Photo By Bryan Lunn | U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Garcia and Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Gilbert, from the 187th...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON — The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence announced the winners and concluded the 2025 Best Medic Competition with an awards ceremony on Dec. 4, 2025, at Blesse Auditorium.
The four-day competition was held on both JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, bringing together 12 of MEDCoE’s top Soldier-medics for physically demanding and technically rigorous events, and to compete for the title of Best Medic, and the opportunity to compete at the CSM Jack L. Clark Jr. Best Medic Competition.
The annual competition tests two-Soldier teams on a broad spectrum of combat medical proficiency, including warrior and medical tasks, stress shoots, day and night land navigation, water survival, obstacle courses, and combat runs—all events that push competitors to adapt under pressure. Events were conducted in training environments designed to replicate the complex conditions medics face during large-scale combat operations.
Maj. Gen. Anthony L. McQueen, MEDCoE commanding general and JBSA Senior Army Element commander, praised the competitors’ grit and professionalism during opening remarks at the ceremony, emphasizing the competition’s role in strengthening esprit de corps and reinforcing the Army’s commitment to lifesaving readiness.
“You soldiers carry a burden that is heavy, for a purpose as profound as those trained to preserve a life on the battlefield,” McQueen said. “When everything is on the line, when minutes matter, and when a teammate's future depends on skill under pressure, it’s you that steps up.”
Throughout the week, teams from across the 32nd Medical Brigade faced long days while demonstrating technical mastery and physical endurance. The competition serves not only to identify MEDCoE’s top medics for the 2026 Army Best Medic Competition, but also to provide an opportunity for NCOs, officers, and cadre to refine training strategies and unit readiness.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus H. Gonzalez, MEDCoE command sergeant major and JBSA Senior Army Element enlisted leader, congratulated the competitors during the awards ceremony, as well as offered his perspective on the potential he sees within the MEDCoE.
“If you believe in yourself, you are halfway there. If you think you can, you can; it just takes action,” Gonzalez said. “Start small, act now, and work on it. You need to set goals and milestones and go after it.”
After three long days, Capt. Thomas Garcia and Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Gilbert from the 187th Medical Battalion earned this year’s 2025 MEDCoE Best Medics. They will represent MEDCoE in the Army-wide CSM Jack L. Clark Best Medic Competition in February.
Sgt. 1st Class Mike Griffin and Staff Sgt. Devin Lindberg, from the 188th Medical Battalion, took second place, with Lindberg earning the top over all individual score in the competition.
The 2025 Best Medic Challenge once again highlighted the dedication, resilience, and expertise that define the Army’s medical professionals. As this year’s winners prepare to represent MEDCoE at the Army competition in February, leaders emphasized that every participant’s performance reflected the strength and readiness of the force. With the competition complete, MEDCoE continues its mission to train, develop, and empower Soldier-medics who stand ready to preserve life wherever the Army sends them.
MEDCoE is responsible for envisioning and designing responsive Army Medicine capabilities and structures that support the fielded force and the future force. MEDCoE is also one of 10 Centers of Excellence aligned under the U.S. Army Combined Arms Command.
To learn more about MEDCoE visit https://medcoe.army.mil/
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2025 15:34 |
| Story ID: | 553801 |
| Location: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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