FORT CARSON, Colo. — A soldier assigned to the 4th Infantry Division returns fire while demonstrating individual movement techniques during Expert Infantrymen and Soldier badge testing at Ft. Carson, Colo., May 17. The Expert Infantrymen and Soldier Badges demonstrate a Soldier’s competence at individual asks and is on the most prestigious badges a Soldier can earn. (Photo by Maj. Jason Elmore)
By Sgt. Gabrielle Pena
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Robles, senior enlisted advisor of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is awarded the Expert Soldier Badge after a week of testing May 20 at Fort Carson. Senior leaders of the battalion hope that with their newly earned badges, future Steel Soldiers will follow in their example and earn the prestigious badge. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Pena)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The U.S. Army created several special skills badges for Soldiers serving in specific branches throughout the years. Infantrymen have the Expert Infantryman Badge. Soldiers serving in the medical branch can test and earn their Expert Field Medical Badge.
However, a badge to identify all other Soldiers as experts did not exist.
The U.S. Army announced the Expert Soldier Badge June 14, 2019, a proficiency badge designed to recognize Soldiers’ lethality and expertise outside of the infantry and medical fields.
On May 20, 2022, Lt. Col. Adam Ropelewski and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Robles, commander and senior enlisted adviser of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stood with Soldiers in their formation to receive their ESB at Fort Carson.
The command team of the ‘Mountain Warrior’ Brigade’s field artillery battalion endured the same two weeks of training and week-long testing with all other EIB and ESB candidates.
They aimed to demonstrate that earning this badge was as crucial as an infantryman or medic earning their respective badges.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A soldier assigned to the 4th Infantry Division high crawls during Expert Infantrymen and Soldier badge testing at Ft. Carson, Colo., May 17. The Expert Infantrymen and Soldier Badges demonstrate a Soldier’s competence at individual asks and is on the most prestigious badges a Soldier can earn. (Photo by Maj. Jason Elmore)
“We’re setting a good example, setting a precedent for the rest of the non-EIB qualifying population,” Robles said. “This is an important thing for our Army.”
Both Ropelewski and Robles found the turnout for senior leaders earning the ESB in their battalion was a lot higher than in previous iterations of training and testing when they expressed their desire to go out and earn the badge themselves.
“We had a battery commander and a couple of platoon sergeants (going to test),” Robles said.
Approximately 18 others in the battalion, including themselves, participated in training and testing.
“We set conditions for the future,” said Ropelewski. “This should be the expectation moving forward: create expert Soldiers and take the time to devote the opportunity to execute.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier assigned to the 4th Infantry Division demonstrates the proper a use of a Javelin during Expert Infantrymen and Expert Soldier badge testing at Fort Carson May 17. The Expert Infantryman and Expert Soldier badges demonstrate a Soldier’s competence at individual tasks and is one of the most prestigious badges a Soldier can earn. (Photo by Maj. Jason Elmore)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Lt. Col. Adam Ropelewski, right, commander of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, renders a salute to Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, after being awarded the Expert Soldier Badge May 20 at Fort Carson. Ropelewski trained, tested and earned the ESB in the hope that other Soldiers and leaders would follow to earn the prestigious badge. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Pena)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier assigned to the 4th Infantry Division employs a claymore mine during Expert Infantryman and Expert Soldier badge testing at Fort Carson May 17, 2022. The Expert Infantryman and Expert Soldier badges demonstrate a Soldier’s competence at individual tasks and is one of the most prestigious badges a Soldier can earn. (Photo by Maj. Jason Elmore)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 4th Infantry Division uses a grenade to clear a bunker during Expert Infantryman and Expert Soldier badge testing at Fort Carson May 17. The Expert Infantrymen and Expert Soldier Badges demonstrate a Soldier’s competence at individual tasks and is one of the most prestigious badges a Soldier can earn. (Photo by Maj. Jason Elmore)