Subscribe
FORT IRWIN, Calif. - The Army’s Expert Infantryman Badge is considered a discriminator for the Infantry. Those that have it are looked upon as warriors dedicated to their cause. Those that don’t have it want it. The decision to conduct the EIB testing is an effort by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regimental leadership at Fort Irwin, Calif., to bring the training focus back to basic infantry skills where the focus is on individual soldiers and individual training.
If anything, the new EIB testing format makes it harder for Troopers to earn the silver musket, a coveted badge awarded to those who have proven their mastery of core infantry skills that signifies them as a true professional in their field.
In the past, the EIB cycle meant units would have to devote six weeks for train-up and testing. Now the entire process takes 10 days — five days of training and five days of testing.
“The EIB training we are conducting here is a much tougher standard then basic 10 level tasks,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gary A. Grey, an instructor and Trooper with 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. “It’s a series of timed events with zero room for error.”
The EIB was established in 1943 for Army personnel in the infantry or Special Forces fields. The testing consists of over 30 basic infantry tasks, ranging from radio procedures to first aid. The EIB candidate must pass over 80% of the stations in order to qualify for the award.
“The EIB proves you are a master of your job,” said Sgt. Mark Torres, an instructor and a Trooper with 11th ACR. “It also helps prepare Troopers for situations they might face in a combat environment. I think every Infantryman should have one before deployment.”
All Troopers going through the testing volunteered, they gave up one of the few weekends they have in order to get the chance to earn this award. The testing is both physically and mentally demanding with Troopers having to accomplish physical tasks like 3-5 second rushes as well as having the know how to construct a linear charge for dynamic entry.
“It all boils down to professionalism,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Barry, an instructor and a trooper with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. “The EIB signifies that you are an expert in your job and a true professional."
Out of the over 200 Troopers that attempted the challenge, only 35 received the award. Only one Trooper, 2nd Lt. Daniel Buikema, achieved “True Blue”, by not receiving a single failure at any lane.
The EIB is rich in symbolism. The bar on the EIB is blue, to signify infantry. The silver musket was adapted from the Infantry insignia and represents the first U.S. shoulder arm, the 1795 model Springfield Arsenal musket.
The Regimental leadership plans to continue to offer EIB testing as a way of motivating and training their Troopers to strive to be the best. As the Regiment continues to train the force of the future, they remain focused on tough, demanding training at home station to ensure that the Troopers sustain their combat edge.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2012 20:18 |
| Story ID: | 93448 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Troopers battle to earn a Silver Musket, by SGT Anthony Lecours, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
