A U.S. Army Paratrooper assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepares to throw a training hand grenade during the weeklong testing for the Expert Infantryman Badge / Expert Soldier Badge. The soldiers must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic Infantry skills Oct. 22, 2020 at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy. The purpose of this training is to build confidence and competence within our formations on basic Soldier skills and tactics, and help sustain the Army's role as an organization of lethal, disciplined and professional soldiers. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.