Ironhorse Soldiers go for gold

Photo By Maj. John Farmer | Col. John DiGiambattista, left, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division pins the German Proficiency Badge onto Soldiers after the completion of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge testing at Grafenwoehr Army Base, June 24.  

GERMANY

06.25.2014

Story by Capt. John Farmer 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – Blue skies, white puffy clouds and a warm breeze greeted Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division on a Tuesday morning as they steeled themselves for the challenging day ahead. 37 Soldiers participated in the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency testing here, June 24.

Established in 1980, the German Armed Forces Badge, or GAFPB, is an award for troopers who display physical prowess, weapons marksmanship proficiency and epitomize the Army’s values. Though it is a German Army award, allied nations, such as the U.S., can compete for and wear the award as well.

“It’s a wonderful thing. It really gets after the interoperability that we’re striving for,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey R. Huggins, the command Sgt. Maj of the Joint Multinational Training Command here. “The Soldiers get a chance to work in a multi-cultural environment and get to experience the other nation’s weapons, their [physical training] tests, the proficiency requirements they have, both physically and tactically; it does a lot for them. I think it creates growth, it creates an appreciation that they may not get otherwise.”

In order to earn the coveted badge, there are several events in which Soldiers must participate. First is a 100 meter swim while wearing the Army combat uniform. Following the swim, Soldiers must pass the German physical fitness test, which includes three events: 11x10 meter sprint, a flexed-arm hang, and a 1,000 meter run. Finally, Soldiers must complete an 8-mile ruck march in less than two hours.

The GAFPB test was one of many events on the brigade schedule that day, yet Soldiers were determined to compete and win. 1st Lieutenant Nathan Early, the executive officer for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 1st CD was training late on the tank range the night before, slept for a few hours, and was up bright and early in order to get on the bus to start the day of competition.

For many of these Soldiers this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; something they never imagined they would do while training in Germany during exercise Combined Resolve II.
“I’m feeling great! A lot of people who get stationed in Germany don’t get the chance to do this stuff and I’ve only been with my unit a couple months,” said Pvt. Travis French, a tank mechanic with Company C, 2nd BN, 5th Cav. Regt., 1st BCT, 1st CD.
During the ruck march, French couldn’t stop talking about how grateful he was for such an excellent opportunity. While mopping sweat from his brow and taking long gulps of water, French expressed his disbelief that he, of all people, would have the opportunity to do something like this.

“I’m only a PV2 and now I get to wear this pin on my [Army Service Uniform] and there are a lot of people who have been in the Army for quite some time and don’t have it yet,” said French, a native of Crandall, Texas. “I feel really proud of myself.”

Huggins, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, echoed French’s sentiment. He said the Ironhorse Soldiers are now spokesmen for Germany and the training that is going on out here. They now have the opportunity to go back to Fort Hood and talk proudly about what they accomplished.

“These guys are going to remember what they did in Germany for the rest of their careers, and their lives, and it will be a high-point and a story to be told,” said Huggins.

Soldiers gave 100 per cent and then some as they pushed through to the finish line of the ruck march, the day’s final event. Sore feet, blisters and sweat in their eyes did nothing to dampen their high spirits.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it through for a second,” said Pfc. Maritza Gerstner a tank mechanic with Company C, 2nd BN, 5th Cav. Regt., 1st BCT, 1st CD.

Breathless, hot, red-faced and sweaty, Gerstner shouted words of encouragement to her brothers-in-arms as they crossed the finish line. Gulping down water, she adamantly regretted nothing about what she had accomplished that day.

“I wouldn’t take it back for the world... I would take the pain all over again,” said Gerstner.

Of the 37 who participated, four Soldiers took home a gold badge and 12 were awarded with silver. Regardless of the outcome of the day’s events and whether or not the Soldiers received a badge, they enjoyed the opportunity for team building, cooperation, shared suffering, and some great Army training.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2014
• Date Posted: 06.25.2014 12:10
• Story ID: 134368
• Location: DE
• Hometown: CHATTANOOGA, TN, US
• Hometown: CRANDALL, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US
• Hometown: HONOLULU, HI, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US