1-78th, 2-2nd FA Soldiers compete for German proficiency badges

FORT SILL, Okla. (April 14, 2016) -- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery; and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery competed in a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) competition April 4-8, 2016.

Soldiers from both units succeeding in passing the rigorous events and will receive their badges during a ceremony April 15.

A 100-meter swim while wearing the Army Combat Uniform in less than four minutes marked the beginning of the competition. Other events included the German physical fitness test; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear testing; Combat Life Savers qualification; and a 9mm pistol qualification. The competition concluded in the Fort Sill outback with a 12-kilometer ruck march.

"The goal of the GAFPB competition is to continue to hone our Soldier skills and build the team within the battalion and with our German liaisons," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Castignanie, 1-78th FA operations sergeant. "As an advanced individual training battalion, our training is continuous and rarely changes. This type of event gives our cadre an opportunity to do something that they do not do on a daily basis."

Of each of the events required to earn the GAFPB, the swim has historically been the most difficult to pass. Originally 44 members of 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery signed up to compete, but 15 were eliminated due to not passing the pre-swim assessment.

"The most difficult point was the end," said Spc. Jason Beam. "You're already tired and have been swimming and then you have to take off the Army Combat Uniform."

The following day contestants faced a physical fitness test that included shuttle sprints, the flexed arm hang and a 1,000-meter run. Each Soldier was measured on the ability to complete the task earning points for each event.

One Soldier remarked they didn't believe the shuttle sprints would be difficult as they were only 10 meters. But as the cadre completed the 12 sprints it became evident they underestimated the difficulty.

The next day Soldiers were in formation by 5:30 a.m. to have their chemical, biological , radiological and nuclear equipment inspected. Then they tested on mask clearing procedures, which had to be completed within nine seconds, and proper donning of the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology. The final day the Soldiers tested their marksmanship skills qualifying on the 9mm pistol and then stepped off on a 12-kilometer ruck march.

To earn a badge is a prestigious honor, as it is one of the few foreign awards that is authorized to wear on U.S. military uniforms. It symbolizes the extensive annual test given to German soldiers that resembles the U.S. combat and fitness test, and must be administered by German liaison officers.

"Participating in an event such as the GAFPB gives the cadre members an opportunity to earn a badge outside of teaching Soldiers on a daily basis," said Lt. Col. Michael Anders, 1-78th FA commander. "Competition and striving towards a goal always helps build morale in the unit. This also gives each cadre member who participates an opportunity to set themselves apart and shows the level of motivation to earn a gold, bronze or silver badge. Soldiers should always challenge themselves to seek self-improvement. It is one of the best ways to improve yourself and allow you to set new goals."