Experts.

This is coolbert:

Have heard of the Combat Infantryman Badge. Have heard of the Expert Infantryman Badge. Have heard of the Combat Action Badge. But never the Expert Soldier Badge. Well, has only been around since 2019 so we can forgive ourselves.

From yahoo.com the story by Steve Beynon July 8, 2022.

"2,000 Expert Soldier Badges Have Been Awarded in 3 Years. But Do Non-Combat Units Want It?"

"The Army has awarded the Expert Soldier Badge 2,000 times since it was introduced in 2019, according to service data reviewed by Military.com. Yet senior leaders might face an uphill battle selling the necessity of non-combat arms troops conducting what is effectively an infantry test."

"The 2,000 Expert Soldier Badges, or ESBs, have been awarded to a pool of roughly 20,000 soldiers who have undertaken tests for the badge. The ESB's introduction came amid the Army shifting from counterterrorism to training for conventional warfare, something that service planners have stressed will move small-unit tactics and individual soldier skills to center stage."

ONLY ONE IN TEN SUCCEED, PASS THE TEST, ARE AWARDED THE BADGE!

Regarding the test and components of same:

"To qualify to take the 5-day test, soldiers must pass the Army Combat Fitness Test [ACFT], qualify as 'Expert' on the M4 Carbine or M16 rifle, and then be recommended by their chain of command. The test will then involve another ACFT, day and night land navigation, individual testing stations, and then a culminating 12-mile foot [about nineteen kilometers] march in three hours or less.  (Yes, I know, Mom… three hours or fewer)."

Image suggests or shows [?] the soldier completing the 12 mile march with load!

This test has in mind soldiers whose military occupation specialty [MOS] is primarily not combat arms, and especially those of the non-commissioned officer rank [NCO], a career troop demonstrating their mettle and an ability to perform above their peers. I might think too even not knowing details the program and test not limited to strictly to NCO's. This will in the future constituted an important factor during consideration for promotion. Passing the test of being awarded the badge considered to be a BIG PLUS!

coolbert.