U.P. native is first commissioned JAG officer to receive U.S. Army’s expert soldier badge

Capt. Rudy Dambeck

Capt. Rudy Dambeck poses for a photo after being awarded the Expert Soldier Badge, October 9, 2020 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wa. (Photo Credit: Capt. Branden Nethken)Capt. Branden Nethken | U.S. Army

IRON RIVER, MI – An Upper Peninsula native has become the first commissioned JAG officer to receive the U.S. Army’s prestigious Expert Soldier Badge.

Capt. Rudy Dambeck of Iron River received the honor on Oct. 9, 2020 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. A judge advocate in the JAG Corps, Dambeck said earning the badge was important to him.

“The JAG Corps motto is, ‘Soldier First, Lawyer Always,’ and I like to think that means something,” he said.” It’s not just a cool phrase.”

According to the Army, the Expert Soldier Badge is designed to improve lethality, recognize excellence in soldier combat skills and increase individual, unit, and overall Army readiness.

It is the equivalent of the Expert Infantry Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge but is specifically for all other military occupational specialties in the Army.

Dambeck said earning the honor will help give him first-hand experience to form better legal advice when in the field where he often finds himself advising commanders.

“When you know what the weapon systems look like. When you know what medical treatment looks like. When you know at least your basic level patrol and soldier tasks. When a lawyer knows what that stuff looks like, they’re able to give a lot more informative advice to the commanders of the infantry companies out there that are looking for on the spot advice,” he said.

He added that earning the badge makes him a more effective leader, and that he has a responsibility to his subordinates to set the right example by leading from the front.

The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division shared the news on its Facebook page.

Capt. Dambeck is a West Iron County schools and Northern Michigan University graduate, WLUC-TV reported.

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