Photo By Staff Sgt. Maricris McLane | Spc. Kyle T. Miller of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – German-American armed forces relationship in Fort Bliss, Texas, dates back to post-World War II after Werner Von Braun and his crew came to the United States Sept. 20, 1945, to kickstart the U.S. rocket and missile development. By the 1950s, the German military followed Braun and began training alongside U.S. air defense Soldiers, establishing themselves as an integral part of Fort Bliss.
In 2009, the German and U.S. armed forces stationed here worked together and started the German armed forces Proficiency Badge qualification. This year the Germans on Fort Bliss hosted the German armed forces Proficiency Badge qualification, March 9 to 13, 2015.
The badge, also known in German as Das Abzeichen fur Leistungen im Truppendienst, is awarded to and worn by German and allied forces. It requires Soldiers to demonstrate proficiency in different events such as swimming, runnning, pullup hang, pistol marksmanship and ruck march. The cumulative scores then determine a final ranking of gold, silver or bronze.
German military proficiency isn’t easy, only half the candidates passed.
“We had over 140 people on the roster, we had 120 show up for the pre-test and after that we only had 70 that passed,” said Lt. Col. Bob Wagner, Liaison 1st Armored Division and German armed forces.
As Soldiers earned the badge, they encouraged other Soldiers to earn the badge as well. “Don’t doubt yourself, just do it, just try do it,” said Staff Sgt. Maximo Ramirez, “You will impress yourself and you won’t realize how strong you are or how much you can do until you try and do it.”
Wagner said the Soldiers earn more than a badge, they set the foundation for the German-American partnership in the years to come.
“In doing this program, we have helped to keep the camaraderie and the friendship to make it stronger,” said Wagner. “The camaraderie continues to build a strong relationship for our future.”
For the Germans the feelings are mutual.
“To work together with the U.S. Army is fun,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Schade, German armed forces liaison. “It’s a good experience to learn from another country.”
The Germans encourage everyone to participate as the badging is held twice a year on Fort Bliss. “I like to do this, my team likes to do this and that’s the reason why we do this twice a year,” said Schade.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2015 16:14 |
| Story ID: | 157122 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 389 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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