Expert Soldier Badge
{{Short description|Award of the United States Army}}
{{Infobox military award
|name= Expert Soldier Badge
|type= Special Skill Badge
|image= U.S. Army Expert Soldier Badge.png
|caption= US Army Expert Soldier Badge
|eligibility= Soldiers of the U.S. Army, other than Infantry, United States Army Special Forces, or Combat Medic occupations
|presenter=United States Army
|status=October 2019–present
|related=Expert Infantry Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge
}}
File:US Army Expert Solder Badge and Air Assault Badge on service dress.png
The Expert Soldier Badge, or ESB, is a special skills badge of the United States Army.{{cite web |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/02/09/army-putting-finishing-touches-on-new-revamped-expert-soldier-badge/ |title=Army putting finishing touches on new, revamped Expert Soldier Badge |publisher= Military Times |date= February 9, 2018 |access-date= May 18, 2018 |last=Myers |first=Meghann}} Similar in appearance to the Combat Action Badge, the ESB is awarded to soldiers other than infantry, special forces, or combat medics, who demonstrate their competence in various warrior- and mission-essential tasks, land navigation, and physical fitness.{{cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/04/02/inside-the-army-s-plan-for-the-new-expert-action-badge/ |title=Inside the Army's plan for the new Expert ction Badge |last=Myers |first=Meghann |date=April 2, 2017 |publisher=Military Times |access-date=January 1, 2018}} The badge was approved on June 14, 2019 and entered service in October 2019, as a way for soldiers in military occupational specialties other than primarily combat-oriented ones to certify their competence within their occupation, as well as general combat skills.{{cite web |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/03/24/the-army-is-developing-a-new-expert-action-badge-for-soldiers-who-aren-t-grunts/ |title=The Army is developing a new Expert Soldier Badge for soldiers who aren't grunts |last=Panzino |first=Charlsy |publisher= Military Times |date= March 24, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wadenapj.com/opinion/commentary/4303130-rolling-out-expert-soldier-badge-army-non-infantry-soldier-award |title=Rolling out the expert soldier badge Army non-infantry soldier award |last=Anderson |first=David |publisher=Wadena Pioneer Journal |date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2017}}
History
The concept of the ESB (initially referred to as the Expert Action Badge) was initially proposed in 2015 as part of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command's Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) 2020 Strategy, as one way to improve combat readiness in the Army.{{cite web |url=http://www.tradoc.army.mil/FrontPageContent/Docs/NCO2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306032824/http://www.tradoc.army.mil/FrontPageContent/Docs/NCO2020.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |title=NCO 2020 Strategy |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2017}} The ESB was first openly discussed on March 30, 2017, at an NCO Development Town Hall hosted by Command Sergeant Major David Davenport. Discussion mainly focused on the intent of the badge, as well as the possible criteria for award. The feasibility of the ESB was tested at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in April of the same year, with 53 soldiers taking part in the event. The results of the test at McChord, as well as future testing, will be used to determine if the criteria for the badge appropriately conveys the badge's intent. The NCO 2020 Strategy, including the ESB, was further discussed in 2018 at a conference held at Fort Knox.{{cite web |url=http://tradocnews.org/nco-academy-commandants-converge-on-fort-knox-for-training-conference/ |title=NCO ACADEMY COMMANDANTS CONVERGE ON FORT KNOX FOR TRAINING CONFERENCE |last=Pilgrim |first=Eric |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2018}}
Criteria
The criteria for award of the ESB is that a soldier must perform in 30 Warrior Tasks (Skill Level 1) and battle drills, and five unit–level mission essential tasks, chosen by a commander,{{cite web |url=http://tradocnews.org/possible-new-expert-action-badge-draws-interest-during-tradoc-town-hall/ |title=POSSIBLE NEW EXPERT ACTION BADGE DRAWS INTEREST DURING TRADOC TOWN HALL |date=May 15, 2017 |last=Koester |first=Jonathan |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |access-date=May 21, 2017}} in addition to completion of a 12-mile foot march, a land navigation test and the Army Combat Fitness Test.{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/185275/proposed_expert_action_badge_to_honor_motivate_soldiers |title=Proposed Expert Action Badge to honor, motivate Soldiers |last=Kimmons |first=Sean |date=April 3, 2017 |publisher=United States Army |access-date=May 11, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://tradocnews.org/tag/expert-action-badge/ |title=CSM'S BLOG: THE CONCEPT OF THE EXPERT ACTION BADGE |last=Gragg |first=Michael |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=May 11, 2017}} Testing is conducted at the brigade-level, with units being given a week to set up the test course, a few days of training, and then a few days of testing.{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/24/army-to-require-soldiers-to-test-for-expert-action-badge.html |title=Army to Require Soldiers to Test for Expert Action Badge |publisher=Military.com |last=Cox |first=Matthew |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=May 11, 2017}}
Design
{{multiple image
|caption_align=center
|width =175
|image1 =Expert Soldier Badge.svg
|caption1=Expert Soldier Badge
|image2 =Combat Action Badge.svg
|caption2=Combat Action Badge
}}
The design for the ESB is similar to that of the Combat Action Badge. It features the same M9 bayonet and M67 fragmentation grenade, superimposed on a rectangular base, as found on the Combat Action Badge. The ESB does not, however, feature a wreath.
See also
Master Combat Action Badge
In late 2024 it was reported that "master combat badges" would debut in Spring 2025; the Master Infantryman Badge, Master Combat Medical Badge, and Master Combat Action Badge. The badges would represent those who have earned both a combat badge (CIB, CMB, or CAB) and an expert badge (EIB, EFMB, or ESB). The proposed "master badges" are alleged to appear identical to their respective combat badges, replacing the silver wreaths on the full-color metal badges with gold wreaths; subdued pin-on badges and sew-on badges would see their black wreaths also replaced with gold. Soldiers that had earned a combat badge but a "separate" expert badge (a CIB and an EFMB, for example) would wear the master badge aligning with their combat badge (in the case of a CIB and an EFMB, the awardee would wear the Master Infantryman Badge). As of {{currentmonth}} {{currentyear}}, no official announcement has been made concerning the badges.{{cite web|title=Army Set to Debut Master Combat Badges in Spring, Memo Says|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/12/17/army-set-debut-master-combat-badges-spring-memo-says.html?amp|website=Military.com|publisher=Military.com|access-date=2025-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114233042/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/12/17/army-set-debut-master-combat-badges-spring-memo-says.html?amp|archive-date=2025-01-14}}{{cite web|title=Army to award Master Combat Badge to expert, combat-tested soldiers|url=https://www.armytimes.com/land/2024/10/16/army-to-award-master-combat-badge-to-expert-combat-tested-soldiers/|website=Army Times|publisher=Army Times|access-date=2025-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114233042/https://www.armytimes.com/land/2024/10/16/army-to-award-master-combat-badge-to-expert-combat-tested-soldiers/|archive-date=2025-01-14}}