Combat action badge

[slayer/raptor]

I came across this picture of the CDS with a combat action badge, I'm just curious where he would have seen ''action'' to get one, I don't think he was in a combat role when he went to Iraq with the marines.

Your thoughts?

 

[Rifleman62]

He became the third Canadian to serve as Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas and deployed with III Corps to Baghdad, Iraq in 2004 serving first as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and subsequently as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps.

I wonder who authorized his wearing of a foreign badge!

 

[AmmoTech90]

I wonder who authorized his wearing of a foreign badge!

As it is a US general awarding something the CDS I would think that he is either in the States or being hosted by the States at a formal function.  Therefore he is entitled to wear any badges/qualifications the US has awarded him.  If it has been properly awarded by the country you are in or are being hosted by you do not need someones approval to wear it, the approval is in the dress regs.

Note: This does not mean you can wear the badge an American buddy slipped you at the end of an exercise.

 

[GAP]

I came across this picture of the CDS with a combat action badge, I'm just curious where he would have seen ''action'' to get one, I don't think he was in a combat role when he went to Iraq with the marines.

Your thoughts?

    He became the third Canadian to serve as Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas and deployed with III Corps to Baghdad, Iraq in 2004 serving first as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and subsequently as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps.

In a declared combat zone

 

[daftandbarmy]

I came across this picture of the CDS with a combat action badge, I'm just curious where he would have seen ''action'' to get one, I don't think he was in a combat role when he went to Iraq with the marines.

Your thoughts?

Awesome.

I think our Walt is a 'Walt'! (Walter Mitty, that is)

This must be a first. Go Canada!

 

[Sigs Pig]

I came across this picture of the CDS with a combat action badge, I'm just curious where he would have seen ''action'' to get one, I don't think he was in a combat role when he went to Iraq with the marines.

Your thoughts?

III Corps is regular army, not marines, right?

ME

Found on Wikipedia: "The CAB is not awarded unless the soldier is engaged in direct enemy fire."
Is there a story behind his medal?

 

[dapaterson]

As it is a US general awarding something the CDS I would think that he is either in the States or being hosted by the States at a formal function.  Therefore he is entitled to wear any badges/qualifications the US has awarded him.  If it has been properly awarded by the country you are in or are being hosted by you do not need someones approval to wear it, the approval is in the dress regs.

Note: This does not mean you can wear the badge an American buddy slipped you at the end of an exercise.

The dress regs permit you to accept it and wear it when presented to avoid offending your hosts.  However, a foreign award must be gazetted prior to your being permtited to wear it officially.  In theory the foreign nation will have sought approval in advance.  In practice, it's usually a process of scramblign after the fact to get approval.

 

[my72jeep]

Plus Who wants to commit career suicide by walking up to the CDS and saying Oh by the way Sir you can't wear that!

 

[Haggis]

As it is a US general awarding something the CDS I would think that he is either in the States or being hosted by the States at a formal function.  Therefore he is entitled to wear any badges/qualifications the US has awarded him.  If it has been properly awarded by the country you are in or are being hosted by you do not need someones approval to wear it, the approval is in the dress regs.

The CF Dress Manual only makes allowances for the wearing of foreign orders, decorations and medals and foreign flying and specialist skills badges.  The Combat Action Badge is none of these. However, as dapaterson noted, an unauthorized foreign medal/badge/award can be worn as a courtesy at the time of presentation only.  In that the photo has no context (i.e. date, caption etc.), it's possible that this is the case.

 

[Danjanou]

Plus Who wants to commit career suicide by walking up to the CDS and saying Oh by the way Sir you can't wear that!

when you do make sure you get it on video, it'll be worth milpoints for sure. >

 

[medicineman]

Plus Who wants to commit career suicide by walking up to the CDS and saying Oh by the way Sir you can't wear that!

I'm sure there are enough RCR RSM's out there daring enough...

MM

 

[Haggis]

Plus Who wants to commit career suicide by walking up to the CDS and saying Oh by the way Sir you can't wear that!

I have corrected several field grade, senior and flag officers on matters of dress.  I always ensure that I am 100% correct, even if it means deferring the correction until I can check current references.  Without fail, the response I receive is always a version of  "Thank you, CWO.  I'll fix that."

 

[Journeyman]

Maybe the NDP and Toronto Star are considered "enemy fire"?

 

[my72jeep]

I have corrected several field grade, senior and flag officers on matters of dress.  I always ensure that I am 100% correct, even if it means deferring the correction until I can check current references.  Without fail, the response I receive is always a version of  "Thank you, CWO.  I'll fix that."

"I'll fix that" does that mean they take it down, re write the regs, or transfer the member who pointed it out away?

 

[Haggis]

"I'll fix that" does that mean they take it down, re write the regs, or transfer the member who pointed it out away?

Not so far.....

 

[dapaterson]

Plus Who wants to commit career suicide by walking up to the CDS and saying Oh by the way Sir you can't wear that!

In my experience, respectfully addressing a problem to a senior officer so they can make corrections is not a career-ender.

Other approaches may have differing results.

 

[AmmoTech90]

The CF Dress Manual only makes allowances for the wearing of foreign orders, decorations and medals and foreign flying and specialist skills badges.  The Combat Action Badge is none of these. However, as dapaterson noted, an unauthorized foreign medal/badge/award can be worn as a courtesy at the time of presentation only.  In that the photo has no context (i.e. date, caption etc.), it's possible that this is the case.

Dress regs specify qualifications due to a course and honorary qualifications by a foreign force, both having the same criteria to worn afterwards.  The CAB could be presented under this second catagory as you have to qualify for it by the US regs.

 

[Rifleman62]

RSM's  maxim (to me anyway): Go, See, Fix.

Haggis. What about a US Air Medal?  http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/am.shtml

 

[dogger1936]

CDS wearing it on Pde in Ottawa:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/452646--canada-s-top-general-takes-command

 

[bick]

Maybe he is wearing a US Army CAB because he secretly wants to have a Combat Action Insignia in gold, but then again, he trashed that idea.