More than 1.000 U.S. Army soldiers in Europe, including members of the 173a airborne brigade and Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), together with soldiers from partner nations, gathered at Caserma Del Din to earn the prestigious E3B (Expert soldier, Expert infantryman, Expert field medical) badges.
The E3B is an intense week-long test, combining the distinctive Experienced soldier, Experienced infantryman and Experienced field rescuer.
This year, organized by the 173a brigade, the event involves soldiers from all over Europe, including partners such as Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain.
One of the most difficult tests is the "Tactical Combat Casualty Care" (TCCC) for theExpert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), which assesses the ability to treat casualties in emergency situations and manage evacuations. Precision is crucial: even the slightest error can cost a life. Candidates must intervene on three casualties, successfully completing nine "critical" tasks and obtaining at least 10 out of 12 in other secondary tasks, within one hour and 45 minutes.
The EFMB demonstrates the level of competence and speed of military responders, ensuring that candidates are prepared to care for the wounded in war contexts. Those who pass the exam earn a badge that represents significant competence in the medical field of the Army, a symbol of excellence recognized among all units and that increases the readiness and professionalism of squads and platoons.
Photo: US Army
