German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency

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German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency
Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst
German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.jpg
TypeMilitary Badge
Awarded forMilitary Proficiency
DescriptionThree classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze
Country Federal Republic of Germany
Presented bythe Federal Republic of Germany
EligibilityService members of the German armed forces and allied nations
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedOctober 29, 1980
BW Military Proficiency Ribbon.png
Military Proficiency ribbon with German eagle attachment
The badge is worn centered on the left breast pocket (# 11).
German airborne officer wearing the gold level badge centered on his left breast pocket as prescribed by Bundeswehr dress regulations.
Front and Back of the badge in Bronze with size.

The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (German: Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr,[1] the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The decoration is awarded to and worn by German service members of all ranks. Allied service members 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.[2]

Requirements[]

To earn the award one must complete the following requirements:

1. Evaluation Report:

Evaluation report from Commanding Officer recognizing the individual’s physical and moral standards. The purpose of the evaluation is to show evidence that the individual is both physically and morally fit.

2. First Aid Course:

Combat Lifesaver Training (CLS) level 1 course or equivalent.

3. NBC Test:

Individual 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
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
35-42 sec. 43-48 sec. 49-54 sec
b. Flexed Arm Hang keeping chin above bar, minimum time of five seconds.
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
65-86 sec. 45-64 sec. 25-44 sec
c. 1000 meter run/sprint, maximum time of six minutes and thirty seconds
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
2:50-3:45 min. 3:46-4:40 min. 4:41-5:35 min.
  • The score for each event is determined using a grading point matrix. The scores are then averaged to determine what level badge the individual qualifies for.

5. Marksmanship: In order to qualify for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, it is necessary to demonstrate marksmanship skills. The individual must demonstrate their skill with one weapon qualification recognized in the Schützenschnur, any of the following are recognized: light (pistole or MP), rifle and heavy weapon (MG or AT-launcher). There are several shooting exercises in 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. The individual must reach a specified score their respective qualification table.

6. Foot March

Foot March with 15kg (33lb) rucksack; 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 march must be accomplished in military uniform (ACUs, ABUs or BDUs) and boots with a rucksack weighing no less than 15 kg.

7. 100 meter swim in Military Uniform

Swim is conducted in Military Uniform while wearing PT uniform (shorts and T-Shirt) underneath. There is a four-minute time limit for the swim. After swim is completed, time stops; however, the individual must also successfully remove their outer uniform without touching the side of the pool to pass.

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[]

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. [3]

Wear by allied military forces[]

Correct wear on the US Army uniform[]

The regulation for authorization for wear can be found in AR 670-1, section 22-18[4] which states the following:

22–18. Foreign badges

a. Personnel may only wear one foreign badge at a time on the Army service/dress uniform and the AGSU. Only those badges awarded in recognition of military activities by the military department of the host country are authorized for acceptance and permanent wear on the service/dress uniform.

b. The only Vietnamese badges authorized for wear are the parachute, ranger, and explosive ordnance disposal badges.

c. Soldiers must obtain approval in accordance with the procedures provided in AR 600–8–22, to accept, retain, and wear a foreign badge.

d. See DA Pam 670–1 for wear of foreign badges.

The guidance for wear in DA Pam 670-1, section 22-18 [5] which states the following:

22–18. Foreign badges

a. Where worn. Soldiers may wear one foreign badge on the AGSU coat, ASU coat, ASU shirt, and ASU–M tunic (female Soldiers only). Foreign badges are not authorized for wear on mess or utility uniforms. Personnel may not wear a foreign badge unless at least one U.S. medal or service ribbon is worn at the same time. Personnel may not wear foreign badges that are awarded only as cloth badges and personnel may not wear foreign badges that cannot be worn properly because of size or configuration.

b. How worn.

(1) Male Soldiers wear the foreign badge centered and 1/8 inch above the right pocket flap or 1/2 inch above any unit awards that are worn (see fig 22–93).

(2) Female Soldiers wear the badge centered and 1/2 inch above the nameplate or 1/2 inch above any unit awards that are worn (see fig 22–94).

(3) On the AGSU, Soldiers wear the foreign badge centered and 1/8 inch above the right pocket flap or 1/2 inch above any unit awards that are worn (see fig 22–95).

(4) In those instances where the coat lapel obscures the badge, personnel may wear the badges aligned with the right edge of unit awards or the nameplate.

c. German Marksmanship Award. The German Marksmanship Award (Schützenschnur) is authorized for wear only by enlisted personnel. Officers may accept, but may not wear, the Schützenschnur. If authorized, personnel wear the award on the right side of the uniform coat with the upper portion attached under the center of the shoulder loop and the bottom portion attached under the lapel to a button mounted specifically for wearing this award.

Given under the authority of Code of Federal Regulations Title 32 Subtitle A Chapter V Subchapter f Part 578. §578.120 Foreign Badges |dated July 1, 2008[6]

§578.120 Foreign badges.

(a) Eligibility requirements. Qualification and special skill badges may be accepted if awarded in recognition of meeting the criteria, as established by the foreign government concerned, for the specific award. Only those badges that are awarded in recognition of military activities and by the military department of the host country are authorized for acceptance and permanent wear. Badges that do not meet these criteria may be authorized for acceptance but not for wear, and will not be entered in the official military records of the recipient. Of particular importance are the criteria established by the military department of the host country; for example, if a particular badge is authorized for award only to enlisted personnel of host country then badge may be accepted and worn by U.S. Army enlisted personnel.

(b) Awarding authority. Commanders (overseas and CONUS) serving in the rank of brigadier general or higher and colonel level commanders who exercise general court-martial authority are delegated authority to approve the acceptance, retention, and permanent wear of foreign badges. This authority may be further delegated to commanders charged with custody of military personnel record files. The burden of proof rests on the individual soldier to produce valid justification, that is, orders, citations, or other original copies of the foreign elements that awarded them the badge. A list of approved badges are provided in Appendix D, AR 600-8-22 and the Army Awards Branch Web site: https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/awards/Appendix_D.doc. Request for accept and wear of any foreign badges not listed in Appendix D or the website will be forwarded to HQ, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address).

(c) Other badges. Badges presented to Army personnel which do not fall under the category of qualification or special skill badges discussed in paragraph (a) of this section (honorary badges, identification devices, insignia) will be reported in accordance with AR 1-100, paragraph 6. Badges in these categories are considered gifts. They will not be authorized for wear nor entered in official military personnel records.

(d) Wear. AR 670-1 governs the manner of wear of foreign qualification and special skill badges.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ German Armed Forces
  2. ^ HRC Foreign Award Info
  3. ^ ZDv 37/10 Dress code for the soldiers of the Bundeswehr. Chapter XII a) and b) and Annexes 8, 9, 10 and 11.
  4. ^ AR 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. |dated January 26, 2021
  5. ^ DA Pam 670-1 Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. |dated January 26, 2021
  6. ^ "Title 32". § 578.120 Foreign Badges. Code of Federal Regulations. |dated July 1, 2008

External links[]

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