Coast Guard Reservist Uniform Issue

[BMCS Dave Considine]

Not sure if anyone has been able to see the new CG Reservist magazine special issue, it has all the different uniforms and a great "new and updated" medals and awards poster - even includes the precedence of the PUC and has the hurricane symbol.

Are there plans to put this out to the active duty force? There are sections on uniform history, color photos of every uniform including the winter dress blue, a table on other military branches uniform equivalents, all the rating badges and uniform insignia, etc etc.

Best piece of uniform information I have seen.

I scanned a few pages to give you a feel, there's a lot more in there.

[MSTC SJ Natale]

Somehow we got one at our unit..that poster is already hanging on the bulkhead.

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

Great issue all around. I believe it would be of great value to see a reserve forum. No to parse out the reserve force from the active force as that is not part of the CG's strategic vision, but more to share reserve issues from those of use who work side by side with the active duty on a day-day basis or just one weekend a month. Just a thought.

Best,

GD


Best,

GD

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

You could also use the winter dress blue picture like the EPME section on wearing of the uniform, i.e. "can you find out what's wrong with this picture?"...
As for the Combat Action Badge, after reading the US Army's requirements for issue, I find it highly unlikely that anyone in the USCG would be eligible for it. I'm sure there are a few that might.
Getting "GOOD" info out is imperative, but before we hold this up as a model for others to follow, we should correct the inaccuracies.

Craig

[BMC Robert Ornelas]

If anyone has a second copy; please mail me a copy.

PSC 50 Box 812
APO AE 09494

Cheers

Rob

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

I did notice on the BDU (woodland cammo uniform) that the member is wearing two badges... and the regs to the left clearly state that only ONE is authorized.

Hmmmmm. :rolleyes:

[PACS Steve Carleton]

As for the Combat Action Badge, after reading the US Army's requirements for issue, I find it highly unlikely that anyone in the USCG would be eligible for it. I'm sure there are a few that might.
Craig

Actually Craig, there are Reservists on the RAID Teams that are qualifying for the Combat Action Badge for their assignments in Iraq.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

There are Coast Guard personnel that served in the 1st gulf war that earned the CAR while deployed with the Navy as part of LEDET's.

It's really not that unlikely at all.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

There are Coast Guard personnel that served in the 1st gulf war that earned the CAR while deployed with the Navy as part of LEDET's.

If anyone is running around with a combat action bar from the first gulf war, they are frauds!!! If they say they earned it while deployed with a LEDET that was attached to a Navy unit (any Navy Unit), they are frauds and should be called out.
The CAB wasn't created until sometime in 2005, and you must have been attached to a US Army unit. Said unit must also not entitle you to the CIB, and a host of other conditions.
Steve,
We may have some personnel that do qualify for the the badge, it's just highly unlikely when you read the requirements. As Deane showed, there are folks running around with the chest candy that do not deserve to wear it. Sorry about the tirade, but people wearing devices that they know they shouldn't be is a really touchy subject with me...
If you earned it, and were awarded it, wear it with pride, if not, don't even think about it.

Craig

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Craig...maybe I'm confused. I'm talking about the Combat Action Ribbon. You keep talking about a Combat Action Badge. I guess we're talking about two seperate things. I thought you were talking about the CAR.

The people that I know who wear the CAR are not frauds.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Craig,

You are correct about the first Gulf War award of the CAB, since it wasn't approved until May of 2005 and there is no provision for retroactive waer. Keep in mind however, it is possible that there are CG Reservists that are qualified to wear it. I will submit to you that, there are VERY few that will fall into this category though, maybe 1 to 5 total.

Straight from the Uniform Manual:

3.E.1. Insignia
Metal or embroidered insignia are worn to indicate a special qualification or designation. Coast Guard officers and enlisted members who, while a member of the Coast Guard, have earned qualification insignia from another United States military service are authorized to wear said insignia on the Coast Guard uniform as described in this section. The individual Coast Guard member is responsible to provide proof of authority to wear another United States military service’s qualification insignia for inclusion in their service record as appropriate.

Straight from The Institute of Heraldry website:

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Badges/CombatActionBadge.htm

I. DESCRIPTION: A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. 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.

II. SYMBOLISM: In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, the Combat Action Badge provides special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. The bayonet and grenade are associated with active combat. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and loyalty.

III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: The Combat Action Badge (CAB) may be awarded by any commander delegated authority by the Secretary of the Army during wartime or the CG, U.S. Army Human Resources Command and will be announced in permanent orders.

(1) The requirements for award of the CAB are Branch and MOS immaterial. Assignment to a Combat Arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, it is not intended to award all soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.

(2) Specific Eligibility Requirements:

a. May be awarded to any soldier.

b. Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.

c. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

d. Soldier must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB/CMB.

(3) May be awarded to members from the other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign soldiers assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria.

(4) Award of the CAB is authorized from 18 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized.


(5) Subsequent awards:

a. Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualifying period.

b. Second and third awards of the CAB for subsequent qualifying periods will be indicated by superimposing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath.

(6) Retroactive awards for the CAB are not authorized prior to 18 September 2001, applications (to include supporting documentation) for retroactive awards of the CAB will be forwarded through the first two star general in the chain of command to CG, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

(7) Wear policy is contained in Army Regulation 670-1.

(8) Soldiers may be awarded the CIB, CMB and CAB for the same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge is met. However, subsequent awards of the same badge within the same qualifying period are not authorized.

IV. DATE APPROVED: On 2 May 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to soldiers who personally engage, or are engaged by the enemy. HQDA Letter 600-05-1, dated 3 June 2005, announced the establishment of the Combat Action Badge.



V. SUBDUED BADGE: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge has a black finish. The cloth badge has olive green base cloth with the bayonet, grenade, oak wreath and border of the bar embroidered in black.



VI. MINIATURE BADGES: A dress miniature badge, 13/16 inch (2.06 cm) in width is authorized for wear on the mess uniforms. A miniature badge, 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in width is also authorized in lieu of the regular size badge.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

Sorry about the confusion Deane, you did use an "R" when I thought it was a "B". I hate it when I read things too fast and miss something like that :mad:!!!! From what I gleamed from the US Army's website on the CAB, it's basically meant for those folks who aren't eligible for the Combat Infantry Badge, but are finding themselves on the front lines of combat.

Steve, I'm not really sure who the Raid Team members are attached to or exactly what they're doing, but if the Army says they earned it, wear it with pride.

Craig

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

Thus far, there have been NO RAID teams that have seen fire - or have returned fire - which is very clearly in the instructions for being required for the CAB.
c. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
Sorry - no CAB's for Coasties thus far (as of November 25th, 2006)... hey, things change!

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Jerald, I did say possible, that said though, I went back and checked my archives and the RAID guys were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

Sorry, Senior... I jumped the gun.

So, how the heck did they rate the CAR? PSU313 was in the port of Ash Shuaiba when that errant missile hit, and they didn't get one... how'd the RAID's get it?

And which RAIDS?

Sorry, but I'm curious. I had a buddy on a RAID and he never even HEARD bullets fired outside of a range situation.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

Here is some guidance on the Combat Action Ribbon:

14. Combat Action Ribbon (CAR)

a. Authorization. SECNAVNOTE 1650 of 17 February 1969.

b. Eligibility Requirements

(1) Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when the Coast Guard or units thereof operate under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain/colonel and junior thereto, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. Upon submission of evidence to their commanding officer, personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge while a member of the U.S. Army may be authorized to wear the CAR.

(2) The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory. Service in a combat area does not automatically entitle a service member to the CAR The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance.

(a) Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible.

(b) Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible.

(c) Personnel in clandestine or special operations such as reconnaissance, SEAL teams, EOD teams, and Mine Countermeasures operations are eligible when the risk of enemy fire was great and was expected to be encountered.

(d) Personnel aboard a ship are eligible when the safety of the ship and the crew were endangered by enemy attack, such as a ship hit by a mine or a ship engaged by shore, surface, air or sub-surface elements.

(e) Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart would not necessarily qualify for the Combat Action Ribbon.

Seems pretty straightforward to me... There is also a section on folks on a humanitarian mission being eligible if they didn't return fire because of the ROE or a bona fide reason for not returning (participating...) fire.

Craig

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Sorry about the tirade, but people wearing devices that they know they shouldn't be is a really touchy subject with me...


Me too! I just caught a guy (10 year E-6, who got out and worked for Customs) on the military.com site (in Veterean's thread) with OIC ashore & Afloat insignias AND a Silver Life Saving Medal.

I'm still waiting for his response.. I hate phonies.....

Wray.. :cool:

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Steve, I went back and checked my archives and the RAID guys were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon."

I'd be interested as well. From what I've heard there have been know CG units involved in combat yet.

I know some from GWI claim it for a SCUD that landed a half mile away. If we got a ribbon every time a rocket (122mm) came in close we'd have a bucket full.

Myself and the ENC had the duty one evening and we got a "Red Alert" message. We fired up both engines and got the other generator on line and singled up the lines.

We then sat on the "tater bin" to watch the show. The 122s began flying by the dozen over mountation for the air base (their usual target) some miles away. However, we watched one sorta fly off course and it hit in a mud bank about 250 meters from us. We just sat there and continued to watch the show. The didn't call Da Nang "Rocket City" for nothin'

The rules were strictly adhered to by our squadron. The navy wasn't always that strict.

We also operated in the clandestine atmosphere a few times with Army Rangers and other groups. I don't think those counted either. I got my CAR in July 1969. We took some fire and as noted, "repressed same." We also engaged in a few dozen gunfire support missions. Many were emergencies where the bad guys were winning.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

We put out a Press Release on Feb 2, 2006 when VADM Crea awarded them to members of the RAID Team.

There is a Reservist in the building who is wearing the CAB (when I see him again, I'll ask him about it) for action in Iraq while in country with the Army.

Pulling from a previous post on the CAR:

The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory.

Pulling from a previous post about the CAB:

Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.

Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

[BMC John Phillips III]

should this thread be moved to the "reserve issues" forum?

[PACS Steve Carleton]

JP3,

I don't know about that -- I think people want to know the Who, the What and the Why.

To some degree if I understand people's arguments, they would like to know what was the "action" these people were in that qualified them to wear either the CAB or CAR -- I have to agree.

Since the person I referenced earlier is a Chief, I'll see if I can get him to come on and give us a rundown of what happened.

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory.

Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.[/I]

Interesting differences here. The CAR requires participation and the CAB only requires being engaged by an enemy. The latter does not require being under fire. I can recall several times when we'd received a stray sniper shot.

I don't believe that Coast Gaurdsmen should be eligible for the CAB. The precedent is that the Coast Guardsmen who served in Army units in Vietnam had to fulfill the requirements for the CAR.

Here is an example from July 1969 (Navy monthly report of operations).
Early on the morning of 25 July, the PT ORIENT, PT GLOVER, and USCGC KLAMATH (WHEC 66) provided support of special operations by an Army 173rd Airborne Brigade Team on the Song [river] Lai Giang, about forty miles north of Qui Nhon (BR 975965). During the initial insertion, the WPB's small boats were swamped by heavy surf and the motors became inoperative and they were towed seaward and brought aboard the PT ORIENT. Shortly after the insertion the troops came under heavy enemy fire and requested emergency NGFS adn extraction. The enemy fire was quickly suppressed and the troops extracted.

Operating with the army against an engaged enemy. Hmmm.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

Bill,
I think the big difference is that the RAID teams are attached to an Army unit, as opposed to the three cutters were not (If they were and the CAB was available then, the folks would be eligible for it).
Maybe it's just the way I'm reading it, but the CAB seems to have been created for those folks who aren't eligible for a Combat Infantry Badge, but may very well be fighting along side those who are. I base this on the fact that to be eligible for the CAB, you must be attached to a unit that is not eligible for the CIB.
It's sort of like all of the badges we have now. Use to be you had to be a coxswain or be stationed on a cutter, now everyone wants one so we make up all these new ones like surfman, MSO pin, PSU pin, Boat Forces, Boat Forces Advanced, Honor guard, Taclet etc, etc, etc... (OK, that was a cheapshot, but I was trying to stir up the debate/pot :D ).

Craig

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Bill,
I think the big difference is that the RAID teams are attached to an Army unit, as opposed to the three cutters were not (If they were and the CAB was available then, the folks would be eligible for it).
Maybe it's just the way I'm reading it, but the CAB seems to have been created for those folks who aren't eligible for a Combat Infantry Badge, but may very well be fighting along side those who are. I base this on the fact that to be eligible for the CAB, you must be attached to a unit that is not eligible for the CIB.

Craig

I agree. The army used to have only the CIB and the Combat Medics badge. However, not everyone who worked with the infantry, such as the RTO, had an infantry MOS so they created the CAB many, many years later. The CIB used to require more than one contact. For some reason, the number five comes to mind, just as with the jump wings.

I'm not familiar with the function of the RAID teams. However, the ELDs (Explosive Loading Detachments -- there were four in Vietnam) were attached to the Army.

Attachment is an iffy problem. A unit or people may be switched around at will. If this was an army operation and frankly I am not sure it wasn't then the cutters would have been attached, even if temporarily, to the army. I certainly saw no navy ships in the area.

I still believe whether attached or not Coast Guard units should follow the CAR rules. The army is notorious about handing things out. Also, I am not sure if the CAB carries the 1 point for the SWE as does the CAR. Are not people being cheated with the CAB if so?

Edit: I looked up a story on the RAID team. http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,051304_RAID,00.html

They are performing the same type of mission the ELDs did in Vietnam except without all that ammunition. See this: http://www.aug.edu/%7Elibwrw/vwar/eld/eld4.htm

[BMC Bill Wilkinson]

I was a member of RAID Team IV. Four of us earned the Combat Action Badge and have the records from the army. I was told that two members from RAID Team III also earned the award. If there are others from later teams, I am not aware of it.

[S/A Gerald Griner (PSC)]

Steve, I went back and checked my archives and the RAID guys were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon."

I'd be interested as well. From what I've heard there have been know CG units involved in combat yet.

I know some from GWI claim it for a SCUD that landed a half mile away. If we got a ribbon every time a rocket (122mm) came in close we'd have a bucket full.

Myself and the ENC had the duty one evening and we got a "Red Alert" message. We fired up both engines and got the other generator on line and singled up the lines.

We then sat on the "tater bin" to watch the show. The 122s began flying by the dozen over mountation for the air base (their usual target) some miles away. However, we watched one sorta fly off course and it hit in a mud bank about 250 meters from us. We just sat there and continued to watch the show. The didn't call Da Nang "Rocket City" for nothin'

The rules were strictly adhered to by our squadron. The navy wasn't always that strict.

We also operated in the clandestine atmosphere a few times with Army Rangers and other groups. I don't think those counted either. I got my CAR in July 1969. We took some fire and as noted, "repressed same." We also engaged in a few dozen gunfire support missions. Many were emergencies where the bad guys were winning.

Bill:

I know we've discussed this before about PSU's and the whether the CAR would have/should have been authorized for GWI.

A total of 86 SCUDS were fired by Iraq at Israel (40) and Saudi Arabia (46) then.

The one that almost hit our port was destroyed overhead by either the Patriot battery on the port or from nearby Dhahran Airbase. There were multiple attacks that night.

The following morning EOD swept the port for debris, recovering some rather large pieces of it. The collar that held the warhead to the rocket (about 60 or 70 pounds worth) had fallen on our galley in our living compound about 100 feet from our barracks. It damaged the roof of the galley and knocked out the early warning siren on the roof.

I saw pictures of a rocket body, mostly intact, being hauled out of the water next to a pier at Al Jubayl.

I don't know how much they weighed, or how much explosive they held, but I read they're about 11 meters long and almost a meter wide.

During the beginning of the airwar, we went to MOPP level 4 for every incoming SCUD. By the time the ground war started, we were running outside to watch "the show" (the Patriot launches to intercept the SCUDS overhead). Unfortunately, the last show I saw was on 25 Feb 91 when the Army barracks got hit and 28 soldiers were killed. We didn't know that one was deadly until several hours later.

Are we deserving of the CAR? I don't know. I know we didn't get it. I'm assuming the Army Patriot battery did.