German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge
May 2-3 (rain or shine)
Cal U campus locations
As many as 50 members of the active-duty, reserve and National Guard components of the U.S. military compete May 2-3 to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
Physical fitness tests will take place, rain or shine, on the main campus. The marksmanship test will be held at the Westmoreland County Community College Public Safety Training Center in Smithton, Pa.
These events are scheduled:
- 11x10 meter sprint
- Flexed-arm hang
- 1,000-meter run
- 100-meter swim in uniform
- Pistol qualification
- NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) hazards test
- First-aid proficiency test
- Road march with pack (at least 33 pounds)
A ceremony recognizing participants who complete the badge requirements will be held at 2:30 p.m. May 3.
See the schedule and locations
This is the third year that the Office of Veterans Affairs at Cal U has organized the testing.
Service members are expected to arrive from communities in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virgina. See their hometowns.
About the badge
A decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is one of the few foreign awards that U.S. military members may wear on their uniform. This prestigious award has been available since 1972 to U.S. service members who meet rigorous proficiency standards.
All eligible members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard may compete for the award. The badge is awarded in gold, silver or bronze, depending on the results of the pistol qualification, the first-aid test and the road march.
More information
Capt. Robert Prah, director, Office of Veterans Affairs: prah@calu.edu or 724-938-4076.