FORT BENNING, Ga., (Jan. 13 2016) -- More than 120 Soldiers from across Fort Benning completed requirements for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Jan. 8 and received their badges during a ceremony that took place at Sand Hill.

The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is a decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in order for a U.S. Army Soldier to receive the badge they undergo a week of physical fitness testing that is held to German standards, said Lt. Col. Thomas K. Harland, German liaison to the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

"This event is something the German liaison team puts on, and we partnered with them to provide facilities," said Capt. Alfred Gee, company executive officer for C Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment. "It gives our Soldiers the opportunity to see how other nations around the world are conducting their training events, and how they measure skill.

"The opportunity to see how our allies train - how they test their Soldiers - gives us a better understanding of them, and builds camaraderie."

'This was a great event throughout the week - we got to watch the professional excellence, confidence and tactical abilities of our German counterparts," said Lt. Col. James Pangelinan, commander of the 2nd Bn., 58th Inf. Regt.

"It's important to diversify your fitness program - we are called to be tactical athletes, and to be a tactical athlete you have to train harder in areas where you aren't strong."

To earn the badge, Soldiers participated in six events: Basic Combat Lifesaver training; properly don a protective mask and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare protective clothing; basic fitness test - flexed arm hang chin up, sprint and 1,000 meter run; a marksmanship test with an M9 pistol; six-, nine- or 12-kilometer foot march and a 100-meter swim in military uniform.

"It has been a privilege to showcase what our standards are, and what our soldiers have to do," Harland said. "Over the last few days, these Soldiers have left their comfort zone - they've walked the extra mile, swam the extra mile and were challenged with new experiences.

"It is great to see the awesome job they have done, and congratulations to all who have earned this award."