Photo By Joseph Siemandel | Spc. Garrett Allan, an infantryman from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st...... read more read more
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After two weeks of train up and a one-week test, Spc. Garrett Allan, an infantryman from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment earned the prestigious Expert Infantry Badge on Oct. 15, 2022, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Dating back to World War II, the Expert Infantry Badge is awarded to infantryman and Special Forces soldiers who have demonstrated the discipline and mastery of skills critical to being an infantry soldier. To be awarded the EIB, the soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills.
“The train up was helpful prior to the test. I did it with mostly active-duty soldiers and just a handful of National Guard soldiers,” said Allan. “We all helped each other get through the testing with that train up.”
Like the Expert Field Medic and Expert Soldier badges, the Expert Infantry Badge has a low pass rate at approximately 15 percent and tests infantrymen physically, mentally, and technically. Those that earn the badge are considered experts in their military occupation.
Before testing, infantrymen must complete two critical prerequisites. The must qualify expert on their weapons qualification and earn a passing score on the new Army Combat Fitness Test. Once all prerequisites are met, infantrymen can begin the four testing phases. The first phase is a physical fitness test.
“The first day of testing was a modified Army Physical Fitness Test which included push-ups, sit ups and a four mile run,” said Allan. “Once you pass that you move on to the second phase.”
The second phase consists of land navigation exercises, in which candidates must locate three out of four points in both day and night scenarios. If candidates receive a “GO” for this phase, they are allowed to move onto phase three. The third phase consists of individual testing stations. It requires candidates to pass 30 weapons, medical, and patrol tasks to specific standards. The tasks are chosen from a possible 45 tasks, with several tasks being required to be included in each EIB qualification. If a candidate fails to complete a task twice or two separate tasks, they are eliminated from moving forward to the final phase.
The final phase is a 12-mile ruck march that must be completed in three hours or less. Upon completion of the ruck march candidates will complete a final event which involves clearing, disassembly, assembly, and performing a functions check on a M4 or M16 rifle in five minutes or less.
“Earning it on my first time taking the test was great. I heard others talk about going through the process multiple times and to get it my first time was humbling,” said Allan.
While the testing is tough and does have a high fail rate, Allan believes that other infantrymen should consider taking the test.
“I would recommend this to any infantryman. It is tough and a lot of work, but you learn so much in the process and come out better, pass or fail,” said Allan. “It was a good experience and I’m glad I did it.”
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2022 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 432056 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 887 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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