| Infantry Combat Badge | |
|---|---|
Infantry Combat Badge: Bronze bayonet surrounded by laurel wreath. |
|
| Awarded by Australian Army | |
| Type | Military decoration |
| Eligibility | Members of Royal Australian Infantry Corps |
| Awarded for | The Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) is awarded to serving members of the Australian Army for service as an Infantryman in warlike operations |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Description | Bronze laurel wreath surrounding bayonet |
| Precedence | |
| Equivalent | Army Combat Badge |
The Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) is awarded to members of the Australian Army for service as an Infantryman in warlike operations.
The ICB was first established in July 1970 for recognition of infantry service in battle or on operations, following the decision of the Military Board in January 1970. The role of the infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and to hold ground, to repel attack, by night and day, regardless of season, weather or terrain. The purpose of the ICB is to recognize this unique role and the particular training, skills and hardships attendant upon service as an infantryman. In exceptional circumstances, the ICB may be awarded to members of other corps, where they have qualified for it as infantrymen.[1]
In January 1970, Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Daly KBE, DSO, as the Chief of the General Staff and part of the Military Board, laid the original basis for the ICB. He is recorded in the minutes as saying, "whilst he appreciated the views expressed (in the Military Board) it was to be borne in mind that the proposed badge was meant to be a visible distinction for the infantryman and was not a general combat badge. He said the other corps had their responsibilities and neither their worth nor performance, were in question. However he could not accept that an infantry award should be granted to members of other corps unless they qualified for it as infantrymen."[1]
The Army Combat Badge (ACB) was instituted in 2005 to recognise the service of members of other corps who are posted to a Combat Team or Battle Group engaged in combat operations in an active theatre of operations.[2]
Members of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps who, in an infantry posting as part of an infantry battalion were deployed for, at least, 90 days to an operational area and subsequently awarded the Infantry Combat Badge.[1]