Maintaining a ready medical force is an Army Medicine mission that is closely aligned with the military's top priority of readiness for our nation's fighting force. A few weeks ago, I travelled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to observe just that: Readiness training in action during Regional Health Command's Pacific Best Medic competition.
Along with our partners from I Corps, 7th Infantry Division, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 62nd Medical Brigade and Madigan Army Medical Center, Army medics from across the Pacific -- Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Korea and Japan -- were tested on their Soldier tasks, medical proficiency and leadership skills.
The Best Medic Competition -- and similar competitions like the Best Warrior, Soldier and Noncomissioned Officer of the Year -- develop our fighting force and prepare them for the ever-changing challenges the future may bring.
In many ways, these competitions are also about testing and increasing the resiliency of our Soldiers. They are also designed to be physically and mentally challenging in a demanding, simulated operational environment. We see how far we can push competitors, while looking for who can maintain proficiency under a high amount of stress. This prepares Soldiers for austere environments while identifying the best of the best.
This year's Pacific Best Medic was 2nd Lt. Adam Schafer from RHC-P's 65th Medical Brigade located in Korea. Schafer, along with RHC-P runner up Sgt. Ryan Harpster from Bassett Army Community Hospital, are scheduled to represent the region at the U.S. Army Medical Command competition, the 2017 CSM Jack L. Clark Jr. Best Medic Competition in October at Camp Bullis, Texas. We wish him the best of luck and know he will represent himself, his unit and RHC-P well. He has been tested, and he will continue to train and maintain his medical proficiency.
Schafer is an example of the thousands of Soldiers who volunteer to serve our nation. Those who then volunteer to participate in events like the Best Medic exhibit that same spirit of volunteerism and service when they sign up to challenge themselves with these types of competitions.
It is often said, "90 percent of success is showing up." Once our Soldiers are in these grueling environments, they show grit; they show perseverance; and they demonstrate a passion for their profession. They want to prove to themselves and their leadership that -- to borrow an old Army slogan -- they can "be all you can be."
Soldiers in Army Medicine have a mission like no other: They provide sustained health services and research in support of the Total Force to enable readiness and conserve the fighting strength while caring for our Soldiers for Life and Families. It is paramount to our mission to identify the best Soldiers to help us maintain readiness and ensure delivery of high-quality care on the battlefield and on the homefront.
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