CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- Seventy-seven infantrymen received their Expert Infantryman Badges during a Feb. 6 ceremony.
The EIB competition, hosted by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, tested more than 300 candidates from multiple units in the region from Feb. 2-6 on their abilities to conduct infantry tasks. Though hosted by the "Dagger" brigade, the event included Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division and 82nd Airborne Division.
"Earning an EIB shows a mastery of the fundamental skillset necessary to prevail in combat," said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Higgins, noncommissioned officer in charge of the EIB range estimation station and platoon sergeant with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment. "(The EIB is) probably the badge that I'm most proud of -- just because I put the most work into getting it."
EIB testing consists of the Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, 30 individual weapons skill tests, medical and patrol skills testing and a 12 mile foot march with a three-hour time limit, which culminated with one final event called Objective Bull. "A new tasking was added this year called Objective Bull," Higgins said. "The event is meant to pay homage to Tech. Sgt. Walter Bull, who received the first EIB on March 29, 1944."
Objective Bull was a combat-casualty scenario where candidates were evaluated on their ability to properly assess, treat and transport a simulated battlefield casualty in less than 20 minutes.
The testing started with 343 infantryman, and by the end of the APFT, land navigation and testing, those numbers were reduced to 81 candidates. By the end of the 12-mile road march, there were only 77 left.
"This award did not start yesterday," Col. Miles Brown, commander of 2nd ABCT said during the badging ceremony. "The EIB dates back to 1944 and it reflects the commitment of the Soldier's Creed: 'I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of Army in close combat.'"
The badge symbolizes exactly what these standards embody, Brown added.
"The rifle at the ready with the hammer drawn represents the infantryman who stands always ready to defeat the enemy," Brown said. "Our Army stands at the ready."
For some, the testing was their second or third attempt toward earning the prestigious badge. For one Soldier, the first try was all it took.
"I knew the training was going to very long and tedious," said Pvt. Anden Schmitt, an infantryman and command team driver for 2nd ABCT. "I utilized what I recently learned in basic training and AIT along with taking as much advice from the cadre as possible."
When asked about his technique to earn the EIB, Schmitt said he focused on each event individually.
"I took it one task at a time," Schmitt said. "I wanted to do everything right the first time. I didn't think about what was next, just what was currently in front of me."
The young infantryman said the 12-mile road march was his most challenging event.
"When it came down to the last few miles, I tried to keep my mind clear," Schmitt said. "Ultimately, staying focused and having my noncommissioned officer, Cpl. Bret Robinson, by my side motivating me the whole way helped me keep my mind off the pain."
Brown had a message for the awardees.
"Today, you all have proven yourselves and your strength. Now you have the responsibility that comes with putting wearing the badge," he said. "Use the knowledge to better those around you."
Schmitt was proud of his achievement, but wasn't about to rest.
"I am completely ecstatic with accomplishing what I have just done," Schmitt said. "But I still have a lot more to learn about my field craft."
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