Soldiers across Europe and Africa test expertise in Vicenza

U.S. Army Soldiers from across Europe and Africa are testing their skills this month against the highest standards of proficiency for their warfighting professions at Caserma Del Din here.

By Maj. Cain Claxton , U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Italy Oct 31, 2022

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Soldiers test for expert qualification badges

Sgt. Maj. John Smith, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), acts as a causality during practice for the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) on Caserma Del-Din, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 27, 2022. The ESB is a United States Army special skills badge that is awarded to U.S. military personnel and North Atlantic Treaty Organization military personnel who successfully complete a set of qualification tests, including both written and performance portions. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Semaj Johnson)

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Photo by: Spc. Semaj Johnson

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Soldiers test for expert qualification badges

Sgt. Abigale Godwin, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), secures down a practice casualty during a loading casualties onto a non-standard vehicle practice lane for EMFB (Expert Field Medical Badge) on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 125, 2022. The EFMB is a United States Army special skills badge that is awarded to U.S. military personnel and North Atlantic Treaty Organization military personnel who successfully complete a set of qualification test, including both written ad performance portions. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Timothee Buangala)

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Photo by: Spc. Timothee Buangala

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Soldiers test for expert qualification badges

Spc. Isaias Lerma, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), fires a M4A1 Carbine as part of his training to obtain the Expert Soldier Badge training on Caserma Del-Din, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 26, 2022. The ESB is a United States Army special skills badge that is awarded to U.S. military personnel and North Atlantic Treaty Organization military personnel who successfully complete a set of qualification tests, including both written and performance portions.

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Photo by: Spc. Semaj Johnson

VICENZA, Italy -- U.S. Army Soldiers from across Europe and Africa are testing their skills this month against the highest standards of proficiency for their warfighting professions at Caserma Del Din here.

Every year, Soldiers aspiring to be the very best at what they do attempt to earn one of three “expert” badges in the Army: the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Expert Soldier Badge, and the Expert Field Medical Badge.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade hosted two weeks of training on Caserma Del Din, followed by another two weeks of testing for Soldiers assigned to the brigade, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, and other Soldiers stationed across Europe and Africa.

Practice testing begins this week, with the actual testing phase set to begin next week.

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