E3B – Expert Infantry, Soldier and Medical Badge  

USARC E3B Awards Ceremony - May 9, 2025
The U.S. Army Reserve Command E3B awards ceremony was held at Fort McCoy WI on May 9th, 2025. A total of 109 candidates from all three U.S. Army components (Active, Reserve and National Guard) started the E3B that combines the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB), Expert Infantry Badge (EIB), and Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) into one event. Command Sergeant Major, 3d Medical Command, CSM Robert T. Priest and Commanding General, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, George H. Conklin spoke to the 14 Soldiers (6 ESB, 3 EIB, and 5 EFMB) who emerged as 2025 badge recipients having satisfactorily completed all required tasks. The E3B promotes unity and readiness across the Army Reserve aligning the opportunity for ALL Soldiers the chance to become Experts in their profession and set themselves apart from their peers. https://www.usar.army.mil/E3B/ (U.S. Army Video by Greg Mason, Multi-media Branch, Fort McCoy, Wis.)
USARC E3B at Fort McCoy
The U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) held the E3B event that combines the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB), Expert Infantry Badge (EIB), and Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) at Fort McCoy WI from April 27 to May 10, 2025. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active attended the E3B event. Candidates are tasked with completing ten patrol lanes, which require candidates to perform patrol tasks such map reading, personnel searching, visual signaling, movement under fire, radio operations and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) gear. The candidates must successfully complete all ten tasks and only have one no go for the day. Over 100 candidates converged on Ft. McCoy to undergo rigorous train-up and testing to try and earn the ESB, EIB, or EFMB. Once all testing was completed, 14 Soldiers emerged as 2025 badge recipients having satisfactorily completed all required tasks: 6 ESB, 3 EIB, and 5 EFMB. (U.S. Army Video by Greg Mason, Multi-media Branch, Fort McCoy, Wis.)
2023 Army Reserve Expert Soldier Badge 12 Mile Ruck March
On the final day Expert Soldier Badge candidates must complete a 12 mile ruck march and at the end of it successfully disassemble, reassemble and do a functions check on their M4 rifles. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active, attempting to earn the Expert Soldier Badge must successfully complete various physical and mental tasks such as: an expert physical fitness assessment, day and night land navigation, Soldier tasks including weapons, medical and patrol procedures, and finally a ruck march. Successfully completing these tasks, Soldiers will earn the Expert Soldier Badge.
2023 Army Reserve Expert Soldier Badge Patrol Lanes
Expert Soldier Badge candidates are tasked with completing ten patrol lanes, which require candidates to perform patrol tasks such map reading, personnel searching, visual signaling, movement under fire, radio operations and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) gear. The candidates must successfully complete all ten tasks and only have one no go for the day. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active, attempting to earn the Expert Soldier Badge must successfully complete various physical and mental tasks such as: an expert physical fitness assessment, day and night land navigation, Soldier tasks including weapons, medical and patrol procedures, and finally a ruck march. Successfully completing these tasks, Soldiers will earn the Expert Soldier Badge.
2023 Army Reserve Expert Soldier Badge Medical Lanes
Expert Soldier Badge candidates are tasked with completing ten medical lanes, which require candidates to perform medical tasks such as assessing and caring for eye wounds, care under fire, treating head injuries, control bleeding, treating abdominal and spinal cord injuries and treating heat casualties. The candidates must successfully complete all ten tasks and only have one no go for the day. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active, attempting to earn the Expert Soldier Badge must successfully complete various physical and mental tasks such as: an expert physical fitness assessment, day and night land navigation, Soldier tasks including weapons, medical and patrol procedures, and finally a ruck march. Successfully completing these tasks, Soldiers will earn the Expert Soldier Badge.
2023 Army Reserve Expert Soldier Badge Weapon System Lanes
Expert Soldier Badge candidates are tasked with completing ten weapon system lanes, which require candidates to perform weapon related tasks such as load and unload, correct malfunctions, and a functions check. The candidates must successfully complete all ten tasks and only have one no go for the day. Weapon systems shown in this video include: M26 modular accessory shotgun, AT4, M240B machine gun, M17 pistol, M249 squad automatic weapon and M2 machine gun. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active, attempting to earn the Expert Soldier Badge must successfully complete various physical and mental tasks such as: an expert physical fitness assessment, day and night land navigation, Soldier tasks including weapons, medical and patrol procedures, and finally a ruck march. Successfully completing these tasks, Soldiers will earn the Expert Soldier Badge.
2023 Army Reserve Expert Soldier Badge Day 1
Expert Soldier Badge candidates start their first day off with the Expert Physical Fitness Assessment in which they must run one mile, followed by 30 hand release pushups, 100 meter sprint, 16 40 lb sandbag lift, 50 meter water can carry, 25 meter high crawl, 25 meter 3-5 second rush and end with another mile. Soldiers have 30 minutes to complete this task. Also in day one, Soldiers perform a day and night land navigation course in which they must find three out of four points in three hours to earn a go. Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components, reserve, national guard and active, attempting to earn the Expert Soldier Badge must successfully complete various physical and mental tasks such as: an expert physical fitness assessment, day and night land navigation, Soldier tasks including weapons, medical and patrol procedures, and finally a ruck march. Successfully completing these tasks, Soldiers will earn the Expert Soldier Badge.

The E3B promotes unity and readiness across the Army Reserve aligning the opportunity for ALL Soldiers the chance to become Experts in their profession and set themselves apart from their peers.

THINK YOU'RE THE BEST?
PROVE IT!

  • 26 April-9 May 2026 (1 week of train up and 1 week of testing)
  • Fort McCoy, Wisconsin
  • Pre-requisites: Passed AFT and Expert Weapons Qualification within 1 year of testing; Commander's Recommendation Memo
  • What to expect: An Expert Physical Fitness Assessment, Land Navigation, Weapons, Medical, Warrior Tasks and Skills, 12-Mile Road March
  • Open to: All Soldiers, including noncommissioned officers, officers, and warrant officers!

E3B Poster

E3B Guidance

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Status: Must be a member of the United States Army (Active, National Guard, Reserves)
  • Rank: Open to all enlisted, officers, and warrant officers
  • Prerequisites:
  1. Passed the Army Fitness Test (AFT) within 1 year of testing
    a. 80 percent for EIB in each category
  2. Expert Weapons Qualification within 1 year of testing
    a. EIB must have M4 qualification
  3. Commander’s Recommendation Memo
  4. Must not possess a FLAG or BAR.

Step 2: Submit your Packet

  1. Commanders’ memo (1 per MSC) – DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE HERE
  2. Soldier Talent Profile (STP)
  3. Army Fitness Test (AFT) (must reflect on STP) (DA 705 must be included for EIB)
  4. Weapons Qualification (must reflect on STP)
  5. Basic Life Saver Certificate (EFMB only) (must be valid through testing)

Step 3: Begin Studying and Training

  • EIB: USAIS 350-6 dated 21 April 25
  • EFMB: MEDCoE PAM 350-10 dated 1 June 24
  • ESB: TRADOC REG 672-9 dated 24 July 20, TRADOC PAM 672-9 dated 21 June 22

The Expert Infantry, Field Medical, and Soldier Badge (E3B) program identifies and honors Soldiers who demonstrate expert-level proficiency in core warrior tasks. By combining three prestigious badges into one unified event, E3B fosters readiness, promotes excellence, and strengthens interoperability across the U.S. Army’s Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard components.

Earning an Expert Infantryman (EIB), Field Medical (EFMB), or Soldier Badge (ESB) is more than a personal achievement; it’s a force multiplier for the entire unit. These prestigious badges represent the pinnacle of technical and tactical proficiency in their respective fields, whether it's infantry operations, combat medical care, or general soldiering excellence. Soldiers who wear these badges have proven themselves under pressure, demonstrating exceptional skill, discipline, and resilience. When multiple members of a unit earn expert badges, the impact is transformative. It elevates the unit’s overall performance, fosters a culture of professionalism, and strengthens trust among team members. The rigorous training and evaluation process required to earn these badges also cultivates leadership, attention to detail, and mission-focused mindset qualities that ripple across the formation. Soldiers who earn an expert badge set the standard, inspire their peers, and help build a more cohesive, confident, and combat-ready force.