German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency

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.

Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst
German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency
Awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany
Country Federal Republic of Germany
TypeMilitary Badge & Ribbon
EligibilityService members of the German armed forces and allied nations
Awarded forMilitary Proficiency
StatusCurrently awarded
DescriptionComes in three classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze
Statistics
EstablishedOctober 29, 1980

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 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.[1]

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.[2]

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 different weapons, one light (pistole or MP), a rifle and one 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 in each of them.

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] and guidance for wear in DA Pam 670-1, section 20-18 [5] which states the following:

Males wear a foreign badge 1⁄8 inch [3.2 mm] above the right pocket flap, or 1⁄2 inch [13 mm] above any unit awards that are worn. Females wear the badge 1⁄2 inch [13 mm] above the nameplate, or 1⁄2 inch [13 mm] 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.[6]

See also

References
  1. HRC Approved Foreign Badges.
  2. Regulations IGF/KLF
  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. AR670-1 Archived April 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Title 32". § 578.120 Foreign Badges. Code of Federal Regulations.
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