JBSA-Fort Sam Houston hosts German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge event

Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston hosted a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge event Nov. 3-5. Competing to earn the German Weapons Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge was an opportunity for military members to gain a cultural understanding and appreciation for what German Soldiers do to remain qualified every year.

This was the second post-wide event, following an initial event in April. This year, it was opened this up to all active duty members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force and their respective Reserve and National Guard units. There were even ROTC cadets from Baylor University, Texas State University and University of Texas-San Antonio.

There were more than 380 Soldiers competing, but only 134 Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen earned the badge, with 18 earning the bronze, 77 earning the silver and 39 earning the gold.

The event began with a pre-qualification day, where participants completed the swim portion, completing a 100-meter swim challenge within four minutes while in uniform, trousers and blouse only; then taking the trousers and blouse off while treading water. There can be up to a 40-60 percent failure rate in this event alone.

The other requirements include the German Physical Fitness Test, a 110-meter shuttle run, pull-up hang and 1,000-meter sprint, pistol qualification with a stationary target and a 12-kilometer (7.4-mile) rucksack march while carrying 33 pounds of additional weight.

These events test many more areas of the body than the typical U.S. Army Physical Fitness Test, which consists of a 2-mile run, sit-up and push-up events.

The six events included:

1. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical: basic task of putting on the mask and Mission Oriented Protective Posture, or MOPP, Level 4

2. First aid test: basic skills test, waived if Combat Life Saver course was completed in the past three years

3. Swim test: 100 meters in four minutes; then take off uniform and throw it out of the water

4. Track event:

   1. Shuttle run: 110 meters total; 10 meters for 5 ½ times

   2. Pull hang: keeping the chin above the bar

   3. 1,000-meter sprint: 2 ½ times around a 400-meter track

5. Pistol: Three 20-meter targets; five rounds and must hit each target once to qualify

6. Ruck march – 33-pound ruck; 12 kilometers in two hours
   
   Each qualification had specific requirements to make the courses even more challenging. For example, although there are only six rounds in the stationary target pistol qualification, participants must have at least one round in each of the three positions, plus one additional round to qualify for bronze. Between this event and the one in April, 347 Soldiers have now earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.