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FORT HOOD, Texas - As an Army medical professional, there are few ways to stand out amongst your peers as difficult as obtaining the Expert Field Medical Badge. With an average of only 19 percent of Soldiers earning a badge through the evaluations, the EFMB is coveted amongst Health Care Specialists.
In spite of these odds, 203 medical professionals attended an EFMB evaluation event hosted by III Corps challenging their knowledge on many vital lifesaving tasks as well as their physical and mental toughness, September 25-30.
Ensuring the evaluation follows regulation takes a lot of work.
"Planning for the event started nine months ago," explained Lt. Col. Steven Richter, officer In charge of the EFMB and commander of the 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion. "You have to lock in land and assets; there's a lot of contracts and this particular event requires EFMB holders to run the (tasks). We have badge holders from throughout the United States representing 13 different states, National Guard units and active duty units."
Once the site has been validated, candidates go through a week of inprocessing, standardization and studying. Soldiers must then pass a written test, demonstrate proficiency in 42 hands-on tasks, complete a day and night land navigation course and endure a 12-mile ruck march.
"The reason this EFMB is so hard and complicated to get is because it’s so detailed, (forgetting) the smallest details can get you dropped fast," said Sgt. Clifford Ivey, Health Care Specialist, 546th Area Support Medical Command. "Earning this EFMB is important to me because it signifies that I am one of the top-tier medics in my field and shows that I am able to strive under stress and perform duties that will save another person's life at any given time."
For most candidates, the training leading to the EFMB event was intense.
"A lot of it is months and months of preparation to make sure they're ready for the 12-mile ruck march, the mental competencies that you need to be running yourself though, remembering the steps to tasks and remembering your warrior tasks. Remembering even the simplest things become difficult when you’re (under stress)," said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Durand, Health Care Specialist, 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion. "It's is putting almost every skill that a medic will ever have to go through in his or her career to the challenge."
On his third attempt for the EFMB, Durand has lost none of his motivation.
"The reason I keep coming back is that I'm extremely passionate about getting the EFMB. The Expert Field Medical Badge is one of those badges that sets you apart from your peers. Obtaining this badge and putting in the effort means a lot to us," Durand explained. "I tend to believe that if I'm still capable, ready and able to do it, why not? In the end of the day, I'm putting forward my best foot and setting the example for those Soldiers potentially that want to go through or may be worried about going through."
Enduring all the challenges of the competition, 23 Soldiers emerged victorious having earned the EFMB.
"Those who come out here, it speaks volumes. Even if they don't achieve the badge it says something to their command and those around them that they'd take the opportunity to come out here," said Richter. "To see these guys out here taking on the same challenges and experiences, it says a lot and I'm happy for each and every one that came out."
Cpt. Richard Blair, veterinarian, 43rd Veterinarian Services Medical Detachment, not only earned the badge, but did so with the least amount of errors.
"It was a battle. It was one of the hardest badges I have ever gone for and hardest things I have been able to accomplish," he explained. "I definitely worked hard for it and I know every other single person that came out worked extremely hard for it. I'm honored, I'm humbled and it’s a great feeling to have this badge."
Now these latest badge recipients can share their knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of EFMB candidates.
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2016 11:12 |
| Story ID: | 212369 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 525 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 203 Compete For Expert Field Medical Badge, 23 Earn Honor, by SGT Nelson Robles, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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