FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Physical training is part of every Soldier's life, but some are seeking even tougher challenges from their German counterparts here.
May 3, a group of officers, flight students and noncommissioned officers gathered at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility track to begin training for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
What the Soldiers discovered was a type of training they had not experienced before.
Instead of running or doing pushups, the group was divided in half with each half performing either long-jump or shot put training.
Both exercises presented unique challenges to the Soldiers, as they had to go against some of their natural movements in order to perform the exercises properly.
"I actually just got back (to the U.S.) from Germany, but this is the first time I've tried to do this type of training," said 2nd Lt. Jay Huber, B Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment flight student. "The shot put is the hardest thing for me right now. There's a lot more technique involved in throwing the ball than I previously thought."
Those training for one of three possible proficiency badges go through three weeks of training before going through a week-long testing period to determine if they qualify for a bronze, silver or gold badge, according to Sgt. 1st Class Fabian Montano, 6th Military Police Detachment fire fighter and GAFPB lead trainer.
The Soldiers have to successfully perform the shot put, long jump, swim 200 meters, sprint for 100 or 400 meters depending on age category, live fire a 9mm handgun for accuracy and road march for over 7 miles with a 35-pound pack.
"Day 1 went pretty well," Montano said. "Not everybody is used to doing the long jump or shot put. It's not something that's emphasized in America. But a lot of the Soldiers showed great physical ability."
Montano said there have been some changes to the training in recent years, including a reduction in the distance of the road march.
"The march used to be 18.6 miles for the younger category," he said. "Now it's 7.5 miles, but they increased the weight of the pack from 22 pounds to 35. When they finish, they're pretty sore."
Aside from the physical requirements, participants also have to be in "good standing" with the Army, said Lt. Col. Martin Geller, German army liaison.
"In Germany, the badge is tradition and the German Soldiers have to do it every year," he said. "Like in Germany, Soldiers here also have to be of good character. Their commanders have to sign off on them and say they are good Soldiers before they can participate in the training."
Geller, who has completed the badge training and testing 15 times, said those going for the gold badge must finish with a gold rating in each event in order to earn the honor. If even one event is silver or bronze, the best the Soldier could achieve is a silver badge.
The Soldiers are scheduled to train five days a week until the testing begins May 23.
Social Sharing