Eight elite soldiers receive coveted badge at Fort Carson

If you’re an injured soldier, and a medic arrives to help, the Expert Field Medical Badge is what you want to see on their uniform.

The EFMB is among the hardest achievements in all of the military, and is reserved for only the most elite warrior medics.

A fortunate few left Fort Carson on Friday with the honor, after 14 grueling days of training and testing.

Historically, the graduation rate among those who try for the badge is between 18 and 20 percent.

During the last two course test periods at Fort Carson, it was even lower.

“Last year, the graduation pass rate was 13% across all EFMB events that were run. Our graduation rate here today is about 6%,” said Captain Amanda Dietzen with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion.

One of the 8 graduates this year is Captain Andrew Taylor, whose own quest for the EMFB has lasted nearly 20 years.

“I started this as a private back in 2000,” recalls Taylor, “this is my 3rd attempt, and here I am today badge complete, so it feels good.”

To earn his badge this week, Taylor had to demonstrate his knowledge in not only medical treatment, but radio communication, weapons, chemical or nuclear exposure, a 12-mile march, and a land navigation challenge so difficult that El Paso County Search and Rescue crews and 1700 soldiers were called out to look for one trainee who ended up lost for a day and a half.

Taylor couldn’t help but smile as he was pinned on Friday.

It was the end of his 19 year journey toward an accomplishment very few achieve.

“It’s truly the pinnacle of a medical professional in the Army,” he said, “it’s a great experience, but you really gotta be on your game. You can’t let up.”