FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
After nearly two weeks of grueling physical challenges on the track, in the pool, and on the range, 21 Soldiers from six units earned the prized German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in a ceremony at U.S. Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters recently.
The decoration, officially known as "Das Abzeichen fur Leistungen im Truppendiest," was established in 1980 by the German armed forces, or Bundeswehr, in recognition of military proficiency. The award was made available to German troops, and allied nations, and U.S. Service members are eligible to wear the decoration on their uniforms.
The badge is granted in three grades: Grade III, or Gold, the highest level of the award; Grade II, or Silver; and Grade I, or Bronze. The grade of the award is based on how competitors perform in each given category.
The TRADOC Band teamed with the command's Senior German Army Liaison Officer, German army Col. Franz-Josef Dirksen, to host the competition for Fort Eustis Soldiers to earn the award.
The competition took place from Sept. 16-27, with 33 Soldiers completing the various challenges required to earn the award. Soldiers received an evaluation report from commanding officers, which recognized their physical and moral standards. Each competitor was also certified in combat lifesaver training before competing.
The German sports test included a series of track and field and swimming events, including 100, 400, or 1000-meter timed sprints, a 3000 or 5000-meter timed run, or 1000-meter timed swim, measured high jump or long jump, a 200-meter timed swim with any stroke authorized, and a measured shot-put or stone throw.
Along with the sports test, competitors completed a pistol-marksmanship challenge at the firing range consisting of six shots - two shots each from prone, kneeling and standing positions. Finally, Soldiers completed a rucksack march, in which they carried a minimum of 33 pounds over several kilometers.
Dirksen said the award is among the most sought after decorations by German troops, and allied forces as well - particularly U.S. Service members.
"This award is not easy to earn. The challenges test the complete workings of what proficient military men and women should be able to do," he said. "The German military and the American military expect the best from our people, both in physical fitness and mental readiness.
"Receiving the award indicates you are of the highest level of Soldiers in the world," he continued.
Dirksen, who commands the German military contingent working stateside with TRADOC leadership, said hosting the competition for Fort Eustis' finest "was an easy decision," as it fosters the core elements of international military partnerships.
"We serve together around the world today, operating in joint missions every day. We find the Soldiers' enthusiasm to earn this award flattering and encouraging because we want to see our allies aspire to be the best, just as we do," said Dirksen. "We're honored to grant these badges to the winners."
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Lechner, the commander of the 53rd Transportation Battalion's 271st Movement Control Team, echoed the colonel's thoughts.
"I'm competitive, and the events seemed like they'd be a lot of fun. It was all the activities I like to do," he said. "Like the colonel said, it's a good symbol of the partnership between the German and American military. It feels good to be able to meet not only our standards, but a foreign army's standards and achievements."
Capt. Catherine Martinez, the commander of the 53rd Trans. Bn. Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, said she also wanted to tackle a challenge, particularly one that few female Service members have achieved.
"Not very many females have this award, so I wanted to see if I could accomplish that, and wound up winning gold," she said. "It's an honor to wear this badge; knowing that I could meet those challenges."
While not each Soldier that started the competition was able to earn the badge, several were very close, and may be eligible to return for another attempt in spring 2013, when the TRADOC Band plans to host the competition again.
"It's open to all branches of the military - Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines - and we encourage those who want to compete to research the criteria. It requires a lot of diversity to succeed," Sgt. Maj. Wendy Thomson, the TRADOC Band command sergeant major who spearheaded the event's organization.
Thomson, Lechner and Martinez all shared the same advice for potential badge seekers: train hard, and go for it.
"Stay physically fit, and make sure you exercise," said Lechner, who took home the Gold badge. "Swimming was one of the biggest challenges for the competitors, so get time in the pool."
"I earned the badge about 10 years ago now ... If you get a chance to earn this, go for it," added Thomson. "It's challenging, but you can wear that badge with pride."
German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Winners (by unit)
53rd Transportation Battalion
Capt. Michael Gomez - Gold
Capt. Catherine Martinez - Gold
1st Lt. Scott Lechner - Gold
1st Lt. Joseph Novak - Gold
TRADOC Band
2nd Lt. Silas Huff - Gold
Staff Sgt. Robert Leatherbee -Gold
Staff Sgt. Holly Schultz - Gold
Sgt. Jaime Cruzreyes - Silver
Sgt. Brian Dorgan - Gold
Sgt. Daniel Puls - Gold
Spc. Anna Leverenz - Gold
359th Inland Cargo Transfer Company
Sgt. Alan Rulong - Silver
Spc. Chad Blizard - Gold
Spc. Alan Decker - Silver
Spc. Krysztof Slogowski - Gold
McDonald Army Health Center
Staff Sgt. Jose Prieto - Gold
Sgt. Jacqueline Lopez - Bronze
Sgt. Matthew Oliver - Silver
Spc. Marc Borgia - Gold
97th Transportation Company
2nd Lt. Joshua Broughton - Gold
733rd Security Forces Squadron
Spc. Brian Williamson - Gold