WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 17, 2008) -- Army units that have been deployed in support of combat operations now have a new way to be recognized: the Combat Action Streamer.
Secretary of the Army Pete Geren approved creation of the CAS on Oct. 13, for units that have served or are serving in a theater of combat operations. The award is retroactive to Sept. 18, 2001 for units meeting the criteria.
If 65 percent or more of the Soldiers in a unit have been awarded the combat action badge, then that unit can display the CAS with its distinctive flag or guidon. The qualifying percentage is based on the unitAca,!a,,cs authorized strength, Human Resource Command officials said.
For the war on terrorism, only one streamer will be authorized per unit, regardless of the number of times a unit deploys, or whether it deploys to Iraq and Afghanistan, HRC officials said.
In the future, a streamer will be awarded to a unit for each separate war or military operation in which the criteria for the award have been met., officials said.
Commanders of battalions, groups, regiments and brigades are authorized to award the CAS to companies under their commands. The award can be made during the period of military operations against an armed enemy and for one year thereafter,
During the same period, commanding generals of divisions, corps, and armies are authorized to award Combat Action Streamers to separate platoons, detachments, battalions, groups, regiments and brigades under their command when all criteria are met.
Requirements and restrictions for displaying streamers are governed by chapter 9, Army Regulation 840-10, Flags, Guidon, Streamers, Tabards, and Automobile and Aircraft Plates, November 1, 1998. Other regulations containing award criteria are AR 600 -8-22, Military Awards, Dec. 11, 2006 and AR 870-5, Military History: Responsibilities, Policies, and Procedures, September 21, 2007.
Units are encouraged to plan and execute ceremonies for the awarding of the CAS, Army officials said, adding that they can also ask the surrounding community, including the local media, to join in the ceremony.
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