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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 25, 2014

AMEDD Center and School hosts 2014 Army Best Medic Competition

By Phil Reidinger AMEDDC&S Public Affairs

Sixty-six Soldiers from across the Army competed in a grueling, continuous 72-hour two-Soldier team competition that tested competitors physical and cognitive abilities at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis Nov. 5-7 in order to earn the title of the Army's Best Medic team.

In first place this year was Sgt. 1st Class Vinicios Occhiena and Staff Sgt. Melvyn Mayo from the Pennsylvania National Guard. Second place went to 1st Lt. Kenneth Danos, Company C, 6-101st General Support Aviation Battalion and Spc. David Hull from Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

In third place were Spc. Michael Murphy, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team and 2nd Lt. Benjamin Martinelli, Company C, 325th Support Battalion,  25th Infantry Division.

The Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark Jr. Army Best Medic Competition originally evolved from the Expert Field Medical Badge Challenge and is dedicated to the 13th command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Medical Command. This year's competition was the 20th year the U.S. Army Medical Command has sought to identify the Army's best medics.

The first day of the competition began with a physical fitness challenge, a rope bridge crossing with patient, an obstacle course followed by the M-16 rifle qualification range and M-9 stress shoot. Day one events ended with a night land navigation course designed to test the teams' ability to locate predetermine locations in the Camp Bullis training area.

The second day of the competition began with day land navigation where the requirements are the same as night land navigation. Upon completion of the day land navigation event, the teams executed an urban assault course followed by military operations in urban terrain, a 12-mile foot march and concludes with the combat medic lanes.

Third day events included a night medic lane during which the teams were also required to provide medical treatment for casualties they encountered.  The final event was a timed buddy run, testing the fortitude and endurance of the competitors.

The Nov. 7 awards ceremony was hosted by Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, deputy commander for operations, U.S. Army Medical Command.

Check https://www.facebook.com/ArmyBestMedicCompetition for 2014 Army Best Medic Competition highlights.