FORT DRUM -- I am an expert and a professional, a line from the Warriors Creed and two things Soldiers should strive to be. But how does a Soldier meter their individual worth?
Some Soldiers will meet or exceed standards set by themselves or supervisors ultimately validating they have achieved excellence while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
For approximately 730 Infantrymen from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team this is what they set out to do by earning their Expert Infantryman's Badge on Fort Drum's main post May 14-18.
The testing lanes began with the Army Physical Fitness Test followed by day and night land navigation. These two events prove to be a fatal combination resulting in
the majority of Soldiers being dropped from the course do to not achieving the minimum standard of three out of five land navigation points found and a score of 75 percent in each of the APFT testing events.
"These two events are probably the hardest of all the events, they seem to weed out the people who don't want to be here," said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph K. Heingarten the non commissioned officer in charge of the land navigation course, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment.
Soldiers surviving day one would navigate their way through three training lanes, each containing 10 basic infantryman's tasks. Some tasks included treat a casualty, call for fire, and report unexploded munitions.
"I have never run through so many tests back-to-back before. I feel much more confident, now everything feels like muscle memory," said Pfc. Travis K. Cobb an EIB candidate assigned to C Co. 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Confident and ready Soldiers began day-5 with a 12-mile road march that must be completed under 3-hours. The final qualifying Soldier crossed the finish line as the 3-hour time limit expired, marking the end of a 5-day journey to excellence.
An awards ceremony was held shortly after honoring the 112 Commando Soldiers and three pathfinders who completed the EIB lanes earning the right to wear the badge.
"Soldiers who complete this course represent the standard of excellence in their jobs," said 1st Lt. Anthony P. Mollica a platoon leader with C Co. 4-31 IN.
Notable performers were 1st Lt. Stephen L. Bruner of HHC, 4-31 IN and 1st. Lt. Steven M. Codey of D Co. 4-31 IN. the only Soldiers to complete all tasks without fail earning them the title of 'True Blue'.
1st Lt. Oleg Y. Sheynfeld and 2nd Lt. Yevgen Gutman both of HHC, 4-31 IN , finished the 12-mile road march with the fastest time of 2:13.4.
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