An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 13, 2014

Pennsylvania National Guard medics win Army Best Medic competition

By Maj. Angela King-Sweigart Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Two Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Medical Battalion Training Site located here placed first in the Army-wide 2014 Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark Jr. Best Medic Competition held Nov. 3–7 at Camp Bullis, Texas.

Sgt. 1st Class Vinicios Occhiena, of Jonestown, and Staff Sgt. Melvyn Mayo, of Reading, beat 32 other teams from around the world. Active-duty medics made up 30 of the teams while reserve components brought one. The teams were from installations around the world including Germany and Korea. Soldiers represented a variety of commands including special forces, infantry and airborne.

The competition is a two-soldier team, 72-hour grueling challenge that places medics in a simulated operational environment. Events included int he competition include a physical fitness challenge, an urban assault course, a mass casualty lane, an advanced land navigation exercise, a buddy run, an obstacle course, a litter obstacle course and an M4 and M9 stress shoot.

Both Soldiers said it was an honor to be selected to the competition and represent the National Guard.

“It was an opportunity to exhibit our own personal abilities while enduring and overcoming a multitude of physical and mental stresses, but it also provided a venue to perhaps display the capabilities and ever vigilance of the many outstanding medics and Soldiers who serve in the Army National Guard,” Mayo said.

“Our goal was to do our best and have fun regardless of the stresses we faced,” Ochinena said. “I am extremely happy with our performance.”

Medics are trained to operate under stress in combat situations including the air, on land or at sea and trained to meet the medical needs of Soldiers and to never leave a fallen comrade behind.

The two Soldiers will return to the Medical Battalion Training site as instructors and both acknowledged their command’s support in the competition. The Pennsylvania NationalGuard’s Medical Battalion Training Site provides real-life battlefield simulated training on medical tasks and offers training for Soldiers from all components.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...