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Expert Infantry Badge

Photo By Pfc. Susan Blair | 1st Sgt. Jack Love, headquarter and headquarter Company 2nd Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

06.27.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

FORT BRAGG, N.C.- The thermometer read 98 degrees. Ignoring the tropical monsoon-like temperature, the soon to be expert infantrymen of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division had more important things to be concerned about than the high temperature.

The paratroopers were busy heaving hand grenades at the enemy, low-crawling to cover to avoid getting shot, and stealthily setting-up claymore mines. It may have been stressful and tiring, but the Expert Infantry Badge, one of the most prestigious badges on infantrymen can earn, was the only thing on these paratroopers" minds.

"To have the EIB means I've been successful and been through the rights of passage as an infantryman," said 2nd Lt. John Baker, Co. B rifle platoon leader, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

For the first time since 2004, 213 paratroopers from 2nd Bn, 325th AIR, earned their EIB June 23 at Hendrick Stadium.
"It took a real hunger to earn this coveted award," said Lt. Col. Kim, Commander of the 2nd Bn., 325th AIR.

Normally, paratroopers get the chance to earn their EIB once a year. However, due to the Battalion's deployment to Iraq in support of the War on Terror, the battalion was unable to conduct the testing in 2005.

"It feels great that I had the opportunity to put the skills to practice and now it shows that I'm an expert at my job," said Sgt. Luke Mills, Co. A, Team Sergeant. Mills also feels honored to wear the EIB because his father wore one when he was in the 82ND ABN DIV.

"Words couldn't describe how proud he was," said Mills.
Along with paratroopers from 2nd Bn, 325th AIR earning their EIB , a British Army officer, Cpt. Tony May, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT had a unique opportunity to earn his EIB as well. May, who is here participating in a two year exchange program, said he was proud to have pinned on the expert badge.

"It's a big honor to get a chance to earn the EIB and a lot of credit goes to the instructors for their patience to make sure everyone met the standard," said May.

In order to earn the respected award, the infantrymen had to pass a series of 24 tests over the course of two days. The EIB test require the paratroopers to master different types of weapons systems, move under direct fire, administer First Aid, terrain association, protecting themselves against chemical contamination, administering a nerve agent antidote to themselves, as well as other soldier drills.

The paratroopers spend a week training on different weapons, and go through testing lanes and practice before they attempt to earn the badge.

"It'll be great to wear the badge because we're taught from the time we go through infantry school if you don't have you're EIB your not infantry," said Pfc. Adam Camp, a rifleman for B Co., while he was testing for his EIB.

Before the paratroopers were even considered to step up and prove that they were masters at the 24 different tasks, they had to already be experts at their M"4's, Land Navigation, and be quick on their feet during the 12 mile ruck march with 35 pounds on their back.

"They have to qualify expert on their M"4s during both day and night," said Byrd. "They have to get 70% in land navigation which is also both day and night, and they have to complete a 12 mile ruck march in less than three hours," said Byrd. "It can be tough on the body."

Besides having the honor of wearing the EIB, the paratroopers feel that the train-up and testing is great for combat proficiency
"Here you get the chance to fire all the weapons and it makes you more versatile," said Pvt. Colin Pearcy, B Co. 2-325th AIR.

Mills felt that the training he received training for the EIB was some of the best individual training that an infantryman can receive.

"To any infantryman out there, the EIB is worth it, you will use the skills in combat," said Mills.