NY Air Guardsman from Ravena, is among the first to wear Army's newest combat recognition badge
Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, New York (11/21/2025) — A New York Air National Guardsman from Ravena, assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia, New York, is now wearing one of the Army's newest combat recognition badges.
Master Sgt. Scott Potter, a combat arms instructor for the wing's 109th Security Forces Squadron, has been awarded the Army's Master Combat Infantryman Badge.Authorized in March of 2025, the badge recognizes a Soldier who has received the Combat Infantry Badge for service in a war zone, and earned the Expert Infantry Badge.
Potter, who served in both the Active Army and the Army National Guard, earned the Combat Infantryman Badge after serving in Iraq and the Expert infantry Badge before he served in combat.
The MCIB is awarded to soldiers who have previously earned both the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). The Army authorized the "master" variants in March 2025 to allow those who held both qualifying badges to wear a single badge representing the culmination of those achievements.
Potter's military career began when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1998. He spent time serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, the New York Army Guard's 827th Engineer Company and the Vermont Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment before joining the Air National Guard in 2018.
While stationed with 82nd Airborne Division, he earned the EIB on his first try with no point deductions.
The EIB requires Soldiers to complete a five-day course of physical tests, land navigation courses, military skills tests, marksmanship, medical knowledge and a 12- mile forced march.
While stationed with the 82nd, he deployed to Kosovo in 2001.
Potter then spent two years with the 25th Infantry Division before returning to the 82nd in 2003.
Potter deployed with the 82nd to Fallujah, Iraq in 2003, where he earned the Combat Infantryman badge. He explained that he was there for the First Battle of Fallujah in April 2004 and the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004.
"To earn the Combat Infantry Badge, which is different from the Combat Action Badge, you had to have been directly engaged in a firefight- which in Fallujah during that time. It was an everyday thing," Potter said.
After his time with the 82nd came to an end, Potter left the military for four years before enlisting in the New York Army National Guard in 2008.
"I missed the military and joined as an engineer because my wife didn't want me kicking down doors anymore," he said.
"I immediately went on 14-month deployment to Afghanistan as a heavy equipment operator - but didn't like being in a piece of equipment getting shot at and not being able to shoot back, so I transferred back to Infantry with the Vermont National Guard," Potter explained.
Potter said he made the decision to transfer to the Air National Guard for a slower pace as he got older.
"My wife's cousin's husband works here at the 109th and he recommended I check it out," Potter explained.
In his current role as Combat Arms Instructor, Potter applies his experience to his responsibilities with the 109th Security Forces Squadron.
"I got into combat arms to be able to break down more realistic scenarios for training- teaching about clearing rooms and base operations," said Potter.
"I'm at the end of my career, but it was worth it to do the legwork and get the recognition. It is nice to know it is something I earned and I can wear one badge now," said Potter.
The badge itself features the signature musket on a blue rectangle, like the CIB and EIB, but is ringed with a gold oak-leaf wreath - distinguishing it as the "master" level.
The Army as also created a "master" category for Soldiers who hold both the Combat Action Badge and the Expert Soldier Badge, and the Combat Medical Badge and the Expert Field Medical Badge.
"Master Sgt. Potter's wealth of experience from his time in the Army has been invaluable to us in the Security Forces Squadron, his unique background has allowed him to effectively bridge the gap between our law enforcement and ground defense training," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Stark, 109th Security Forces Chief.
Stark went on to say that Potter's mentorship and guidance, drawing on lessons learned from his experience in many operational environments, have had a significant impact on the 109th, fostering a more prepared and resilient security forces squadron.
Media Attachments
New York Air Guard Master Sgt. Scott Potter, who is a combat arms instructor for 109th Airlift Wing's security forces squadron wears the Army's Master Combat Infantryman Badge, above the Army Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge on his Air Force uniform ( U.S. Air National Guard photo by Jaclyn Lyons)
The Army's new Master Combat Infantryman Badge, which indicates the wearer has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and earned the Expert Infantry Badge, replaces the silver wreath of the Combat Infantry Badge with a gold wreath.
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
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