More than a third of the Madigan Army Medical Center Soldiers who set out to earn their Expert Field Medical Badges in June emerged from the training with the right to wear them.
While the overall pass rate was less than 21 percent for the rest of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., 10 out of 29 Madigan Soldiers who competed earned the badge on June 23.
"EFMB is equally both mentally and physically draining so our candidates who make it to the end of a 12-day course are truly to be commended for their resiliency and attention to detail," said Lt. Col. Jacob Gin, the commander of Madigan's Troop Battalion. The EFMB is one of the most prestigious awards Army medical professionals can earn.
During the competition, hosted by the 62nd Medical Brigade, candidates completed a written test, land navigation, reacting under fire and a ruck march, along with a series of evaluations of medical, warrior, communication and medical evacuation tasks.
For 1st Lt. Jessica McCoy, a medical/surgical nurse, earning the badge was a point of familial pride. Growing up in a military family with an infantry dad, McCoy wanted to earn an accomplishment that set her apart.
"It's something he doesn't have," said McCoy. She said she felt a sense of pride going into clothing and sales to buy the badge afterwards: "This is me; I got it."
Others decided to attempt the badge for the challenge of it. Capt. Bryan Kantner, a radiology resident, also wanted to look for a way to learn more about battlefield medicine.
"I learned more about combat medic tasks and I was able to sharpen my skills with combat casualty care and initial patient assessment on the battlefield," Kantner said.
Like the other participants, Kantner started training months in advance by studying what to expect in the lane drills and going on ruck marches. The 12-mile ruck march, complete with protective equipment, 45-pound rucks and M16s, served as the crucible of the event.
McCoy made it through with some motivational help from a fellow nurse, 1st Lt. Paul Shenk. Although he wasn't competing, he helped McCoy focus on her time and find the drive to keep going after several tiring days of testing.
"He kept telling me, 'This is what's going to help you get captain. This is what's going to set you apart.' That really helped you dig deep, especially because once you made it to the ruck, that's the last thing you have to do," said McCoy.
This sense of teamwork extended throughout the competition, and was especially concentrated in the platoon comprising Madigan Soldiers.
"Our platoon, which was mostly Madigan, did so well together. We supported each other so much and just helped each other out the whole way; it was amazing," said Sgt. 1st Class Melissa Serles-Brumley, a mobilized Reservist and a licensed practical nurse with Madigan's transfer center.
Although the EFMB is an individual badge, the Soldiers pulled together to help each other study, pack their rucks and stay motivated.
"We were the platoon that had the best energy, that had the best teamwork, and I think they (the cadre) could just really feel that energy with us and they were happy that we had the best performers," said Kantner.
Joining their fellow platoon members at the finish line, and passing the final test of ensuring all of their ruck equipment was accounted for, left some of the participants exuberant.
"Absolutely outstanding; I was ecstatic," said Serles-Brumley, who recalled sporting a big grin after she completed the final event. "I can't help it; I was so happy."
Others echoed that sense of accomplishment.
"It felt fantastic. It was great to go through all of that preparation, get there, work really hard, learn a lot, and to go through that ruck march at the end and go across," said Kanter.
The badge earners offered advice for Soldiers who want to earn the EFMB as well: Find others who earned the badge and ask for specific training tips, start training for the ruck march early, and take advantage of the training week.
"Pay attention while you're there, because they will teach you what to do and how to do it," said Spc. Andrew Bremer, a radiology specialist. He earned the badge just a year after graduating from advanced individual training.
Other Madigan Soldiers who earned the EFMB include 1st Lt. Tanya Orkiolla, 1st Lt. Ian Wheelis, Staff Sgt. Nissan Armas, Sgt. Justin Montoya, Sgt. William Swanson, and Spc. Juan Lopez.
At the end of the months of training and the EFMB test itself, those who earned the badge now have a certain sense of fellowship.
"It's this bond, that you all went through this and it was so tough and you guys made it out. I feel like this is our thing," McCoy said. "Everybody goes through the same training, you all go through the same suck, and you make it out in the end."
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