Liberian Medics Win U.S. Army Medals at Italy Competition

Four medics from Liberia's Armed Forces stood out among 24 competitors at a grueling 10-day medical competition in Vicenza, Italy, each earning a U.S. Army Achievement Medal for their exceptional performance.

The competition, held January 5-15, 2026, tested medical professionals from Ghana, Italy, Liberia, and the United States on everything from trauma care to marksmanship under simulated combat conditions. For Liberia, fielding a full four-member team marked a historic first and a major milestone in the country's military rebuilding journey.

The medics trained intensively in chemical and biological response, advanced trauma care, and prolonged casualty care. The final two days replicated the physical and mental demands of saving lives in remote, high-stress environments with limited resources.

"This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight tonight," said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson, chief medical noncommissioned officer of SETAF-AF. "We're creating a high-stress, interoperable environment where U.S. Soldiers and our international medics can validate their skills."

The Ripple Effect

This victory reflects years of partnership between Liberia and the United States, starting when the AFL was rebuilt from scratch after disbanding in 2003. Following civil war, the U.S. helped reconstitute Liberia's military as a non-political, professional force grounded in democratic civilian control.

Through the State Partnership Program with Michigan's National Guard, established in 2009, Liberian soldiers receive ongoing training in medical readiness, disaster response, peacekeeping operations, and leadership development. These relationships have transformed the AFL into a force capable of international peacekeeping missions and emergency response at home.

The competition's multinational setting allowed medics from four countries to practice working together, building interoperability for future crises that may require collective response. Liberia's strong showing demonstrates that investment in professional military training pays dividends not just for one nation, but for regional stability across West Africa.

Officials from both governments describe the collaboration as a long-term commitment to shared security and professional development. The partnership helps Liberia maintain self-sufficient security forces while contributing to broader peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts across the region.

These four medals represent more than individual achievement—they're proof that nations can rebuild stronger after conflict, and that international partnerships create lasting positive change.