Expert Soldier Badge


The Expert Soldier Badge, or ESB, is a special skills badge of the United States Army. Similar in appearance to the Combat Action Badge, the ESB would be awarded to soldiers who are neither infantry, nor combat medics. The badge was approved on June 14, 2019 and entered service in October 2019, as a way for soldiers in other military occupational specialties to certify competencies within their specific occupation, as well as general combat readiness.

History

The concept of the Expert Soldier Badge was initially proposed in 2015 as part of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command's NCO 2020 Strategy, as one way to improve combat readiness in the Army. The ESB was first openly discussed on March 30, 2017, at an NCO Development Town Hall hosted by CSM 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 Joint Base Lewis-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.

Criteria

The current proposed criteria for award of the ESB is that a soldier must perform in 30 Warrior Tasks and battle drills, and five METL tasks, chosen by a commander, from their unit's list of mission-essential tasks, in addition to completion of a 12-mile foot march, a land navigation test and the Army Physical Fitness Test. Testing will be 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.

Design

The current proposed design for the ESB is similar to that of the Combat Action Badge. It would feature the same M9 bayonet and M67 fragmentation grenade, superimposed on a rectangular base, as found on the CAB. The ESB will not, however, feature a wreath.