AfricanLion

About African Lion

African Lion 25 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, annual exercise, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. This joint, all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise includes more than 10,000 participants from more than twenty nations, including contingents from NATO. African Lion aims to strengthen interoperability among participants and build readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world.

The exercise will include a command post exercise, field training exercises, a live-fire demonstration, and humanitarian civic assistance program events. Additionally, humanitarian civic assistance missions will feature a combination of medical, dental and veterinary assistance and exchanges across Morocco, Ghana and Senegal.

Click here for the African Lion Photos, News and Video

African Lion 25 Announcment

African Lion Images

MORE PHOTOS

Press Information

All news, photos and videos from African Lion is available for download on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
All products are public domain and can be used by media outlets. You can search without an account, to download you'll need to create a free account.

Videos

Video by Jorge Gomez

The Badge & the Lab Tech

Irwin Army Community Hospital

May 12, 2025 | 4:10

For SPC Seth Adkins, a medical lab specialist at Irwin Army Community Hospital, earning the Expert Field Medical Badge isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about redemption. After falling short during his first attempt at Fort Campbell, Adkins is back for round two at Fort Riley, determined not to let even the smallest mistake stand in his way.

In this interview, Adkins opens up about the intense preparation required for the EFMB—one of the most demanding badges in the Army. Often referred to as a "memorization marathon," the EFMB tests a Soldier’s ability to perform life-saving medical tasks under combat-like conditions, with zero room for error. Candidates must flawlessly execute critical skills across Tactical Combat Casualty Care, evacuation procedures, warrior tasks, and a grueling 12-mile timed ruck march. No notes. No second chances on test day.

With historical pass rates ranging from just 18 to 33 percent, the EFMB is a prestigious symbol of excellence in field medicine. Miss one critical task—like verbalizing glove checks or securing a splint correctly—and the opportunity is lost.

Adkins shares how he’s training differently this time: reviewing step-by-step protocols, drilling scenarios repeatedly, and working to increase both speed and accuracy. Watch as he reflects on lessons from his first attempt, the pressure of test week beginning May 18, and what drives him to earn the badge that so few ever do.

Tags

Up Next