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131 multinational Soldiers earn coveted Expert Infantry Badge

By Staff Sgt. Anthony Johnson, 173rd Airborne Brigade Public AffairsOctober 28, 2016

Expert Infantryman Badge training
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Boyles, assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade trains to employ and recover a M18MA1 Claymore Mine, Oct. 17, 2016, during the 173rd Airborne Brigadeâs Expert Infantryman Badg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Infantrymen take notes during Expert Infantry Badge training
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment receive instructions on estimate range distance, Oct. 20, 2016, during the 173rd Airborne Brigadeâs Expert Infantryman Badge traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
173rd paratrooper gives instructions during Expert Infatry Badge
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Cpt. Brandon Shorter, right, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) receives instructions on the M249 Machine Gun, Oct. 17, 2016, during the Expert Infantryman Badge training phase at the 7th Army Trai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Croatian and Slovenian Soldiers disabmle a rifle during EIB training
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Croatian army soldier, left, and Slovenian army soldiers assemble and disassemble a M4 carbine rifle, Oct. 17, 2016, during the 173rd Airborne Brigadeâs Expert Infantryman Badge training phase at the 7th Army Training Commandâs Grafenwo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
A 173rd paratrooper conducts fight aid procedures during EIB training
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Pfc. John Bunton, assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, applies First Aid to an Open Head Wound during the Brigadeâs Expert Infantryman Badge training phase at the 7th Army Training Commandâ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- The 173rd Airborne Brigade hosted Expert Infantry Badge training and evaluation at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Oct. 17-27.

Out of the 655 infantrymen assigned to U.S. Army Europe, ally and partner nations trying to earn the coveted special skills badge, 131 were successful.

To be awarded the EIB, the Soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills.

The purpose of the EIB is to recognize infantry Soldiers who have demonstrated a mastery of critical tasks that build the core foundation of individual proficiency that allow them to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat.

Participating nations include Croatia, Slovenia and the United States.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

173rd Airborne Brigade