VICENZA, Italy — The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) will host a Best Medic Competition, converging 24 medical professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Italy and the United States at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Jan. 5-15.
This year’s iteration marks a significant evolution, doubling participation from the previous year and expanding to include medical professionals from Liberia and Italy. By integrating international forces, the event advances strategic partnerships while testing the tactical and technical proficiency of medical personnel across the SETAF-AF area of operations.
“This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight tonight,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson, chief medical noncommissioned officer of SETAF-AF. “We’re creating a high-stress, interoperable environment where U.S. Soldiers and our international medics can validate their skills and strengthen collective readiness for real-world operations.”
For U.S. Army participants, specifically the teams from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, this competition serves as a final validation rather than a selection. The brigade selected its two teams in November. They will represent SETAF-AF and the 173rd Airborne Brigade at the U.S. Army Best Medic Competition later this month.
“The 173rd Airborne Brigade is incredibly pleased to participate in this expanded iteration," said U.S. Army Capt. Michael Johnson, brigade nurse assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “Training alongside our partners and allies builds shared cooperation and medical excellence while perfecting basic and advanced medical skills in a controlled environment."
Having previously competed at the U.S. Army Best Medic Competition, Johnson attested that the contest's intensity mirrors what their teams will face at the U.S. Army-level competition later this month.
The inclusion of international medical experts highlights SETAF-AF’s focus on advancing U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command priorities through training.
Ghana Armed Forces sent a joint four-person team comprising army, navy, and air force personnel to share best practices from their tactical casualty combat care program and veterinary care experience.
Armed Forces of Liberia deployed four personnel to gain insights into U.S. medical doctrine, supporting their own casualty combat care program development and expanding their training beyond its Michigan State Partnership Program.
Two medical officers from the Italian Armed Forces are participating to strengthen host-nation collaboration.
The event is divided into two distinct phases: a deliberative train-up and a rigorous competition.
Participants will focus on knowledge exchange, Jan. 5-12. The schedule includes chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, resiliency and mindful movement training, marksmanship with an M4 carbine and instruction in trauma care, and prolonged casualty care.
Following the train-up, the intensity shifts. The two-day competition, spanning Jan. 13-14, replicates the physical demands of the U.S. Army Best Medic Competition and combat.
Day one emphasizes physical readiness and basic Soldier tasks.
Competitors will complete the Army Fitness Test, a stress shoot at the Gunfighter Gym requiring weapon assembly under duress, and an unknown distance foot march carrying a 35-pound ruck. Competition organizers designed the events to simulate continuous movement and fatigue under realistic conditions.
Day two transitions to test technical medical proficiency in combat-relevant scenarios.
Scenarios will force competitors to navigate semipermissive environments with limited supplies and communication. Events include trauma lanes, litter carries and complex scenarios involving delayed evacuation casualty management. Competitors will also navigate a canine casualty care lane and a mystery event designed to test their ability to adapt to the unexpected.
The event will culminate with an awards ceremony Jan. 15 at the Sigholtz Center, recognizing the top performers and the collective effort driving medical readiness forward.
This competition underscores the command's commitment to the philosophy of "fight tonight" by ensuring medical forces possess the tactical and technical proficiency required for combat medical care.
About SETAF-AF
SETAF-AF prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve campaign objectives for U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command.