U.S. Army cadres pin badges on Soldiers during an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB signifies the most skilled infantry members, proving themselves masters of physical fitness, night and day land navigation, weapons, combat medical techniques, patrolling, a 12-mile road march, and the Objective Bull. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army cadres pin badges on Soldiers during an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB signifies the most skilled infantry members, proving themselves masters of physical fitness, night and day land navigation, weapons, combat medical techniques, patrolling, a 12-mile road march, and the Objective Bull. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. and French Army Soldiers begin an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB course focuses on tasks of an infantryman that build the core foundation of individual proficiency, preparing them to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers walk into the ocean to celebrate completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. After completing the 12-mile ruck and Objective Bull, some candidates cooled down in the nearby water before changing their uniforms for the pinning ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S and French Army Soldiers celebrate completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. As infantrymen reached the beach and completed their last tasks, high-fives, handshakes and smiles finally resurfaced after enduring the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers congratulate each other after completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. As infantrymen reached the beach and completed their last tasks, high-fives, handshakes and smiles finally resurfaced after enduring the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate pulls a simulated casualty to safety April 1, 2016, during the Objective Bull portion of the EIB course at Arta, Djibouti. The Objective Bull honors the first EIB recipient, Technical Sergeant Walter Bull, who earned the badge in 1944. The final test is a simulated combat casualty care situation requiring physical and psychological strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate treats a simulated casualty April 1, 2016, during the Objective Bull portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. The Objective Bull honors the first EIB recipient, Technical Sergeant Walter Bull, who earned the badge in 1944. The final test is a simulated combat casualty care situation requiring physical and psychological strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers prepare for Objective Bull April 1, 2016, during the last portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. As they reached the end of the week the infantrymen were put to the test completing a 12-mile road march in less than three hours, followed by the Objective Bull in 20 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers perform a 12-mile road march April 1, 2016, during the last portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. As they reached the end of the week the infantrymen were put to the test completing a 12-mile road march in less than three hours, followed by the Objective Bull in 20 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers prepare for their 12-mile road march April 1, 2016, during the last portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB course focuses on tasks of an infantryman that build the core foundation of individual proficiency, preparing them to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate throws a practice grenade March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. After completing the grenade test, candidates had to complete two different grenade application tests where they threw them 35 feet and into a simulated enemy bunker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate completes a grenade classification test March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. After completing the grenade test, candidates had to complete two different grenade application tests where they threw them 35 feet and into a simulated enemy bunker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
A French Army Soldier simulates calling in suspicious activity March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The patrolling day included the most diverse categories of the course such as face paint, radio calls, hand signals and gas mask drills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
A French Army Soldier completes an activity report March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Candidates had to create a report based on simulated suspicious activity and call it in to the evaluator. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate completes a gas mask test March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The patrolling day included the most diverse categories of the course such as face paint, radio calls, hand signals and gas mask drills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Spc. Eddie Tapia, Expert Infantry Badge candidate, applies camouflage paint to his face March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Besides painting their faces and covering equipment with burlap, candidates ensured shiny or brightly colored objects were removed to prevent giving away their position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Spc. Eddie Tapia, Expert Infantry Badge candidate, applies camouflage paint to his face March 31, 2016, during the patrolling portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Besides painting their faces and covering equipment with burlap, candidates ensured shiny or brightly colored objects were removed to prevent giving away their position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Soldiers indicate how they’re doing throughout an Expert Infantry Badge course March 31, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Starting with 119 Soldiers, the process stayed true to its vigorous and elite standards, eliminating 85 percent of skilled infantrymen throughout the week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
French Army Cpl. Timothy, Expert Infantry Badge candidate, treats a simulated patient while being evaluated March 30, 2016, during the medical portion of the EIB course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Since 1944, there haven’t been many changes to the EIB process, but this course proved different in more ways than one as several French infantrymen also participated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
