Courtesy Photo | Seven active duty Soldiers received the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge award...... read more read more
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Army National Guard Pfc. Jared Taylor of the 819th Engineer Company out of Bellemont, Arizona, is assigned to an entry identification team (EIT) site along the Arizona border. He and six active duty Soldiers received the GAFPB award during a ceremony here Oct. 27. Taylor is the only National Guard Soldier to compete and earn a gold rating in the quarterly event.
The decoration is earned for high marks in strength, endurance, cardio fitness and marksmanship. The competition is open to all ranks and the badge is presented in gold, silver and bronze standards.
“The event is normally offered to active duty Soldiers or Soldiers on active duty orders,” said Taylor.
A total of 18 Soldiers competed with seven completing all the requirements to receive the badge. For Taylor, competing in the event was not out of the ordinary for him. In fact, he couldn’t wait to enter in the competition.
“I‘ve competed in three half-marathons in my life. When I heard about this event, I jumped right into it. It was an opportunity for a new challenge. I enjoy doing these types of physical activities. It’s just the type of person that I am,” said Taylor.
The Headquarters and Headquarter Company (HHC), United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) conducted testing here Oct. 18-23. Soldiers competed in a series of events on land and water that included swimming, track and field, a 9 mm pistol shoot and 7.5-mile road march.
Capt. Jimmy Kackley, company commander at HHC/USAICoE competed alongside Taylor and earned a gold badge. He found the experience to be “deeply rewarding” and noted that Taylor distinguished himself as a “top performer” throughout the event.
“Pfc. Taylor was a remarkable participant. If I had to narrow down one category that singled him out, it would be the 3000-meter run. Pfc. Taylor was required to complete the run in thirteen minutes. He finished it in ten minutes and 28 seconds which means his pace was approximately five minutes and 20 seconds per mile,” said Capt. Kackley.
The event did present some physical and mental demands. Taylor had little time to prepare and little time for sleep during the competition.
“With only one day to recover in between events and working a full shift at an EIT site, it was demanding. It really tested my abilities. Most of the events were first time experiences for me so at times I was physically and emotionally drained,” said Taylor.
Some of the first-time experiences Taylor succeeded in were the 9 mm pistol shoot. He never shot this type of gun before and maxed out on the required five hits at 25 meters. He also completed the 7.5-mile road march while carrying a 33.1 pound backpack in one hour and 32 minutes. The max time allowed for the march is two hours.
“It was fantastic to see junior Soldiers like Pfc. Taylor succeed and be a ‘first-time-go’ on all of the events this early in his career. Many personnel who participated were knocked out of the running early but he succeeded and earned the gold badge, the highest award possible,” said Capt. Kackley.
Taylor credits many for his recent success and states he is quite proud to represent Guardsmen and those serving with him on the SWB mission.
“My faith, family and fellow Guardsmen were my motivation to do well. Their support got me through it. I had no prior experience going into the event so I think I represented the National Guard, my unit and the SWB mission well,” said Taylor.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2010 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 59678 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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