Deutsches Leistungsabzeichen

Earlier this fall, I wrote about the German Proficiency Badge (GPB) club that young Cadet Maas was joining. Deutsches Leistungsabzeichen is the German translation

The badge is a military decoration worn by the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, and it is an uncommon award for U.S. service members to earn. The GPB is prestigious in that it is one of a few foreign awards that is authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms. The badge symbolizes the extensive test given to German soldiers that resembles the U.S. combat and fitness tests.

To earn the award, one must complete the following requirements:

1. Evaluation Report: Evaluation report from the 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  (Nuclear, biological, and chemical) protective clothing.

4. Basic Fitness Test:  Three events completed within 90 minutes. A 11x10-meter sprint test, in maximum time of 60 seconds. A Flexed Arm Hang keeping chin above bar, minimum time of five seconds. A 1000 meter run/sprint, maximum time of six minutes and thirty seconds.

5. Marksmanship: In order to qualify for the GPB, it is necessary to demonstrate marksmanship skills. The individual must demonstrate their skill with different weapons, such as a pistol or rifle and one heavy weapon (such as an 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 in each of them.

6. Foot March: A 7.5 mile Foot March with 15kg (33lb) rucksack in a specified time. The march must be accomplished in military uniform (ABU) 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. Note: Graham was the first person to complete this test out of the nearly one hundred that participated. He stated that after completing, the instructor walked over to him and said, "You were a high school swimmer....weren't you?"

Graham earned the Gold level over the course of the fall semester. The ceremony for receiving the actual badge was held at the Air Force Academy on December 3rd, and Graham now proudly displays it on his dress blue uniform. 

The photo below shows the basic training Hellcats squadron, Bravo flight. Cadet Maas can be seen in the front row, middle. This photo was shared from the Class of 2022 Basic Training year-book that Graham brought home for Christmas.