Lane validation paves road for 3/10 EIB testing

Photo By Chuck Cannon | A 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldier throws a grenade on the range at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk as part of trainup for upcoming Expert Intantryman's Badge testing.  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

10.26.2018

Courtesy Story

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

By Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Boyd
3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div

FORT POLK, La. – Since January, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has been rigorously preparing to conduct an Expert Infantryman Badge qualification test. Preparation for this brigade-level event has been resource-intensive and required leaders at all levels to play a role in its development.
Key leaders, from command sergeants major down to the sergeant team leaders, meticulously planned the EIB qualification test. After several months of planning, the brigade transitioned to setting up a multitude of qualification lanes focused on patrolling, medical care, weapons and land navigation. Setting up the lanes required maximum Patriot participation to account for weapon systems, ammunition, land and the other necessary considerations for a military operation.
While the EIB is planned and executed at the brigade-level, each lane requires validation by a team of instructors from the Army’s Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Validation consisted of designated Patriot cadre running through their respective lanes as the Fort Benning instructors evaluated their performance, according to USA Infantry School Pamphlet 350-6, and provided critical feedback that will ensure standardized testing for the brigade.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Franco, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div’s brigade command sergeant major, said the Infantry School cadre certified and validated 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div according to strict standards.
“Regardless of where you are running EIB across the Army, it is conducted according to 350-6,” Franco said.
Validation concluded Oct. 19. Upon completion of validation, roughly 900 Patriot EIB candidates will begin two weeks of training by going through the crawl, walk and run phases for each qualification lane. The official beginning of EIB qualification testing kicks off Nov. 5, and following the demanding week-long event, a select handful of outstanding Patriot Soldiers will finish their “rite of passage” by earning the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2018
• Date Posted: 10.26.2018 09:51
• Story ID: 297824
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US