The Army is developing a new Expert Action Badge for soldiers who aren't grunts

I was never able to test for the expert field medic badge because I was more interested in learning how to save live than to ruck march and that is what the EFMB is, a PT fest with a little first aid. Nothing that requires even the basic knowledge of a medic. Soldiers need to worry more about being good in their job than bling on the uniform.

I'd argue getting promoted isn't necessarily showing mastery of your MOS. There aren't tests, like other branches-- so how would one define "mastery?" Or how about those that have multiple MOS's, and get promoted in to a MOS slot they haven't actually done for years?

Boards, awards, all can be very dependent upon being assigned to the right unit. What one unit gives an ARCOM for, one gives a COA for. When it comes to things like the EIB, we at least know there are solid, objective capabilities of those soldiers-- and I've yet to see someone dismiss the EIB as worthless.

I don't think there's a difference.

You have a point, of course, within the Army philosophy that everything a soldier does must have a visible symbol somewhere on the uniform. The point of most of those commenting as you know, is incredulity that the Army will create yet another do-dad for your already gaudy uniform.
As I'm sure you also know, the CIB, along with the Combat Medic Badge, came to be in WW2 as a means to visibly reward the PBI that is on the pointy, and shitty, end of the spear as a normal everyday part of the job. Now it has devolved to participation ribbons and badges. And it does not matter what some focus group or Army Times survey or SMA/CSS eager to make his mark says the 'benefits' are. Look at how well your black beret worked out.



SGT Sean Goodrow -

I didn't say CIB; I said EIB. Expert Infantry Badge. Which was -also- created during WWII, a couple years after the CIB. The point of the CAB was to recognize that not just the "tip of the spear" types see combat. So the correlary here is to recognize that it's not only the infantry that needs to be proficient in combat...which seems like common sense.

USMC has its fair share of participation ribbons-- and what the Army has badges for, you have ribbons for instead. Ribbon racks still look gaudy for all the branches, and to a point, I agree that if literally everyone has it, it's worthless.

However, not all infantrymen have EIB's...making it worth something. Not all soldiers will have this...or even most. Making it worth something.

How -dare- we give soldiers something to be proud of, to show that they worked for...indeed.

I agree.

I recieved a lot of "Bling" in my service to the Army, but I always liked the simpler but nicely decorated uniform of my son.... the Marine!

Sometimes, less is definitely more.
MSG David Rogers III -