Page 23 - QARANC Vol 14 No 11 2015

Support to the United States Army Expert Field Medical Badge
On 18th June 1965 the United States Army introduced the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), a special skill badge awarded to recognize exceptional competence and outstanding performance by medical personnel. Almost 50 years later, in 2014, I was one of 5 UK soldiers to be awarded the EFMB after completing the grueling event.
The Army Medical Services has a long history of working in partnership with other nations to ensure a high level of healthcare is provided to the fighting elements of the army. In more recent times our relationship with the US Army has grown in strengths, I have experienced this on many occasions, working with or alongside members of the US Army. Interoperability with partner nations is an important part of modern healthcare delivery, so it was an honour to be able to learn from our partners and be recognized alongside them in the presentation of this award.
In January 2015, as a badge holder, I found myself again tasked to be involved with the EFMB event, this time as a member of the support team. I was assigned as the NCOIC of Combat Test Lane (CTL) 3 which is designed to test candidates on Communications, Navigating obstacles and medical evacuation Tasks. I would work alongside the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, to organize and deliver this lane.
On 1st March 2015, my team of 18 soldiers from 1 Armoured Medical Regiment deployed to Grafenwoehr Training area. On arrival we tasked individuals to become embedded in every aspect of the deployment. I took up command of a platoon of US Soldiers from the 2 Cavalry Regiment, whilst my communications specialists were assigned to the operations cell, and a number of my Combat Medical Technicians were assigned to work as part of the Role 1 facility.
I was lucky to deploy with Sgt Tony Russell, another member of the QARANC, who was assigned to my platoon to act as one of my lane assessors, a constant professional, he instantly took to organizing my newly formed platoon with a vigor that the US Soldiers were amazed by.
We worked hard to ensure we achieved the standards expected of such a prestigious event, but we also
strived to get the best learning out of the event. An example of this is that each soldier on CTL 3 was taught to use the Stryker Medical Evacuating Platform (MEV),a$1.6milliondollararmoured ambulance. This outstanding medical platform is designed to take 4 stretcher casualties and uses a hydraulic system to lift them into place, something that the UK soldiers had to get to grips with fast.
The platoon quickly integrated and was performing well in a very short space of time. We work hard, so I ensured that we played hard. We started by gently introducing to that pillar or British culture, Cricket! After explaining the basics we had our first match, it was not the ashes, but the excitement was definitely there.
It took 2 weeks to ensure we were ready to receive the EFMB candidates, during this period we were validated on no less than 3 separate times, to ensure that our testing land met with the standards set out in the AMED Centre and School Pamphlet 350-10 (a pamphlet that would haunt my sleep). But after our final validation from a representative fresh off the plane from Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, we were ready to receive our first candidates.
On the 12th March the EFMB candidates began to arrive, amongst them were 8 UK soldiers from 1 AMR who had just completed the week of pre-training I left for them. In total 186 candidates arrived to conduct the event. Less than 40% of these would earn the EFMB.
The bond we formed during our preparation was key to the success of the UK contribution to the EFMB, during the following 2 weeks my team was not just there to advise, watch or just be a token gesture. We were there as part of the team, imbedded into every part of the event. We felt like partners, and every decision was respected as if we were one of their own.
The training and testing phase took 2 weeks to complete. Our aim was to deliver the best training, standardization and testing we could, to give the
Members of 1 AMR conduct training on casualty extraction in a HUMMVEE
Sgt (A/WO2) Gilbert attends the nightly briefing for the command team
Lt Liao (OIC), Sgt (A/WO2) Gilbert (NCOIC) and SSG Carter (Platoon Sgt) syand ready awaiting inspection on CTL 3.
candidates the fairest chance of being awarded the badge. 2 weeks later 4 of the 8 UK soldiers were proud to be awarded the EFMB.
We parted with our company of new found friends with a feeling of achievement, not only had we helped to achieve the goal, but had done so as part of an integrated multinational team. The experience, although demanding, is something that I am honoured to be a part of and I look forward to further ventures with the new colleagues friends I have made.
If you are interested in participating in future or wish to know more about the Expert Field Medical Badge then please contact the Training Wing at 1 Armoured Medical Regiment.
Sgt N R Gilbert
RN(A) QARANC
THE GAZETTE QARANC 21
Further details of the UK participation in EFMB can be also found at:: http://www.eur.army.mil/efmb/
http://www.army.mil/article/145139/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/21tsc/sets/72157651176468589/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4DxGWghfZM&feature=youtu.be