Photo By Capt. Aaron Moshier | Texas Guardsmen from the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment compete for the Expert...... read more read more
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Djibouti – Texas Guardsmen from the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment joined soldiers from the active component in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division for the Expert Infantryman Badge course at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, January 15-27, 2018.
The EIB represents the U.S. Infantry’s tough, hard hitting role in combat and symbolizes proficiency in the Infantry arts; Soldiers must successfully complete a rigorous, multi-day course consisting of 37 Individual Tasks in order to earn the badge.
More than 180 soldiers competed for the prestigious badge; 50 earned the badge while four of those Soldiers earned a “True Blue” status. True Blue means they completed each station with zero “no-go’s.”
“EIB is not just about earning the badge though, it’s about learning the skills needed to be an expert, proving to fellow soldiers that you have what it takes to succeed,” said Cpl. Steven O. Galvan, Texas Army National Guard. “With the skills and knowledge gained during EIB I can teach fellow soldiers with a higher level of confidence which in turn will help with our mission as well as future missions.”
An EIB committee must approve the course in order for soldiers to earn the badge. Once earned, the EIB is a badge that can only be worn by soldiers in either Infantry or Special Forces.
Soldiers competing for their EIB had to score an 80% on the Army Physical Fitness Test in their age and gender; complete a day and night land navigation course; complete 30 individual lanes (10 medical, 10 patrolling and 10 weapons); conduct a 12 mile road march in three hours with a 35 pound ruck, combat gear and weapon and successfully treat and evacuate a casualty in a simulated combat environment.
In order to qualify, soldiers had to pass every lane. All events were timed and held to strict performance and sequence requirements. Soldiers could receive one first time “no-go” for no more than two of the 30 events, but had to pass the lane on the second attempt. Soldiers had to pass the physical fitness test, land navigation course, ruck march and medical evacuation challenge on the first attempt or be disqualified.
Twenty-six Texas Guardsmen and 24 10th Mountain soldiers earned their EIB, February 2, 2018.
“My experience was very positive and very educational,” said Staff Sgt. Johnathan Pentland, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 32nd Infantry Regiment. “Everyone worked very well together, making everything run really smooth.”
Brig. Gen. David J. Furness, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, recognized soldiers who earned the “true blue” status a Joint Service Achievement Medal. Texas Army National Guard 1st Lt. Kevin H. Gillespie and 1st Lt. Daniel P. Kernaghan from 3-144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division were recipients as well as, Spc. Kyle B. Delp and Pfc. Holden D. Wilson from 1-32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.
“The mission is always first and at any point you may have to transition from concentrating on EIB to the mission.” said 1st Sgt. Abraham Lewis, B Co 1-32nd Infantry Regiment. “When you earn your EIB overseas it is even more of an accomplishment because you are essentially preparing for a mission while training for the EIB.”
Story written by: Sgt. Jason Robertson, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regimental Unit Public Affairs Representative
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2018 13:27 |
| Story ID: | 268814 |
| Location: | DJIBOUTI, DJ |
| Web Views: | 843 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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