Photo By Spc. Qualan M. Jefferson | Lt. Col. Brian P. Champagne of New Orleans, and Commander of the 1st Battalion, 141st...... read more read more
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By Spc. Qualan M. Jefferson
2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment Unit Public Affairs Representative
SHREVEPORT, La. - Twenty-eight Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard made the trip to nation's capitol Oct. 1, to road march with a 22-pound rucksack as the final challenge in obtaining the coveted German Federal Armed Forces Troop Duty Proficiency Badge. Marching distances ranged from 6.8 to18.6 miles.
"Going out for the badge was more challenging than I initially thought, but having completed it, I feel proud and very accomplished," said Pfc. Kendrick D. Gates, a cavalry scout in B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry of Shreveport, La.
The badge is a decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and is competed for by all German soldiers.
In the United States military the German Federal Armed Forces Troop Duty Proficiency Badge is one of the few approved foreign awards and is one of the most sought after. If attained, it can be worn by Soldiers of any rank.
"You can see the change in the Soldier who wears this badge. Other Soldiers look at him or her and strive to emulate them," said Sgt. 1st Class Steven J. Degnan, a recruiter from the Massachusetts National Guard and grader for the competition.
Degnan volunteered to deploy to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2004. He was the link to the Louisiana National Guard getting involved with the program and giving Louisiana Soldiers the opportunity to compete.
Following the road march, the Soldiers went to the German consulate where they were formally awarded their badges by Brig. Gen. Gero L.K. Schachthofer, German Air Force Commander. The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," was also on hand to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner," as well as the German national anthem.
"Everyone wants to have the badge and in the German Army it is a requirement to compete and often used to determine promotions," said Lt. Col. Rieger Peter, operations and training officer for the German Armed Forces Command.
"It's a good opportunity to show our partnership and gives us the chance to give back to the American Soldiers by offering them the opportunity to earn the badge," continued Peter.
The badge itself is oval and on its center it displays an eagle surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The badge denotes three levels of achievement: gold, silver and bronze.
There are multiple requirements that must be met in order to receive the badge. An evaluation report done by the Soldier's commanding officer recognizing the Soldier's physical and moral standards is also required to ensure only top Soldiers compete for the badge.
"All of the Soldiers had to complete a German sports test consisting of a 100-meter sprint, 3-kilometer run [1.8 miles], measured high jump and long jump, 200-meter swim and shot put prior to taking the trip to D.C. to compete for the badge," explained Lt. Col. Brian P. Champagne of New Orleans, Commander of 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery Regiment of the 256th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, who also competed for the badge.
The program is run at Fort Lee, Va., Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and the German Consulate in D.C. for active components. The National Guard runs the program in Illinois, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Massachusetts. It is the intent of the Army to make the badge obtainable by all Soldiers according to Degnan.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2008 23:49 |
| Story ID: | 26613 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 388 |
| Downloads: | 266 |
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