News

Airmen, Soldiers compete for German military decoration

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Eric Glassey
  • Joint Task Force Fort Carson Public Affairs
JOINT TASK FORCE FORT CARSON, Colo. --  More than 100 Airmen and soldiers assigned to local military installations competed for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency Oct. 21-23 at Joint Task Force Fort Carson.

Twenty-five of the 109 service members earned the badge, an armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany decoration, approved for wear on an Air Force Academy cadet's uniform.

The decoration was adopted from its civilian counterpart, the German Athletic Badge, created by the German Olympic Committee in 1912 to encourage fitness. The German armed forces took the idea, adding a few military events. In 1958, the government authorized the badge still worn by its military today.

Any rank may be awarded and wear the badge, said German air force Lt. Col. Thomas Hiller, German liaison officer and German Department of Foreign Languages instructor at the Academy.

"In the U.S. military, the badge is one of the few approved foreign awards, and it is one of the most sought-after awards to achieve," he said. "It can be seen as a common ground that bonds and serves as a bridge to connect (service members) of different countries."

The three-day challenge, under Hiller's supervision, included the German military's basic fitness test, a swim test, 9 mm shooting, and a timed 12-k ruck march.

"Previously, the event included a shot put event and a high jump, but those have been changed since last year," said the challenge's coordinator, retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Douglas.

The event includes a flex arm hang, 11×10 sprints and a 1,000-meter run.

"We do all of those on the first day and they qualify (on) the basic fitness test," Douglas said.

Day two of the challenge is reserved for the shooting range and the 100-meter swim. The ruck march takes place on day three.

Hiller earned his badge in 1993 while attending Officer Training School in Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany. Several Academy faculty members have also earned the badge.

"It is a great opportunity to get out of the office and to show you are fit and have
certain military skills," he said. "Everybody I know was happy and proud to be awarded the badge. Some see it as a privilege to participate, because you do things you normally don't do very often - if at all - like swimming 100 meters in your battle uniform or running a 12-kilometer ruck march with a 33-pound backpack."

The challenge enhances relations between NATO allies, Hiller said.

"That's the whole point in allowing foreign military to earn the badge," he said. "It is a common ground for service members from different countries and serves as a bridge bringing us closer together."

Hiller hopes Air Force leaders will someday all Airmen who earn the badge to wear it on their service dress.

"As of now, only cadets can wear it here," he said.

Hiller said he hopes to be involved in future challenges in Colorado Springs.

"My family and I really fell in love with Colorado," he said. "It is a beautiful area to live. I am very proud of being a part of the Academy and be given the opportunity to help developing leaders of character for the Air Force. Seeing these young cadets develop to young, responsible lieutenants is an amazing experience."

(U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs contributed to this report)