Badges

[Chris Mac]

I didn't really know if this would get many replies in the medical forum so I decided to ask here.

My question is about the badges that certain MOS's can receive. I know combat arms MOS's can earn the EIB, but I also heard of the Expert Field Medical badge. Can anyone tell me how I could earn this badge since my MOS is 91W? Also I know that there is the Combat Medical First Award, how would 1 earn this? I imagine it would have to be during a combat situation however my recruiter told me that during his time in the Gulf that whole units received CIB's because some of them may have seen combat. Does this work the same way for the Combat Medical Award?

Sorry this turned into such a long post. I was just curious when my recruiter mentioned that. Thanks.

Chris Mac

Oh yeah, 10 months until I leave for basic. But hey who's counting? http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/wink.gif

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If a man has nothing to die for, then he probably has nothing to live for.

[This message has been edited by Chris Mac (edited 08-14-2001).]

[Sharky]

Chris, I honestly don't know all the requirements for the EFMB but I can tell you it is the Medical equivalent to the EIB. Although I personally think that the EFMB was probably much harder to obtain. I base that on the fact that we had some great medics in Batt who never got it. I do remember our medics starting IV's while wearing PVS7B's in a tent while testing for their EFMB. That alone told me that it wasn't easily obtained.

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F.I.D.O.

[rakkasan187]

this may help...or maybe just confuse...

During the Persian Gulf the medics who were attached to our INF platoons received their CMB while medics working at BN level did not....i don't know if it was due to the actual circumstances or regulations....hope this is helpful....keep in mind this is how it was in my BN only.....i have no idea what went on anywhere else...later

rak

[E19]

EXPERT FIELD MEDICAL BADGE

I. DESCRIPTION: An oxidized silver badge 15/16 inch in height and 1 7/16 inches in width consisting of a stretcher crossed by a caduceus surmounted at top by a Greek cross.

II. SYMBOLISM: The Medical Corps insignia of branch, modified by the addition of a Greek cross suggesting the Geneva Convention between the wings and the entwined serpents, signifies the recipient’s skills and expertise. It is superimposed upon a stretcher alluding to medical field service.

III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: This badge recognizes Army medical personnel for attaining a high state of technical skill in field medical functions. It is awarded on the basis of proven skill and performance. Prior to being awarded the badge, personnel must successfully pass all test parts prescribed by Army Regulations.

IV. DATE APPROVED: The Expert Medical Badge was approved on 18 June 1965.

V. SUBDUED BADGES: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge is black. The cloth badge has an olive green base cloth with the stretcher, caduceus and cross embroidered in black.

VI. MINIATURE BADGES: A dress miniature badge 9/16-inch in height is authorized.


COMBAT MEDICAL BADGES
First Award, Second Award, Third Award, Fourth Award

I. DESCRIPTION: An oxidized silver badge 1 inch in height and 1 ½ inches in width, consisting of a stretcher crossed by a caduceus surmounted at top by a Greek cross, all on and over an elliptical oak wreath. Stars are added to indicate subsequent awards; one star at top for the second award, one star at top and one at bottom for the third award, one star at top and one at each side for the fourth award.

II. SYMBOLISM: The Medical Corps insignia of branch, modified by the addition of a Greek cross suggesting the Geneva Convention between the wings and the entwined serpents, signifies the recipient’s skills and expertise. It is superimposed upon a stretcher alluding to medical field service. The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty.

III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: Awarded to members of the Army Medical Department, Naval Medical Department, Air Force Medical Service or Special Forces Medical Sergeant who are in the grade of Colonel or below while assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size organic to an infantry/special forces unit during any period the unit was engaged in active ground combat subsequent to 6 December 1941. Only one award is authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos, the Dominican Republic, Korea (subsequent to 4 January 1969), El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia and Somalia, regardless of whether an individual has served in one or more of these areas. Specific eligibility requirements by geographic area are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.

IV. DATE APPROVED: The Combat Medical Badge was approved on 29 January 1945. In February 1951, the proposal to designate the badge as a one-time award was rescinded and it was approved for subsequent award during specified periods. The addition of stars to indicate subsequent awards was also approved.

V. SUBDUED BADGES: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge is black. The cloth badge has an olive green base cloth with the stretcher, caduceus, cross, wreath and stars embroidered in black.

VI. MINIATURE BADGES: A dress miniature badge, 19/32 inch in height is authorized.









[This message has been edited by E19 (edited 08-14-2001).]

[Dirty Sanchez]

Unfortunately for me, I was a pogue 91P. When I got to my first duty station I had a female company commander. She had a CMB. Apparently she took a little helicopter ride and stayed close enough to the front line for a day and got it. That was the story that I heard around the company at least. If that is true, then I think it is a bunch of bullshit, but probably pretty typical of officers hookin each other up. About the EFMB, one time a bunch of our "high speed" medics went for it and the only person from our company that got it was our lab tech. I thought that was pretty funny. I think the EFMB is like a lot of Army things. If you want to pass it you have to do things how they want you to do them, even if you would do it different in real life.

[Ted]

I saw an Army Medical Service Corp officer with a CMB, that irritated the shit out of me, as his job was basically just pushing paper in the combat zone. A CMB is supposed to symbolize delivering medical care to wounded while under enemy fire.

[Tracy]

The USAF Medical folks are authorized to try out for the EFMB also; and they're authorized to wear it on blues.

What's funny is the docs keep failing and the nurses & paramedics keep passing...

[Dirty Sanchez]

Most of the docs probably can't pass the road march for one thing.

[This message has been edited by Dirty Sanchez (edited 08-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Dirty Sanchez (edited 08-14-2001).]

[REMF]

While I would usually agree about the docs and their similarity to myself, our doc here is a cut above and possibly known to some of you.


He came from Bragg about 18 months ago, name of MAJ Russel "Rusty" Rowe. Not sure where he worked, but I know it was with SF and lots of work with divers. Badges include Airborne, EFMB, Flight Surgeon, and First Class Diver. He regularly comes into the gym at about 0730 to drop off the 50-100 pounds worth of free weights he borrowed for his ruck that morning.


He just was awarded the Soldier's Medal for saving 4 knuckleheads who got ripped out by the tide at the beach here. Best quote from that little swim..."When I got to the last one and started towing her in, she asked if we could make it. I told her, I think I can, I know you can't, and together...well...I'm not sure."


Good guy.

[This message has been edited by REMF (edited 08-15-2001).]

[Chris Mac]

Damn, sounds like an awesome guy. I know this is kind of late, but what does it require to get a EIB? Just curious.

Chris Mac

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If a man has nothing to die for, then he probably has nothing to live for.

[Tracy]

In April 1976, when I received my EIB, I believe it was:

12 mile forced march in full gear,
5-event PT test,
combat swim test,
land nav course (day/night),
marksmanship with primary weapon (usually M-16),
obstacle course in full gear,
written test (150-200 questions),
hands-on test (99 stations).

The hands-on portion took two days and was the smoker for everyone; because you had to pass 90% of them. Each station was a GO/NO-GO. So you had to get a 100% score on 90% of the stations. Almost all of those stations involved multiple tasks done in an exact sequence.

There were also some fireteam and squad-level events; but I can't recall off hand what they were. I know we did the leadership reaction course as a squad; but I don't think that was part of the EIB testing.

At Ft. Bragg the EIB and EFMB were conducted in the Old Division Area off Longstreet Ave. I had been in the 82d three months when I received it. That was three months of nothing but non-stop EIB skills training... Then off to Recondo School as a reward. "Thank you, sir. May I have another?"

God help the fools that didn't pass EIB testing in 1/505. CSM "Police Call" Paul was a force to be reckoned with.

[Tracy]

Russ:

The stations at the time broke out to a silly degree:

Station 1: Disassemble/Assemble the M-60.
Station 2: Load, Fire and Reduce Stoppage of M-60.
Station 3: Zero M-60.
Station 4: Mount the M-60 on a tripod.

Yadda-yadda-yadda...

At that rate, you can rack up a sh*t load of stations. I remember the M-47 Dragon had five stations alone....