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Volume 12, Number 1 1VCMJTIFEJOUIFJOUFSFTUPGUIF/BUJPOBM5SBJOJOH$FOUFSBOE'PSU*SXJODPNNVOJUZtwww.irwin.army.mil January 8, 2016

Experts emerge: 33 awarded EFMB

Photo by Michael Beaton, MEDDAC PAO
Staff Sgt. Tabathia McGrew, a Soldier with United States Army Medical Department Activity here, quickly dons protective gear during a simulated chemical attack during the Expert Field
Medical Badge testing at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin. McGrew was one of 33 to receive the EFMB.

Story and photos by Michael Beaton, Public Affairs Officer facilitated the qualification of events for 122 Soldiers Expert Infantryman’s Badge, but is said to be far harder
coming from posts across the United States seeking to to earn.
MEDDAC earn the badge, Dec. 12 through 18, at the National
Training Center. EFMB testing last took place on Fort During the week, participants ran a gauntlet of tests
Given the traditional 15 to 20 percent pass rate, the Irwin in 2001. including a formal six-page written test with questions
Expert Field Medical Badge stands apart as one of the in general military and medical knowledge, preventive
most prestigious and hard won awards an Army medical Qualification for the badge is considered a grueling medicine, map reading and land navigation trials – in
professional can obtain. experience by those who have earned it. Participants are both day and night. Participants endured a battery of
required to exhibit superior physical fitness and mental test scenarios that included tactical combat casualty care,
Soldiers know and speak of the badge chiefly by its toughness while accurately and effectively performing medical and casualty evacuation tasks as well as leadership/
acronym, EFMB, and it is synonymous with three ‘T’s”: complex life-saving medical tasks in a variety of hostile warrior skills tasks.
technical ability, tactical proficiency and Soldier tenac- environments and situations. Consequently, the majority
ity. Among military medical professionals the EFMB is of participants are knocked out as “No-Go’s” by the third The week of testing culminated in a 12-mile forced road
literally a badge of excellence. day of testing. march, known as a ‘ruck-march,’ that must be completed
by candidates within three hours while carrying a standard
The Weed Army Community Hospital hosted and The EFMB is considered the medical equivalent of the
See EFMB, page 12