BJACH Soldiers take 'Best Medic' event

By Kathy Ports, BJACH Public Affairs OfficeOctober 2, 2012

FORT POLK, La. ---- For the second year in a row, Sgt. 1st Class David Murray and 1st Sgt. Michael Pini, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, forged ahead of the pack to capture the Southern Regional Medical Command Best Medic Competition.

This year's competition, hosted by Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and Fort Hood, Texas, matched six teams, each representing commands within SRMC, in several events over a grueling three-day period.

Events included day and night land navigation, M16 weapons qualification, the Army Physical Fitness Test, Army warrior tasks and medical skill lanes, a 100-question written exam and 12-mile road march.

Teams received points, based on predetermined scales, upon completion of each event. At the end of three days, points were tallied to determine the winning team to represent SRMC at the Army level competition in October.

Pini and Murray said they were better prepared for this competition than the previous year. "We geared our training to the AMEDD model and honed our skills to the Tactical Casualty Combat Care doctrine," said Murray.

Pini and Murray were 10 to 15 years senior in age and rank to the rest of the competitors. They said this was both an advantage and disadvantage.

According to Pini, younger competitors were in better physical condition but years of experience and knowledge worked to his and Murray's advantage. "My motivation during the competition was simply being the epitome of a 68 Whiskey. It's also getting out with these young Soldiers and showing them that I've still got it," said Pini. "It's all about getting out in front of the troops."

Training for the competition was a critical part of their success. "We trained daily," said Murray. "We came to the competition with a good background and understanding of everything we were going to have to do to win. We took what we learned in the past and applied it to today."

Both Soldiers said they also had a better understanding of what to expect from each other during the competition. "I know his weaknesses and strengths and vice versa," said Murray. "It's a good balance, especially for us."

Murray and Pini both underwent surgeries following last year's competition and have been building up their strength and stamina for this competition.

"Actually, it's been a team effort," said Pini. "BJACH's Physical Therapy Department has been key to my recovery and training."

Training for the MEDCOM Best Medic competition, which takes place Oct. 24-26 at Camp Bullis in San Antonio, Texas, is a never-ending trek, said Murray. "We are not doing anything different to prepare for this competition," Murray said.

"We're honing our game plan and making changes where needed. We know what we have to do and our goal is to bring this title home."

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