Expert Field Medical Badge

Purpose of EFMB Testing

The Department of the Army approved the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), a special skill award for recognition of exceptional competence and outstanding performance by field medical personnel, on 18 June 1965.

Personnel eligible to earn the EFMB include all officers assigned or detailed to an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Corps, Army officers in training at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Army officers enrolled in the Health Professions Scholarship Program, Warrant Officers who have an AMEDD primary military occupational specialty (MOS) controlled by the Surgeon General, Warrant Officer pilots that have a special qualification identifier "D" (Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot) and are assigned to an air ambulance unit, and Enlisted personnel who have an MOS in the 68- Career Management Field (CMF) as well as an AMEDD primary MOS, MOS18D, or 38BW4.

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

In order to be an EFMB candidate, Service Members must meet the following requirements:

• Volunteer for EFMB Testing.
• Be recommended by their unit commander.
• Be physically and mentally prepared to cope with the rigorous demands of the EFMB test and trained in the prevention of heat related injuries.
• Complete a 12-mile forced march in no more than 3 hours within 3 months of the final day of EFMB testing.
• Qualify as Expert on their individual weapon dated within one year of the final day of EFMB testing.
• Pass the pre-requisite digital written test or re-test with a score of 60 out of 80 or higher (75%)
• Possess a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. The certification must be valid through the final day of EFMB testing.
• Meet standards outlined in AR 600-9.
• Must not be flagged IAW AR 600-8-2.

Note: AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10, para. 2-5 states the minimum requirements for candidate packets. Please contact the host unit OIC/NCOIC to ensure you are submitting all required documents. Examples of the required documents are located under the “Resources” tab and contact information for the host units can be found under the “EFMB Schedule” tab.

History of Expert Field Medical Badge

Prior to the establishment of the Expert Field Medical Badge, some AMEDD units of V Corps in Europe developed and conducted tests to ensure their Soldiers were trained to the highest level of proficiency required of their wartime mission. These tests lasted for 2 1/2 days and consisted of written and practical exercises (identification of types of wounds, bandaging, application of splints, treatment of war casualties, removal of injured personnel from tanks, loading and unloading of patients from helicopters, map reading, aerial photo reading and maintenance of equipment). If the Soldiers passed the test, they were issued a "Expert Medical Soldier Certificate". These tests were apparently the forerunner of the EFMB test.

MG Duncan, Chief of Staff, US Continental Army Command recommended establishment of an Expert Field Medical Badge as a Department of the Army special skill award for recognition of exceptional competence and outstanding performance by field medical personnel in a letter to Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, (DCSPER), dated 20 January 1964, in accordance with correspondence between General Waters and General Heaton, The Surgeon General.  (DCSPER and the Army Chief of Staff for Force Development (ACSFOR) did not favorably consider an earlier request in 1963 for the same badge.) On 14 May 1964, DCSPER tentatively approved the recommendation, subject to Headquarters US Continental Army Command and ACSFOR`s development and submission of criteria. DSCPER received the design of the badge, with criteria for the award, by Summary Sheet on 2 February 1965, and returned it without action on 27 February 1965 due to pending further study of questions posed by the Vice Chief of Staff, US Army. DCSPER advised Commander, The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH), US Army, by Disposition Form (DF), dated 6 July 1965, of the approved Summary Sheet, dated 18 June 1965, establishing an Expert Field Medical Badge.  TIOH took on the responsibility of preparing the necessary Army Regulation and commencing action on procurement of the new badge.  A reproduction sample of the Expert Field Medical Badge was approved on 8 December 1965. The badge was oxidized silver consisting of a stretcher placed horizontally behind a caduceus with a cross of the Geneva Convention at the junction of the wings, 15/16 inch high and 1 7/17 inches long.  The badge has not changed since its inception. AR 672-10, dated 1 March 1966, prescribed the authority for the award of the badge. Current Regulations: AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10, dated 1 March 2019.

Today, the EFMB test is the utmost challenge to the professional competence and physical endurance of the Soldier medic. It is the most sought after peacetime award in the AMEDD, and while the Combat Medical Badge is the "portrait of courage" in wartime, the Expert Field Medical Badge is undoubtedly the "portrait of excellence" in the Army all of the time.

• AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10 The Expert Field Medical Badge Test, Dated 1 March 2019 (CAC Required)
• AMEDDC&S HRCoE PAM 350-10 Policy Updates, Dated 27 August 2021 (CAC Required)

Requesting to Host

• Questions to Analyze Prior to Requesting to Conduct EFMB Testing
• Request to Conduct EFMB Testing
• Request for Exception to Policy
• EFMB Cancellation Memo

Planning and Training

• EFMB Planning Workbook (CAC Required)
• Example Concept Brief
• General Officer Validation Memorandum
• EFMB Cadre Appointment Orders
• Host Unit Best Practices and Lessons Learned
• EFMB Land Navigation Point/Lane Distance Workbook (CAC Required)
• EFMB Validation Checklist
• Grey Area Questions and Other Discussion Points
• EFMB Train-up Program Example (CAC Required)
• EFMB Candidate Do`s and Don`ts

Candidate Packet

• Commander`s Recommendation
• Expert Weapon Qualification M9/M17/M18 or M4/M16 (Within 1 year of test-end date)
• Military Training Network (MTN) Basic Life Support Certification (American Heart Association or American Red Cross; copy of front and back, valid through test-end date)
• Recommended Packing List 

Analysis of Units Tested in FY21

FY21 EFMB Testing Statistics

FY20 EFMB Testing Statistics

FY19 EFMB Testing Statistics (MAR19-SEP19)

FY19 EFMB Testing Statistics (OCT18-SEP19)

68W Sustainment

It is mandatory for host units to add the 68W sustainment program to their EFMB. The 68W sustainment course will run concurrently with validation over the course of three consecutive days. This program, in combination with the Expert Field Medical Badge standardization and testing, provides units an additional avenue of ensuring continuing education and skills validation of their 68W Combat Medics. For more information regarding this program please refer to Chapter 9 in the AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10. This chapter will detail how a host unit will supplement the EFMB standardization and testing with an additional 16 - 20 hours of didactic training and 8 hours of hands-on testing to fulfill the annual requirements set forth by the US Army EMS Programs Management Division.

Eligibility:

Units will provide 68W candidates that are not current with Tables I-VIII and skills validation to attend the training with approval from their Company Commander.

Candidates participating in the 68W sustainment program must not be a current EFMB awardee.

NOTE: Candidates must attend the entirety of both the 68W sustainment training and EFMB standardization to receive their training certificate for TC 8-800 tables I-VII. To receive table VIII skills validation credit, candidates must pass 68W sustainment program hands-on testing and 12 out of 15 TCCC tasks during EFMB testing.

TC 8-800 (CAC Required)

Required Training Material (Zip File, CAC Required)

DA From 7442 (CAC Required)

DA Form 7741 (CAC Required)

Example Sign-In/Out Roster

68W Sustainment Fillable Training Schedule (CAC Required)

68W Sustainment Task Completion Memorandum

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions we receive daily by email and phone. They are not addressed in any order so please review the questions thoroughly. If you have a question that is not addressed on this page please let us know!

Q: What do I do if I lost/didn’t receive a copy of my EFMB orders?

A: Email the EFMB Test Control Office Group Email [email protected] with the following information: Name, Rank, last four of SSN, and the year, date and location of the EFMB event you attended. We will attempt to locate your orders or will give you guidance on further actions to take.

Q: How do I obtain a slot at an EFMB

A: The Test Control Office does not schedule candidates to attend an EFMB. Requests can only be made through the EFMB OIC/NCOIC of the EFMB host unit. Under the “Host Units” tab at the bottom of the page is a link to a document with contact information for each site. If you are having trouble getting in touch with the host unit EFMB cadre, you can contact us directly to provide you more information. Please attempt to contact the host unit prior to calling the Test Control Office.

Question: What are the first steps to locking in EFMB dates to host an event?

A: The Test Control Office receives request to host memos on a first come first serve basis. Under the “Resources” tab is an example request to host memo that needs to be filled out accurately in order to be approved by the TCO and added to the schedule. Refer to AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10 para 2-1 e. (5-7) for the required EFMB timeline. It is also important that you give us the best contact numbers to post on our website and keep us informed of any key personnel changes between the request to host submission and EFMB event.

The host commander must sign and submit a request to conduct EFMB testing to the EFMB Test Control Office (TCO) no later than (NLT) 90 days prior to the anticipated test-start date for CONUS units, and NLT 120 days prior to the anticipated test-start date for OCONUS units. The EFMB TCO will consider requests submitted after the required deadlines based on date availability. In order to host an EFMB Test, the unit must have a minimum of 50 eligible candidates.

Q: Are there any planning resources for host units to utilize?

A: Yes! Check the "Resources" tab for unit planning and training products.

Q: What should I [future candidate] do to best prepare for the EFMB?

A: Our best guidance to you as a future candidate is to ask your company/ unit if there is an EFMB Train-up program that you can get involved in. We understand everyone`s schedules are different so individual efforts you can prepare yourself for are the PFA, 12 Mile Forced March and the EFMB Written Test. All publications for this test can be found online and we recommend studying weeks prior to testing.

There is no one way to be guaranteed successful at an EFMB event. While talking to current badge holders about their experience is a great way to learn tips and tricks of what worked for them, it is best to find what study skills benefit YOU the most in order to make YOU successful when it comes to test week. The R2 center is also a great resource to link up with a performance coach and have them provide specific EFMB preparation to you and fellow Soldiers before an event.

EFMB Candidate Do`s and Don`ts

Q: Is there a time restriction to host an EFMB or be a candidate?

A: There is no time restriction to host or attend an EFMB test. Units may host an EFMB test as often as they want/can support; clearly communicate with the EFMB TCO to ensure availability of the dates they would like to host an EFMB test.

Candidates may attend as many EFMB tests as their parent unit will allow. The parent unit is responsible for any travel required to get to an EFMB event.

Q: How do I study for the WT? Is there an approved study guide?

A: Read and study the publications! There is an approved study guide that can be found under the "Tasks" > "Written Test" tab of our website. This is not a question and answer study guide but instead a guide that you will need the publication for reference to learn about the content of what the question is asking.

The EFMB TCO is consistently observing sites and candidates using material that is not applicable for EFMB testing. Much of the material available on other websites is outdated or irrelevant for EFMB testing purposes. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU USE TO PREPARE!

Q: Can sister services/foreign services compete for the badge?

A: AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10 para 2-3 a. (4) other service and multinational candidates eligible to compete must be either medical personnel or serving in comparable medical positions. The test board chairperson will determine whether candidates have met a suitable standard prior to acceptance IAW with this publication.

Q: Do you have an example EFMB Train-up Program?

A: Under the “Resources” tab we have a generic train-up program example of an ideal preparation timeline for EFMB. We highly recommend that you use this as a starting point and sit down with your unit’s long range training calendar to tailor this to your battle rhythm.

Q: Is the Weapons Qualification a tested event at the EFMB site?

A: No, the weapon qualification scorecard is part of the candidate packet and will remain a prerequisite to attending EFMB, not a tested event on site. The standard did change that you must now qualify expert on your individual (assigned) weapon within 12 months of the EFMB test end date. (reference AMEDDC&S HRCOE PAM 350-10 Para 2-3. b. (5))

Contact

EFMB TCO`s physical address:

Contact Us

Email: [email protected] 

OIC        Cell (Primary): 210-529-4338     Office (Alternate): 210-221-6955

NCOIC    Cell (Primary): 210-896-1590     Office (Alternate): 210-221-6934