University News

WIU Hosts German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Competition

October 19, 2018

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's Military Science Department's Army ROTC Leatherneck Battalion hosted ROTC cadets from five states for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) competition.

Approximately 180 cadets, including 27 from the WIU ROTC program, from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Kansas competed in track and field, swimming, marksmanship and road marching. Participants needed to complete six individual events: an 11x10 meter sprint, timed chin-up, 1,000-meter run, 100-meter swim, marksmanship test using the M9 pistol and a ruck march with a 33-pound load.

The GAFPB is a prized foreign military badge, which is authorized for all German troops and may be awarded to allied soldiers. It is one of the few approved foreign awards that can be worn on U.S. military uniforms. Awarding the badge to an allied soldier requires the presence and approval of a German liaison officer. SGM Markus Hausleitner, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Keavenworth (KS), presided over the ceremony.

For more information on Western's Military Science Department, visit wiu.edu/militaryscience.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing