FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 2nd Brigade Combat Team medical operations hosted a Best Medic Competition on Sept. 3-4 to determine the four best candidates to represent the brigade in the 10th Mountain Division (LI) BMC later in the month.
The main portion of the competition is intended to challenge the medics on their ability to quickly assess a daunting situation and provide medical care to several simulated casualties within a limited amount of time and under strenuous conditions.
"It's pretty intense," said Sgt. 1st Class Belinda Varner, noncommissioned officer in charge of 2nd BCT medical operations. "We only have two days, and there are several events the competitors are being tested on."
On the morning of day one, the competitors were put through a physical fitness test that was composed of pushups, situps, pullups and a road march.
By early afternoon, the medics started taking turns going through two medical lanes.
The trauma lane required each medic to rapidly assess and treat one casualty and call for an evacuation.
Meanwhile, the other, a triage lane, tested their proficiency on identifying the level of urgency of wounds and deciding the order of treatment for several casualties.
Day two, the medics demonstrated fundamental Army skills on the land navigation course and M4 rifle range. The competition ended with a written examination covering medical knowledge.
To participate in the competition, all medics are required to be Expert Field Medic Badge or Combat Medic Badge recipients. Sgt. Michael Gianelle, a medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, received a CMB while deployed to Afghanistan in 2013.
Although Gianelle has real-world experience, he said he appreciates the practical hands-on training the competition offers.
"This competition was definitely challenging, getting to do things that we don't always get to do in garrison," he said. "I really value the training opportunity and the chance to show off in front of my peers and superiors."
Points were awarded in each event either for a corresponding repetition, finishing place or satisfactory execution.
The top four competitors will be have two weeks to train up for the 10th MTN Best Medic Competition. Varner, with the help of other highly experienced medical personnel, will assess the candidates' strengths and weaknesses from the 2nd BCT competition standings and help them prepare.
Spc. Oliver Ash, a medic assigned to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, also received a BMC during the 2nd BCT 2013 deployment. He placed second in the competition.
"It was definitely a good experience; I wish more people could have done it. I will take a lot of (these ideas) to my guys to train them," he said.
If Ash and Gianelle perform well in the division competition, they will have an opportunity to compete in the Army Best Medic Competition that is scheduled for Nov. 3-7 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
"Experiences are a part of the foundation for us being good at our jobs, so the more experience we can get the better," said
Gianelle, who finished in first place.
The two other 2nd BCT medics who will advance to 10th Mountain Division Best Medic Competition are Spc. Bradley Dixon, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2-15 FAR, and Cpl. Scott Gallagher, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-14 Infantry.
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