FORT PICKETT, Va. –
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to multiple units in the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted training on weapons, medical and patrol tasks that are required to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge March 4, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The purpose of the EIB is to recognize Infantrymen who have demonstrated a mastery of critical tasks that build the core foundation of individual proficiency that allow them to locate, close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat.
Soldiers will have the opportunity to test for the EIB during annual training in August 2017.
According the Fort Benning EIB web site, a test process has been derived that measures the mastery of individual skills through different evaluations taking place over a five-day period. This evaluation consists of the Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, individual testing stations and the 12-mile forced march.
According to the site, “These evaluations place eligible candidates under varying degrees of stress that test their physical and mental abilities as they execute critical Infantry tasks to an established set of standards.”
The scope for each of these events follows:
APFT. The APFT tests the physical endurance and conditioning of the candidates, and is the first graded event they will undertake. The APFT is conducted to standard in accordance with FM 7-22. Candidates must meet height and weight requirements as outlined in AR 600-9. The APFT is not re-testable nor can it be waived.
Land Navigation. Land Navigation tests the ability of candidates to navigate from one point to another using a map and compass on a self-correcting course while equipped with their individual combat gear. This is the second graded event they will undertake, demonstrating their proficiency under both day and night conditions. Land Navigation testing will be conducted in accordance with FM 3-25.26 and is not re-testable.
EIB Individual Testing Stations. Individual testing stations are conducted to a defined standard in a formal, round-robin fashion. Individual testing stations are re-testable and candidates must pass each individual testing station in order to continue.
12-Mile Forced March. The 12-Mile forced march is the last event in the EIB test. Candidates must complete the 12-Mile route in three hours or less.