Army Combat Action Badges

United States Army Combat Action Badge

Criteria: Awarded to U.S. Armed Forces personnel after September 18, 2001 for performing duties in an area where hostile fire or imminent danger pay is authorized, as well as for those personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy while performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement. Not limited by serviceman's branch or military occupational specialty, but is authorized for wear solely on U.S. Army uniforms. The emblem features a rectangle supporting both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade wrapped with an oak wreath. 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 CAB was originally planned as a ribbon known as the "Combat Recognition Ribbon," however, the CAB was later proposed as the "Close Combat Badge" (or CCB) for added prestige. This was to be a combat award only for soldiers who did not hold the infantry military occupational specialty (MOS), but who were deployed specifically to fulfill an infantry duty. Approved by the U.S. Army on May 2, 2005, the CAB can be retroactively awarded to soldiers of all MOSs who engaged in combat after September 18, 2001.

Abbreviation: CAB