Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a United States Army military decoration. The badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers in the rank of colonel and below, who fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of either an Infantry or Special Forces unit of brigade size or smaller at any time after 6 December 1941. For those soldiers who are not members of an infantry, or Special Forces unit, the Combat Action Badge (CAB) is awarded instead. For soldiers with an MOS in the medical field they would, with the exception of a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D), receive the Combat Medical Badge. 18D Special Forces Medics would receive the Combat Infantryman badge instead.
| Combat Infantryman Badge | |
|---|---|
U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge | |
| Type | Special Skill Group 1 Badge |
| Awarded for | Performing duties while personally present and under fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces capacity, in a unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size, engaged in active ground combat |
| Presented by | United States Army |
| Eligibility | U.S. Army infantry or special forces officers (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of colonel or below, Army enlisted soldiers and warrant officers with an infantry or Special Forces military occupational specialty |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | November 15, 1943 |
| Total | World War II to El Salvador: Unknown
|
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Next (lower) | Combat Medical Badge |
| Related | Expert Infantryman Badge |
The CIB and its non-combat contemporary, the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB), were created in November 1943 during World War II to boost morale and increase the prestige of service in the Infantry. Specifically, it recognizes the inherent sacrifices of all infantrymen, and that they face a greater risk of being wounded or killed in action than any other military occupational specialties.