2 days ago
Military Matters: Airmen at Sheppard AFB try for a foreign badge
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Not all fitness tests at Sheppard Air Force Base are the same. Through relationships with foreign airmen, some American airmen were afforded the opportunity to a new badge for their uniforms.
The badge in question is the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. In its history, the badge has never been offered to American Airmen.
Luckily for 12 airmen in the 82nd Security Forces Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Colonel Georg Wolters with the German Armed Forces Tactical Training Command thought offering the badge was a good way to give back to the team at Sheppard.
'Our idea was providing the soldiers on base with the opportunity to compete for this badge,' Wolters said.
Like any physical fitness test, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge tests for aptitude in several areas the German military deems important in a soldier.
'It's the basic fitness; it's shooting ability and the basic capability of swimming with uniform,' Wolters said.
For the American airmen who signed up to take the tests, it was a unique opportunity. While the tests helped to further relationships between German and American troops on base, Tech Sgt. William Daly said the tests were quite challenging to boot.
'I've had to push myself harder than I have in a long time,' Daly said. 'I knew coming into this I wasn't a very good swimmer, but my teammates got me through it. The camaraderie that we have with us; both our squadron and the German Air Force has been incredible. Kept me going the whole way.'
Though only 12 airmen took the tests, they all knew they had an opportunity to make history. Staff Sgt. Micah Fordham is one of the airmen who braved the tests.
'You know, this could be a once in a career or once in a lifetime opportunity that you're going to have. And it's best to jump on it and do it with the best of your ability,' Fordham said.
Over the three-day testing period, all 12 airmen who participated in the tests ended up passing with either a bronze, silver or gold level of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
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