The Monkey God

:cheers: Doc. Not like the Marines, then were you don`t know what trade you`ll be doing till after you`ve finished your training. If you did transfer from infantry to medic, and `won` the CIB & then the CMB, could you then wear both, or do you have to choose which one you`d wear? :unsure:

Guys, Can anyone explain to me, how the US infantry trade system works? By that I mean does a `joe`, join as a rifleman, then become a medic, or is there a totally seperate trade for medics within the US army? :unsure:

:cheers: Sivart, again makes sense. What about the marines, they get a combat ribbon, I believe. What does a Corpsman get?

Hi Sivart, Both your replies were very interesting!! I had a feeling that the issueing of these awards,might in fact boil down to who you had in charge of you at the time. Like all medals & awards, only the person wearing them knows whether they earned them or not, at the end of the day!! I`m sure you`ll agree. I`d very much like to hear your opinion of CMB issued to medics who attended post IED, and basically cleared up the mess , would they be entitled or not do you think?

I seem to recall that there were some British Officers, in Baghdad in 2005 doing some sort of training with/for the Iraqi`s who were awarded this medal. But there must have only been a handful of them at most. Hope this helps?

Hi Doc, thanks again for your reply, it makes perfect sense. Given what you`ve said, I can only assume that they would have qualified for CIB, and any medics `might` have got a CMB as well, the DOD report states.... "when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. They were also attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire"......... How long however, the contact with the enemy lasted I don`t know.

Cheers guys, interesting this whole ethos thing with regards to CIB/CMB/CAB, in days of old where US forces were engaged againest a set piece enemy, it all seemed to be cut and ry. But now with the current circumstances in Iraq & Afghanistan, well maybe not so much Afghanistan as the Taliban seem to be still standing and fighting, but I digress. What I`m trying to say is that a unit could deploy to Iraq, never see an insurgent, but getting to the max day after day, I assume then that none of them would qualify for any of these awards. The reason I make this point, is that I recently read an account of an IED attack, were a guy was awarded a purple heart, on the citation it said, `for wounds recieved in action` but it could be argued that the action lasted less than a few seconds. If they were recieved in action as stated in the citation, it would be interesting to know if he got a CIB? If so did the rest of his squad who were uninjuried get CIBs as well, did the medics who arrived shortly afterwards, treated and evacuated him get CMBs?

Thanks Doc, that was most informative. I have one more question, if I may. The incident in question was an IED attack, on a convoy. Would this have also qualified the troops present for CIB/CMB/CAB, or would such awards be issued/awarded, at the end of the tour for participation in the tour in general?

Thanks for your reply Doc. So an incident resulting in 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars & 4 ARCOMs, wouldn`t happen everyday then?

Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me whether its common practice to award the Bronze Star & the Purple Heart to the fallen in Iraq?

Thanks Huck, you`ve been a great help.

Hi Huck, So no for ground crew, again it makes sense. But going back to the army, was it infantryonly or would German medics,engineers & the like have been awarded it?

Now that is interesting!!! I assume then that the ground crew would also be eligable for the award?

Thanks Elvis, thats very interesting. Shame they don`t give out the iron cross any more, as it pre dates WW2, but I suppose people still connect it with the nazis?

Thanks Huck, that makes sense. I assume then in order to qualify you had to have been involved in the `operation` in some roll, but not necessarily, engaged in `combat`. This would explain why Himmler awarded himself the award in gold?

Thanks for all your replies guys!! :cheers:

Hi Guys, Can anyone enlighten me as to why units, who deploy on OIF, turn to deploy as MPs, even if there unit is something else,like infantry or engineers. Are there any units in the US military that are MPs, or do they just form these type of unit ad hoc? Can anyone shine any light on this for me?

Hi Guys, Can anyone clarify for me the criteria for the anti-partisan bagde. I know it was awarded for `days combat`, but how did they define days combat, as surely the partisans wouldn`t stand and fight for days on end, they`d have used hit and run tactics, very much like the insurgents in Iraq of today? The troops might spend days weeks or months before ever seeing a partisan surely, if ever seeing one/some at all? Anyone any ideas?

I believe in days of old, the Saxon Lords, used to cut the `bits` off counterfieters, now theres a deterant if ever I heard one!!!! :rolleyes:

This seems to becoming a `hot` topic pardon the pun. Are you guys aware of this news letter? http://www.coinauthentication.co.uk/CCNindex.html

:jumping: Thats cracking thanks very much indeed!!!!! :cheers:

Sorry but thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Talking of 1907, I picked this up earlier today, paid less than ?100 for it so I think I`ve had a bargain?

Hi Guys, I believe that Edward VII was a Grand Master, when he was the Prince of Wales. Are there any pictures of him in his full regalia?

Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me what if any awards Germany currently issues to its troops, for act of heroism, etc. Do they still have the Iron Cross? With Germany being deployed in Afghanistan, has any of their soldiers won any awards?