Photo By Emily Yeh | On August 10, 2017, Regional Health Command-Pacific Soldiers gathered to receive...... read more read more
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII -- Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P) Soldiers competed in the 2017 German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) event co-hosted by the 303rd Ordinance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Soldiers from RHC-P competed alongside over 200 Soldiers from units around Oahu.
The GAFPB (German: Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst) is a decoration of the German Armed Forces, authorized for wear by the U.S. military, and awarded to soldiers of all ranks. The GAFPB is one of the few approved foreign awards, and it is one of the most sought after awards to achieve.
"As a Soldier who has earned a GAFPB badge, it was natural for me to step-up and assist with the coordination of this year's event," stated Master Sgt. Javier Najera, non-commissioned officer in charge, RHC-P. "Master Sgt. Elisa Todd was also a driving force during the planning and execution of this event. She stepped up and worked side-by-side with me to ensure all participants experienced a streamlined process so that they could perform to their highest ability."
RHC-P participants included Army Medicine Soldiers from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), U.S. Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks (USAHC-SB), Dental Health Command-Pacific (DHC-P), Public Health Command-Pacific (PHC-P) and 18th Medical Command-Deployment Support (18th MEDCOM).
Competitors faced four events over the course of three days.
During day one of competition the first task Soldiers were challenged with was a 100 meter swim while wearing ACUs. Swimmers had a time constraint of four minutes and upon completion of the swim had to tread water and remove their ACUs. Day one continued in the afternoon with the basic fitness test consisting of an 11x10m sprint, a flex arm hang (chin-up test) and a 1000 meter run.
A pistol qualification test awaited competitors on the second day. Individuals fired an M9 in a prone position (2 shots), kneeling position (2 shots) and standing position (2 shots).
The last day of competition was the ruck march. Each Soldier rucked the distance carrying a 33 pound ruck sack.
In the end, thirteen RHC-P Soldiers earned a silver badge, while 8 Soldiers earned a bronze badge. Each competitor’s achievement was recognized at an award's ceremony held on Hamilton Field at Schofield Barracks on August 10, 2017. Leaders from around the island came out to honor those who competed in this year’s event.
“The Soldiers who competed for the GAFPB this week are an example of the strength of force in our ranks,” stated Sgt. Maj. Richard Watson, senior enlisted advisor, RHC-P. “I am proud of this team of RHC-P Soldiers, as they carry on the tradition of Army excellence and represent the Army’s number one priority, readiness.”
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2017 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 244526 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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