CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea—Over 1,600 Soldiers from units across South Korea competed for their Expert Infantryman, Expert Soldier and Expert Field Medical Badges at Camp Casey, Camp Hovey, Camp Humphreys and Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, April 21-25.
After weeks of training and testing across the peninsula, 455 Republic of Korea and U.S. Army Soldiers are officially the newest experts in their fields.
The competition, collectively known as E3B, was designed with the purpose of building experts through developing individual Soldier proficiency, testing skills under realistic conditions and recognizing Soldiers who have demonstrated mastery in their respective fields.
Lt. Col. Nick Nussdorfer, commander of the 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion and chairman of the Expert Field Medical Badge testing board, emphasized the collaboration that comes with a combined competition like E3B.
“We recognize that it takes the entire team to make a mission successful, and while we have our own unique focuses I think coming out here and just working together—and also showing that we can all master the tasks—I think that’s awesome,” said Nussdorfer.
The Expert Infantryman Badge set the initial standard for Army expertise with its introduction in 1944, followed by the Expert Field Medical Badge in 1965, and most recently the Expert Soldier Badge in 2019 for all other military occupational specialty-qualified Soldiers.
While hosted by Eighth Army, this year’s E3B ran as two simultaneous competitions, as 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted E2B—combining Expert Soldier and Expert Infantryman Badge testing—while 65th Medical Brigade oversaw Expert Field Medical Badge testing.
The training period for the event began on April 8, facilitated by hundreds of support staff and event graders, many of whom were expert badge holders themselves.
“They have become masters in the lanes they’ve been assigned to,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Gillispie, senior non-commissioned officer of the 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion. “At the end of the day, we end up with Soldiers who are better trained, better equipped, and better day-to-day when it comes to warrior tasks and drills.”
All competitors began this year’s E3B with a rigorous physical fitness assessment and land navigation course.
The next three days consisted of testing various Soldier skills as E2B candidates executed patrolling, weapons proficiency and medical knowledge lanes, while EFMB candidates tackled Tactical Combat Casualty Care, evacuation, and warrior skills.
Sgt. 1st Class Wencha Yu, 501st Technical Escort Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion and a candidate for the Expert Soldier Badge, said that arriving as ready as possible was crucial and offered advice to future competitors.
“Learn all the events and prep prior to even coming to train up,” said Yu. “Have an idea of what to expect… so when you come here it’s just a refresher and then some.”
Testing for each badge is notoriously difficult, and this year’s average pass rate of 27% across all three badges highlights the challenges and level of expertise Soldiers must demonstrate in order to succeed.
The event culminated on U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys with a 12-mile ruck march and M4 Carbine functions check, before Army leadership addressed the badge winners at Robertson Parade Field.
“Training events like this are critical, maybe even vital,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jack H. Love, U.S. Forces Korea Senior Enlisted Advisor. “I have no doubt that the Soldiers standing before you today will fight, and they will win.”
While each Soldier had their own reasons to strive for an expert badge, they collectively represent countless hours of studying, training, and exemplifying physical and mental toughness.
2nd. Lt. Donnggi Kim, who earned his Expert Field Medical Badge at the conclusion of testing, now has the rare privilege of holding two separate expert badges.
“I was prior enlisted as an infantryman, and I earned my Expert Infantryman Badge in 2016 at Camp Casey, so for me it means a lot—like I just got in a time machine,” said Kim. “It feels like I’m challenging myself again, getting that fire in my spirit.”
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