Combat Action Ribbon Submissions

CAR Eligibility per SECNAV M-1650.1 Appendix 2C

The CAR is governed by SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Appendix 2C, not Appendix 2B.SECNAV M-1650.1 App 2C MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J Chapter 7 carries the Marine Corps implementation. Both apply.

The principal eligibility criterion per paragraph 2C.1.c.(2). The individual must have rendered satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or surface combat engagement.

Grade limit. O-6 and below.

No time limit applies per paragraph 1A.3. A Marine submitting a CAR years after the qualifying act remains eligible if the documentation supports the case.

IED Criteria per Paragraph 2C.1.c.(3)(a)

Retroactive to 7 October 2001, three IED-related conditions count as active participation in a ground or surface engagement, with or without the immediate presence of enemy forces.

1. Direct exposure to the detonation of an enemy IED, mine, or scatterable munition.
2. Direct action taken to disable, render safe, or destroy an active enemy-emplaced IED, mine, or scatterable munition while in the immediate proximity of the weapon and at increased risk from the anticipated detonation effects.
3. Engagement with an active IED, mine, or scatterable munition. "Active" means having both a main or explosive charge and a functional fuzing or triggering mechanism.

Caches not emplaced for detonation do not satisfy the criterion. Marking a suspected mine or IED does not satisfy. Remote mine clearing or direct fire to neutralize from outside the anticipated blast area does not satisfy.

What Automatically Qualifies and What Does Not

Per paragraph 2C.1.c.(3).

• Being awarded a PMD for valor automatically qualifies the Marine for the CAR.
• Being awarded the PH does NOT automatically qualify for the CAR.
• A PMD with the "C" device alone does NOT automatically qualify.
• Mere exposure to enemy fire or threat of enemy fire does NOT qualify.
• Indirect fire alone does NOT qualify unless the Marine actively engaged the enemy in retaliatory counter-fire.
• Clandestine or special operations restricted in their ability to return fire may qualify when conditions carried great risk of encountering enemy fire.

Aerial Flight Exclusion

The CAR is NOT awarded in connection with aerial flight per paragraph 2C.1.c.(3)(f). The Strike or Flight Air Medal recognizes exposure to and participation in combat involving aerial flight. A pilot or aircrew member forced down and required to escape or evade may be eligible for the CAR if the ground or surface combat criteria are otherwise met.

Designated Operations and Areas

Per paragraph 2C.2, the CAR is approved under delegated authority only for combat actions taking place within operations or areas specifically designated by SECNAV.SECNAV M-1650.1 2C.2 See Table 8 in SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 for previously designated operations. Authority to approve the CAR is delegated explicitly in writing and is not inherent in any general delegation to approve awards.

A CAR submitted for an engagement in a non-designated operation routes through Chapter 8 procedures or fails outright.

Three Items the Package Must Establish

1. The hostile engagement occurred in a SECNAV-designated operation.
2. The Marine was present and participated actively.
3. The Marine performed satisfactorily under fire.

Documentation gaps on any of the three lose the award.

NAVMC 11533

The standard template for CAR recommendations. NAVMC 11533 Walks the writer through:

• Marine identification.
• Date and location of the engagement.
• Description of the engagement.
• Marine's actions during the engagement.
• Witness statements.
• Chain endorsement blocks.

Use the NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 unless the unit has a specific approved alternate template per current guidance. The template's structure pre-builds the case.

Witness Statements

A CAR package without witness statements has weak ground at the chain. Pull statements from:

• Direct supervisor present at the engagement.
• Peers who participated in the engagement.
• Higher-ranking witness if available.

Each statement covers:

• The witness's vantage point during the engagement.
• The Marine's specific actions observed.
• The engagement's duration and circumstance.
• Witness signature, rank, and date.

Verbal accounts do not substitute for written statements. Walk the witnesses through writing the statement.

After-Action Documentation

The CAR package gains weight from official after-action documentation.

• Unit serious incident reports if filed.
• After-action reports covering the engagement.
• Battle damage assessments if applicable.
• Chain reporting to higher of the engagement.

Pull what S-2 or operations holds. Cite specific documents in the package.

Chain Routing

CAR submissions route through the standard chain per the award tier and unit's reporting chain.

• Originator. Commissioned officer senior in grade or position to the Marine at the time of the engagement, or a DoD civilian GS-11 or above with supervisory knowledge per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 2.2.a.(1). NCOs and SNCOs draft and route through the originating officer.
• First endorser. Company-level.
• Subsequent endorsers. Battalion, regiment, MEF as required.
• Approving authority. Per MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J.

The chain reads each statement and the engagement description. Strong documentation clears the chain. Weak documentation returns for revision.

Stars and Subsequent Awards

A Marine engaged in subsequent qualifying engagements wears a star device on the existing CAR rather than a second ribbon. The submission for a star follows the same documentation discipline. Specific event, witness statements, after-action documentation.

What CAR Does Not Recognize

• Presence in a combat zone without active engagement. Combat zone time earns campaign and service medals, not the CAR.
• Indirect fire without satisfactory performance. The criteria require satisfactory performance under fire.
• Training accidents simulating combat. Not eligible.
• Logistics or support roles never present at the engagement. Not eligible.

A Marine who served honorably in a combat zone but never met the active engagement criteria does not earn the CAR. The campaign medal recognizes the deployment.

Common CAR Failures

• Submission years after the engagement with no witness statements.
• Witness statements that do not establish the witness's vantage point.
• Engagement description without after-action documentation.
• Submission for a Marine who served in the combat zone but did not meet active engagement criteria. The package returns disapproved and the chain learned to discount future submissions from the originator.
• Stars device requested without separate documentation per engagement.

Where to Go Next

• Drafting narrative covers the writing structure.
• Routing and endorsements covers the chain mechanics.
• OMPF verification covers the post-approval check.