Posted on May 17, 2017
Army Swears Expert Action Badge Isn't A Participation Trophy
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Seems kind of like the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist in the Navy. It sounds like it is not so much a "You showed up, so here is your badge" as it is a way of showing that a soldier possesses a wide range of skills beyond the mundane tasks of their job. A lot of this will really depend upon what tasks are put into the test. If the Army assigns tasks like finding the chow hall at Fort Sill, then yes it will be a joke. If it includes tasks akin to parachuting into death valley, with one MRE a field knife, canteen, compass, and map, and navigating to Fort Irwin without support, then it ceases to be a participation trophy.
Army Swears Expert Action Badge Isn't A Participation Trophy
Posted from taskandpurpose.comPosted in these groups: 
Awards
Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB)
Expert Field Medical Badge EFMB
Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Awards Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) Expert Field Medical Badge EFMB Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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I think that anyone awarded these badges knows exactly what they mean and within the confines of the Service everyone else knows what they mean,maybe you could use them to impress civilians,but I can tell you from personal experience that CIB hanging on the wall of my storage shed and $3.85 will still not get you a Grande, no foam cinnamon dusted latte at Starbucks,it's only meaning and worth is to the one who wears it.
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Sgt William Margeson
It is a participation make feel good. The little colored ribbon is all that is required to know taht you were there
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SSG Duane Tyler
I survived 3 mortar attacks within 50-100 meters from my work area, sleeping quarters and walking to chow, 1 RPG attack was averted while flying in a Blackhawk, thanks to an AWESOME PILOT. Numerous mortar attacks at LSA Anaconda while awaiting flights back to my FOB. All in 1 sixteen month (05-06) deployment as a support person (Electronic Maintenance). It's done an over with but those experiences will have lasting affects on me.
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The "Combat" version is more often the participation trophy. A single mortar round hits on or near a FOB, everyone within a 100 - 500 meter radius (depending on the approval authority) gets the badge even if there were 5 rows of HESCOs in between them and the blast.
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SPC Nicholas V.
So you mean when I got hit with a rocket on base, I should have got one... oh well... I havn't got my TBI compensation either.
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SPC Matt Johnson
I didn't get one until my 2nd IED that was a direct hit on my cab of my hemmit fuel truck and blew off both driver side front tires turned the parts of the engine to swiss cheese and I still completed the mission. everyone else that was a Fobit got arcoms and bronze stars for looking at porn all day on there work computer. not me
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SSG Duane Tyler
I survived 3 mortar attacks within 50-100 meters from my work area, sleeping quarters and walking to chow, 1 RPG attack was averted while flying in a Blackhawk, thanks to an AWESOME PILOT. Numerous mortar attacks at LSA Anaconda while awaiting flights back to my FOB. All in 1 sixteen month (05-06) deployment as a support person (Electronic Maintenance). It's done an over with but those experiences will have lasting affects on me.
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I've got my aviation wings. Beyond that I don't care about much else. If I earn it, give me an air medal or an arcom. If the situation warrants a device to go with them, great. Beyond that I'm not worried about the bling.
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SSG (Join to see)
They are. They're like your blue cord though. Everyone with a 15 series MOS gets them. They're not limited to enlisted on flight status or the stick wigglers.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
SPC Chris Benson - I agree with you on that fully. When I enlisted in the Navy, I didn't even think about aviation. I didn't do my homework, and I thought everyone who flew had to be an officer with 20/20 vision. I shake my head at my stupidity everytime I think about it.
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CPL Charles Gale
Agreed. I value my Aviation wings over my CAB. Mine were earned though, I was never a 15 series.
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