The SECNAV changed the requirements for the Combat Action Ribbon. Now actions taken against IEDs are eligible. See link below:
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/ALNAVS/ALN2012/ALN12068.txt
The big part of the change is this:
I. DIRECT EXPOSURE TO THE DETONATION OF AN IED, MINE, OR SCATTERABLE MUNITION USED BY AN ENEMY. II. 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 SUCH THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS AT INCREASED RISK FROM THE ANTICIPATED EFFECTS OF THE WEAPON IF DETONATED. AN ACTIVE IED, MINE, OR SCATTERABLE MUNITION IS DEFINED AS ONE HAVING BOTH A MAIN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE AND A FUNCTIONAL FUZING/TRIGGERING MECHANISM. CACHES OF ENEMY IEDS, MINES, OR SCATTERABLE MUNITIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN EMPLACED BY THE ENEMY FOR DETONATION DO NOT SATISFY THIS CRITERION. ACTIONS TAKEN SOLELY TO MARK A SUSPECTED MINE OR IED DO NOT SATISFY THIS CRITERION, NOR DOES EMPLOYING REMOTE MINE CLEARING SYSTEMS OR DIRECT FIRE WEAPONS TO NEUTRALIZE OR DESTROY THE MINE OR IED FROM OUTSIDE THE ANTICIPATED BLAST AREA OF THE WEAPON.
