CAMP CASEY, South Korea- The 2022 Eighth Army Best Medic Competition was held at the
Rodriguez Live Fire Range and Camp Casey, South Korea, from Dec. 4-7, 2022.
Three, two-person teams were assessed in a 72-hour competition, where they applied
combat lifesaving skills in a variety of high-intensity scenarios. This included an Army Combat
Fitness Test, confidence course, written test, land navigation, urban assault squad movements,
M4 and M17 stress shoots, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear events, trauma-medical
lanes, and a 12-mile ruck.
“In order to be eligible they have to have a medical military occupational specialty or
area of concentration, been awarded the Combat Medic Badge or the Expert Field Medical
Badge,” said U.S. Army Cpt. Amanda Dietzen, 65th Medical Brigade and officer in charge of the
Best Medic Competition. “They have proven they have vast medical knowledge and technical
and tactical expertise within the medical field.”
The competition allows enlisted and officers an opportunity to challenge themselves.
“Competition keeps your mind and body sharp,” said U.S. Army Maj. Dennis Kim, 121st
Field Hospital, 65th Medical Brigade and 8A BMC competitor. “To be a part of this competition
means being able to set an example for junior soldiers and junior officers to go out and compete.
To quote the U.S. Army Chief of Staff ‘winning matters’. Winning matters to the Army, winning
matters to the enemy, so winning should matter to us.”
The winners of the 2022 Eighth Army Best Medic Competition were U.S. Army Maj.
Dennis Kim and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jairo Chavarria, 121st Field Hospital, 65th Medical
Brigade. Both will compete at Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark, Jr. U.S. Army Best Medic
Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Jan, 23-27, 2023.