Photo By Jovi Prevot | Soldiers achieving the standard for the German Armed Forces Badge of Military...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – A long-standing relationship between the U.S. and German armies has led to decades of exchange in language, culture and tactics; additionally the continued combined training has allowed Soldiers from both countries to challenge themselves by attempting to achieve the standards of their partner nation.
Fifteen Soldiers of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, along with Service Members from throughout the U.S. and numerous partner nations, competed for the German Armed Forces Badge of Military Proficiency (GAFPB), October 15-18, 2018.
“This week I competed for the GAFPB,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Bobby L. Horne Jr., a geospatial engineer assigned to Headquarters Company, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard. “Overall I finished with the silver. “
In total, 334 Service Members competed for the GAFPB, but only 188 badges were awarded. The standards measured many areas of basic soldiering skills.
“The GAFPB requires completion of six events total: a swim test, weapons qualification with the M9, a Basic Fitness Test (consisting of 11x10m sprints, a flexed arm hang, and 1000m sprint), and a ruck march,” said Horne.
Two of the events were validated before the Soldiers could compete for the badge.
“Before coming to the event, competitors were required to be verified by their units to be competent in Hazmat and CLS,” said Horne.
In each event you are competing for the badge, not against other competitors, but with and among them.
“I competed next to soldiers from Spain, France, Italy, and various other countries. I also competed next to Army Soldiers I would have never met without this event,” he said.
For the Firefighter and Greenville, Miss. native the challenge was about more than the badge.
“Personally I always look for a new exciting way to benefit and develop myself as a person and a soldier,” said Horne. “The GAFBP not only tested my grit, but also gave an insight to military branches from around the world.”
Though he missed the gold standard by a 10 second flexed arm hang, Horne got so much more from the competition.
“I made friendships with a few folks I never would have met. I believe I will be a better leader and Soldier because of this experience,” said Horne.
Events like the GAFPB allow for the long-standing tradition of cultural exchange between the U.S and German armies to continue, training soldiers to be well rounded leaders.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2018 09:53 |
| Story ID: | 297331 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Hometown: | GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Dixie Thunder Soldier Earns German Award, by Jovi Prevot, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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