The Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, is a military badge of the United States Army. Although similar in name and appearance to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), it is a completely different award: while the CIB is awarded for participation in ground combat, the EIB is presented for completion of a course of testing designed to demonstrate proficiency in infantry skills.
The EIB was first created in October 1943. Currently, it is awarded to U.S. Army personnel who hold infantry or special forces military occupational specialties. To be awarded the EIB, the soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills; usually the testing phase is the culmination of weeks of training. The EIB test is administered on average once per year with pass rates usually near 10 percent, depending on the unit conducting testing.
Personnel who have been awarded both the EIB and the CIB are not authorized to wear both awards simultaneously. In such cases, the CIB has precedence according to Army Regulation 670-1. However, while the CIB may have precedence, holders of both may choose to wear the EIB instead of the CIB.
A similar award exists for medical personnel, known as the Expert Field Medical Badge. Personnel designated MOS 18D (Special Forces - Medical Sergeant) are the only medical personnel that can receive the EIB and CIB (citation needed; this is not true). All other medical personnel can qualify for the EFMB or CMB.
Read more about Expert Infantryman Badge: Modern Requirements (2000s), Terminology and Ritual
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