By MC1 Lewis Hunsaker
Naval Postgraduate School Public Affairs
Pictured above from left, German Air Force 2nd Lt. Jan-Malte Lessmann, German Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kai Roeckel, German Army Col. Peter Frank, German Air Force 2nd Lt. Leonie Johannsmann, German Navy Ensign David Moeller, and German Army 2nd Lt. Dominik Lauer. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Lewis Hunsaker/Released)
MONTEREY, Calif. – A total of 24-service members from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) during the quarterly relay race at Soldier Field, July 21.
The GAFPB is one of the few approved foreign awards that can be worn on U.S. military uniforms. Traditionally, it is also one of the most sought after awards and can be earned by service members of any rank. The competition tests the agility, endurance, strength, and mental toughness of the participants.
Before presenting the newly earned badges, NPS faculty member German Army Col. Peter Frank, addressed students, staff, and faculty in attendance.
“Germany is proud to be an ally, partner, and friend to the United States,” said Frank. “We are proud to be brother-in-arms with the U.S. Armed Forces. However, partnership and friendship are only words, we have to practice cooperation and I believe that training together with other services is the best form of comradeship.”
Over a three-month period, service members were tested in the areas of; first aid, Nuclear Biological Chemical, Mission Oriented Protective Posture test, 9mm pistol shooting, ruck march, 100-meter swim in uniform, and basic fitness test.
“Today, all of the awardees have completed these requirements and have earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in the gold, silver or bronze category,” added Frank.
Beginning three years ago the GAFPB become a tradition when German officers stationed at NPS began offering this course to the service members at DLIFLC.
Every year, new officers from the Federal Armed Forces of Germany, who spend about six months at NPS to write their master’s thesis, administer the training and approval of the GAFPB program in cooperation with proctors from the U.S. Armed Forces.
GAFPB expresses the cooperation between two countries and emphasizes the connection in a joint defense alliance, added Frank.
