PYEONGTAEK, South Korea - The best medic competition is a 72-hour two-Soldier team competition. It pushes the participants to their physical and mental limits. What do you think you have to do to prepare for this competition? Some might think weeks of special pre-training is needed. However, the winner of the 8th U.S. Army Best Medic Competition said the standard Army morning physical training and an everyday personal workout are enough preparation to succeed.

Sgt. Scott Lackey, an emergency care non-commissioned officer for the 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, will participate the 2015 Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark Jr. Army Best Medic Competition after winning the 2nd Infantry Division competition and 8th Army competition.

Lackey teamed up with Sgt. Balamurali Devarajan, a flight medic from the Co. C, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd CAB, and won the 8th Army Best Medic Competition. The winning team will represent the 8th Army at the Army-wide Best Medic Competition, held in San Antonio, Texas in November.

"Early on the first day, we started off with the modified physical training test," said Lackey. "The competition had multiple events to include night and day land navigation, an obstacle course, a written test, and more. It was painful."
Over the course of the 72-hour Army Best Medic Competition, medics are pushed non-stop to complete a number of events to include a two-mile run, obstacle course, casualty evacuation across a one-rope bridge, a physical fitness challenge, a 12-mile foot march with embedded medical tasks, land navigation, combat medic lanes, and an urban assault course. Despite the excruciating tasks, Lackey felt honored and privileged to participate in the competition.

"There are many requirements to participate in the competition," said Lackey.

A Soldier's Date of Eligible for Return from Overseas (DEROS) had be to before Nov. 2. Also the Soldiers should be in good standing and recommended by a supervisor. Last but not least, only the holders of the Combat Medical Badge or the Expert Field Medical Badge, which are highly distinguished qualifications, can participate. A total of six two-man teams made the qualifications to compete.

Lackey said he was fortunate to participate and believed that it was an opportunity for him to distinguish himself from all the other medics in the Army. When asked how he prepared himself for the competition, he said that his experience in the Army so far has helped him.

"I have done boxing for a couple years, but Army PT is the best preparation for the competition," Lackey said.
Now waiting for the Army-wide Best Medic Competition, Lackey said he is "staying with the usual" and not changing his already successful training routine.