Season Greetings everyone. I have returned from Germany. My time spent there was cold, wet and muddy. The base we were training at wasn't on any map I could find, and our local yokel got lost going there. Very promising. Katie and I struggled through the week to talk to each other as there was very little reception.
I had gone to Germany to compete for the Expert Field Medical Badge. It is a very prestigious award for Army Medics; Army-wide only 26% have earned the badge in the past 5 years. We are tested on treatment for trauma injuries, triage (who gets treated first-last), weapons (our M-16), field sanitation, medical treatment of detainees/Enemy Prisoner of War, and land navigation. The over arching theme is Tactical Combat Casualty Care (or TC3). In a nut shell, we are trained to treat Soldiers in under 10 minutes for anything from a bruise to a penetrating chest injury resulting in a collapsed lung and increased pressure in the mediastinum. I had studied for this event on my own, as well as with my soldiers. We had also conducted land navigation ad infinitum to the point of ad nausea. Aside from the 100 question written test, we thought we had the event locked up. We were wrong. The test claimed my two soldiers. PVT Thomas came close to passing with a 73 (75 is passing). My Coporal (CPL) needs a bit more work. Then it happened. Land Navigation, duh duh duh. I had four hours to find my points in the German forest, at night, with no moonlight. Fun. Btw, did I mention it was cold, rainy and muddy. Needless to say, I found 3 out 0f 4. Only the end points had been changed from the last time I went through the woods. So Hotel point was now Alpha; I never checked to verify it. So, you guessed it, I was a Go preceded by a No. Since I had failed the Land Navigation event I couldn't compete in the event any more. Aww Shucks. Katie said it was hubris that got me, and I think she is right. Up to this point I have passed every school, training, and test I attended. Definitely a first and one I wish I didn't have. Hopefully the 1st Armor Division will host another EFMB for their medics in the Spring, where I will compete again for the award. So two weeks in Germany, away from Katie and I come home empty handed. Bummer.
Thankfully we will be getting far away from Germany and Italy, and travel to Australia for our first vacation together. We are both very excited. 4 days and counting. Thank you for the Christmas cards and presents we have received so far. Our Christmas tree, Giuseppe, looks awesome with wrapped gifts at his metal feet. I wish you all continued Joy in this magical season. Take care and God speed.
