Do you think senior AMEDD leaders should have their EFMBs?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:29:28 -0500

With all the draw downs, quality controls and push towards a smaller more quality and efficiency driven force, what is your opinion on EFMB as a requirement or strong suggestion for all AMEDD senior leaders to have?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 9:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:32:00 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member it depends. Does the infantry mandate the EIB? CPT Private RallyPoint Member some assistance please.

If so then yes, if not no. But definitely highly encouraged.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 26 at 2014 9:56 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:56:09 -0500

I don't think so. What if they were direct commissioned MDs or others who may not have had the opportunity to earn it. At that point in one's career is not remembering the 9 line MEDEVAC call really going to be a career ender?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 9:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 09:26:19 -0500

I would say no, as badges don't determine who we are or how we perform as Soldiers / Leaders.

I would also recommend that, like the EIB / CIB, the EFMB / CMB either needs to be opened up to all MOSs or needs to be eliminated all together. The EIB and EFMB tests specific tasks related to being infantry or a medic. Why not allow any Soldier who is capable of completing the tasks, compete. We make the Soldiers learn and perform basic skills, so why not recognize those who can excel? If we continue to choose not to, I saw eliminate the badges all together.

Just my opinion, though.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 8:51 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 08:51:17 -0500

Those of us in the medical field joke and call this the "Expert Field Memorization Badge". Most of what is taught is old school doctrine and not used in actual patient care. I would take a Combat Medic who has deployment experience 100x over than a EFMB badge holder without. As LTC Paul Labrador and others have stated it is basic skills and those in senior ranks are able to critically think outside the "lane" standards. As a Combat Medic and Burn ICU Nurse of 10+ years these lanes frustrate me with the way they test and the standards they test. I understand that there has to be a standard, however the standard is very outdated.
Also, another limiting factor is that you cannot have a permanent profile and compete unless the profile is due to a combat injury. I understand not waiving a task due to profile however if the soldier, such as myself, can compete and finish every task to standard the profile should not stop me from competing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 3:47 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 03:47:15 -0500

That is a tough question. As a senior AMEDD NCO I want to earn a EFMB and I am in the process of trying to do that. I don't think that everyone is in the position to be able to compete for one. I do believe that it should carry serious "weight" when going for promotions.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2014 11:10 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:10:06 -0500

The EFMB is more difficult to attain than the EIB if you look at percentages of pass rates for both. Considering that, unless you have the time to train and achieve it at the LT or CPT rank, the chances of you having enough time to study and prepare yourself as a MAJ-COL are highly unlikely. I guess the question is, "Does a badge make you a better leader?" My answer is no. If it's a question between two perfectly exact people and one has an EFMB and the other does not, then there you go...that's a discriminator. Now...if one person has an EFMB, but the other has two masters degrees in leadership and management and is on their way to a Doctorate in organizational psychology and has a proven track record as a leader...which one would you want?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 6:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 18:21:50 -0500

I would say no.

I've observed how EIB training and evaluation is conducted, and it has a direct relation to the competency of an infantryman. In my opinion the same cannot be said for EFMB training and evaluation.

Keep in mind EFMB doctrine may very well have changed since I last observed it, but back then medics were often being tested on obsolete practices. So on one hand you have the practices that a medic actually uses in the real world, and on the other you have a different set of practices that you are being tested on. Medics jokingly refer to the EFMB as the "expert field regurgitation badge" as medics just mindlessly regurgitate the practices and information to the proctors to pass.

To sum up, I think there are MUCH more important qualities to look for in a senior AMEDD leader than a badge that does not necessarily equate the holder to an actual expert in their field.