Overview
The Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) is a special skills badge of the United States Army. It is similar in appearance to the Combat Action Badge. The ESB is awarded to Soldiers who have completed testing and do not serve in the Infantry, Special Forces, or Medical Branches.
Army Times article: “First Soldiers awarded Expert Soldier Badge” at Army.mil
Purpose
The ESB demonstrates individual Soldier competencies and abilities to perform Skill Level 1 Warrior Tasks and brigade commander-selected tasks. Training and testing are expected to be tough, realistic, and mission focused. All who meet the standards will be awarded the Expert Soldier Badge. All Soldiers, NCOs, Officers, and Warrant Officers are eligible to compete for the ESB except those in the Infantry, Special Forces, and Medical Career Management fields (CMFs 11, 18 or 68).