Sailors Get Guidance on Combat Ribbon

Sailors who served in combat with Army units and subsequently have earned that service’s Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) and Combat Medical Badge (CMB) since the war on terror began in September 2001 now have new guidance regarding the sea service’s equivalent to the devices. NAVADMIN 152/08, released May 29, outlines the rules governing the conversion of the Army badges to the Navy’s Combat Action Ribbon. The changes also apply to sailors who earn the Air Force’s Combat Action Medal. In short, conversion is not automatic; sailors must request it, and approval is up to the chief of naval operations. Criteria for conversions vary widely. More details are available at the Navy Personnel Center’s awards site, on the Web at https://awards.navy.mil.