The CIB Conspiracy :

[Talon]

So, it's recently come to my attention that there is this thing called the "Combat Infantry Badge." It seems to be a pretty big deal among infantrymen. The reason why it's in the 'Tin Foil' hat section is because I was told that it's handed out arbitrarily. In other words some get them and some don't and there is no rhyme or reason to it.



I'm going to delve into this badge a little and try to find out exactly what it takes to get one, and why someone wouldn't get one that should have.

[Talon]

Like I said, this thing is taken pretty seriously.

[Talon]

Here are the actual rules governing how this thing is handed out.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-20...-sec578-69.xml

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.)

[Talon]

I found this on another forum. Seems straightforward enough.

[Talon]

Also found on the net.

CIB = Combat Infantryman's Badge
CAB = Combat Action Badge

CIB = Basically shows the "who's who" of the guys in Infantry but can be kinda inaccurate sometimes as people are given them for sketchy situations while others do not get them for situations where they should have.

CAB = Non-Infantry types were whining and crying because they were facing enemy action and had nothing to show for it like the CIB and Infantry. So the higher-up's made everyone else feel good by giving them a "Here's your whiny, crybaby badge for getting shot at."

[Talon]

An interesting article on how the awarding of the CIB can be arbitrary sometimes.

http://nation.time.com/2013/04/05/to...-the-question/

On paper, the Army is supposed to award the CIB to Infantry soldiers who engage the enemy or are engaged by the enemy, front-liners under hostile fire in combat zones.

On paper.

[dudeman]

Harvey is vindicated then.

[Talon]

No, not really. To my mind, this only shows that the CIB can be awarded arbitrarily in some circumstances, it doesn't say anything about whether or not someone served at at all, or if they served in the capacity that they've said. I will say just by looking over different cases that being passed over for a CIB can happen, but what are the odds of it happening 4 or 5 times during a 10 year career? Stranger things have happened I guess.

There are guidelines that have to be met to receive the CIB, and simply being attached to an infantry unit isn't enough to rate one, though you would be eligible for the CAB.

Harvey is vindicated then.

[Mayaca]

Seems like the fact that it is commonly talked about being arbitrary would help Harry's point.


Talon I think you are doing this just to get under Harry's skin. The two of you should get a room. The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a military knife....

[Talon]

There are three possibilities.

1) He never served.

2) He served as he has stated but was unluckiest infantryman ever as far as being overlooked for his derring do.

3) He served but in a different capacity than what he has stated.

Hopefully he will clear this up.

Seems like the fact that it is commonly talked about being arbitrary would help Harry's point.


Talon I think you are doing this just to get under Harry's skin. The two of you should get a room. The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a military knife....

[Mayaca]

So I might agree those are the options. The question is why do you have a hard-on to call him out to explain?

[Mayaca]

I actually think there are other options...


Like he did serve, and in his sincere opinion. Things were as stated. But his leadership disagreed....


Or he did as stated and WAS passed up, and you and I have no clue if that is par for the course, like do we KNOW that getting screwed 4 times is a lot? Maybe some fellers got passed over 12 times and the system sucks.

I don't really give a fuck. Just wondering why you DO?

[Talon]

I really don't give a fuck about him, but he seemed to give a fuck about me. With all of his combat experience and nerves of steel, I'm sure he doesn't need you to take up for him. Harvey and I will work it out.

I actually think there are other options...


Like he did serve, and in his sincere opinion. Things were as stated. But his leadership disagreed....


Or he did as stated and WAS passed up, and you and I have no clue if that is par for the course, like do we KNOW that getting screwed 4 times is a lot? Maybe some fellers got passed over 12 times and the system sucks.

I don't really give a fuck. Just wondering why you DO?

[Mayaca]

No Talon we are cool as far as I am concerned. I really didnt mean it to "defend" him. Just wondered why you were driving so hard.





I don't talk about my BRIEF military experience much, if at all. No one would believe how badly the army fucked me unless they too had been fucked by a military group. So it is easy for me to believe theyfuckex him too. I am biased.

[Mayaca]

But I am out. You two have fun.