§ 578.71 - Combat Action Badge.

(a) On May 2, 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved the creation of the Combat Action Badge (CAB) to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage, or are engaged by the enemy.

(b) Basic eligibility requirements. 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.

(c) Specific eligibility requirements. (1) May be awarded to any Soldier.

(2) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.

(3) 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.

(4) Soldier must be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB or CMB. For example, an 11B assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an 11B assigned to an infantry battalion is not eligible for award of the CAB.

(d) In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may be awarded to members of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the criteria (for example, Korean Augmentation to U.S. Army (KATUSA) personnel in the 2d Infantry Division would be eligible).

(e) Award of the CAB is authorized from September 18, 2001, to a date to be determined. Award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized.

(f) Second and subsequent awards of the CAB are as follows:

(1) Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualified period.

(2) Second and subsequent awards of the CAB will be indicated by superimposing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath.

(g) Retroactive awards of the CAB are not authorized prior to September 18, 2001. For service on or after September 18, 2001, applications (with supporting documentation) for retroactive awards of the CAB will be forwarded through the first 2-star general in the chain of command to the Commander, USA HRC, (see § 578.3(c) for address).

(h) The CAB is categorized as a Group 1 Badge. See Army Regulation 670-1 for specific wear instructions.

(i) Soldiers may be awarded the CIB, CMB and CAB for the same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge are met. However, subsequent awards of the same badge within the same qualifying period are not authorized.

(j) The CAB may be awarded by a commander delegated authority by the Secretary of the Army during wartime or the Cdr, USA HRC. Effective June 3, 2005, commanders delegated authority to award the CAB may further delegate award authority to commanders in the grade of major general or above. The CAB will be announced in permanent orders.

(k) 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.