FORT SILL, Okla. (June 26, 2014) -- The morning sunlight gleamed off of bronze, silver and gold badges as German Army Command Sgt. Maj. Andreas Brueck, liaison staff, inspected ranks of Soldiers with their newly earned badges.
Early in the morning June 17, he firmly pinned the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency on 31 Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, and the 75th Field Artillery Brigade, here.
Given by the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, the badge is one of the foreign awards a U.S. Soldier may earn, and it is not awarded lightly. From May 19-30, 52 Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery and the 75th Field Artillery Brigade competed to earn the badge.
The events started May 19 with a 100-meter swim. Wearing their Army Combat Uniforms, Soldiers overcame their fears to have a chance at a medal.
Lifeguards hovered attentively near the edge of the pool as exhausted Soldiers removed their uniforms sometimes sinking in the water. Their test would not be over until they had swum the distance within four minutes, removed their uniform, and made it to the edge to pull themselves out of the water.
"It is like swimming with a parachute on," said a Soldier in a group of panting Soldiers.
After their time in the pool, Soldiers completed a Basic Fitness Test. One event in the test was a 11x10-meter sprint, which is a sort of shuttle run that involves lying prone and clapping their hands behind their back every 20 meters.
While still catching their breath, the Soldiers' upper-body endurance was tested at a flexed-arm hang station. There, the Soldiers held a chin-up for as long as possible while fighting for every second that could help elevate them into a new medal category. Once they finished at the pull-up bars, the Soldiers lined up in heats of 10 for a 1,0000-meter sprint that left many gasping yet again.
The next day, 3-13th FA Red Dragon competitors endured a 12K road march with 35 pound rucks on their backs. While racing the clock and each other, the Soldiers showcased their endurance and motivation by finishing faster than the gold medal requirement.
Having completed the route, Soldiers lined the finish area to encourage other competitors.
1st Lt. William Johnson, B Battery, 3-13th FA, said the event was one of the best he had ever seen.
In addition to the physical tests, Soldiers attained their combat lifesaver certification and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training as part of the requirements to earn a badge.
The week ended with 42 people qualifying on 9mm pistols. Twenty-three Soldiers achieved the gold standard, which required them to hit six of six targets at 25 meters in three different stances.
"It's a challenge to hang in there because if you fail any event along the way it's over," said Spc. Kyle Volkart. "Even if you were the best at everything else, you could mess up any chance you had of getting a badge if you have a bad day at the range."
The German Army began awarding the badge in 1971, to test all soldiers from the German Armed Forces in their military proficiency. The events tested both physical and mental strength and it's open to all foreign armies.
"The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition is definitely one of the most rewarding and fun things that I've done in the Army," said Pvt. Brittney Johnston. "It helped me as a Soldier because it gave me an opportunity to push and measure myself. I only hope that they can make this an annual event."
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