Recent EFMB pass rate was 49% when the avg is 16-20%...thoughts?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:55:00 -0400

http://www.stripes.com/news/recipients-of-expert-field-medical-badge-beat-the-averages-1.302182

Recipients of Expert Field Medical Badge beat the averages

Of the 281 candidates who arrived here more than two weeks ago, only 137 successfully completed the rigorous and exacting evaluation process that grants them authorization to wear one of the U.S. Army’s highest badges for technical expertise.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 1:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:59:02 -0400

As long as the standard was maintained I say awesome.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 12 at 2014 11:31 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 23:31:23 -0400

WHAT??? I thought the EFMB was even harder to get than the EIB?! My boss had both and he said it was much harder.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 9:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 21:11:46 -0400

CW2 Thompson,

I am currently a grader for the EFMB in Fort Campbell, and I can tell you that the standards are not being completely met. I am a grader for CTL3, which consists of basic Soldier tasks, Evac tasks, and commo tasks.
We got certified by a CPT from AMEDD in Fort Sam last week, he told us that for the 9 line MEDEVAC we could not "no go" someone if they failed to use the proper numerical pronunciation because it doesn't state they have to on the grade sheet. When we brought it to his attention that it does, it says "Use proper procedures and pro words" and we showed him FM 6-02.53 Chapter 12 (Radio Operating Procedures) which states, numerical pronunciation, he then referred us to the top of the grade sheet which states, "This task may be modified for EFMB purposes."
Now I have been stationed at Campbell my whole Army career, and I have never been to EFMB, but from what I am being told, this EFMB is by far the easiest anyone has seen yet, people are saying they are getting "Soft." My lane OIC has the badge, he got it in Korea, and he said they were a lot more strict there and followed the grade sheets step by step, where as if you look at our grade sheets you will see more steps blacked out than not blacked out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 12:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:25:58 -0400

I too am a grader of EFMB. I graded for the past two years at Fort Bliss and hope to grade this winter at Fort Stewart. It does seem that some of the "no-go" criteria has gotten a bit softer than when I got my badge. I earned my badge at Fort Bliss in 2012 and we had a success rate of only about 13%. Last year, we graduated around 22% of the candidates. That's a significant difference when it normally averages between 12-17%. The AMMED seems to be more lax than in past years. I hope changing duty stations changes that for me.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 14 at 2015 6:33 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 06:33:16 -0400

Being part of the USAREUR team, the article is a little misleading. These medics didn't just train for a week before the competition, you can go all over Europe and see them training, preparing and challenging themselves - this was not some study for a week and pass the EFMB. I saw them roadmarching months ahead of the competition. I think the mindset of the leadership to challenge their medics and afford them the opportunity to be competitive is what made them successful.

Response by CPL Rich Harley made Mar 29 at 2017 3:43 PM

CPL Rich Harley — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 15:43:32 -0400

As a former medic and someone who has passed the EFMB I find it interesting that the pass rate has risen so much. Now, I do understand having been involved in a special training program that our Brigade Surgeon developed it does help you pass. We trained nonstop for 3 months prior to the EFMB test. We had 5 medics from our post test in a International test in EUROPE. All 5 of us past. However we had 21 total people pass out of 300 testing which gave us a 7% pass rate. When I was testing the average was 2% pass rate. We also had a 150 question test and now I am seeing it is only 60. Stick to the original process to lesson the standards. The high standards is what makes this an honor to hold.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Sep 24 at 2017 9:57 AM

LTC John Griscom — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 09:57:35 -0400

I remember a test that was invalidated because the pass rate was over 40%. My group of 43 passed 7.