State Partnership Program

Video by Davide Dalla Massara

Expert Soldier Badge 2025

Training Support Activity Europe

Nov. 4, 2024 | 2:06

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, conduct land navigation in hopes of earning their Expert Soldier Badge at Campomulo Asiago, Vicenza, Italy, Oct 21-31, 2024. Candidates will demonstrate their individual proficiency in navigation from one point to another, while dismounted without the aid of electronic navigation devices. This year's E3B is hosted by the 173rd Airborne Brigade and includes Soldiers from across Europe, including partners and allies from Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. E3B creates experts at all levels, across all organizations, increasing readiness and lethality of Soldiers, teams, squads and platoons. These events are a key enabler to molding the force into professionals, while stressing commitment to every Soldier's individual development. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army video by Davide Dalla Massara)