The Task Force supporting me in my AO is a Field Artilery TF. It consist of 2 FA companies that are used as infantry and 1 company/battery of support/fire support. These guys routinely patrol mounted and dismounted in search of contact with the insurgents. They perform about 80% of the security/cordon forces and 100% of QRF for my DA missions while advising my Iraqi counterparts. This task force has 1 platoon of infantry, all of which recieved a CIB for thier tour here. The Artillery guys that worked side by side with this infantry platoon did not recive a CIB, although performed the same duties.
I wear a CIB as well and dont want that to be freely handed out. The guys supporting my operations here, do the job of infantry but dont quailify for a CIB. I think this type of award, if given for troops commited to ground combat while not qualified as infantrymen is warranted. Sure it will be abused, but so has the CIB in the past, both in my time and most of yours. Honestly, I know several guys that still wear their EIB because it signifies more to them having earned it than simply beign awarded one for being in theater as an 11 series.
mp