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    Experts in the field, McChord medics hit training grounds

    Experts in the field, McChord medics hit training grounds

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan | A soldier lays on their stomach plotting points on a map for the daytime land...... read more read more

    JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

    09.29.2015

    Story by Senior Airman Jordan Castelan 

    3d Audiovisual Squadron

    JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Airmen and Soldier medics fell into ranks to have the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of one of the most difficult to achieve badges in the military.

    Over 200 candidates travelled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to see if they possessed what it takes to earn the Army’s Expert Field Medic Badge. Of those 200, eight 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron airmen have been training to face this test.

    “It’s exceptional for someone to be able to wear this badge,” said Capt. Jeffrey Mermilliod, 446th ASTS EFMB candidate. “Only about 17 percent of the people that attempt this test [complete it].”

    ASTS airmen were all placed within the 42 person 2nd platoon for this event’s testing cycle and had to complete the tactical combat casualty care tasks portion first.

    “Testing felt like a blur,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle Bosshart, 446th ASTS EFMB candidate. “We had been training for months for this opportunity. When the time finally came it was as if everything fell into sync.”

    Nearly half of 2nd platoon failed to advance and after two days of testing only two airmen remained.

    “I was so focused on plotting my points,” said Lt. Col. Erin Hutchinson, 446th ASTS EFMB candidate. “We didn't care how wet or cold it got, didn’t care if we got lost, we just wanted to move forward.”

    The remainder of 2nd platoon were then faced with the night land navigation test, where in practice only three out of the original 42 members managed to meet the requirements to once again advance.

    “Night land navigation was probably the most daunting task we were going to face,” said Staff Sgt. Remeet Singh, 446th ASTS EFMB candidate. “It was what most of us felt like was going to be the difference maker.”

    As the sun rose Saturday morning the Air Force’s hope for having a successful candidate set on this testing cycle.

    “I wanted to really excel and show what skills I bring to the table,” said Singh. “Even though I was cut short I feel that I came back with an exceptional amount of invaluable knowledge and experience.”

    Now armed with hands on experience the reservists at the 446th ASTS look toward the future with hope and promise to one day soon sew on their very own EFMB.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.29.2015
    Date Posted: 10.05.2015 14:46
    Story ID: 178161
    Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US

    Web Views: 103
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN