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In the Army, it is usually the lower enlisted Soldiers that are
on the receiving end of military and specialty training events, but
there is always room for an exception.
During the Expert
Field Medical Badge standardization and testing phases on Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Sept. 18–29, Army Spc. David Souza, with Madigan Army
Medical Center, would be that exception. Having graduated from
candidate to cadre in 2013, Souza was the only junior enlisted badge
recipient to train and grade the 2015 EFMB candidates.
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Spc. David Souza, upper left, cadre for the 2015 Expert Field Medical Badge, Madigan Army Medical Center, assists a group of Soldiers on combat training lane one of the EFMB course, during the 2015 EFMB training phase on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Sept. 23,
2015. The EFMB is known Army-wide as a physical representation of excellence in the medical field, and it is also among the most difficult and prestigious badges to earn.
(Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jasmine Higgins, 28th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“It's a lot of hard work,” said Souza. “I had a really
good train-up, [but] it takes a lot out of you. You have to
put a lot into it, and you get [out] what you put in.”
The EFMB is known Army-wide as a physical representation
of excellence in the medical field and it's also among the
most difficult and esteemed Army skill badges to earn.
“It's an honor and a privilege to be out here,” said
Souza. “It's a really prestigious badge, and to be able to
teach people and train them up to obtain the badge
themselves – I'm very proud to do that.”
Souza was
assigned to combat testing lane one (CTL1), the tactical
combat casualty care lane, where he trained candidates to
perform individual tasks, such as properly performing a
chest seal and a needle chest decompression.
Souza,
having already proven that he has what it takes to earn the
coveted EFMB, has dedicated his time and effort helping JBLM
EFMB candidates achieve their goals, because he knows
first-hand what it takes for such a feat.
“For people
that want to come out here [and earn the EFMB], it shows
that you're a goal-orientated person, a go-getter, [and]
that you're willing to put everything into something,” said
Souza. “It shows the kind of person you really are.”
“He's functioning easily at the level of team leader or
sergeant,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Kaleb Twilligear, the
noncommissioned officer in charge of CTL1 with Madigan.
“Everything we ask him to do, he does enthusiastically.”
As a junior enlisted Soldier training candidates of all
ranks, both enlisted and officers, Souza faces a challenge
most of the other cadre members may not worry about nearly
as much.
“He's doing a great job at that [addressing
senior-ranking candidates],” said Twilligear. “His
confidence shines through above his rank. Confidence makes
it very easy for him to address those people who out rank
him.”
Just like in years past, many candidates will
fail and only about 20 percent ranging from private to
commissioned officers, will earn the right to proudly wear
the badge – a badge a junior enlisted Soldier helped them
earn.
“He's a great asset,” said Twilligear. “It's
hard to find that collection qualities with one individual.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Jasmine Higgins
28th Public Affairs
Detachment
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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