DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

DEFENDER 25 Outreach tour
DEFENDER 25 Infographic

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Video by Greg Mason
USARC E3B at Fort McCoy WI
Fort McCoy Multimedia Visual Information Branch
May 23, 2024 | 4:15
The U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) held the first E3B that combines the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB), Expert Infantry Badge (EIB), and Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) into one event at Fort McCoy WI from May 5th-17th 2024.

The E3B planning started 8 months ago to coordinate all the support requirements to run the 3 Badges running concurrently. Multiple units provided the 144 personnel needed for logistical support for Admin, Transportation, Medics, Lanes Support and Food Service. Cadre and Support teams arrive at Fort McCoy 3 weeks early to draw equipment, set ups lanes, and perform internal and external validations prior to candidates arrival. E3B staff came from all three U.S. Army components (Active, Reserve and National Guard) to run lanes and provide logistical support.

Over 150 candidates converged on Ft. McCoy to undergo rigorous train-up and testing to try and earn the ESB, EIB, or EFMB. Once all testing was completed, 31 Soldiers emerged as 2024 badge recipients having satisfactorily completed all required tasks: 17 ESB, 5 EIB, and 9 EFMB.

(U.S. Army Video by Greg Mason, Multi-media Branch, Fort McCoy, Wis.) Music courtesy of Pixabay.com
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