| Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst | |
|---|---|
 German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency | |
| Awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany | |
| Country |
 Federal Republic of Germany |
| Type | Military Badge & Ribbon |
| Eligibility | Soldiers of the German armed forces and Allied nations |
| Awarded for | Military Proficiency |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Description | Comes in three classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze |
| Statistics | |
| Established | October 29, 1980 |
 Military Proficiency ribbon with German eagle attachment | |
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.
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.[1]
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. German Physical Fitness test:
- a) 100, 400 or 1000 meter timed sprint (time limit determined by age category).
- b) 3000 or 5000 meter timed run or 1000 meter timed swim (time and distance determined by age category).
- c) Flexed Arm Hang, keeping chin above bar. (time is determined by age/gender category)
- d) 200 meter timed swim in military uniform, any stroke is authorized (4 min. time limit).
Male Female Event 18-29 30-39 40-44 45-49 18-29 30-39 40-44 45-49 200 meter Swim 4:00 m 4:00 m 4:30 m 4:00 m 4:00 m 4:00 m 4:00 m 4:00 m 100 meter Sprint 13.6 s 14.0 s 14.5 s 16.0 s 16.0 s 17.0 s 18.5 s 20.0 s 400 meter Sprint 68.0 s 70.0 s 72.0 s --- --- --- --- --- 1000 meter Sprint 3:50 m 4:10 m 4:30 m 4:45 m 5:30 m 6:00 m 6:40 m 7:00 m 5000 meter run 23:00 m 26:00 m 28:00 m 31:00 m --- --- --- --- 3000 meter run 13:00 m 14:30 m 16:00 m 17:30 m 18:30 m 20:00 m 21:30 m 23:00 m 1000 meter swim 26:00 m 28:00 m 30:00 m 32:00 m 28:00 m 30:00 m 32:00 m 34:00 m
5. The requirements for the marksmanship event have changed:
New: 6 shots at 1 target placed at 25 meters; shooter fires from 3 firing positions with a 15 second time limit. (The first shot is done without cocking the hammer back.)
- 2 shots from prone (supported or unsupported)
- 2 shots from kneeling position (unsupported)
- 2 shots from standing (unsupported)
- All six rounds inside of silhouette target achieves gold ranking.
- Five rounds inside of silhouette target achieves silver ranking.
- Four rounds inside silhouette target achieves bronze ranking.
6. The requirements for the rucksack march (ruck march) have changed:
New: Rucksack weight 15 kg (33 pounds); for Bronze 6 km in 60 min; Silver 9 km in 90 min; Gold 12 km in 120 min; no differences between gender and age.
- The awarded grade is determined by the results of the Marksmanship score and the ruck march time and distance.
Alternative (Navy personnel only): Swimming in clothes
- Grade I 200 m max. 08:00 min
- Grade II 300 m max. 12:00 min
- Grade III 300 m (time limit determined by age category).
Grades[]
The decoration has three grades[]
- Grade III = German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold (Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst in Gold).
- Grade II = German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Silver (Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst in Silber).
- Grade I = German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Bronze (Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst in Bronze).
Design[]
Badges for reservists in Gold
The badge is round on its center and displays the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The badge can be in gold, silver or bronze. An "R" is placed at the bottom for those who have earned the badge while a Reservist. The ribbon is all black with a small clasp of the decoration attached to it. These ribbons are not permitted for wearing on the uniform by official dress code. A ribbon may only be worn on civil dress.[2]
Wear by allied military forces[]
Placement of the badge on the US Army uniform.
Correct wear on the US Army uniform[]
The badge can be worn on the US Army Class A and ASU jacket. It can be worn by both enlisted and officers. The regulations for wear can be found on AR-670-1, section 29-19 part B.[3] It 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.[4]
See also[]
- Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces
- Dutch Military Proficiency Badge (Netherlands)
- Expert Infantryman Badge (United States)
References[]
External links[]
- AR 600-8-22, Appendix D (Updated as of 20 March 2013)
- Fort Leavenworth Soldiers train hard to earn German badge
- Virginia troops vie for German Armed Forces Badge
- Bliss Soldiers compete for coveted German proficiency badge
- The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge: not a piece of cake
- Soldiers Compete for Coveted Foreign Award
The original article can be found at German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency and the edit history here.