The Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) is a United States Army special skills badge first created on June 18, 1965. This badge is the non-combat equivalent of the Combat Medical Badge (CMB) and is awarded to U.S. military personnel and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military personnel who successfully complete a set of qualification tests including both written and performance portions.
U.S. Army regulations prohibit the wearing of both the Expert Field Medical Badge and Combat Medical Badge simultaneously. In such cases, the CMB if authorized, is worn on the uniform. The infantry equivalent of the Expert Field Medical Badge is the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB).
The pass rate for FY 2013 was 19%, making the EFMB one of the most difficult and prestigious Army special skill badges to earn.
Comprehensive Written Test60 multiple choice questions; 75% to pass.
Army Physical Fitness TestPass to standard.
M16 or M4 Weapons QualificationPass to standard within last 12 months.
Land NavigationDay and night land navigation courses.
Forced Road March12-mile road march with a standard fighting load to be completed in under three hours.
Current CPR certificationTactical Combat Casualty Care TasksPerform a TCCC patient assessmentTriage casualtiesControl bleeding using a tourniquet, hemostatic device, and dressingsInitiate a saline lock and IVInitiate treatment for hypovolemic shock & prevent hypothermiaInsert nasopharyngeal airwayTreat a penetrating chest woundPerform needle chest decompressionTreat an open abdominal woundTreat a casualty with an open head injuryImmobilize a suspected fracture of the armTreat eye lacerations/contusions/extrusionsMedical and Casualty Evacuation TasksEvacuate a casualty using a SKED litter and litter carriesEvacuate casualties using one- or two-person carries or dragsExtricate a casualty from a vehicleEstablish a helicopter landing pointLoad casualties onto a helicopter, ground evacuation platform, and two nonstandard vehiclesWarrior Skills TasksProtect self from chem/bio contamination with protective maskDecontaminate self with chemical decon kitsProtect self from CBRN injury or contamination with JSLIST gearStore protective maskProtect self from bio/chem contamination when removing JSLISTPerform self-aid for mild nerve agent poisoningCorrect malfunction of M16 or M4Disassemble, assemble, and perform functions check of an M9 pistol and an M16 (or M4) rifleMove under direct fire, react to indirect fire, and react to an UXO or possible IEDMove over, through, and around obstaclesCommunications Tasks (5 Tasks)Assemble and operate SINCGARS or SINCGARS (ASIP) w/o ANCDLoad FH/COMSEC data and conduct radio check using SINCGARS / SINCGARS (ASIP)Prepare and Transmit a MEDEVAC request (All 9 lines) (No longer a Mandatory GO)Submit an NBC 1 ReportSubmit an Explosive Hazard Spot ReportComprehensive Written Test100 multiple choice questions; 75% to pass.
Army Physical Fitness TestPass to standard.
M16 Weapons QualificationPass to standard within last 12 months.
Land NavigationDay and night land navigation courses.
Forced Road March12-mile road march with a standard fighting load to be completed in three hours.
Litter Obstacle CourseDone as a 4-man team with candidates graded individually.
Lane testingTasks graded individually but lanes are pass/fail.
Communications: Competency with field radios and radio techniques. "Prepare and transmit a MEDEVAC request" must be one of the three of four tasks passed in order to receive an overall "GO" for the lane.Survival: Demonstrate knowledge of survival skills in an NBC environment and combat situations including use of the M16 series rifle.Emergency Medical Treatment: Demonstrate treatment of various wounds similar to those in a combat situation.Evacuation of Sick and Wounded: Demonstrate evacuation techniques utilizing vehicles and manual carries.Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Demonstrate proficiency in CPR using the one-person method.In summary, current requirements differ from previous requirements with the addition of the M9 Pistol for survival tasks, CPR card certification in lieu of demonstrating CPR proficiency, and the reorganization of the lanes into a combat scenario. [4]
