The purpose of the Army Combat Badge (ACB) is to recognise the unique service of a member who deployed on warlike operations and whose mission involved the likelihood or actual engagement in close combat.
The ACB is to be worn by eligible personnel on the left breast above medals or medal ribbons and aircrew badges. The ACB is only awarded once to an individual.
To be issued the ACB a member must meet the following criteria:
- be a member of the Australian Army for the duration of qualifying service
- be force assigned to an arms corps unit, battlegroup or combat team in an area defined by an operational order (OPORD) as incurring warlike conditions of service for 90 days, either continuous or aggregate total
- as a member of a unit assigned by formal OPORD to be in direct support of a battlegroup or combat team in an area defined by an operational orders (e.g. an OPORD) as incurring warlike conditions of service for 90 days, continuous or aggregate total
- provide satisfactory service (as defined in Annex 3A) on close combat like operations for a single operation or deployment
- not previously have been issued the Infantry Combat Badge, ACB or Air Force Ground Combat Badge.
A copy of the form can be requested from army.ceremonial@defence.gov.au or via post at:
Army Ceremonial Cell
BP29-04
PO Box 7980
Canberra BC ACT 2610.