GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY: Infantrymen show 'true blue' form (2024)

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- After one week of validation, one week of training and one week of testing, two Fort Jackson Soldiers can now call themselves "true blue."

Yesterday marked the end of this year's Expert Infantryman Badge competition, making 10 noncommissioned officers and two officers the newest recipients of the blue badge.

Two of those Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Joshua King, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, and Staff Sgt. Juan Hernandez, Company A, 1st Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment, earned the title of "true blue." True blue Soldiers are those who earn the EIB without any "no gos." A "no go" means the EIB candidate failed to pass a particular task. A candidate who gets a "no go" on a task gets one more chance to re-test. A failure at the same station, or more than two from all stations, puts him out of the competition.

Although 124 Soldiers were eligible to compete for the EIB, only 34 passed the prerequisites necessary to move on to the competition, said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Whaley, the event's noncommissioned office-in-charge. Only Soldiers who have a military occupational specialty of 11B, or infantryman, can compete for the actual award. They must have scored at least 75 percent in an Army Physical Fitness test, complete a land navigation course and finish a 12-mile road march within three hours.

For an infantryman, the blue badge with the silver rifle is a symbol of pride. A Soldier who spots the badge on the uniform of a NCO or officer knows that infantry is an expert in his field, Whaley said.

"For the EIB, in today's Army, that Soldier knows what that badge means," he said. "I would want a guy on my team who had an EIB."

Soldiers competed in 34 tasks, including tests in assembling various weapons, camouflage techniques, hand grenade throwing, first aid, using a claymore mine and firing a .50 caliber machine gun.

Whaley said the completely NCO-run event not only gives Soldiers the chance to earn a coveted award, it shows what being a NCO is all about.

"It's about getting the NCOs together and showing what we can do as a NCO corps," he said. "Being the year of the NCO, this is the root of what we do -- training."

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY: Infantrymen show 'true blue' form (2024)

FAQs

What does true blue mean in the military? ›

Paratroopers receive the Expert Infantryman Badge and an Army Commendation Medal for achieving "true blue," meaning they completed all phases of testing without a single failure, or "no go," on Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.

What is the pass rate for the expert infantry badge? ›

Like the Expert Field Medic and Expert Soldier badges, the Expert Infantry Badge has a low pass rate at approximately 15 percent and tests infantrymen physically, mentally, and technically. Those that earn the badge are considered experts in their military occupation.

How do you put on a blue cord infantry? ›

The cord is passed under the arm and over the right shoulder under the shoulder loop, and secured to the button on the shoulder loop. In order to attach the cord, officer personnel will attach a 20-ligne button to the right shoulder seam, 1/2 inch outside the collar edge.

What does 11 B mean in the military? ›

The U.S. Army Military Occupational Specialty code for an enlisted infantry soldier – phonetically pronounced "Eleven Bravo"

Why is the infantry color blue? ›

Infantry has been a part of the Army since its founding, fighting on the front lines in defense of our country. The light blue hue, like the sky, is the color that represents this historic branch.

What does it mean to true blue? ›

: marked by unswerving loyalty (as to a party) : genuine.

What is the hardest badge to get in the military? ›

Expert Field Medical Badge

What are the hardest badges to get in the US Army? ›

"It's called the Expert Field Medical Badge for a reason." Army medical personnel have to complete the same tasks as their infantry brethren but take it several steps further.

How many people have a combat infantry badge? ›

Combat Infantryman Badge
TotalWorld War II to El Salvador: Unknown Salvadoran Civil War: 69 Invasion of Grenada: 3,534 Invasion of Panama: 8,031 Persian Gulf War: 21,877 Somali Civil War: 1,280 Iraq War: 41,628 War in Afghanistan: 36,518 Inherent Resolve: 30
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Combat Medical Badge
8 more rows

Can I wear the infantry blue cord? ›

The infantry blue cord is authorized to be worn only by infantry-qualified U.S. Army soldiers currently assigned to an infantry unit in the active U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Only those with an infantry military occupational specialty such as 11A (infantry officers), 11B, or 11C.

What color is infantry blue called? ›

It is a fourragere in light blue, specifically PMS 5415 (dubbed "Infantry Blue" by the U.S. Army), worn under the right shoulder and under the right epaulette of a U.S. Army infantry soldier's Class A dress blue uniform jacket or Class B shirt.

What shade of blue is the infantry? ›

The infantry color is light blue; however, infantry regimental flags and guidons have been National Flag blue since 1835. White is used as a secondary color on the guidons for letters, numbers, and insignia.

How much do 11B make a year? ›

The annual salary for 11b infantrymen ranges from $29,000 to $46,000 per year. About 49% of 11b infantrymen have a high school diploma.

Is Army infantry hard? ›

The infantry is a mentally and physically demanding profession, and Soldiers need to be able to quickly use critical thinking skills under pressure. To qualify for the infantry, an applicant must score at least an 87 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

What is a 11B in slang? ›

(U.S.) An infantryman, MOS 11B "Eleven Bulletstopper" most commonly the point man of an infantry fire team who is usually the first member of the team to engage, or be engaged by, the enemy.

What is the best infantry unit in the U.S. Army? ›

ARMY RANGERS

Rangers are the Army's elite light infantry, supporting other special operations forces or conducting direct action raids themselves (think Somalia 1990s). It takes about two months to complete Ranger school's three phases: Benning phase, Mountain phase and Florida phase.

Why does God love the infantry? ›

God loves the Infantry because we keep heaven stocked FULL of fresh souls, KILL EM ALL, LET GOD SORT THEM OUT! HOOAH!

Why did the U.S. Army stop wearing blue? ›

The blue uniforms were dropped in 1917 prompted by the exigencies of World War I. In 1926, the previous stand collar service coat was replaced with an open-collared coat worn with a collared shirt and necktie, and in 1937 breeches were replaced with straight-legged trousers.

What does it mean to be a True Blue member? ›

JetBlue Airline Overview

TrueBlue has customer-friendly policies like no points expiration and the ability to share points with family members. There are 2 elite status levels, Mosaic and Mosaic+ (exclusively for 2022), which provide different benefits from typical airline elite programs.

Does True Blue cost anything? ›

Joining the TrueBlue program is free and you can start earning points by booking flights online. Points do not expire, according to JetBlue's website.

Why does True Blue mean loyal? ›

Etymology. From true (adjective) +‎ blue (“steadfastly faithful or loyal”, adjective). The symbolism of the colour blue as representing constancy, faithfulness, loyalty, and truth may derive from the constant colour of the sky, or the tendency of certain blue dyes to resist fading.

What is the rarest rank in the Army? ›

Perhaps the rarest rank in the United States Army, the rank and title of Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) is given to those soldiers displaying unsurpassed mastery of the technical and tactical aspects of their chosen branch of military service.

What is the rarest badge in the Army? ›

It is the third-least awarded badge in the US Military, after the Military Horseman Identification Badge and the Astronaut Badge.
...
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
EligibilityMembers of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
StatusCurrently awarded
6 more rows

What is the hardest soldier to become? ›

There's a great argument that the Marine Corps has the hardest military training of anyone, and here's why. Of course, when you reach the top, you can find them becoming SEALs or a part of the Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), but the training of any Marine is some of the hardest military training in the world.

What is the number 1 Army patch? ›

Nicknamed the “Big Red One” because of its eye-catching Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, the 1st Infantry has the distinction of being the first division to fight in World War I, World War II, and in Vietnam.

What is the least awarded badge in the Army? ›

The three rarest badges, in order, are the Army Astronaut Badge, the Military Horseman Identification Badge and the Tomb Guard Identification Badge.

What is the lowest ranking soldier title? ›

Private (E-1) Private, the lowest Army rank, normally is held only by new recruits while at Basic Combat Training (BCT), but the rank occasionally is assigned to soldiers after a disciplinary action has been taken. The Army private (E-1) wears no uniform insignia.

What infantry unit sees the most combat? ›

Since 2002, the 10th Mountain Division has been the most deployed regular Army unit. Its combat brigades have seen over 20 deployments, to both Iraq and Afghanistan, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

What is the max age for infantry? ›

Here are the requirements to become an enlisted Soldier: Age: Between 17-35 years old. Medical, Moral, Physical: Medically and physically fit, and in good moral standing.

Which infantry sees the most combat? ›

Your best chances, however, would be Army infantry (11b), Marine Corps Infantry (0311), or a Special Forces unit. Special Forces units deploy a lot more than the standard combat unit and do things that aren't talked about or heard of.

Does the infantry see combat? ›

Members of the infantry are ground troops that engage with the enemy in close-range combat. They operate weapons and equipment to engage and destroy enemy ground forces. Being in the infantry is considered to be one of the more physically demanding and psychologically stressful military jobs.

Why is the infantry the queen of battle? ›

Another explanation why the Infantry is called the “Queen of Battle” is because the queen is master in the game of chess, which is synonymous with the chessboard of the battlefield. The infantry is the main land combat force of the military during war and no-war-no-peace or peace.

What does a white cord mean on an Army uniform? ›

According to Cadet Command Regulation 145-2, for example, white shoulder cords are worn by members of the Army JROTC Color Guard (these regulations also point out individual JROTC programs may create single- and multi-color cords to designate the host institution so long as they are approved by U.S. Army Cadet Command) ...

What is the difference between 11A and 11B in the Army? ›

Infantryman (11A): Responsible for leading infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. Infantryman (11B): Regarded as the backbone of the Army, responsible for repelling any enemy attack on land.

What does a red cord mean in the Army? ›

In the Army Junior ROTC, red shoulder cords are worn by unit members participating in drill activities, and in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) the color is authorized for wear by the primary members of a CAP Wing's Cadet Advisory Council; both organizations permit the wear of only one shoulder cord at a time.

Does SF wear blue cord? ›

For example, Special Forces, Rangers and paratroopers have their own berets, infantry soldiers have blue cords they wear on their service uniforms, and cavalry soldiers have the Stetson and spurs.

What Army unit lost their colors? ›

There is also no record of any unit having its colors taken away as a punishment for any action at any time in the history of the United States Army. There have been several rumors concerning various units losing their colors. These are generally false.

Can I be an Army infantry color blind? ›

Colorblindness does not affect a person's overall eligibility to join the U.S. military. Those with this condition may be ineligible for specific military occupational specialties (MOS). However, it is not an automatic disqualifier for joining the armed forces.

Who wears blue in the military? ›

Dress Blues

There are common threads woven in the flag of our Nation and the dress blue uniform of our Marines. Sewn from the ideals America stands for and the resolve our Marines fight with, this is the only uniform in the U.S. military designated to include the red, white, and blue colors of the American flag.

Is infantry a heavy job? ›

Infantrymen have jobs that differ from most other members of the Army or military. Their responsibilities are often more psychologically stressful and physically demanding than other jobs. Many consider infantrymen to have one of the most dangerous jobs.

Is infantry in high demand? ›

Are infantry soldiers in demand? Demand and job prospects for infantry soldiers are projected to remain relatively strong, as not many people make the military a lifelong career. In addition, the armed forces presents several paths towards advancement.

Does infantry pay good? ›

How much does an Infantryman make at U.S. Army in the United States? Average U.S. Army Infantryman yearly pay in the United States is approximately $48,185, which is 15% above the national average.

What is the failure rate for infantry in the Army? ›

It is of concern that Infantry recruit attrition within the first 12 weeks of training remains consistently above 30% . Poor selection methods that lead to the enlistment of unsuitable recruits have negative financial and personal consequences, but little is known about the personal experiences of those who fail.

What do infantry do all day? ›

As an Infantry Soldier, you'll serve in the field, working to defend our country against any threats on the ground. You'll capture, destroy, and deter enemy forces, assist in reconnaissance, and help mobilize troops and weaponry to support the mission as the ground combat force.

How long do infantry work for? ›

12+ hours a day for nco's and officers. E4 and below can see an average of 12 hours a day. However not all is spent working.

How do you say OK in Army slang? ›

1.) Roger That. “o*k,” “Understood,” and “Yes, sir/ma'am” are all acceptable replacements for this military phrase.

What does DD mean in military slang? ›

Dishonorable discharge, a punitive discharge in the U.S. military.

What is military slang for WTF? ›

whiskey tango foxtrot

Meaning: WTF (what the f*ck). Origin: NATO phonetic alphabet—W for “Whiskey,” T for “Tango,” F for “Foxtrot.”

Why is it called True Blue? ›

This derives from a British English sense of true blue, recorded from the 17th century with the meaning 'faithful, staunch, unwavering in one's commitments or principles; extremely loyal'. Later it also came to mean 'staunchly conservative' in a political sense.

What does the blue military uniform mean? ›

Army Service Uniform

Coat • Dark blue for general officers. Pants • Dark blue for general officers • Light blue for other officers and enlisted personnel.

What does True red vs True Blue mean? ›

True blue is the person that initiates the battle and true red is the person who accepts it, for friendly battles. True blue in ladder matches (matches for trophies) is the person with more trophies.

What does True Blue Patriot mean? ›

US : completely faithful and loyal to a person or an idea. a true-blue patriot.

Is True Blue rare? ›

The colour blue is rarely found in nature because only a few organisms can create the true-blue pigment. The only species of animal known to produce the true-blue pigment is the Obrina Olivewing butterfly. Blue is a very prominent and beautiful colour on planet Earth.

Why can't we see True Blue? ›

Part of the reason is that there isn't really a true blue colour or pigment in nature and both plants and animals have to perform tricks of the light to appear blue. For plants, blue is achieved by mixing naturally occurring pigments, very much as an artist would mix colours.

What does true blue look like? ›

True Blue is a tone of blue deeper than powder blue and lighter than royal blue that was the color for all of the athletic teams of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 2003 to 2017.

Do infantry officers wear blue cord? ›

The infantry blue cord is authorized to be worn only by infantry-qualified U.S. Army soldiers currently assigned to an infantry unit in the active U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Only those with an infantry military occupational specialty such as 11A (infantry officers), 11B, or 11C.

What soldiers wear blue? ›

Marine Corp Dress Uniform Trivia

The Blues are the only uniform in the U.S. armed forces designated to include the red, white and blue colors of the U.S. flag. The Marine Dress Blue uniform has, with few changes, been worn in essentially its current form since the late 19th century.

When did the Army stop wearing blue? ›

The blue uniforms were dropped in 1917 prompted by the exigencies of World War I. In 1926, the previous stand collar service coat was replaced with an open-collared coat worn with a collared shirt and necktie, and in 1937 breeches were replaced with straight-legged trousers.

What is a true blue friend? ›

completely loyal to a person or belief: You don't need to worry about Kimberley - she's true-blue. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Loyal, faithful & dependable. a safe pair of hands idiom.

What is a true blue friend an example of? ›

A true-blue supporter of something is someone who is very loyal and reliable.

What does it mean to be a true blue character? ›

adjective. If you describe someone as true-blue, you mean that they are right-wing in their ideas and opinions.

What is a true blue conservative? ›

A Blue Tory in Canadian politics is a conservative who advocates for free-market or economically liberal policies.

What does me and you true blue mean? ›

completely loyal to a person or belief: You don't need to worry about Kimberley - she's true-blue. Loyal, faithful & dependable. a safe pair of hands idiom.

What does true blue mean country? ›

"True Blue" is an Australian folk song written and performed by singer-songwriter John Williamson. The lyrical content utilises Australian slang heavily, with the title meaning authentically Australian (from a British phrase).

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