Teams from up and down the West Coast participated in this year's Western Regional Medical Command-Best Medic Team Competition, which was held on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Aug. 4-7.
The teams competed to be named as the most technically competent, physically and mentally tough medical professional in the WRMC. The competition included a modified Army Physical Fitness Test, obstacle course and other challenges, which measured the technical proficiency and the mental and physical readiness of the Soldiers in the Army's medical field.
"Each competitor is being challenged physically and mentally," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Carrols, one of the noncommissioned officers in charge of the event. "Each competitor needs to be working as a team."
The competitors' medical skills were put to the test when they went through the medical lane, which featured simulated casualties with various injuries. The lane culminated in an event that evaluated their ability to perform life saving medical procedures to three simulated casualties while under indirect fire. Then, they had to secure and mark an area where the casualties could be medically airlifted.
Their ability to work and communicate as a team would ultimately lead to success.
"Through out the whole event we would work together," said 1st Lt. Calvin Schoonover, an environmental science officer assigned to the California Medical Detachment, Presidio of Monterey. "I would get overwhelmed and I'd have to resort back to my teammate to tell me what to do."
Schoonover and Sgt. Mark Ilagan, a preventive medicine specialist, took home the top honors at this year's WRMC's Best Medic Team Competition.
Winning the competition was no easy task for the CALMED team. Not only were they pushed to their limits by the events, but also by the other competitors.
"The competing team challenged us," said Schoonover. "It was a very good competition, neck and neck the whole time."
Schoonover said his team was physically prepared for the event. With much of their training focused on the physical aspects of the event, they spent a majority of the training ruck marching and running.
Although Schoonover feels humbled to have won the competition, he feels like there is more to learn.
"This competition was a real eye opener," he said. "We have to step up our medical tasks and skills."
The officer plans on taking a lot of time to train up on those skills. He credits working in a medical facility as being able to have the training resources that they will need.
"We have the supplies, we have the resources so we can get good training," said Schoonover.
The team now goes on to represent the WRMC at the Army's Best Medic Competition in Bullis, Texas this year.
Social Sharing