Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) continues to defend his Combat Infantryman (CIB) badge, claiming the “establishment” is trying to discredit him after the Army reviewed his military record to show he did not qualify for the badge you usually wear. on your lapel.
“I don’t need to justify myself to all of you in any way, shape, or form,” Nehls told reporters Wednesday at the Capitol. “I know the truth.”
Nehls says he received the CIB while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in 2008. But the Army confirmed to The Hill that it reviewed his record in 2023 and corrected it to indicate he is no longer eligible for the badge.
Nehls also released a statement Tuesday, which he said was his “final” written comment on the matter, which argued that the CIB was properly granted to him and was reflected in his military record.
Although he admitted that the Army had rescinded his badge, Nehls stated that 142,596 CIBs had been awarded in the last 20 years and only 47 had been rescinded. The Hill was unable to verify these claims. Nehls said the numbers show the Army is right to award more than 99 percent of the time.
“Unfortunately for me, as an America First patriot and an outspoken member of Congress, there is no length the establishment will not go to discredit me, including my CIB, which I received over 14 years ago,” he said in the statement . “Nothing more needs to be said.”
An active duty member or veteran can only qualify for a CIB if, at the time the badge was awarded, he served as an infantryman or Green Beret and experienced active combat in a unit that was under hostile fire and engaged the enemy.
Nehls was a civil affairs officer in 2008 when the badge was awarded.
Nehls was deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard from July 1988 to November 2001, and in the Army Reserve from November 2001 to December 2008.
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