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Female Recipient Of Combat Medical Badge


seanmc1114
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I don't think I have ever seen a female recipient of the Combat Medical Badge. I wonder how many there have been.

 

Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii and also a member of the Hawaiian National Guard. She has served two tours of duty in Iraq. The following photo as well as her wikipedia biography show that she is a recipient of the CMB.

 

Her bio states that during her first tour she was a field medical unit as a specialist with a 29th Support Battalion medical company and during her second tour she was a military police platoon leader with the the 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. I assume the CMB was earned during her first tour.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsi_Gabbard#Military_service_.282004.E2.80.93present.29

 

 

 

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ocsfollowme

I was in a BSB so I think I have a little understanding into this. In order to get the combat medical badge, she needs to be a combat medic MOS. So I think she was prior service before she went officer in the MP world. Right?

 

But yes, I know of a handful of female medics that came through our BSB that had CABs, and CMBs. I am not sure that I had ever seen an officer with a CMB that was not prior service (exception of PAs and Docs)

 

Plus, she is wearing the good conduct award...which proves my case.

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I was in a BSB so I think I have a little understanding into this. In order to get the combat medical badge, she needs to be a combat medic MOS. So I think she was prior service before she went officer in the MP world. Right?

 

But yes, I know of a handful of female medics that came through our BSB that had CABs, and CMBs. I am not sure that I had ever seen an officer with a CMB that was not prior service (exception of PAs and Docs)

 

Plus, she is wearing the good conduct award...which proves my case.

 

 

According to: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Apr/20/ln/ln29a.html

 

She served in a: "Gabbard Tamayo said she will have an administrative position with the medical command, where Takai, a captain, serves as a preventive medical officer."

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I was in a BSB so I think I have a little understanding into this. In order to get the combat medical badge, she needs to be a combat medic MOS. So I think she was prior service before she went officer in the MP world. Right?

 

But yes, I know of a handful of female medics that came through our BSB that had CABs, and CMBs. I am not sure that I had ever seen an officer with a CMB that was not prior service (exception of PAs and Docs)

 

Plus, she is wearing the good conduct award...which proves my case.

 

Yes. Her bio states she was a medical specialist assigned to a medical company of the 29th Infantry Brigade Support Battalion during her first tour. I'm assuming that was in an enlisted status. After that tour, I assume she was commissioned and then transitioned her branch to Military Police.

 

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From her bio, "While on a rest-and-relaxation tour in August 2005, she presented Hawaii's condolences to the government of London regarding the 7/7 terrorist attacks.[24] She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at the end of this tour"

 

 

Daggone...I joined the wrong branch. Should have enlisted in the NG... :D

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, a Hawai'i National Guard and Army Reserve soldier with the 29th Brigade Combat Team, is on a yearlong deployment to Iraq. This is her account of a trip she took to London while on R&R. Her report is one in an occasional series The Advertiser will publish from citizen soldiers.

Aloha from London.

I've been in Iraq for the past six months with the 29th Brigade Combat Team. My turn for R&R came up, and though it was a really tough choice not to come home, I decided to take my vacation in Europe — less travel time to get here and also an awesome learning experience.

But also, after the terrorist attacks in London, I felt compelled to visit here and pay my respects on my way back to Iraq. I contacted Mayor Mufi Hannemann to see if he'd like to make a proclamation of condolences that I could present on behalf of the people of Hawai'i, and he was happy to do it under very short notice.

While London's Mayor Livingstone was unable to meet with me personally, I was able to present Honolulu's proclamation to his manager of international affairs, Susannah Pickering-Saqqa. I also had the opportunity to sign a message in the Book of Condolences, extending Hawai'i's heartfelt respects and warmest aloha.

The room was very quiet as I signed and it was really quite a heavy moment — thinking about the terrible feeling of loss the people of London are experiencing, the fight that is ongoing every day in Iraq against these insurgent terrorists, the losses we have felt in Hawai'i, and how best to convey all of these emotions in a short written message.

And, yes, I have been riding the "tube" and buses all over the city — and they are always crowded. So even though there is definitely heightened awareness and probably a greater sense of fear, people here seem to be happy and upbeat, and are going about business as usual.

I have had a very nice R&R traveling through Europe, but for me, to be here in London to pay my respects in person has been the highlight of my trip and the perfect ending to my vacation. As a proud local girl, former state representative and a soldier fighting against terrorism in Iraq, this was truly an honor and a treasured experience. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Tamayo, 23, a former state representative, has the rank of specialist with a 29th Support Battalion medical company.

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According to: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Apr/20/ln/ln29a.html

 

She served in a: "Gabbard Tamayo said she will have an administrative position with the medical command, where Takai, a captain, serves as a preventive medical officer."

 

That does seem to change things a little if she did in fact serve in a medical administrative position rather than a medical position in direct support of an infantry unit engaged in combat.

 

And I would be very interested to read the citation of a Meritorious Service Medal awarded to a Specialist with less than three years in the Army at the time.

 

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Here is the article.Seems this was taken on her oath of enlistment.Things/MOS may have changed or the paper didnt get the complete story.We know that never happens with news papers..........

 

 

ln29a.jpg State Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, right, takes the oath of enlistment into the Hawai'i Army National Guard. She was sworn in by Col. Lon Paresa, left, as her parents, Mike and Carol Gabbard, looked on in the state House chambers Friday.

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Gabbard Tamayo, D-42nd (Waipahu, Honouliuli, 'Ewa), took the oath of enlistment into the Hawai'i Army National Guard on the House floor Friday.

 

"In history, some generations have been given everything, and now in this generation where there's a war on terrorism, I'm honored to have the opportunity to give something. ... I promise my constituents that my service to the military will not in any way get in the way of my serving them," said Gabbard Tamayo, 22.

Gabbard Tamayo will undergo nine weeks of basic training in Texas beginning June 2, a month after the Legislature adjourns.

Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Pearl City, Newtown, Royal Summit), is also in the National Guard and has been serving for four years.

Gabbard Tamayo said she will have an administrative position with the medical command, where Takai, a captain, serves as a preventive medical officer.

Both representatives are the only legislators serving in the Hawai'i National Guard, Takai said.

"I think it's even more so important that people in the Legislature and people close to state government have an opportunity to do this because it provides a perspective much wider than the role we serve as state lawmakers," Takai said.

Gabbard Tamayo's parents, Mike and Carol Gabbard, stood by with smiles on their faces as Col. Lon Paresa, who also serves as House assistant sergeant at arms, swore in the representative.

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Here is the article.Seems this was taken on her oath of enlistment.Things/MOS may have changed or the paper didnt get the complete story.We know that never happens with news papers..........

 

Yep. If anything, props to her for joining...a vast majority have never served and she volunteered when she didn't have to and had plenty of excuses not to. Credit to her!

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When we RIPd 3rd ACR in Diyala in 2008, the battery we replaced had 3 female medics. These medics, due to shortages were sent to that battery as their medics and served as such. I never got to meet any of them as their unit left within a day or two of us arriving to RIP them. As such, I never got to see if any of them had CMBs. We also had a mobile chow hall at our COP which had a staff of 3 female cooks for the duration of our tour.

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  • 4 weeks later...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jill Stevens 220px-SgtJill.jpg
Jill Stevens, combat medic and Miss Utah 2007
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch Army National Guard Years of service 2001-Present Rank Sergeant Unit 1st Bat­tal­ion, 211th Avi­a­tion Reg­i­ment Battles/wars Afghanistan War Jill Stevens Beauty pageant titleholder 220px-Jill_Stevens.jpg Education Southern Utah University Hair color Blonde Eye color Blue Title(s) Miss Davis County 2007
Miss Utah 2007 Major
competition(s) Miss America 2008 (Top 16)

Jill Stevens is Miss Utah 2007. She was chosen as Miss Southern Utah University and Miss Davis County. She is a combat medic in the Utah Army National Guard and served as a medic during an 18-month tour in Afghanistan in 2004-2005 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.[1]

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stevens grew up in Utah's Davis County. Her mother is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Stevens joined the Army National Guard six months before 9/11.[2] In November 2003, Jill was deployed to Afghanistan, returning home in April 2005. She has earned 5 medals for her outstanding service, and was the first female finisher of the inaugural Afghanistan Marathon,[3] making a total of 12 marathons she has completed together with earning the highest Fitness award during Army Basic Training. In representing the Army National Guard, Sergeant Stevens recently[when?] addressed Generals from 40 different nations gathered at Hill Air Force Base.

In addition to her U.S. military service, Jill graduated summa cum laude from the Nursing program at Southern Utah University on a four-year leadership scholarship. She placed 3rd in the Cinco De Mayo Sailboat Regatta in Mexico as well as being chosen one of four women for the "Women of Strength" featured in Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine September/October 2007 issue. Additionally, Jill has been a fitness instructor for Gold's Gym for several years, as well as a bread baker for Great Harvest. Possibly one of her most unusual experiences was her unexpected experience in becoming Miss Utah 2007 and subsequent competition in the Miss America Pageant in January 2008. On January 26, 2008, Sgt Stevens was named the "America's Choice" semi-finalist in the Miss America 2008 pageant. This was the first time a 16th semi-finalist was named in the competition, and the only semi-finalist not to be selected by the judges. Jill was eliminated after the swimsuit competition along with five other semi-finalists. She was the only contestant to wear a one-piece swimsuit.[4] When her name was announced she dropped to the stage and started doing push-ups.

Stevens has now joined the MormonTimes.com racing team.[5]

Jill married Kerry Shepherd in January 2009.[6]

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  • 3 years later...

I spent 22 years in the Army Medical Department and I have serious concerns that she didn't qualify for the award. There are a couple of reasons for my concern. First, in order to earn a CMB you must hold a medical MOS/SSI. I've checked numerous biographical source and not a single one identifies herself as a medic. They all refer to her as a "specialist", which is a rank and not a job title. Anyone who served as a medic would identify themselves as that. Second, they all say she was assigned to the 29th Support Battalion medical unit, which I guess was either a Forward Support Medical Company or Main Support Medical Company. In either case, to earn the CMB you must be assigned in direct medical support of a combat unit of company size or smaller. These units support combat brigades. If anyone has any luck identifying her medical specialty I would love to hear what it is. Until then I consider her guilty of stolen valor.

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DocCollector1441

The requirements for the CMB were changed in 2004. Now to receive the CMB you must be in the 68 Series MOS (It can be any 68 series MOS) and be present when receiving hostile fire while serving in a medical position within an Infantry or Armored Brigade Combat Team or smaller. This has lead to several medics, including females, and allied healthcare soldiers to receiving the CMB for being on FOBs during IDF attacks.

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  • 4 weeks later...

The requirements for the CMB were changed in 2004. Now to receive the CMB you must be in the 68 Series MOS (It can be any 68 series MOS) and be present when receiving hostile fire while serving in a medical position within an Infantry or Armored Brigade Combat Team or smaller. This has lead to several medics, including females, and allied healthcare soldiers to receiving the CMB for being on FOBs during IDF attacks.

WoW!! That kind of diminishes the badge, in my opinion. So you could be a 68E, Dental Specialist, and receive the CMB?

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What bothers me is that someone joins the forum, one week later posts one response accusing a recipient of stolen valor for an award DocCollector1441 proves was respectfully earned, then this user hasn't logged on since making this one post. That is ridiculous.

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The requirements for the CMB were changed in 2004. Now to receive the CMB you must be in the 68 Series MOS (It can be any 68 series MOS) and be present when receiving hostile fire while serving in a medical position within an Infantry or Armored Brigade Combat Team or smaller. This has lead to several medics, including females, and allied healthcare soldiers to receiving the CMB for being on FOBs during IDF attacks.

Had one of our medics get the CMB while he was on Balad. He got it because they were taking mortar fire, and while doing so a dude caught a piece of shrapnel in the chest which caused a sucking chest wound. Doc threw on a candy wrapper that was large enough to create a valve to save the guys life.

 

 

WoW!! That kind of diminishes the badge, in my opinion. So you could be a 68E, Dental Specialist, and receive the CMB?

But you're probably thinking that diminishes the badge....

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Had one of our medics get the CMB while he was on Balad. He got it because they were taking mortar fire, and while doing so a dude caught a piece of shrapnel in the chest which caused a sucking chest wound. Doc threw on a candy wrapper that was large enough to create a valve to save the guys life.

 

 

 

But you're probably thinking that diminishes the badge....

 

What are you talking about? He was a medic that saved a life under fire, totally different from what I was talking about.I was a Medic in the AF(90250) and the Army(91A).

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What are you talking about? He was a medic that saved a life under fire, totally different from what I was talking about.I was a Medic in the AF(90250) and the Army(91A).

 

I must have misread your post, because you said that docs on a FOB diminish the badge? Thank you for your service, and I hope you'll understand my ire a bit because we love our docs. I would go to the ends of the earth for mine, and your statement struck a chord.

 

I know you were reacting to what doc said, but the guys we replaced in Iraq (I believe 2 SCR) had female medics as their platoon medics because they were the only ones available to roll out. They did their job as combat medics just the same as anyone else from what they were saying. I guess looking at doc's initial statement, he also referenced 'allied healthcare' soldiers. You know your field better than I do, but if they're doing medical work under fire (not dental, that I can't get behind), or assisting with casualty care, I see no issues.

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I must have misread your post, because you said that docs on a FOB diminish the badge? Thank you for your service, and I hope you'll understand my ire a bit because we love our docs. I would go to the ends of the earth for mine, and your statement struck a chord.

 

I know you were reacting to what doc said, but the guys we replaced in Iraq (I believe 2 SCR) had female medics as their platoon medics because they were the only ones available to roll out. They did their job as combat medics just the same as anyone else from what they were saying. I guess looking at doc's initial statement, he also referenced 'allied healthcare' soldiers. You know your field better than I do, but if they're doing medical work under fire (not dental, that I can't get behind), or assisting with casualty care, I see no issues.

NO Problem. I remember seeing female Medics up at Drum with CMB's.I thought that was awesome, mostly med-Evac crews.When I was stationed at Clark we had a Doctor (O-6) with a CMB. He had a chest full of ribbons from Vietnam.I was in from 82-88 so still a lot of Vietnam vets.

Take care brother

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NO Problem. I remember seeing female Medics up at Drum with CMB's.I thought that was awesome, mostly med-Evac crews.When I was stationed at Clark we had a Doctor (O-6) with a CMB. He had a chest full of ribbons from Vietnam.I was in from 82-88 so still a lot of Vietnam vets.

Take care brother

 

Right on man :)

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DocCollector1441

So when I say allied healthcare workers, I had a buddy in one of my units that was a Medical Lab Specialist when he deployed attached to the 82nd Airborne and he received his CMB. He never provided direct patient care, but obviously his work certainly contributed to the long term success of saving many soldiers' lives.

 

Its a fine line between the badges original intent (to recognize those that provided medical care under fire) and its original requirements (to provide care under fire while in an infantry regiment). With the change in battlefield dynamics that has occurred since WWII, it has become apparent that those serving in the medical field in clinical specialties will still be exposed to some level of combat. It may not be a firefight, but completing their job to ensure soldiers receive the best care possible under mortar fire is still no easy, be it completing lab tests, obtaining x-rays, or even providing dental care. Without those aspects of healthcare the long term prognosis for our soldiers would be grim.

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I spent 22 years in the Army Medical Department and I have serious concerns that she didn't qualify for the award. There are a couple of reasons for my concern. First, in order to earn a CMB you must hold a medical MOS/SSI. I've checked numerous biographical source and not a single one identifies herself as a medic. They all refer to her as a "specialist", which is a rank and not a job title. Anyone who served as a medic would identify themselves as that. Second, they all say she was assigned to the 29th Support Battalion medical unit, which I guess was either a Forward Support Medical Company or Main Support Medical Company. In either case, to earn the CMB you must be assigned in direct medical support of a combat unit of company size or smaller. These units support combat brigades. If anyone has any luck identifying her medical specialty I would love to hear what it is. Until then I consider her guilty of stolen valor.

 

DrMink, whomever you are, you have not posted since this comment.

 

We do not levy a charge of "stolen valor" on here about anyone without anything to substantiate it more than just missing or incomplete information.

 

While you may of had a service career of 22 years, in the current environment soldiers are encouraged not to post the details of their military service on-line and especially in open source material.

 

Should you consider continuing to post on this forum, please consider this a caution warning about making personal statements that you cannot back up.

It is especially onerous to see a veteran question and criticize the military service of another veteran without further evidence.

 

I will note for the rest of our readers that 1LT Tamayo is a politician and, as such, has political enemies that have freely criticized her on the internet. Please take such comments with a grain of salt.

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  • 1 year later...

I know that people with 91 MOS and 67/68 SSI (It has been a few years and know some of this has changed) are eligible and as someone said they have to be directly in support of combat operations. I'd be glad to post the criteria but I get security warnings everytime I go to a military site. Anyone want to share one? Here is what wiki says and it really doesn't seem to be very specific. I know if I was a combat medic assigned to medical unit I'd brag to high heaven. This is amazingly vague. Like I said, if you have proof post it. I'm only posted it because it was a little hinky. Don't shoot the messenger. I'd love to see what her MOS was and I'd be fine. I can't find it anywhere.

 

As for a woman getting one, that was never my issue. I didn't start the discussion.

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Like anything tied to the military, the rules for such awards are as convoluted as can be.

 

https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Combat%20Medical%20Badge%20CMB

 

Q4: Can Soldiers in Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 68W (Medic) who are assigned to a Brigade Support Battalion and are engaged by the enemy be recommended for a CAB, or would they be eligible for the CMB?

A4: A medical Soldier, who is assigned, attached, or under operational control (OPCON) on official orders to a unit that would make him eligible for the CMB, is not eligible to be awarded the CAB. A Brigade Support Battalion is a "service support" unit and is not combat arms. Medical Soldiers assigned to the unit are not eligible for the CMB. They may be awarded the CAB. If the same Soldiers are further attached or OPCON on official orders to a combat arms unit they can be awarded the CMB at that time and they can no longer be considered for the CAB.

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