Awarded for Military Proficiency | Status Currently awarded | |
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Country Federal Republic of Germany Type Military Badge & Ribbon Eligibility Soldiers of the German armed forces and Allied nations Description Comes in three classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze | ||
The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (German: Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Contents
The decoration is awarded to and worn by German soldiers of all ranks. Allied soldiers may also be awarded the badge, subject to their nations' uniform regulations. In the United States Army, the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is one of several hundred foreign awards approved for wear on the uniform.
Requirements
To earn the award one must complete the following requirements:
1. Evaluation Report:
Soldier evaluation report from Commanding Officer recognizing the Soldier's physical and moral standards. The purpose of the evaluation is to show evidence that the Soldier is both physically and morally fit.2. First Aid Course:
Combat Lifesaver Training (CLS) level 1 course or equivalent.3. NBC Test:
Soldier must demonstrate that they can properly don a protective mask and all NBC protective clothing.4. Basic Fitness Test Three events completed within 90 minutes.
a. 11x10-meter sprint test, in maximum time of 60 seconds b. Flexed Arm Hang keeping chin above bar, minimum time of five seconds. c. 1000 meter run/sprint, maximum time of six minutes and thirty seconds5. Marksmanship:
In order to qualify for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, it is necessary to demonstrate marksmanship skills. It does not matter which weapon is used to qualify (pistol, rifle, machine gun, AT launcher,...). There are several possible shooting exercises the German Armed Forces use for each weapon which vary distance, number of targets, position of firing (standing, prone, lying down) and number of shots. For the Proficiency Badge, it is irrelevant which weapon category or exercise is used.
6. Foot March
7. 100 meter swim in Military Uniform
Grades
Design
The metallic badge is an approximately 55mm high by 43mm wide oval wreath of oak leaves with the German eagle at its center. The badge can be in gold, silver or bronze. A 1cm by 1cm square bearing a number in increments of five (5, 10, 15...) is added at the bottom when the gold grade badge is awarded for multiple years of achieving this grade. A capital letter "R" is added at the bottom for those who have earned the badge while a Reservist. Reservist recipients of the gold grade for multiple years receive a badge with the "R" at the bottom and the numbered square at the top of the badge.
The ribbon is all black with a small device in the shape and colour of the badge affixed to it. The ribbon is for civilian wear only and is not permitted for wear on the uniform of the Bundeswehr.
Correct wear on the US Army uniform
The badge can be worn on the Army Service Uniform jacket. It can be worn by both enlisted and officers. The regulation for authorization for wear can be found in AR 670-1, section 22-18 and guidance for wear in DA Pam 670-1, section 22-18 which states the following:
Males wear a foreign badge ⅛ inch above the right pocket flap, or ½ inch above any unit awards that are worn. Females wear the badge ½ inch above the nameplate, or ½ inch above any unit awards that are worn. Personnel may not wear a foreign badge unless at least one U.S. medal or service ribbon is worn at the same time. Foreign badges are not authorized for wear on mess or utility uniforms. Personnel may not wear foreign badges that are awarded only as cloth badges. Personnel may not wear foreign badges that cannot be worn properly because of size or configuration.