Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Six Florida Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 50th Regional Support Group...... read more read more
Camp Blanding, Fla. – After five days of grueling testing in 30 warrior tasks that included day and night land navigation, shooting expert with an M-4 carbine and completing a 12-mile ruck march, a Florida Guard lieutenant became the first National Guard Soldier to earn the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB).
“I am humbled by everything that has happened this week,” said 1st Lieutenant Freddy Herrera, a platoon leader with the 144th Transportation Company 50th Regional Support Group (RSG). “This was a team effort. I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the support of my leadership, team members and my family.”
The ESB was announced in 2019 and implemented in 2020 for non-infantry or medical specialty Soldiers. The goal behind the ESB is to test Soldiers’ proficiency in physical fitness, marksmanship, land navigation and warrior tasks, including weapons, medical and patrol lanes.
“We are extremely proud of Lt. Herrera and his great accomplishment,” said Col. Ricardo Roig, commander of the 50th RSG. “The 50th Soldiers who participated in the ESB gave their all over the past week, and we are honored to have been able to earn an ESB for the Florida Guard.”
Close to 60 Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard participated in the joint Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) and ESB held at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center between September 11 – 15. Four Florida Guardsmen assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team earned the EIB and Herrera earned the ESB.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2020 13:25 |
| Story ID: | 379349 |
| Location: | CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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