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• August 13, 2022
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The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. During ceremony, all who successfully completed the requirements to receive the proficiency badge obtained awards as a result of their military proficiency in the GAFB events. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Soldiers obtain awards as a result of their military proficiency throughout their military career, but to earn a proficiency badge from the military of another country is much less common, and much more coveted.

Active duty (AD) and Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 1-46 Infantry Regiment Battalion, and the 98th Training Division (IET) at Fort Benning volunteered to compete for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) Nov. 14-18.

Dating back to the 1970’s, the GAFB is awarded to Soldiers as a way to show others that they have met all the proficiency requirements that was, and still is, needed to be a soldier.

he GAFB is earned by meeting stringent requirements in the areas of track and field, swimming, marksmanship, road marching, and other examinations needed to obtain the badge including a written evaluation report, first aid course, and pistol shoot. Participants can receive a bronze, silver or gold ranking for performing the requirements.

Staff Sgt. William J. Medina, an 88M with the 2-417th 3rd Brigade Training Battalion in Danbury CT,  who just returned from Advanced Leadership Course (ALC) takes pride in staying fit and has his own personal work out regime he sticks to that helped him prepare for the GAFB.

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers completed a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance.

Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers had to complete a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance.

Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

“Although I found out I was able to attend days before the competition, physically I felt I was already prepared,” sad Medina. “The proficiency requirements are only their (German soldiers) minimum, but gold is the goal.”

Preparing for the GAFB is not an easy task and participants strive to gain the honor of wearing the proficiency badge.

The events included in the GAFB are similar to Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) standards but with a bit of twist. For instance the 100-meter swim, is one of the most difficult events, partially due to the fact that the swim is done in uniform, something most Soldiers don’t train for on a regular basis.

“Swimming 100-meters in uniform and then removing your uniform while in the water doesn’t sound too hard, until you try it,” laughed Sgt 1st Class James Evans, supply NCOIC of the GAFB, 98th Training Division. “I look at the competitors and think “Wow they really want this, they prepared for it.”

Physical Fitness is only one component to receiving the recognition of being awarded the GAFB and donning the badge. Staying mentally strong and encouraging yourself and peers is important says Evans.

“I tell the Soldiers every morning, ‘do your best and don’t let your performance on one event discourage yourself from another’,” said Evans. “The GAFB allows us (Soldiers) to compete alongside our other components and with the German Forces building our countries relationships.”

“Competing alongside our active duty counterparts with the Germans leadership here for the same honor brings us together even more,” said 2nd Lt. Paul White, 1-321 Infantry Regiment, Cary, N.C. “It will always be one team one fight.”

Joint training with other multinational forces establishes one of the main lines of effort for strengthening the relationships among the battle groups conducting peacekeeping missions under NATO authority.

Soldiers interested and who did not complete the proficiency requirements this year are encouraged to research the GAFB and prepare for the opportunity to compete in the 2018 competition.