2 Korean Soldiers First Women to earn U.S. Army Expert Infantryman Badge

2014-10-28T14:17:43-04:00

First off let me say that these women are role models to women in the military community. Out of 530 individuals tested only 94 recieved the EIB. That's over an 80% failure rate. I think it says a lot that our allies in South Korea allow women to serve in the Infantry and these women are capable enough to earn an U.S. Army EIB. But to all the military women out there, does it make you feel a little bitter that U.S. women have never been tested for this badge, yet we give the testing freely to women from our ally's military?

I understand giving respect to our allies and their way of doing things, but I also feel it reflects poorly on the U.S. military to not grant U.S. women the same opportunities. If you notice in the article 3 women were tested, 2 out of 3 passed. If women were allowed in the infantry, and those who choose that path had a 67% success rate for first time testing for an EIB doesn't that say a lot about those women's capabilities? I think the U.S. military is overthinking allowing women in combat roles. Approximately 14% of the military are women, the military represents less than 1% of the total U.S. population. Of that seemingly small percetage of women, how many actually want to join a combat MOS?

I know this question keeps getting asked again and again, but all I hear in response are excuses. Ex: Women can get raped! Yeah, but so can men, and both could also lose their lives! Women and men in the military are also getting sexually assaulted and harassed regardless of combat roles!

My stance is that the standards shouldn't be changed to 'accomodate' women. However, I do believe the military needs to capitalize on the unique skills women bring to the table and if that means implementing different standards for the good of the U.S. military then that's what should be done. I think all women just want the opportunity to be available, not necessarily pursue that option. If we try it and it fails, so be it. How can you succeed if you don't try?

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20141028/NEWS/310280049/2-Korean-soldiers-first-women-earn-Expert-Infantryman-Badge

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 6:12 PM

2014-10-28T18:12:55-04:00

I agree that women should be given the opportunity to serve in Infantry and other combat arms roles, and if they can meet the standards they absolutely should be welcomed in. However I also absolutely believe it is the opposite of being "for the good for the U.S. military" to implement different standards for women just to allow them to fill those roles.

The standards should be there to give Soldiers the best chance to survive in battle. Survivability is not going to change just because of gender. In life-or-death situations, running speed will be just as critical, obstacles will be just as high, and the weight of gear or wounded battle buddies that need to be carried will be just as heavy regardless of a Soldier's gender.

I do think that the standards do need to be checked to ensure that they are a proper reflection of what is needed to excel in combat, and those standards maybe should be more stringent than those for an MOS that doesn't regularly experience combat. Are there women who will still make it? Yes, just as I've seen females who do more pushups and situps and run faster during the APFT than some of their male counterparts, although that is the exception more than the rule. Not all females will meet those standards, which is fine just as it is fine that there are males who wouldn't make that cut either, possibly even myself.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Oct 29 at 2014 11:57 AM

2014-10-29T11:57:46-04:00

I feel the same as I stated for women going to Ranger School/Q-Course/Etc.(shhhhh...there are already women in SpecOps but don't tell anybody). It MUST be an even playing field with no accommodations for gender/race/religion. I have no problem with it if they can make it. I don't believe that we are ready for women as combat commanders yet but if it takes a Tab to get promoted, and they can meet the standards, more power to them. Congrats to the Women. They were in the 20% that made it.

This is the current atmosphere in the Military. Unfortunately you either go with it or look for another job. As a Contractor in Iraq I was amazed how many positions were filled by women that were not a part of my Army(66-87). They did very well including a certain Navy Commander (LTC) who was in charge of keeping tabs on all contractors and contracts in country. A Very Sharp Lady. She could bust chops like any man I've seen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 9:44 AM

2014-10-31T09:44:47-04:00

I see why they let the females test for the EIB. It for infantry soldiers and they were technically infantry. Also, 18 series can also go to EIB. In the US we don't have any women with an 11 series MOS so that prevents them from even testing. EIB is intend challenging. I did mine with the 82nd. About a third pass. My company had 12 go with 9 earning it and 4 going true blue. True Blue is without a No-Go.

I am vehemently apposed to changing the standards, as you are, but the military is hunting for the good. If they can't find any they go out and make it up. I know other countries have female infantry soldiers but then I would only compare us to that Army. I don't know of any Army on our level that does that yet. I may be wrong. I worked with the Canadian Army in the past and they had female infantry soldiers. There were no where on our level. Our Army has the highest expectations than any Army in the world. We are a war fighting Army, and not a conflict and skirmish focused Army. This should play a role in how we structure our forces.

I do believe that it will happen in the years to come but I only hope that they truly maintain the standards and not carter a new training plan to female soldiers.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made May 1 at 2016 12:30 AM

2016-05-01T00:30:47-04:00

Until women actually get the Infantry MOS it would be nothing more than badge hunting. In my opinion the Army already does a lot of that by sending people who will never be airborne to jump School.

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Jul 23 at 2018 4:52 AM

2018-07-23T04:52:11-04:00

Korean Special Forces and the women assigned are allowed to test for ally awarded badges , much like the German awards U.S. Military personnel can earn, first nothing comparable about foreign military personnel even females testing for E.I.B. BECAUSE they are not in the U.S. Military, women in the Army have tested and passed in previous year's but due to not having the required mos, they were not awarded the badge but instead earned a letter of commendation, or appreciation. That was the past , now women can earn the mos and the E.I.B. Right alongside the men. Welcome to the new Army ...

Response by Jennifer Lee (Doerflinger) Hill made Nov 7 at 2019 10:40 PM

2019-11-07T22:40:56-05:00

I fully agree. I think it will require some creative thinking on the part of the upper echelons all the way down to troop leader. (I wasn't Army, so my terminology might not be correct.)

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 3 at 2021 2:26 PM

2021-07-03T14:26:48-04:00

Just give the pos badge out when you hand out crossed rifles, blue disks, & cord! That badge is wortkess as tits on a boar! At least the 2 korean females bleed every 28 days!