212th Combat Support Hospital begins standardization and validation for USAREUR FY15 Fall EFMB

Photo By Maj. Jeku Arce | Sgt. Richard Fry of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment immobilizes the spine of his casualty with a Kendrick Extrication Device before vehicle extraction during standardization of Combat Testing Lane 3, Aug. 20 in Grafenwoehr Training Area. The 212th Combat Support Hospital hosts USAREUR Expert Field Medical Badge training in order to reinforce individual Soldier skills and strengthen ties with multi-national allies and partners. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Daniel Boone, 212 CSH Public Affairs)  

GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

08.22.2015

Courtesy Story

30th Medical Brigade

By Capt. Daniel Boone
212th CSH Public Affairs

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – The 212th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) along with medical personnel from USAREUR and the United Kingdom’s 4th Armoured Medical Regiment continue their preparation to ensure the upcoming Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) testing is a success.

The 212th CSH, 30th Medical Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command are in the final stages of preparation for USAREUR Fall FY15 EFMB at Camp Aachen in Grafenwoehr, Germany. The EFMB, established in June 1965 as an Army special skill award for medical personnel, is AMEDD’s most prestigious peacetime badge. With an overall pass rate of 20 percent, it is one of the most difficult Army skill badges to obtain.

The EFMB identifies the best of the U.S. Military’s medical personnel. It is awarded to those who show exceptional competence in all aspects of field medical care. Candidates must display tactical excellence, physical prowess, and medical proficiency in all areas of Army Warrior Skills and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. The badge, which can only be worn by medical personnel in the U.S. Military or soldiers serving in a medical unit, is highly sought after by members of the AMEDD community.

The USAREUR Fall FY15 EFMB will have more than 180 candidates attempt to earn the badge. Of those, there will be 23 multinational candidates from six NATO Allies: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Finland, Hungary, and Slovenia. With multinational candidates from NATO Allies as participants and eight Soldiers from United Kingdom’s 1st Armoured Medical Regiment serving as cadre, this EFMB enforces USAREUR’s Strong Europe campaign increasing interoperability with other European nation’s military forces.

Over 300 Cadre and Support from the 212th CSH and USAREUR along with the eight Soldiers from the UK are finalizing their lane setup for validation which begins August 19, 2015. Validation is a process in which a Test Control Officer from AMEDD Center and School observes the host unit to ensure they comply with the standards in Pam 350-10, Expert Field Medical Badge Test. After the TCO gives his/her approval, the 212th CSH will initiate the USAREUR Fall FY15 EFMB testing, scheduled to start Aug. 23, 2015.

Earning the EFMB requires candidates to pass a written test, complete day and night land navigation, complete three Combat Testing Lanes (CTL), and complete a 12-mile ruck march. The CTLs focus on Army Warrior Skills and Tactical Combat Casualty Care to include CBRNE tasks, casualty assessment and care, casualty evacuation, and movement under fire. The 12-mile ruck march, which must be completed under three hours, is the final event on the EFMB graduation morning.

Passing the Expert Field Medical Badge testing takes a wide range of skills and knowledge, along with the ability to perform under stress. It is not only stressful on the candidates, but also the Cadre and support to provide mentoring, grading, and technical support. The Cadre are held trained to a single standard of testing and grading the candidates, and must be able to teach each task of their CTL to standard.

Capt. Hannah Skotty, OIC of CTL 3, sees this opportunity as a great leadership experience. “Being asked to take lead of an EFMB lane is a great opportunity. Not only will it be a great for my leadership development, getting to see fellow medical Soldiers earn this prestigious badge that they worked for is such a rewarding experience.”

The EFMB is a challenging course, the ultimate test of competence and endurance. The 212th CSH is prepared and motivated to teach, train, and mentor each candidate to ensure they have the best opportunity to earn the coveted badge. The opening ceremony is on Aug. 23, 2015, at Camp Aachen in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2015
• Date Posted: 08.22.2015 16:40
• Story ID: 173973
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE