I must have a different perspective here. Avoiding the promotion point issue which is a valid argument, I kept my CMB. Both are earned in combat and if you have been on an ODA in combat and received one then there is and should be a great since of pride in having one. An 18D has not only the responsibility of serving as the "shooter" which everyone loves to say but the added duty of saving everyone else’s "shooter ass". (Ok I know self-aid, buddy aid, and medic aid but we get the idea right) For previous combat arms folks with those skill sets then think of what you have to offer to the team.
Without getting into semantics, both awards are the same in SF. Think of past conflicts and those medics such as the 29th ID at D Day, Korea, and Vietnam. Those patching wounded carried one hell of burden and where part of the assault. The rush to convert to CIB seemed a bit like poor follow through with a shot group. The award is distinct, shows you earned it early in the GWOT and hell, if you’re not getting out, the next authorization period outside of GWOT will authorize you a CIB. You can wear both with distinction!
"Do no Harm....To friendlies"
