BAUMHOLDER, Germany (March 11, 2016) -- Participants from around Europe have arrived here to compete in a five-day challenge to earn the Expert Field Medical Badge.

Soldiers from seven NATO allies are among the 195 participants in this year's event. The test is a rigorous evaluation of mental and physical skills and earning the badge requires a high degree of ability and focus.

The medics are graded on three Combat Testing Lanes; day and night land navigation; a written test and a 12-mile road march. Passing rates range from 5-25 percent, making the EFMB a distinctive mark in a Soldier's records.

The 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional) is providing mission command for the 2016 U.S. Army Europe EFMB.

Related Links:

Follow the EFMB challenge on Tumblr

More EFMB coverage on the 30th Medical Brigade Facebook

See all the EFMB photos on Flickr