Photo By Corinna Baltos | Spc. Joshua Seay, 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion does a hanging pull up for time...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, TEXAS. – Eighty-five Soldiers and one Airman from across Fort Bliss gathered together with one goal in mind: to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. The event, which took place Nov. 9-12 tested the service members’ physical stamina, muscular endurance, as well as their marksmanship abilities.
The GAFPB, knows as Das Abzeichen fur Leistungen in Tuppendienst, is awarded to German military personnel who demonstrate that they have the proficiency requirements to be a Soldier. The badge is authorized for wear by American military personnel who meet the qualification standards.
“The GAFPB is our PT test,” said German Master Sgt. Thomas Schade, noncommissioned officer in charge, German Air Force Air Defense Center. “However, we have the entire year to do the events, not just a few days.”
Shade said the requirements to earn the badge changed in 2013. “You used to have to do a lot more running and jumping, it is easier now.”
The first day of the test started out with a brief swim. The candidates had to complete a 100 meter swim in four minutes or less while wearing their ACU top and bottom. Once the swimming portion was completed, they had to tread water while removing their ACU jacket and pants.
“The swim was the hardest part,” said Capt. Evgueni Goussev, 1st Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade. Goussev said he practiced swimming in his ACUs twice a week to prepare for the event. “Clothes weigh you down.”
On the second day, the candidates were tested on their ability to pass a German basic fitness test, which consisted of a 1,000 meter run, a 110 meter shuttle run and a timed flexed arm hang. The points they earned in each event would go towards determining whether they received a gold, silver or bronze badge.
Day three was the marksmanship portion of the test. In order to successfully pass, the candidates had to hit a minimum three of five targets using a Heckler and Koch P8 pistol. Depending upon how many shots found their targets, a soldier could get either a bronze, silver or gold rating for this portion.
“You have to hit each of the three targets at least once for it to count,” said German Air Force Master Sgt. Boern Trachsel. “So it is best to fire your first three shots, one at each target, then go back to the first target for number four and shoot it again. That way, if your first shot missed, you have another shot.”
The ruck march was the last event standing between the candidates and the badge. While the weight in the ruck remained the same, 15kg, or 33.5 pounds, the distance traveled depends on which badge the soldier desires. Soldiers going for the gold had two hours to ruck 12 kilometer. Those wanting silver, had 90 minutes to walk 9 km and for those choosing bronze, they had 60 minutes to complete 6 km.
Staff Sgt. Chester Hutchinson, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Armored Division, said he was happy that he chose to compete for the badge.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2015 15:20 |
| Story ID: | 181802 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 81 service members say 'Ja' to German badge, by Corinna Baltos, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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