Any RNs with CMBs, CIB or CABs ?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Any RNs out there in allnurses who have earned there Combat Medical Badge ? Combat Infantry Badge or that Combat Action Badge?

Share your experience with me.. on this blog..

I earned my CMB, 2nd award.. first time in Desert Storm I was with the 160th Special Operations Aviation as a teenager.. The 2nd award during Enduring Freedom as a medic with the 76th Infantry. I was an Army medic in the Guard but I worked as a RN, BSN nurse in my civvy job.. I was a NCO..

If you worked as a Army medic in the Guard or Reserve but have your RN and work as a RN and earned your CMB, share your experience, The same goes for the CIB. We might have some infantry soldiers here who are nurses in their civilian job.. or some SF people in the same boat

The CAB.. I have mixed feelings about the CAB.. I saw an army nurse wearing that CAB .. ( combat action badge).. I often wondered what that person did to earn it.. I dont know..

Also, while we are the subject.. Did you earn your CMB, CIB or CAB because you were directly engaging an enemy or because the unit you were with engaged the enemy ? I know that this is a touchy subject and might offend some people who wear the awards who have not engaged directly, while soldiers who do engage directly are awarded the same badge.. Again, a touchy subject?

I am retired now from the Guard, so dont try to pull any rank ! it dont matter !

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I'm an RN in the reserves these days. I earned my CAB in '05 as an MP on Route Irish initially; had a couple other experiences along the way. I also have my EIB and jump wings.

The unit I went to Iraq with actually kicked alot of CAB awards back. If the CABs were referred for only one instance of combat, HHC would stamp "not enough combat experience" and rescind it. I know CIBs that were awarded just for being in the same grid square as an ambush occurred and purple hearts that were awarded because a soldier continued going to sick call until he got the necessary paperwork; there are instances of all awards being abused.

As to your second question: yes. I've never met someone who was touchy about it. The awards are awarded for performing your job successfully while under fire. The 11 series humvee driver may not get to shoot, but he's there doing his job while getting blown up w/ everyone else.

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Specializes in Pediatric Emergency.

I have my CMB. I received it during OEF 03-04. I was a paratrooper with the 1/501 ABN. I was also deployed to Iraq in 05-06 w/ 4/23 stryker brigade. Now I'm 3 months away from getting my BSN. Im currently doing my practicum and my preceptor asks me if i knew how to give an injections or draw blood. I just smile and say, show me how you want me to do it.

I earned my CMB. Kinda hard not to earn one if you were in Khost, Mosul or Bagdad. But if your in the ANC, it's hard to get a CMB/CAB because your jobs to stay on the fob and work at the CSH/FST.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hello Irishman,

Thanks for responding. I was a paratrooper also. I earned my EFMB back in 1990/ Sept with the 75th Rangers at HAAF. I retired back in Jan 11. Its also good to know that there are other soldiers who work as RNs in their civilian job and do something other than being a RN in the military. I was a medic, I was a good medic , so why rock the boat..

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery / ENT / Head & Neck Surgery.

CIB, was 11B before getting out and getting my RN. Earned it in Iraq (2003-2004). Myself and one other are the only living people from my old squad. Finishing up my BSN now and looking to go into the Guard or Reserve as an RN. I am finding this a difficult task though, you'd think the military would welcome someone back with open arms but there seems to be much more involved nowadays. If I do eventually get in, I'm sure I'll be the only RN at my unit with a CIB, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, Mountain Warfare and Bronze Star with Valor. Doubt I'd wear anything on my uniform unless it was required though, that was me then, not me now.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
If I do eventually get in, I'm sure I'll be the only RN at my unit with a CIB, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, Mountain Warfare and Bronze Star with Valor. Doubt I'd wear anything on my uniform unless it was required though, that was me then, not me now.

You will be a rarity, I'm sure, but I have seen a few RNs sporting a "tower of power," pretty sure they were prior service. Good luck in getting selected -- it is so very competitive these days, but I would think being prior service would help you greatly when you are able to apply. The Army is requiring two years of nursing experience for Active Duty applicants at this point, and I believe 6 months of experience for Reserves. Strange days...

Edited to add: but duhhh, it looks like you already have nursing experience, just getting the BSN? I did the same thing. :)

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