Photo By Pfc. Patrick Connery | The 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced hosts the German Armed Forces Badge...... read more read more
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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Approximately 46 Soldiers from various units across the installation tested their physical fitness for a chance to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, hosted by the Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced, 11th Corps Signal Brigade, April 14-16.
The U.S. Army has participated in the GAFPB since 1971 which has become a respected symbol of excellence and achievement. It is a German military award that demonstrates proficiency in various military skills, including fitness, marksmanship and more.
“It’s an expression of partnership,” said Lt. Col. Joerg Presser, the German liaison to the Fire Center of Excellence based out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. “If you wear another nation’s award, it shows there is a relation to this nation.”
There are three different badges a U.S. soldier can earn for the GAFPB: bronze, silver and gold. To earn the badge the Soldiers had to pass four stations: a timed 100-meter swim while dressed in military uniform, an 11x10-meter sprint, a chin-up test, a 1,000-meter sprint, and an eight-mile ruck march. They also tested their marksmanship skills at an M-17 pistol range.
A soldier who participated in the event gave his perspective.
“It was a test of my physical abilities compared to everybody else around the country and a lot of my counterparts in Texas,” said Pfc. Elisha Thomas, a network communications system specialist, 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced. “I thought it’d be really good to prove myself, test myself and compete with others in a friendly way.”
Some soldiers who participated did some focused training to prepare for the event. They trained at the pool, conducted foot marches, sprints and even spent some time at the electronic support and training range to practice with the M-17 pistol.
“When you put yourself through hard times, you build a sense of pride with the people that you did it with,” said Cpt. Nathan Reitzel, the company commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 57th ESB-E, 11th CSB. “When you put yourself through hard times with individuals, you tend to have a bond afterwards.”
Out of the numerous Soldiers that participated in the event, only three of them were female.
“I think it’s amazing that there are females competing in this,” said Pfc. Tresa Lewis, a network communication system specialist with the 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Fort Bliss, Texas. “Each of us are putting our all into this event to represent.”
Soldiers who have already obtained either the silver badge or bronze badge during a previous GAFPB were allowed to participate in the current GAFPB to obtain a better result.
“I got bronze last time, and I found out about this event at the last second, so I took the chance to jump on it,” said Sgt. Kevin Rivera, a satellite communications system operator-maintainer with 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced. “I wanted to come out to get a better score and also for the fitness challenge.”
The GAFPB reinforced the partnership between the U.S. Army and the German Armed Forces.
“The GAFPB builds and reinforces the camaraderie that we have with the German forces and with ourselves,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Reyes, member of the 57th ESB-E, 11th CSB operations officer. “It’s a reminder of our friendship and the symbol of how we can come together, go through these tough trials which is something the German armed forces will do regularly.”
During the ceremony, Presser commended the participants for their effort and dedication throughout the rigorous event
“This group behind me is not the largest group I’ve led in the past three years, but it’s the group with the most successful attendees,” said Presser. "And make no mistake, there are a couple soldiers who didn’t succeed in the proficiency badge, but that is not a failure. There are no losers; all of them are winners because they tried. And that's what this is all about."
Presser ended his speech with thanks to the leadership, soldiers, and family members for the opportunity to share the badge and its storied history with the Fort Cavazos team.
By partnering with German Armed Forces liaisons to offer testing events, Fort Cavazos continues to strengthen its bond with allied nations and enhance military experience and capabilities.
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2025 17:59 |
| Story ID: | 495550 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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