Photo By Senior Airman Regan Enriquez | Maj. Kyle Buehler, 86th Airlift Wing Plans and Programs deputy chief, Tech. Sgt....... read more read more
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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - Two hundred and forty five service members gathered from across Europe to participate in the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany March 17-21, 2025.
The German American Friendship Week challenged military personnel to a series of events with the goal of earning a foreign badge, putting their endurance, strength and accuracy to the test.
“This is a week of annual events that we started in 2021, where we are able to offer service members one of our German military badges, the GAFPB,” said Senior Master Sgt. Frank Roglmeier, NATO Headquarters Allied Air Command senior enlisted leader of operations. “The badge is a German eagle in bronze, silver or gold depending on your score and the level you achieve.”
To earn the badge, you are graded on performance in five separate challenges; a 100 meter swim in duty uniform to be completed in four minutes; a combat lifesaver written first aid test; a nine millimeter pistol qualification; a German physical training test and a 12-kilometer ruck march.
Earning a GAFPB is about more than earning a badge to wear on a uniform, it is an opportunity for personal growth and intercultural exchange and cooperation.
“Having the opportunity to test ourselves against another military standard is something very unique, I've never been able to do that,” said Master Sgt. Trebor Lewis, 86th Airlift Wing Commanders Action Group superintendent. “I've been in for 18 years now, and this is a first for me. I'm very happy to be here and working with our partners to put this on.”
These challenges not only provide participants a chance to earn a foreign badge, but also an opportunity for everyone involved to develop relationships with other U.S. and German service members.
“Our German counterparts have been awesome to work with every day, they’ve been out here judging the events and working with people to make sure they are able to get in and participate in ways that most beneficially accommodate their schedule,” said Lewis. “They demonstrate exactly what needs to be done, and for folks that struggle they get in right there next to them and help coach them so they're able to pass.”
The collaboration and support received by participants helps to create a rewarding experience regardless of the outcome of their performance that goes beyond the competition.
“I like to see the people smiling when they get their badge. They have had an adventure with us, met new people and were able to learn about how different militaries work,” said Roglmeier. “This is always an eye opener for people and I like that.”
For those interested in participating in next year's competition, practice makes perfect when it comes to these events.
“The requirements for the components are public. You can go to the Rod and Gun Club to practice firing a handgun and for the swim go to the Ramstein Aquatic Center” said Lewis. “For the PT portion the components are readily available online.”
The week ended with a ceremony where the 184 service members who earned a badge received their German Armed Force Proficiency Badges and certificates of completion; there were 84 gold, 79 silver, and 21 bronze medals earned.
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2025 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 494216 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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