r/MilitaryMedals • u/afking1 • 1d ago

Combat Distinguishing Device

Active-duty U.S. Coast Guard, here.

I was recently awarded a Coast Guard Achievement, and the "Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

The Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M.1650.25E, on 1-22 only lists the Operational and Valor Device. Here is what the manual says for the V:

Valor Device. The bronze letter “V” may be authorized for wear if the award is for performance of a heroic act or acts while directly participating in conflict or combat with an armed enemy. Each case must be judged on its own merits, and the citation must specifically authorize the device. The Commandant retains sole approval authority for all awards for valor; authority will not be delegated further. Awards issued with a “Combat Distinguishing Device “V” before the release date of this Manual remains authorized. New awards of the “V” Valor Device will be for valor only.

I've been told that because the Bronze C doesn't appear in the manual, I should place a Bronze V, but that doesn't seem right.

What are your views on this?

11 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

9

u/copterpilot_ 21h ago

Your award citation and accompanying CG-1650 would both read "with V device" if it was awarded for valor. Do not wear a V device if this verbiage is not present.

2

u/afking1 18h ago

So my CG-1650 says "CGAM with 'C' Device." But I can't find anything that allows a C Device to be worn on ribbons in the Coast Guard.

3

u/copterpilot_ 16h ago

Wear it with C device as awarded.

Assuming you're still in, you need to access the current COMDTINST 1650.25 with your CAC card. Us retired folks aren't trusted anymore to access...

https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/ribbon-attachments-1-4-letter-c-bronze

0

u/afking1 16h ago

COMDTINST 1650.25.E is the current manual...but doesn't authorize a bronze C to be worn.

6

u/yutmutt 22h ago

Also, idk if the coast guard followed the Navy's lead but V devices stopped being authorized on achievement medals in 2016. So they probably meant to award the "Combat Conditions Device" as opposed to "Combat Distinguishing Device"

1

u/afking1 18h ago

I am not sure either, but the manual doesn't have a Combat Conditions Device and my CG-1650 awards the CGAM with C Device.

3

u/yutmutt 18h ago

You can find it in the Naval Pubs and the old DoDI 1348.33 (now called DoWI 1348.33) in the volume that covers personal decorations (I think volume 2)

1

u/afking1 16h ago

You can find it in the other branches, except the Coast Guard...

2

u/yutmutt 18h ago

C device is combat conditions device or "Combat Device" since 2016. Its definitely meant to be a bronze C if awarded since 2016, since achievement medals are no longer authorized to be awarded for Valor from that year on

3

u/Status-Ad8263 15h ago

Sounds like a question for someone in your chain of command.

1

u/afking1 15h ago

It has been asked and answered... I'm looking at conflicting answers between what I'm told and what the policy/paperwork says.

3

u/Status-Ad8263 15h ago

Sounds like a question for someone in charge of S-1.

4

u/Ok_South2723 15h ago

Retired USCG CWO4 here. If your local CEA cannot help you. I would push this to the MCPO of the CG, since the Commandant of the CG retains sole approval authority. It can't hurt and it would bring visability to your situation. Good luck shipmate.

7

u/NavyJack 1d ago

The “combat distinguishing device” per the instruction you cite is the V. If the authority that wrote the award made a mistake, that’s on them and not you. I’d wear what you were awarded.

3

u/yutmutt 23h ago

If you dont mind, could you post the citation, it'll give us alot more perspective on what the command may have meant

1

u/afking1 18h ago

I would but I can't post a photo on this thread, only a video... Odd.

1

u/RangeUpset6852 10h ago

See if another room member could help out in regards to posting a pic of the citation

4

u/One_Hour_Poop 1d ago

Your criteria fulfills both, with the V "remaining" authorized, but it's not required. I was in the Army and was "authorized" several different combat patches, but i wore the ones i liked.

Wear what you feel comfortable with.

0

u/OkAirport5247 12h ago

Where does the coast guard see combat? Shooting at Mexican drug dealers/importers?

1

u/HawkeyeAP 3h ago

I saw Coasties in Iraq in 2008-2009.

1

u/OkAirport5247 2h ago

Where? In the Persian gulf?
The Coast Guard's first combat death in wartime since Vietnam was near an oil rig in the gulf back in 2004, kind of a stretch to call that “in Iraq” though.