5-7 ADA Soldier earns EFMB

Sgt. Handerson Castillo, a combat medic currently serving as an emergency care sergeant for the 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, earned the Expert Field Medical Badge on March 25th in Baumholder, Germany.

The EFMB is intended to recognize Soldier medics who attain a high degree of professional skill and proficiency as a field medic. It rewards those who can expertly perform in a simulated combat environment, both Soldier common tasks and medical tasks. This year marked Castillo's third attempt at the EFMB.

In order to earn the EFMB Sgt. Castillo had to pass a series of events to include a written test of 100 performance-oriented multiple choice questions, a 12-mile forced road march in under three hours, a litter obstacle course, and several events designed to test his competency in communication, survival, emergency medical treatment, MEDEVAC, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"The hardest part of EFMB was the combat trauma lane," said Castillo. This time around he focused very hard on getting through the lane. "I practiced as much as I could, even with focus and practice, I still failed 3 out of 14, but, I am allowed to fail those 3 and still pass the lane. After hearing from the Lane NCOIC that I had passed the lane, I felt much more motivated and relieved that the hardest lane for me was over."

Out of over 193 candidates, Sgt. Castillo who was one of only 28 to receive this prestigious award. Sgt. Castillo is also a proud owner of the combat medic badge.

"After receiving the award I felt very accomplished, even though I earned my Combat Medical Badge in Afghanistan in 2011, with this award I proved to myself that I can be successful in combat and garrison," Castillo said.

"It felt awesome to see the pride in my wife and kids eyes, who after I explained what it took to earn this they felt even more proud."