Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Since 1970, the ICB has been awarded to recognise service as an infantry soldier on war-like operations.
Photo illustration by Pte John Wellfare, Army newspaper

ICB eligibility tightened by infantry corps
Original intent of badge to be preserved

By Lt-Col Michael Long
REVISIONS have been made to the policy on awarding the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) to clarify eligibility issues.

Infantry Head of Corps Brig Chris Appleton said the revision was sparked by the increased operational tempo of the past few years.

"A lot of people have heard the odd angry shot in recent years - in Somalia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Bougainville, Timor and many smaller operations, as well as in recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

Describing the purpose of the ICB and defining the strict exceptional provisions for the award to non-infantry corps members are the key improvements in the revised Army policy.

"The ICB recognises the combination of infantry training and service in an infantry unit on warlike operations.

"That's what Lt-Gen Sir Tom Daly intended when he approved the ICB in 1970, and that's the intent that the CA is preserving."

Brig Appleton said the revised policy maintained the basic principles for the ICB, which have not changed since 1970.

"[The requirements] are: for service as an infantryman, in an infantry posting, in an infantry unit, and for a specified period (usually 90 days) on warlike operations.

"These basic principles and [then CGS] Lt-Gen Tom Daly's intent are still the key factors when considering ICB applications for non-infantry corps members."

The revised policy allows the award to non-infantry personnel who have met the requirements above, if their service has been indistinguishable from that of an infantryman and if the individual has completed a course of infantry training approved by CO School of Infantry.

Unit COs are the approving authority for RAInf members, but only the Infantry Head of Corps may consider awards of the ICB to non-Infantry personnel.

The only current operation leading to the award of the ICB is Op Bastille, in which the infantry platoon of Secdet in Baghdad is entitled.

The entitlement to the ICB for infantry service in East Timor ceased on August 18, 2003, when operations there were reclassified "non-warlike" to reflect the improving conditions.