JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Tex. -- Army medics from across the Army will compete in a grueling 72-hour competition at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Camp Bullis, Texas to be the Army's best medic team, starting Tuesday.
The Army's Best Medic Competition is hosted by Army Medical Command and conducted by the Army Medical Department Center and School. The competition will physically and intellectually challenge several two-soldier teams of Army medics in a simulated operational environment.
Last year, Spc. Jesus Romero and his teammate Spc. Collin O'Donnell represented the 173rd Airborne Brigade and took the honor of being the first place winners in the Army Best Medic Competition.
"Whether you come in first or last, the experience you gain from this competition will go with you through your whole career," Romero said. "It was a great experience interacting with and meeting people from all over the Army."
The competition is designed to test Soldiers' tactical medical proficiency, teamwork, and leadership skills.
"The competition has definitely prepared me for my job," Romero said. "All of the things I learned while preparing for the competition and during the competition, I can now apply to my job on a regular basis."
The competition is open to all active duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers who have earned the Expert Field Medical Badge or the Combat Medical Badge.
Competitors will be tested in the areas of physical fitness (they must walk up to 30 miles throughout the competition), tactical pistol and rifle marksmanship, land navigation, and overall knowledge of medical, technical, and tactical proficiencies through hands-on tasks.
To win, a competitor's skill set must include a solid mix of tactical, technical, and critical thinking skills.
For Romero, the most challenging part of the competition was the constant movement between events throughout the 72 hours of competition while carrying 60 pounds of equipment on his back.
"Preparing for the competition was no easy task. I started by working out two to three times a day and studying every day," he said.
Romero added, "This competition taught me where my strengths and weaknesses are. The best advice I could give to this year's competitors is to train hard and strive to be in the front of the pack at all times."
The competition is dedicated to Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark, Jr., the 13th U.S. Army Medical Command, Command Sergeant Major, a respected leader who focused on the important role medics play in the Army and the trust that combat Soldiers must have in the Army Medical Department.
"I wish everybody competing this year, good luck, and to never quit!" Romero said.
Social Sharing