Master Sgt. Gabriel Camacho
By 1st Lt. Logan Bolitho
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson’s Master Sgt. Gabriel Camacho was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit, one of the highest honors awarded to medics in the military, May 19, 2016, on Fort Carson.
Camacho is an operations NCO with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The Order of Military Medical Merit is a unique, private organization that was founded in April 1982 by the then commanding general of U.S. Army Health Services Command to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department (AMEDD) personnel, according to the AMEDD website.
Membership recognizes those individuals who have clearly demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, served in the AMEDD for a minimum of 10 years with selflessness, and have made a sustained contribution to the betterment of Army Medicine, according to the site.
“It is a recognition of excellence, esprit de corps and promotes fellowship among medical personnel. There have only been some 11,000 people inducted into the order across the entire U.S. Army history,” said Sgt. Maj. Luis Maldonado, 4th Inf. Div. chief medical NCO.
Any active-duty, reserve, civilian or retired member of the Army Medical Department who, through dedicated application of talent, effort and spirit, has made a significant contribution having an impact on the whole of the AMEDD, are eligible for induction.
Maldonado, a member of the organization, said he nominated Camacho due to his years of tireless service to AMEDD, the 1st SBCT and the “Packhorse” Battalion.
“I nominated him because he showed me his selfless service,” said Maldonado. “He brought about multiple significant events that showcased Army Medicine throughout his career. He showed me how professional he is about the Army Medical Department.”
As a senior line medic with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Camacho achieved 100-percent medical deployment readiness and conducted more than 150 combat missions with zero loss of life. He received the Combat Medical Badge during his first deployment where he was directly responsible for saving his company commander’s life, taking quick action and giving proper treatment while under enemy fire.
“Master Sgt. Camacho has been, is and always will be an integral part of the Packhorse Battalion, said Lt. Col. Eric McCoy, commander, 4th BSB. “Being inducted into Order of Military Medical Merit is an indication of the personal and professional excellence he displays on a daily basis.”
His most recent achievement was facilitating the Expert Medical Field Badge (EFMB) qualification in April. The EFMB is awarded to military personnel who successfully complete a set of written and performance qualification tests to include a 12-mile ruck march, casualty evacuation and reacting to contact.
With a pass rate of less than 20 percent annually, it remains one of the most difficult and prestigious Army special skill badges to earn.
“My job is to just travel across the United States and abroad and validate (EFMB testing) meets all of the standards. I have been talking to the leadership of this particular event and this has been the best one I have seen. This will make my 11th site, and this has been the best prepared and (professionally) run EFMB to date.”
Camacho was quick to note that he did not achieve the honor on his own.
“It truly means a lot to me being inducted into this prestigious organization,” said Camacho. “I’m humbled to be recognized as one of AMEDD’s standouts. However, I do recognize that there was tremendous support throughout my career; Family, military and civilians alike who helped me earn this induction. I look forward to continued service that has positive impact on the AMEDD as a whole, as well as nominating other elite AMEDD Soldiers who are worthy of membership.”
Normally people are inducted during a dining-in ceremony among fellow members of the order at the corps level. The decision was made to induct him
while he was still with the 4th Inf. Div. prior to his attendance at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, beginning in August, 2016.