Four Soldiers Earn Expert Field Medical Badge in Grueling Fort Walker Assessment

Four Soldiers from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command recently earned the highly respected Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) following an intense five-day qualification event held at Fort Walker, Virginia. Representing both the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), the Soldiers demonstrated superior physical and tactical medical proficiency under conditions designed to simulate combat stress.

Capt. Seung Choi and Capt. James Terrell of USAMRICD, along with Capt. Kayla Fantone and Staff Sgt. David Anandzi of USAMRIID, were presented with their EFMBs during a ceremony on April 2, officiated by Brig. Gen. Lance Raney of Medical Readiness Command-East. Fantone distinguished herself further by achieving perfect scores in all evaluation components—a rare feat known informally as earning the badge with “No Blood.”

The EFMB testing regimen, developed by the Army’s Medical Center of Excellence, evaluates Soldiers through a range of challenges including a written exam, a 12-mile ruck march, day and night land navigation, and hands-on medical and warrior skill tasks. Of the seven DHA Research and Development Command Soldiers who participated from USAMRIID, USAMRICD, and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, more than half successfully completed the course—a notable accomplishment given the badge’s pass rate of under 30%.

The EFMB is recognized as one of the Army’s most challenging individual skill badges. Candidates face the evaluations largely on their own, under tight scrutiny, and with minimal margin for error. The process not only tests technical ability but also mental endurance, reinforcing the Army’s emphasis on building individual and unit readiness through disciplined training.

In addition to the EFMB, all four badge recipients received Sergeant Major’s and Commander’s Coins from MRDC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Dills in recognition of their achievement. Their success reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to maintain a medical force that is capable, resilient, and prepared to meet operational demands across diverse environments.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command press release.

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