How to Use This Guide

Everything you need to know about how ESB Guide works and how to read the information presented

ON THIS PAGE

What is the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB)?

The Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) is a U.S. Army proficiency badge awarded to Soldiers who demonstrate mastery of critical warrior tasks. It was established in 2019 as a companion to the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) and Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), giving non-infantry and non-medical Soldiers a path to earn an expert-level badge.

The ESB is governed by TRADOC Regulation (TR) 672-9, and the specific task performance measures come from TRADOC Pamphlet (TP) 672-9, dated 21 June 2022 — which is the source for all content on this site.

Who can compete? All Soldiers and commissioned officers in the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve — except those in CMF 11 (Infantry), CMF 18 (Special Forces), and CMF 68 (Medical), who compete for the EIB or EFMB instead.

How ESB Testing Works

Validation typically occurs over 4 days. Here's the structure:

Day Event Details
Day 1 In-Brief Roles, responsibilities, and expectations. No testing.
Day 2 Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) Gateway event. Fail any single event = immediate elimination, no retesting. Must pass before proceeding.
Day 3 Lane Testing Weapons Lane (10 tasks), Medical Lane (10 tasks), Patrol Lane (10 tasks) — tested at individual stations.
Day 4 Final Event + 12-Mile Foot March M4/M16 disassembly/assembly under fatigue, then 12-mile ruck march.
Elimination rule: A Soldier who fails the PFA is immediately eliminated and cannot continue testing. There is no retesting for PFA events. For lane tasks, Soldiers may retest failed tasks per the test board's policy.

Testing Lanes & Events

The ESB consists of 31 individual tasks organized across 4 lanes, plus the PFA gateway and Final Event:

GATEWAY
Physical Fitness Assessment

3 events: HRP, SDC, 2MR. Must pass all three to continue.

APPENDIX C
Weapons Lane

10 tasks: M4, M249, M240B, M2, MK19, pistol, grenades, Claymore, IED, AT4.

APPENDIX D
Medical Lane

10 tasks: MEDEVAC, care under fire, CPR, bleeding, chest/head/abdominal wounds, fractures.

APPENDIX E
Patrol Lane

10 tasks: movement, radio, GPS, camouflage, CBRN, map reading, SALUTE report, detainee, force.

APPENDIX F
Final Event

M4/M16 disassembly, assembly, functions check — performed after all other testing (fatigue factor).

ENDURANCE
12-Mile Foot March

Conducted per ATP 3-21.18. Completion required for badge award.

About CBRN tasks: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) tasks are integrated across multiple lanes — not a separate lane. CBRN-related tasks include P5 (CBRN Operations / 9-second mask don), ESB5 (Mark CBRN-Contaminated Areas), and M8 (Head Wound in CBRN Environment). This reflects the Army's approach of integrating CBRN readiness into all operations.

How to Read a Task Card

Every task on this site is presented as a card. Here's what each element means:

Example card with annotations:

W2 3 min / 3 min / 30 sec
M249 SAW

Maintain and operate the squad automatic weapon. Five-point safety check.

Element Example What It Means
Lane Badge W2 The task code and which lane it belongs to. Color tells you the lane: brown = Weapons, blue = Medical, green = Patrol.
Left Border Colored stripe on the left edge of the card — matches the lane color for quick visual identification.
Time Standard 3 min / 3 min / 30 sec The maximum time allowed to complete the task. Slashes separate multi-part tasks. For W2: 3 minutes to disassemble, 3 minutes to assemble, 30 seconds for the functions check. Exceed the time = automatic NO-GO.
Task Title M249 SAW The weapon system, procedure, or skill being tested. This is the short name — the detail page has the full title from TP 672-9.
Description Maintain and operate the squad automatic weapon... Brief summary of what the task involves and any critical notes worth highlighting at a glance.

Understanding GO / NO-GO Scoring

Every ESB task uses binary GO/NO-GO scoring. There is no partial credit. Each task has numbered performance measures (steps) — you either perform each step correctly or you don't.

✓
GO

You performed the step correctly and within the time standard. Grader marks GO.

✗
NO-GO

You missed a step, performed it incorrectly, or exceeded the time limit. Grader marks NO-GO.

CRITICAL steps: Some performance measures are marked CRITICAL — these are instant NO-GO items. Failing a critical step means automatic failure of the entire task, regardless of how you perform on other steps. On this site, critical steps are highlighted in red.
Examples of Instant NO-GO Actions
  • W4 (M2): Failing to verbalize "I am waiting 10 seconds for a possible hangfire" — silence = NO-GO
  • W8 (Claymore): Placing the mine backwards (text must read "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY")
  • P5 (CBRN): Taking longer than 9 seconds to don the protective mask
  • M9 (Abdominal): Pushing exposed organs back into the wound cavity
  • ESB3 (Detainee): Using unnecessary force during the search

How Time Standards Work

Many tasks have a strict time limit. Here's how to read them:

Format Example Meaning
Single value 1 minute Entire task must be completed within 1 minute total.
Two values 30 sec / 45 sec Two-part task. Part I (e.g., disassemble) in 30 sec, Part II (e.g., assemble) in 45 sec. Each part is timed separately.
Three values 3 min / 3 min / 30 sec Three-part task. Disassemble in 3 min, assemble in 3 min, functions check in 30 sec.
"Per sequence" Per sequence No fixed time limit. Task must be completed in the correct order. Graded on accuracy, not speed.
Tip: When a task shows multiple time values separated by slashes, each segment is graded independently. You could pass the disassembly portion but fail the assembly if you exceed its time limit — they are separate GO/NO-GO evaluations.

Practice Timer

Every task detail page includes a built-in countdown timer set to that task's time standard. Use it to practice against the clock — just like the real test.

1. Hit Start

Tap the Start Timer button. The countdown begins immediately.

2. Perform the Task

Execute the steps while the timer counts down. The display turns red in the final 10 seconds.

3. Check Your Time

Finished before it hits zero? That's a GO. If the timer shows TIME, you exceeded the standard.

Tip: For multi-part tasks (like W2 with 3 min / 3 min / 30 sec), each part has its own timer. Complete Part I, reset, then start Part II. Train each segment separately until you're consistently under time, then run them back-to-back.

Try it — this is a 10-second demo timer:

0:10

What to Bring to ESB

The following packing list is from the 2nd Infantry Division E3B Candidate Handbook (September 2022). While your unit's packing list may vary, this is a comprehensive baseline. Candidates must have all items before testing begins — missing equipment can result in disqualification.

Items Worn
  • OCP uniform (w/subdued or IR flag patch)
  • ID tags (long and short chain, around neck)
  • Gloves, fire retardant or full leather
  • Watch (no smart watches with GPS)
  • Notebook w/pen or pencil (waterproofed)
  • ACH w/cover, camo band, NVG plate
  • Eye protection APEL approved (clear and shaded)
  • IOTV or issued plate carrier with plates (front and back)
  • M4 w/magazine, iron sight (optics optional), BFA
  • Lensatic compass
  • Pro-mask w/2x canisters and carrier
  • Protractor (GTA 05-02-012)
  • Whistle
  • Green chem light
  • Red lens flashlight
  • Assault pack
  • Face paint (brown, green, black)
  • Waterproofing material (Ziplock bags, document protectors)
  • Knee pads (optional)
  • FLC/TAPS with ammo pouches (2 mags), grenade pouch, utility pouch
  • Combat earplugs w/case
  • NVGs tied down in utility pouch
  • IFAK
  • Hydration system, 1 qt canteen with M50 cap
Packed in Ruck (MOLLE w/Frame)
  • Poncho
  • Poncho liner
  • Camo face paint (brown, green, black)
  • Wool cushion sole socks, green (4 pair)
  • Sewing kit (top flap)
  • NVG batteries (4)
  • 550 cord, 50 feet (top flap)
  • Wet weather top/bottom
  • Waterproof bag
  • Weapons cleaning kit (rods, handle, CLP, eyelet, patches, bore brush, chamber brush)
  • Personal hygiene kit (soap, toothbrush/paste, razor, shaving cream, foot powder)
  • Brown T-shirts (3)
  • Undergarments (3)
  • Brown towel and hand towel
  • Combat boots (1 pair)
  • Sleep system (thick, thin, bivy cover)
Notes: IOTV must be Army-issued; commercial plate carriers are not authorized. Candidates must have FLC/TAPS available if heat index requires downgrade of IOTV. Verify your unit's specific packing list — some items may differ.

Source: E3B Candidate Handbook, 2nd Infantry Division "Ready First Combat Team," September 2022

Source & Disclaimer

All content on ESB Guide is derived from TRADOC Pamphlet 672-9, dated 21 June 2022, which supersedes the 4 March 2021 version. This is a public U.S. Army document and the only authorized source for ESB task performance measures.

Performance measures are from the Central Army Registry (CAR) and have been modified for ESB. All graders should read and be familiar with the individual tasks (ITASKs) and other references pertinent to their station.

Disclaimer: This site is an unofficial study tool. All content is derived from TRADOC Pamphlet 672-9 (21 June 2022). Always refer to the official publication for authoritative standards. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Army or TRADOC.

References:

  • TRADOC Regulation 672-9 — Expert Soldier Badge (responsibilities and requirements)
  • TRADOC Pamphlet 672-9 — Expert Soldier Badge Tasks (performance measures)
  • AR 600-8-22 — Military Awards
  • ATP 7-22.01 — Holistic Health and Fitness Testing
  • ATP 3-21.18 — Foot Marches
  • STP 21-1-SMCT — Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, Warrior Skills Level 1
  • TC 3-21.76 — Ranger Handbook, 26 April 2017 (supplementary tactical context)
  • E3B Candidate Handbook — 2nd Infantry Division "Ready First Combat Team," September 2022 (packing list and candidate tips)