During the Memorial Day weekend, from May 25-27, representatives of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, or Bundeswehr, hosted a three-day competition to give Texas Soldiers the opportunity to earn the Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst, or the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
"It does make me proud that we can wear foreign badges and keep that connection with foreign countries," said Spc. Hector Orozco of the Texas National Guard's Joint Task Force 71.
The proficiency badge is one of the few foreign decorations that may be earned and worn by any allied Soldier. This rare opportunity to earn such a coveted commendation came about from the event program manager, Army Guard 1st Lt. Josephine Faciane.
"I did this back in 2008 when I was a cadet," Faciane said, "and I just thought it would be interesting to bring it to the National Guard as a whole and then invite our brothers and sisters in arms of the other components of the army."
The event featured more than 70 Soldiers from throughout the Texas Army National Guard, the Army Reserves and the regular Army. To earn the badge, participants engaged three categories of events, including track and field, pistol marksmanship and a seven-mile ruck march.
The experience is not a traditional competition where entrants are ranked against each other. Soldiers earn the badge based off of an objective scale of accomplishment, wherein all participants may earn the gold level badge if their performance achieves the standard. For Soldiers used to the regular three events of the Army Physical Fitness Test (push-ups, sit-ups and two-mile run), this means going outside their comfort zone in physical exertion.
"It's not just the standard two-mile," said Orozco. "We have sprints, we have swimming, we have shot put, jumping, and it's really going to test our bodies and see where we stand."
Representing the Bundeswehr was German Army Maj. Sven Thannhauser, who helped to guide and grade the Texas Soldiers through all events.
"It's awesome," said Thannhauser, "for us it's always a good opportunity. Like me and my sergeant major, every day out of the office is a good day, so we always look forward to being out with the Soldiers on the range. You always have time for a little bit of conversation to get in touch."
A recurring theme throughout the three days was developing strong bonds and sharing in valuable training between the two nations' armed forces.
"That's basically why we are here," said Thannhauser, "to really enforce and tighten the bond between us and there's no better way than with a ruck march or shooting in a competition."
Army National Guard Col. Rick Noriega, commander for the 71st Theater Information Operations Group, supported the competition as both a participant as well as a chief sponsor through his brigade.
"We just hope that we're going to be able to continue to host this kind of event here in the state of Texas and continue to bring everybody together," said Noriega. "It's a great training opportunity and it allows us to train with our foreign colleagues."
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