FORT CARSON, Colo. - More than 100 Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Task Force Carson and local military installations competed for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency Oct. 21-23 on Fort Carson.
The badge is a decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and is an approved foreign award for wear on a U.S. military uniform.
Twenty-five of the 109 Service members conquered the challenge earning the badge.
"Any rank may be awarded and wear the badge," said German Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Hiller, German liaison officer and instructor of German Department of Foreign Languages, U.S. Air Force Academy. "In the U.S. military, the (badge) is one of the few approved foreign awards, and it is one of the most sought after awards to achieve. It can be seen as a common ground that bonds and serves as a bridge to connect Soldiers of different countries."
The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency was adopted from its civilian counterpart, the German Athletic Badge, which was created by the German Olympic Committee in 1912 to encourage fitness. The German armed forces adopted the idea and added a few military-related events, and in 1958 the government authorized the badge that is still worn today by its military.
The event, conducted over three days under Hiller's direct supervision, included the Basic Fitness Test (BFT), a swimming test, 9 mm range and a ruck march.
"The biggest thing to prepare for the test is to practice the actual events," said Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Douglas, event coordinator. "Previously, we've had a shot put event and a high jump, but those have been changed since last year. Now the new events include the flex arm hang, 11×10 sprints and the 1,000-meter run. We do all of those on the first day and they qualify (on) the BFT.
"The second day we do the 9 mm range and the 100-meter swim," Douglas said. "The 100-meter swim is my favorite part, because most Soldiers don't swim very well -- that's why we didn't join the Navy. They are great for the first 25 meters, but then the adrenaline starts to wear off.
"The third day is the ruck march, and to achieve the gold badge they must complete the 12-kilometers with a 33.1-pound rucksack in the allotted time," Douglas said.
While some Soldiers trained for the event, personal motivation was still a central aspect to achieving the German standards of excellence.
"I came out here because it is something new and not something everyone has done before," said Spc. Juan Leal, infantryman, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "I thought it would be a test of my character and see what I'm about. I put my heart into every single event I did, and I just wanted to see what I'm made of. Physical fitness is a part of it, but when you put heart and effort into it, it's easy … it's all about heart in the end."
Contact Douglas at gafpb.fcco@gmail.com for more information on the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
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