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Hub AI
Combat Infantryman Badge AI simulator
(@Combat Infantryman Badge_simulator)
Hub AI
Combat Infantryman Badge AI simulator
(@Combat Infantryman Badge_simulator)
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.
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.
In mid-2025 the Army introduced "master combat badges," including the Master Combat Infantryman Badge. The badge recognizes those who have earned both a CIB and either an EIB, Expert Soldier Badge, or Expert Field Medical Badge.
After the United States' declaration of war in 1941, the War Department had difficulty in recruiting soldiers into the Infantry branch in cases where men were given the opportunity to choose their branch of assignment, and the morale of soldiers in the Infantry branch remained low, namely due to the fact that "[o]f all Soldiers [sic], it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed a mission that was not assigned to any other Soldier [sic] or unit ... [t]he infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most casualties while receiving the least public recognition." Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair, commanding officer of the U.S. Army Ground Forces, championed the idea of creating an award recognizing the unique dangers faced by infantrymen.
On 27 October 1943, the War Department formally established the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) awards in Section I of War Department Circular 269:
The present war has demonstrated the importance of highly-proficient, tough, hard, and aggressive infantry, which can be obtained only by developing a high degree of individual all-around proficiency on the part of every infantryman. As a means of attaining the high standards desired and to foster esprit de corps in infantry units; the Expert Infantryman and the Combat Infantryman badges are established for infantry personnel.
"Infantrymen, including officers," established eligibility for the CIB by "exemplary conduct in action against the enemy" or "satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy in a major operation" determined and announced by theater commanders. The circular stipulated that "... only one of these badges will be worn at one time" and "the Combat Infantryman badge is the highest award." The awarding of the CIB was officially authorized with an executive order dated 15 November 1943. War Department Circular 186, dated 11 May 1944, rescinded Circular 269 and clarified CIB eligibility as being "restricted to officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men, assigned to infantry regiments or lower infantry units, except officers and enlisted men of the Medical Department and the Corps of Chaplains," who had performed "exemplary conduct in action against the enemy." On 30 June 1944, Congress approved an extra ten dollars in monthly pay to every soldier awarded the CIB, excepting commissioned officers.
The World War II regulations originally did not prescribe a specific combat service period establishing infantrymen's eligibility for being awarded a CIB. War Department Circular 105, dated 13 March 1944, amended Circular 269. Page 2, paragraph IV. BADGE – Section 1, Circular No. 269 War Department, 1943, adding paragraph 8, as follows:
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.
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.
In mid-2025 the Army introduced "master combat badges," including the Master Combat Infantryman Badge. The badge recognizes those who have earned both a CIB and either an EIB, Expert Soldier Badge, or Expert Field Medical Badge.
After the United States' declaration of war in 1941, the War Department had difficulty in recruiting soldiers into the Infantry branch in cases where men were given the opportunity to choose their branch of assignment, and the morale of soldiers in the Infantry branch remained low, namely due to the fact that "[o]f all Soldiers [sic], it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed a mission that was not assigned to any other Soldier [sic] or unit ... [t]he infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most casualties while receiving the least public recognition." Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair, commanding officer of the U.S. Army Ground Forces, championed the idea of creating an award recognizing the unique dangers faced by infantrymen.
On 27 October 1943, the War Department formally established the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) awards in Section I of War Department Circular 269:
The present war has demonstrated the importance of highly-proficient, tough, hard, and aggressive infantry, which can be obtained only by developing a high degree of individual all-around proficiency on the part of every infantryman. As a means of attaining the high standards desired and to foster esprit de corps in infantry units; the Expert Infantryman and the Combat Infantryman badges are established for infantry personnel.
"Infantrymen, including officers," established eligibility for the CIB by "exemplary conduct in action against the enemy" or "satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy in a major operation" determined and announced by theater commanders. The circular stipulated that "... only one of these badges will be worn at one time" and "the Combat Infantryman badge is the highest award." The awarding of the CIB was officially authorized with an executive order dated 15 November 1943. War Department Circular 186, dated 11 May 1944, rescinded Circular 269 and clarified CIB eligibility as being "restricted to officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men, assigned to infantry regiments or lower infantry units, except officers and enlisted men of the Medical Department and the Corps of Chaplains," who had performed "exemplary conduct in action against the enemy." On 30 June 1944, Congress approved an extra ten dollars in monthly pay to every soldier awarded the CIB, excepting commissioned officers.
The World War II regulations originally did not prescribe a specific combat service period establishing infantrymen's eligibility for being awarded a CIB. War Department Circular 105, dated 13 March 1944, amended Circular 269. Page 2, paragraph IV. BADGE – Section 1, Circular No. 269 War Department, 1943, adding paragraph 8, as follows:
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