The Washington Army National Guard recently hosted its annual Expert Soldier Badge evaluation, bringing together service members from across the United States to test combat skills, physical fitness, and tactical readiness.
Held at Camp Murray, the event challenged soldiers seeking to earn either the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) or the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB). The evaluation measured technical knowledge, physical endurance, and the ability to perform critical military tasks under pressure.
The Expert Soldier Badge program is designed to ensure that both infantry and non-infantry personnel meet the same high standards of combat readiness. Participants completed a series of practical tests covering weapons handling, medical care, land navigation, and physical performance.
One of the most demanding parts of the evaluation was the weapons lane. Candidates were tested on both individual and crew-served weapon systems while working within strict time limits.
First Lt. Phil Craig of the Indiana Army National Guard served as one of the graders during the event. He said the weapons lane plays an important role in measuring a soldier’s readiness for combat operations.
At one station, candidates demonstrated how to safely clear an M2 .50-caliber machine gun, correct weapon malfunctions, unload the system, and complete each task accurately within the required time.
Before the final assessment, soldiers completed approximately 30 hours of weapons training. On average, each participant spent about three hours practicing with every weapon included in the evaluation.
Craig said the most successful candidates were those who made full use of every training opportunity instead of conserving energy during practice sessions. He noted that consistent preparation was one of the biggest factors in passing the final test.
Medical skills also formed a major part of the evaluation. During the medical lane, candidates completed 10 stations focused on tactical combat casualty care.
The exercises included treating battlefield injuries by applying occlusive dressings, performing needle decompressions, and providing care while under simulated combat conditions.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Jardinski of the 898th Brigade Engineer Battalion said medical readiness is essential because soldiers must be prepared to care for injured teammates while continuing combat operations.
He explained that earning the Expert Soldier Badge demonstrates that a service member can perform under pressure, master basic military tasks, and quickly adapt to new situations.
Preparation for the evaluation began long before participants arrived at Camp Murray. Many Army National Guard units started training nearly a year in advance.
Individual states incorporated Expert Soldier Badge instruction into regular inactive duty training weekends beginning about eight months before the event.
After arriving at Camp Murray, candidates completed a diagnostic Expert Physical Fitness Assessment and a diagnostic land navigation course. They then participated in five days of structured training followed by two days of command instruction before taking the final evaluations.
Successfully earning the Expert Soldier Badge or Expert Infantry Badge provides several career benefits. Qualified soldiers can receive up to 60 promotion points, improve their eligibility for Active Guard Reserve positions, and earn military awards recognizing their achievement.
Jardinski encouraged future participants to begin preparing as early as possible by reviewing official training materials and learning the required standards before attending the evaluation.
Military leaders said the annual program strengthens individual readiness while promoting consistent standards across the Army National Guard. The evaluation also helps ensure that soldiers maintain the skills needed for modern military operations.
The 2026 Expert Soldier Badge evaluation concluded after several days of testing, with participants demonstrating their knowledge, discipline, and ability to perform essential combat tasks. Army National Guard leaders said the event continues to serve as an important measure of professional excellence and operational readiness throughout the force.
