Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off

By Staff Sgt. Kevin FrazierMarch 6, 2015

Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 912 Soldiers started the test, but only 87 earned the EIB, said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy S. Doston, the 2-2 Bde CSM. "It was definitely amazing to see the amount of effort that each Soldier put into their individual evaluation."
(U.S. Army Photo by ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – "Each event was very intense," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Lott, a non-commissioned officer assigned to Bravo Company 2nd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group. "Each candidate was being evaluated against a pretty meticulous standard, but after earning the E... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off
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Expert Infantrymen Badge Evaluation: Hard work pays off
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --Infantrymen with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division participated in a week-long Expert Infantrymen Badge (EIB) evaluation. The EIB is designed to recognize Infantrymen with the potential to master critical tasks to build the core foundation of the individual's proficiency. This allows them to locate and destroy the enemy through fire and close combat.

912 Soldiers started the test, but only 87 earned the EIB, said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy S. Doston, the 2-2 Bde CSM. "It was definitely amazing to see the amount of effort that each Soldier put into their individual evaluation."

The EIB evaluation consists of an Army Physical Fitness Test, Day and Night Land Navigation, Weapons Master Skills Testing (MST) stations, Individual Tactical Test (ITT) lanes, 12-mile Foot March, and the Weapons Proficiency Test. These events are conducted over a five day period.

Participants had to score 75 points in three events of the APFT, find three out of four points during the land navigation courses, and finish a 12-mile foot march with a 35 pound pack in three hours or less.

"Each event was very intense," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Lott, a non-commissioned officer assigned to Bravo Company 2nd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group. "Each candidate was being evaluated against a pretty meticulous standard, but after earning the EIB, the challenge was worth it."

History dates the EIB back to 1944 when Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall initiated the development of an Award to honor the U.S. Army Infantryman. The Office of Heraldic Activity of the Quartermaster General began work on designing a badge that would represent the U.S. Infantry's tough, hard hitting role in combat and symbolize proficiency in the Infantry arts. The Expert Infantryman Badge was instituted to build and maintain esprit de corps within U.S. Infantry units.

After a week-long evaluation and hard exacting work, a small percentage of the participates had earned the right to wear the EIB.

"I enjoyed going through this evaluation because it give me the opportunity to be set aside from my peers," said said Staff Sgt. Joshua Lott.

During the graduation Col. Louis A. Zeisman, 2-2 Stryker Brigade commander, gave a speech to congratulate the 87 Soldiers that successfully completed the EIB evaluation.

"Congratulations and you all have every reason to be proud of your accomplishment," said Col. Zeisman. "You are the ones that make 2-2 Brigade, the army, and our unit special. Seize the High Ground!"

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