Two Soldiers from the Fort Jackson Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) earned the coveted Expert Field Medical Badge at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, October 28. More than 214 candidates from various units across the Atlantic coast participated in the grueling two-week competition, with only 41 (19 percent) earning their badges. CPT Garry Dredge and SGT Byungguan Jung represented Fort Jackson well, as a true 'community of excellence'.

"With a pass rate hovering around 19 percent including second, third, and fourth time competitors, achieving this badge on the first try is truly an achievement to be proud of," CPT Zachary Leftwich, MEDDAC's EFMB training coordinator said.

The EFMB was created in June 1965 to recognize medical Soldiers who displayed a high level of professional skills and proficiency as a combat medic. The test is a rigorous evaluation of mental and physical skills, and earning the badge requires a high degree of ability and focus. Passing rates range from 5-25 percent making the EFMB a qualification that stands out in a Soldier's records. The EFMB also provides the other US Armed Forces and multinational forces an opportunity to train together and to gain a greater understanding of their abilities while building more competent and confident Soldiers. The EFMB candidates had to complete a 60-question written examination, complete 40 warrior tasks and drills, day and night land navigation, negotiate three combat trauma lanes encompassing 26 medical tasks, and then complete a 12-mile forced road march in less than three hours.

"The competition is a true test of grit and character," said COL Eric Edwards, MEDDAC commander.

"These candidates will be challenged physically and mentally under added duress in austere conditions in a simulated combat environment, having to learn and retain a vast amount of knowledge in a short amount of time. This significant accomplishment is still settling in for CPT Dredge and SGT Jung, who should be very proud joining the few to ever obtain the prestigious badge."

The Fort Jackson MEDDAC will be gearing up again in January 2017 to lead another training plan to prepare all eligible personnel on Fort Jackson for the next large competition at Fort Bragg. The training will include candidates from the MEDDAC, DENTAC and USAG STB that will convene on lane training over the span of 10-weeks to bring back another group donning the badge.

"Any soldiers interested in competing in the next competition should coordinate with their supervisors for availability in the second and third week in March, and send me an email," Leftwich said. "Practice will start soon!"