An instructor dons a gas mask during the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Monday, March 20, 2017. During the training, candidates from 11 nations had to perform 13 tasks ranging from chemical warfare defense to medical evacuation drills, in order to earn one of the most sought after badges in the U.S. Army. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
An instructor dons a gas mask during the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Monday, March 20, 2017. During the training, candidates from 11 nations had to perform 13 tasks ranging from chemical warfare defense to medical evacuation drills, in order to earn one of the most sought after badges in the U.S. Army. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Instructors at the Expert Field Medical Badge training explain decontamination procedures for chemical warfare to the candidates. More than 200 candidates registered for the course, but fewer than 50 are anticipated to earn the badge. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
A student at the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, asks a question during the hazardous materials portion of the training, Monday, March 20, 2017. The students have one week to train before they conduct their test to earn the highly sought after badge. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Instructors demonstrate medical evacuation techniques during the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Monday, March 20, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
An instructor goes over the Beretta M9 pistol during the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Monday, March 20. The candidates will need to know how to perform a function check on the pistol during the test, as it is standard issue for many combat medics. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Instructors demonstrate how to tie a square knot to secure a patient to a stretcher during the Expert Field Medical Badge training at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Monday, March 20, 2017. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Candidates from 11 countries began training for the U.S. Army’s Expert Field Medical Badge here on Monday. The pinnacle of field medical training, the badge is highly sought after in the military medical community.
Part of the badge’s prestige comes from the vigorous testing process required to earn it. More than 200 soldiers are attempting to earn the badge in this biannual training, but fewer than 50 are expected to pass the test on Sunday. It is one of the hardest badges to earn in the Army.
