Photo By Corinna Baltos | Spc. Kenneth Harris, 93rd Military Police Battalion, looks through the reflex sight of...... read more read more
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MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M.. – Fifty-seven Soldiers and one Airman from across Fort Bliss braved gale force wind and snow to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency (Schutzenschnur). The event, run by the Fort Bliss based German Air Force Air Defense Center, took place Feb. 1 and 3, tested the service members’ marksmanship abilities.
The Schutzenschnur is awarded to enlisted German military personnel for proficiency in marksmanship, and is authorized for wear by enlisted American military personnel who meet the qualification standards. While commissioned officers can be awarded the badge, they are not authorized to wear it on their uniform.
To earn the award, Soldiers must successfully shoot the German service rifle, pistol and machine gun. However, since the German Air Force does not use machine guns, that portion was waved. However, that did not mean it was easier to qualify.
“I liked shooting their rifle,” said Staff Sgt. Phillip Mosley, Iron Training Detachment. “I wish we could use it instead of ours,” he said.
While the American participants sang praises about the German rifle, many of them found qualifying on the German pistol difficult.
“The hardest part with the pistol is the first shot because the gun isn’t cocked,” said Spc. Kenneth Harris, 93rd Military Police Battalion. “The long trigger squeeze gets to you and you end up jerking the weapon.”
To qualify on the German pistol the Soldiers had to shoot the pistol unsupported in the standing, kneeling and prone positions with an uncocked weapon. To qualify on the German rifle Soldiers had to shoot in the standing, kneeling and prone from various distances ranging from 200 meters to 80 meters.
“We enjoy providing the opportunity for the Soldiers at Fort Bliss to compete for our badges,” said German Master Sgt. Thomas Schade, noncommissioned officer in charge, German Air Force Air Defense Center. “We have a long friendship at this base between our armed forces.”
The Schutzenschnur is not the only badge that Fort Bliss Soldiers can earn here. In March the GAFADC will be offering the Soldiers here the chance to compete for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2016 08:52 |
| Story ID: | 188092 |
| Location: | MCGREGOR RANGE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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