Sgt. JoJo D. Ada of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center - Europe earned the Expert Field Medical Badge at Grafenwoehr, Germany Sept. 9.

Out of 264 multinational candidates from across Europe, 137 received the much desired badge.

This year's EFMB competition lasted 19 days, with 12 days of training followed by a testing phase consisting of a written test, day and night land navigation, a 12-mile ruck march and three combat testing lanes with basic combat scenarios and combat medical skills. Soldiers were required to complete all tasks and cross the finish line in time to earn the badge.

Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe, attended the closing ceremony and pinned the badges on the winners. USAMMCE Commander Col. Erik G. Rude and the USAMMCE Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment command team attended as well.

"It was a well-planned event with great instructors," Ada said. "The two-week training especially helped the candidates competing for the first time. The medical tasks were most challenging for me, because you can't miss a step, but with all that training, I knew I would earn the badge this time out."

Ada, who competed for the third time, trained for the event for two months.

Ada also commended Pvt. Brittany K. Gomez of USAMMCE for her performance on the EFMB.

"Although this was her first attempt, she made it all the way to the final task, the ruck march. I am sure she will earn the badge on the next EFMB event," he said.