Deserving the Same Recognition and Respect
Abstract
On 14 April 2005, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and LTG David Barno, the senior U.S. commander and senior Army officer in Afghanistan at a townhall meeting with the troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan showed poor leadership. In particular, the Secretary of Defense demonstrated his usual style of leadership, a very confident (almost arrogant) performance. The Secretary of Defense's actions probably left the Soldiers wondering why they were pulled away from their duties. What led to this unacceptable behavior was a question originated by a young female MP Specialist from the 133rd Airborne who addressed a question to the Secretary of Defense regarding why MPs were not considered for the Close Combat Badge. The Secretary of Defense immediately responded, " ...you are wondering what?" The young Soldier asked again why MPs were not considered for the Close Combat Badge. This time the Secretary of Defense turned to LTG Barno and asked, ''what is the answer?" LTG Barno responded with our Army leadership's decision that the Close Combat Badge would only be awarded to thoseunits designated to fight as infantry. In other words, those Soldiers trained to be full-time infantrymen, not artillerymen or engineers. The Close Combat Badge (CCB) has not been extended to field artillery, armor, engineers, or combat support. This is the current position on awarding the Close Combat Badge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 2005
- Accession Number
- AD1140084
Entities
People
- Efren Ordaz
- Enrique Sanchez
Organizations
- United States Army Sergeants Major Academy