Should the EIB/EFMB be changed to become a true qualification?

SFC Kevin Cornett, nope not either, I was as medic prior to the service though so I have a basic understanding. Both my parents are Marines so I grew knowing the Marine Riflemen mentality. Again, it was brought up in another thread, and there have been some folks that that ARE Army, that DO have EFMB/EIBs that say the idea has merit. I just brought it forward for discussion. As for AF AFSC (MOS) Badges, they are actual directly tied to skill level. The basic badge is awarded upon completion of "3" level apprentice training. the senior badge (star) is awarded upon completion of "7" level craftsman training and the master(star and wreath) badge upon promotion to E7 as long as you have at least 5 years from the time of the award of your "7" level". There are some exceptions, but that is the baseline.

If you (and any individual that is confused as to what the EIB/EFMB actually is) want to know what the requirements are, and the idea behind these awards, I would suggest you review AR 600-8-22, and DA Pam 40-20 (EFMB). Again, these badges are awarded after completion of criteria, just like Air Assault, Just like Airborne, Just like the Ranger Tab (I am not comparing the difficulty level, just the completion of a set criteria/school = earned right to wear badge/tab).
As far as being proficient in skills/tasks; Medics are required to complete the 68W training every 2 years to maintain the MOS. That has to happen whether or not they have a CMB/EFMB.

To be perfectly honest, there seems to be some badge/award envy or maybe if they are holders of the badge, some unnecessary protectionism of them.
You meet the requirements, you attend the course, you complete all tasks, you get awarded the badge. That is it. Any Medic or Infantryman may attempt to earn their respective badges at any time; Many try, and most fail. Why are you interested in taking these badges away from those that didn't fail?

I have both, EIB (AUG 1976, B co 1/75th) and CIB (NOV 2005, Bastogne! Hawija, Iraq. The EIB, EFMB should be a one time event, just like Ranger School, SFQC, Jump school etc; you pass the requirements....you earn the badge / tab.

EIB & EFMB are week long demonstrations of mastery of your field. They are a mark of excellence requiring critical thinking, stamina and expertise. You don't measure it like how many rounds hit the target. It's measured by who would be your first choice if you need someone to have your back or save your ass!

Awesome answer!

I would agree, and would add that there is a morale issue here as well. Earning an EIB/EFMB could likely matter little to soldiers if regular recertification is required. I would also be curious as to who would run the training/testing. When I earned my EIB, the testing stations were run by Infantryman who had already earned an EIB.

WO1 Matthew Scraper it wouldn't be all that much more difficult than Bradley or Abram's platform table 6 qualifications. There is still a standard and instead of having already certified badge holders, you have master Gunners to do it. They certify crews on a qualification. You could have a "master infantry" school and trained and certified "master infantrymen" in every unit who could oversee, run, and certify the training...

SFC Olivero Rodriguez, care to explain the down vote?

SPC (Join to see) - The EFMB does not test to medical skills of what an 68W should know and is little higher than the first aid you learn in basic training.

If you would say the same thing about 68W AIT, then that is your opinion. What I meant is that it tests the baseline skills expected of every green 68W, plus soldiering skills acquired in basic (mostly), and trained at their unit.

MAJ Byron Oyler You may be a higher medical authority, but I think you're wrong here. Increasingly so, since the number of techniques taught to CLS was reduced since I left basic.

SPC (Join to see) - I was a 91B when NREMT was not required, know the first aid taught in basic training, and the medical side required to pass EFMB. EFMB tells me you are a determined physically fit solder that can pass a set of tasks that you have ample training to learn. It is extremely tough to achieve and tells to the character of the soldier but nothing to abilities when the causalities start flowing. Tasks in combat lifesaver were changed because so many focused on the IV portion and not what was killing soldiers, bleeding out.