Photo By Alexandra Shea | Fort Jackson is hosting E3B Testing this week to see which of the nearly 200 Soldiers...... read more read more
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Fort Jackson is hosting E3B Testing this week to see which of the nearly 200 Soldiers can make the cut. The testing that began April 18, is a combined event that will test Soldier’s skills to achieve the Expert Infantry Badge, Expert Soldier Badge and the Expert Field Medical Badge.
“This is the first time we have done all three testing events together,” said Sgt. Maj. Reggie Fox, Expert Infantryman and Expert Soldier Badge president. “They are tired today but they are taking it one lane at a time.”
After two weeks of train-up and acclimating to the environment, the candidates compete individually to achieve the badge in their respective testing event.
The testing week started off with the physical fitness assessment. This assessment is different for each badge. EIB candidates completed push-ups, sit-ups and a four mile run while ESB and EFMB badge candidates completed the hand release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry and two mile run.
“This is not a Fort Jackson thing, it’s a testing thing,” Fox said. “I think this next year, now that the Army Combat Fitness Test is solidified, this time next year it will be a more ACFT specific assessment.”
The testing may seem simple from the outside looking in, the Skill Level 1 Tasks must be completed in the proper order and in the allotted amount of time. Some of these skilled tasks can contain up to 25 steps that have to be completed in order.
“It’s challenging,” said Master Sgt. Patrick Santos, site noncommissioned officer-inicharge. “We started with 188 and this morning we started with 104.”
That means 84 candidates have been eliminated overnight after just one day.
“The weather and environment were challenging for them last night,” Fox said. “It was very dark.”
Monday evening, heavy cloud cover and rain set in as the candidates conducted night land navigation testing. The almost total lack of ambient moonlight made this event very challenging for some candidates.
“This is where you will see people who can keep their nerves in check,” Fox said. “It tests you mentally and physically and the will to keep going.”
The testing will conclude on Friday. Until then, candidates will continue to test their skills and hone their strategy to achieve their goals of earning their badges.
“I take it one task at a time,” said Capt. Philip Sullivan, Expert Soldier Badge candidate.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.21.2022 12:38 |
| Story ID: | 418954 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 534 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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