WASHINGTON — Set between the Adirondack Mountains and the Great Lakes, Fort Drum’s forests posed an imposing obstacle for medical Soldiers last September while testing their field skills during an Expert Field Medical Badge competition.
Her unit prepared her for traversing harsh terrain. But 1st Lt. Spencer Blankenship struggled as she navigated the dense, hilly brush of northern New York.
On her initial land navigation walk-through, the Soldier stumbled, scoring zero points. During the exercise participants use compasses and maps to navigate specific points.
Months into her Army career, Blankenship wanted to prove herself among the best in Army medicine. After arriving at the upstate New York installation in late September, she wondered if she could meet that challenge. As a graduate of the Army Medical Department Direct Commission program, she hadn’t received extensive land navigation training.
Growing up in the Cincinnati suburbs of southwestern Ohio, Blankenship competed in cheerleading and gymnastics but never trained in other sports.
Blankenship’s younger sister, Rory, commissioned into the Army first while Blankenship attended occupational therapy school.
She later recalled reading about the EFMB’s physical challenges while shadowing an occupational therapist she shadowed.
“She was talking about how much of a challenge it was,” said Blankenship, an occupational therapist working in outpatient orthopedics at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. “And I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s crazy. Like, I could never do that.’”
The EFMB, one of the most coveted badges for medical Soldiers, can be a career jump-starter. Enlisted Soldiers can potentially earn more promotion points, and the badge can give officers additional leadership opportunities.
Created by the Army in June 1965, the badge recognizes outstanding proficiency in field medical skills. Maj. Gen. Duncan, then the Chief of Staff of U.S. Continental Army Command recommended the establishment of badge as a skill award in 1964.
Blankenship, a graduate of the Army Medical Department’s Direct Commissioning Course, had to improve her fitness and endurance to withstand the rigors of the competition. She started running and training in her 20-pound tactical vest to build core strength.
To earn the EFMB, Soldiers must pass a series of tests, including day and night land navigation and a 12-mile ruck march. Only 7% to 27% of contestants earn the badge. Medical personnel, combat medics, nurses, and doctors are all eligible. The low pass rate stems from the multifaceted challenges it presents.
Confident after completing undergraduate and graduate school, Blankenship felt prepared for the written test.
During the first event Soldiers complete a one-mile run, perform 30 dead-stop push-ups, run a 100-meter sprint, take part in 16 sandbag lifts on to a 5.5 foot platform, go on a 50-meter water can carry, 50-meter movement lane, and then complete another one-mile run. Soldiers wear the army combat uniform with body armor and helmet to complete the event and must do it in under 30 minutes.
By the time Blankenship reached the ruck march, navigating the jagged, rocky landscape had depleted her energy.
“It was just as much mental as physical at that point, especially once you get to mile eight,” she said. “It just sucks.”
After graduating from Ohio State University with a biology degree, Blankenship studied occupational therapy at Huntington University, Indiana, later earning her doctorate in occupational therapy. Occupational therapists tailor care to patients’ needs.
While helping Soldiers recover from procedures like shoulder surgeries, Blankenship saw the impact of her work. She found it rewarding to help Soldiers regain mobility and strength for the Army Combat Fitness Test or returning to duty.
“I liked the component of being able to help people,” Blankenship said. “And I liked occupational therapy, especially because it focuses on getting people back to the things that bring meaning to their life.”
Blankenship said she realized that she could win the competition during the final 15 minutes of the ruck march, after posting enough points necessary in the other events.
Earning the EFMB—a cross set upon a flag with wings and two serpents—is one of Blankenship’s crowning achievements. The badge has had unexpected impacts, she said. She now trains more consistently and recently shaved nearly three minutes off her two-mile run. The badge has also inspired her to continue her work with recovering veterans.
“People will come into my office and they'll say, ‘I can't do anything that I used to be able to do,’” she said. “And that has a big effect on like your mood and your personality and how you interact with everyone else in your life.”
“And then being able to come in and help people get back to whether it's running or being able to pick up their kid or being able to play with their kids, that makes my day.”
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