Practice Makes Perfect ✔️ 173rd Airborne Brigade Soldiers practice with the M249 light machine gun before testing on the weapon lanes. Weapon lanes are part of the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) and Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) testing, collectively known as E2B, which tests candidates' physical and mental abilities while executing critical individual tasks | U.S. Army

Before they train Army recruits at basic training, drill sergeants must graduate from the nine-week United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy. Insider spent a week at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, to see what it takes to become a drill sergeant. The Drill Sergeant Academy has adopted a new strategy where the old days of breaking down recruits with yelling and push-ups have been replaced with a more collaborative and respectful tone. Drill sergeant candidates are taught how to effecti