals. Such awards will not be made except where evidence of injustice is presented.

(h) Description. A silver and enamel badge 1 inch in height and 3 inches in width, 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.