JBSA-CAMP BULLIS. Texas –
Five Soldiers competed in the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School 2016 Best Medic competition at Camp Bullis Sept. 12-14.
The grueling three-day competition challenges the Army’s best medics physically and intellectually in a realistic, simulated operational environment testing Soldier’s tactical medical proficiency and leadership.
To be eligible for the competition, participants must have either the Expert Field Medical Badge or the Combat Medical Badge. All five Soldiers finished the competition.
This year’s top two competitors were Sgt. 1st Class Daniel E. Cummings, Company A, 264th Medical Battalion, 32nd Medical Brigade; and Sgt. David I. Hull, C Company, 232nd Medical Battalion, 32nd Medical Brigade.
Cummings and Hull will represent AMEDDC&S at the Army Best Medic Competition at Camp Bullis Oct. 24-27.
Finishing in third and fourth place were Sgt. 1st Class Antoine J. Brisson,Company C, 232nd Medical Battalion, 32nd Medical Brigade; and Sgt .1st Class Antwan M. Williams, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Academy Brigade (Provisional).
Brisson and Williams will serve as the AMEDDC&S runners up team if
Cummings and Hull cannot compete. The fifth-place competitor was Staff Sgt. Jeremiah S. Gettler, Company G, 232nd Medical Battalion, 32nd Medical Brigade. Gettler will serve as an alternate if Brisson and Williams cannot compete.
In describing the competition, Cummings said it was much more challenging than he expected. He is a 68W Health Care Specialist; more commonly referred to as combat medics, and has served in the Army for 14 years.
“I definitely prepared for this competition, but there are always unknowns from what you expect,” Cummings said. “The other competitors were pretty tough, so it wasn’t easy.”
Cummings competed in the 2016 Army Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition at Fort Jackson, S.C., a week before this competition, where he finished in second place.
Hull mentioned the training benefits of participating in best medic competitions, pointing out the excellent staff support during all the events and the competition overall.
“You never get this type of staff support on lanes during normal training did. That was a lot of training in two and half days,” Hull said. “Everyone competes to win, but even if you don’t win, you still learn a lot.”
All five competitors mentioned their desire to see more Soldiers participate in best medic, especially younger Soldiers.
“Part of the reason I competed was to get more people interested in competing,” Cummings said. “I’ve already gotten positive feedback from my Soldiers, asking me to let them know what I learned because they want to compete next year.”
Cummings and Hull plan to train together as much as possible. Hull competed in the ABMC two years ago, and Cummings is deferring to his experience to get ready.
“We have every medical course right here at AMEDDC&S,” Cummings said. “We want to attend some training, as well as getting some range and trigger time at Camp Bullis. “We’re not competing for second place at Army Best Medic. Finishing first the only option.”