The EIB was created with the CIB by executive order in November 1943 during World War II.

To be awarded the EIB, the soldier must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic infantry skills.

Personnel who have been awarded both the EIB and the CIB are not authorized to wear both badges simultaneously.

[3] The EIB is a silver and enamel badge, consisting of a 3-inch-wide (76 mm) rectangular bar with an infantry-blue field upon which is superimposed a Springfield Arsenal Musket, Model 1795.

Although similar in name and appearance to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), it is a completely different award.

EIB Physical Fitness Assessment: Each candidate (regardless of sex or age) is required to complete 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups and finish a 4 mile run in 32 minutes or less.

Generally there are multiple stations in all the following areas (less common/defunct tasks in italics): Foreign militaries are often invited to participate in the EIB when units are overseas or in host nation countries.

The period of testing usually stretches over several days, with the number of candidates remaining steadily dwindling and pressure similarly increasing.