Expert Action Badge (EAB)

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the proposed new badge, the Expert Action Badge (EAB). The badge expected to test Soldiers proficiency physically and mentally in their Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills (WTBD). The Army has the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) for the infantry and the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) for the medics. The Army wanted to create another award for the majority of the Soldiers who are not eligible for the EIB or the EFMB. This research will talk about the EAB requirements, qualifications and how the Soldiers will benefit from it. It will illustrate the comparison of qualification and requirements between the EIB, the EFMB and the EAB award. Right now, the proposed EAB is still in the talks, process and still
Participation is not an assurance of the EAB award. A good example of this situation is the Army’s Honors program. All students will go through the same course but will be competing to for Distinguished Honor graduate. For this reason, even though the students learned the same materials, not all students will meet the standards and qualification for honors such as having a 95 percent grade point average not having negative counseling and having a first time go on all tasks required are a few examples. The Army EAB requirements include the 12-mile ruck march with 35-pound load under three hours. 80 percent in physical fitness test in each event, capable of locating 3 out of 4 land navigation within two hours and receiving first time go on Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills (WTBD) the Brigade Commander will also choose 5 of 30 Mission Essential Task List (METL). The Brigade will organize the EAB qualification. The participating unit will have two weeks to prepare their Soldiers going through the
These awards show excellence in military and motivate them to be a proficient and put them in a high level of service. The award helps Soldiers to create a goal in their life, look up to it as our motivation and opportunity of growth, improvement, and excellence professionally. Like what Jeremy Adams said, “We are all in the same team” (Myers, 2017). To fully see if this EAB will benefit the Soldier physically and mentally in their WTBD a future study may rise. Several concerns that may rise are injury to Soldiers participating in the event. Since, the Soldiers are not conducting all the tasks required to qualify for a badge in their daily activity like the infantry and the medics. Will the two weeks preparation for a Soldier to participate in this event be enough not to endure any injury and be