NY Army National Guard Sgt. Klayton McCallum, a Cicero resident, earns Army's prestigious Expert Field Medical Badge.
Latham, NY (05/28/2021) — New York Army National Guard Sgt. Klayton McCallum, a Cicero resident, has been awarded the Army's prestigious Expert Field Medical Badge following a week of intensive testing at Fort Drum in Jefferson County.
McCallum currently serves as an evacuation sergeant for the medical section of the Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment which his headquartered in Utica.
The Expert Field Medical Badge, known as the EFMB for short, tests the physical fitness, medical skills, military knowledge and marksmanship of an Army Medic.
To earn the badge, candidates must demonstrate the ability to call for medical evacuation in combat, pass the Army Combat Fitness Test, negotiate a timed obstacle course while carrying a litter with a simulated casualty, qualify on the M-4 carbine, demonstrate medical skills ranging from CPR to decompressing a chest wound with a needle, and operate in a chemical warfare environment.
Medics who earn the badge must complete a demanding written test and complete a 12-mile forced march with full field pack in no more than 3 hours.
McCallum served in the Active Army from as an infantryman from 2014 until 2017 when he transferred to the New York Army National Guard and reclassified as a combat medic.
He has served as a fire team leader, platoon armorer, evacuation sergeant and medical readiness noncommissioned officer.
He is a graduate of Earl Warren High School in San Antonio, Texas, and has 20 Credit Hours from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia.
His military education includes Basic Leader Course, Airborne School, Rough Terrain Evacuation Course, Medical Administration Course, and Healthcare Specialist Course.
McCallum's awards and decorations include nine awards of the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
Media Attachments
U.S. Army Sgt. Klayton McCallum, a combat medic from Cicero assigned to the New York National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, conducts a 12-mile foot march as part of the 10th Mountain Division Expert Field Medical Badge assessment at Fort Drum, N.Y., May 21, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Warren W. Wright Jr., New York National Guard)
U.S. Army Sgt. Klayton McCallum, left, a combat medic from Cicero, assigned to the New York National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, leads a litter carry as part of a testing lane during the 10th Mountain Division Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) assessment at Fort Drum, N.Y., May 18, 2021. The EFMB is awarded to field medical personnel who demonstrate exceptional competence and outstanding performance during the testing phase, receiving a “go” on all stages of assessment, including land navigation, physical fitness, a road march, and multiple combat, medical, and Soldier skills. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Warren Wright Jr.)