Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th...... read more read more
EL PASO, Texas — Seventy Soldiers earned their bronze, silver or gold badges during the German Weapons Badge event held, recently.
For the past five years, the German Air Force Air Defense Center has supported Fort Bliss units by hosting events for U.S. Soldiers to compete for coveted German Armed Forces Proficiency badges.
Competing to earn the German Weapons Badge is an excellent opportunity for Soldiers and Airmen to gain a cultural understanding and appreciation for what German Soldiers have to do to remain qualified every year.
“This group was above average, with more than 50 percent shooting Gold; six Soldiers qualified with 16 of 16 on the rifle. This was the best group since I have been doing this, plus it was the first event with our new Commander, Lt. Col. (Martin) Herter,” Master Sgt. Thomas Schade, noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the German Air Force Air Defense Center.
The German Weapons Badge event took place at McGregor Range, with Soldiers competing in three categories: the stationary target P8 pistol, the pop-up target P8 pistol and the pop-up target G36 rifle.
Each qualification has specific requirements which make the courses even more challenging. For example, although there are only five rounds in the stationary target P8 Pistol qualification, a Soldier must have at least one round in each of three targets to qualify.
The participants included three Army National Guard and several Army Reserve Soldiers. In addition, two Soldiers upgraded their badges from silver to gold.
“Great Esprit de Corps and camaraderie was displayed between the United States and German Armed forces during this summer's Schützenschnur marksmanship proficiency event,” Said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Puccio, observer/coach-trainer, 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th Armored Brigade.
The next joint event sponsored by the German Air Force Air Defense Center is the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge which will begin training Oct. 2, and will be conducted Nov. 3-7.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2014 16:01 |
| Story ID: | 143650 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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