July 29,
2008: Roadside bombs (IEDs, or
Improvised Explosive Devices) in Iraq and Afghanistan have finally gotten the
attention of the generals who determine if these weapons count as "combat."
With these bombs causing about half the combat injuries in Iraq, and a growing
number in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army finally decided that these weapons were
"direct combat." Previously, the bombs had been considered more like artillery
or mortar fire, and not enough, by themselves, to qualify troops for the
coveted CIB (Combat Infantry Badge, only infantry and Special Forces are
eligible for this.) The change, now gives roadside bombs a lot more weight in
determining if a soldier had earned it. In the past, "30 days of infantry combat" was the standard.
But what if you have a lot of guys who spend a year getting blasted by roadside
bombs, making dozens of night raids, and chasing bad guys in general, only to
not get the CIB. The rules change will eliminate embarrassing and demoralizing
situations like this.
Roadside
bombs will also more easily qualify non-infantry troops for the CCB (Close
Combat Badge). A number of other changes to the regulations made earning the
CIB and CCB more fair and logical.
