The Combat Action Badge was approved by the Army Chief of Staff on 02 May 2005. The description of the badge is as follows: 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.
The Combat Action Badge is the newest combat related badge for the Army. The first combat badge was the Combat Infantryman Badge authorized in 1943 and was followed by the Combat Medical Badge authorized in 1945. In order of precedence, you have the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, and then the Combat Action Badge. Below the Combat Action Badge is the Expert Infantryman Badge. (Note: The Expert Infantryman Badge is not a combat related badge.)
According to Army Regulation 600-8-22 Military Awards, the eligibility requirements for the Combat Action Badge are:
a. On 2 May 2005, the CSA approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to Soldiers who
personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy.
b. 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 the CAB to all Soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
c. Specific eligibility requirements include:
(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 not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB and/or CMB. For
example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an
infantryman assigned to an infantry BN is not eligible for award of the CAB.
d. In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may also be awarded to Service members of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria (for example, KATUSA
in the 2d Infantry Division).
e. Award of the CAB is authorized for the following operations (award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized):
(1) Afghanistan (OEF, 18 September 2001 to 31 December 2014; OFS, 1 January 2015 to a date to be determined).
(2) Iraq (OIF, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010; OND,1 September 2010 to 31 December 2011).
(3) OIR, 15 June 2014 to a date to be determined.
The first recipients of the Combat Action Badge were:
Sgt. Michael Buyas, armor crewman
Sgt. Timothy Gustafson, armor crewman
Sgt. Manuel Montano, military policeman
Sgt. April Pashley, civil affairs specialist
Sgt. Sean Steans, motor transport officer
