EIB testing: a different way of thinking: 75th ranger regiment public affairs.(Expert Infantryman Badge training )(Report)

The 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., recently conducted Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) training d testing immediately after redeployment from its most recent combat tour. The methodology for preparation and testing was a little out of the Army's norm. There were no details for extensive site preparation, no sand bags to be filled, no camouflage nets erected, and no signs to be made. This EIB had minimal individual test stations and no ready lines or post-test holding areas. Most of the testing was conducted in lanes and replicated combat conditions as much as possible. The battalion conducted all planning and coordination required to conduct this EIB while deployed, and it obtained approval to conduct the testing under the new concept from the EIB committee at the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Ga.

The purpose of EIB training and testing, which has not changed from its inception in the 1940's, is to create an evaluation that tests the individual skills required to survive on the battlefield and to ensure proficiency of the individual Soldier to support collective training. For at least the past 25 years, maybe longer, this has equated to EIB training and test sites which consisted of individual test stations. This allowed for refresher training just prior to conducting the individual tasks. Although this is certainly adequate to test an individual task, it is stand alone, meaning no tasks immediately precede or follow that individual task, with only the stress of conducting one task at a time.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The senior NCOs of the battalion wanted to take a more aggressive approach to EIB testing. Over the past few years, they have observed the EFMB testing concept the Ranger Regiment runs where individual tasks are conducted within lanes and follow a logical scenario a medic might find on the battlefield. These EFMB lanes were a series of individual tasks evaluated in immediate succession by a set group of graders per lane. The NCOs decided EIB testing should also replicate combat conditions. The men should know the tasks and perform them to such proficiency that they could do them under the stress of combat conditions without hesitating to think, even if the conditions around them changed each time. They also realized they were wasting time during EIB site set up by creating an elaborate EIB site and everything that goes with it: from printing thousands of sheets of paper, creating numerous signs and boards, filling sand bags, raking leaves to creating individual stations and erecting tents and nets. EIB set up, training, and testing was conducted in two weeks from start to finish.

The CSM's intent for EIB is what drove the planning process and ultimately led to the task list, lane scenarios, and execution of the EIB under a different concept. Figure 1 is taken from the initial draft of the concept for planning.

 
Figure 1--CSM's Intent 
 
* EIB training is conducted as combat-focused lane training in a 
field environment instead of individual station training as 
conducted in the past. 
 
* Tasks are combat-focused tasks relevant to the unit on the 
battlefield today given the battalion's current and anticipated 
mission currently, and into the next several years, focused on the 
the regiment's big five (physical fitness, battle drills, medical, 
marksmanship, mobility). 
 
* The training scenarios are tailored to allow maximum time and 
resources for squad leaders to be the primary trainers. 
 
* All lanes are set up logically to allow seamless flow between 
tasks, closely replicating combat conditions. 
 
* Subject matter experts are used to evaluate call for fire, 
communications, and medical tasks where possible. 
 
* EIB training serves a dual purpose role where possible, meaning 
Rangers are RFR refreshed as a result of medical lane as an 
example. 
 
* Individual stations are incorporated with other overarching 
tasks, such as movement and navigation tasks, with individual 
stations located along the way. 
 
* Only tasks with clearly defined tasks and standards will be 
evaluated during EIB. 
 
* There will be no administrative functions 
around the EIB site, meaning no visible briefing boards, admin 
holding areas, ready lines, etc. All areas will be related to a 
combat environment. 
 
* PSGs will be lane NCOICs for all lanes. 

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]