Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | U.S. Soldiers attempt the pistol qualification event of the German Armed Forces...... read more read more
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.– U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers tested to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge as a part of Operation Sustainment Warrior 2014.
OSW is an annual training event, hosted this year by the 655th Regional Support Group, Chicopee, Massachusetts, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from July 20 to Aug. 10. This rigorous and relevant individual training is conducted in order to improve Soldier readiness and retention.
The GAFPB is a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, or Bundeswehr, that can be awarded to German and allied Soldiers. The award is based on eight events that test a Soldier’s physical and military aptitude.
There are three basic fitness tests: A 11 x 10-meter sprint test, a chin-up test (flex-arm hang) and a 1000 m run. Then, there are five events tested for military training: A 100-meter swim in uniform, a first aid test, a Nuclear Biological Chemical Mission Oriented Protective Posture test, a 9 mm pistol qualification and a road march.
German Lt. Col. Frank Wege, German army liaison officer, HQ TRADOC, Fort Eustis, Virginia, was here to observe and help facilitate the test alongside a cadre of U.S. Army drill sergeants.
“Testing for this badge and allowing U.S. Soldiers to wear it is a sign of camaraderie. We usually test for it during combined operations where we are working side-by-side. In this environment, it reinforces the spirit of doing things together,” said Wege.
Although only a small fraction of U.S. Soldiers who attempted to earn the badge received it during OSW 2014, the test is an mandatory requirement for German soldiers annually, said Wege.
“To push myself to achieve the award felt great, after reviewing the events and knowing what was ahead of me with little to no training I still pushed through to achieve my goal,” said Spc. Jason A. Porter, motor transport operator, 993rd Transportation Command, Lakeland, Florida, after being awarded his Silver badge.
Another U.S. Soldier who was able to pass the test with sheer finesse was Col. Deborah Kotulich, commander 655th Regional Support Group, Chicopee, Massachusetts, and brigade commander of OSW 2014. Kotulich was awarded the Gold badge, which is the third and highest grade.
“This is a big deal,” said Kotulich. “This test was demanding physically and mentally, I would like to applaud those who had the courage to attempt it even if they didn’t make it. This is not something you get a lot of opportunities to try. If you see it go for it, encourage others to go for it.”
All Soldiers who attempted to earn the GAFPB gained something from the experience, some more than others.
“The Soldiers here who earned the badge will follow the German tradition to wear the badge for the rest of the duty day to motivate your comrades as well as get the respect you deserve from your comrades for earning it,” said Wege.
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2014 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 138024 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 636 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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