ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Two members of the D.C. Air National Guard earned the German Armed Forces, Troop Duty Proficiency Badge, Oct. 1.
Senior Master Sgt. Del Atkinson, 113th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven program manager and Master Sgt. Korie Gavin, 113 SFS Phoenix Raven deputy program manager, were only two of four Air Force members out of the about 20 German soldiers.
They were awarded the gold badge which is the highest of three to include bronze, silver and gold.
"I first heard about the badge when Staff Sgt. Gary Nelson, 113 SFS weapons and ammunitions custodian spoke about how he earned it in Germany," said Sergeant Atkinson. "I was stationed in Germany with the Army's 1st Armored Division 'Old Ironsides' back in 1983 at which time I was embedded with the German army. I always appreciated working with them and by doing this competition this lets me carry on their tradition of proficient soldiering."
When Sergeant Nelson was deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, September 1998, he learned of the badge. "My chief asked if any of us wanted to shoot with the Germans: machine guns, pistols, etc., and three of us stepped up," he said. "We met the Germans at one of the ranges and fired all day. At the end of the day they asked us if we were going to march also. We were unaware at that point, but said we would make arrangements. My chief approved our attending as long as we were 'not last coming in!' We walked 18 miles with a 24-pound rucksack. This was the longest we ever walked and we suffered terribly. It took me four days to unwind."
After Sergeant Nelson received the gold badge the Germans were amazed to find out he ran three to five miles every drill, and the nature of his calisthenics to keep in shape. "So there is no hindrance to my pride of having received it," he said.
Those who attempt to receive the badge need to prepare for it. There is a 100-meter sprint, 1.85-mile run and 1,000-meter swim, which are timed, but the time limit is determined by age and sex. There is also a high-jump, long-jump, and shot-put, and the distance is determined also by age and sex. A 25-meter marksmanship with a 9-mm pistol is also part of attaining the badge. Participants have to make five shots at three targets.
The last event is a timed road march. Contestants wear BDUs or ABUs, boots, and wear a rucksack weighing no less than 10 kilograms; around 23 pounds. The march can be from 12 to 30 kilometers, roughly 7.5 to 18.5 miles, depending on sex, age and which badge participants are trying to get.
Sergeant Gavin compared all of the events to being a small fraction of the Air Force Special Operations training he attended in 1992. "This was a unique opportunity that the military as a whole is not familiar with," he said. "I'm grateful I had the opportunity to take part and accomplish the events I needed to complete to get the gold badge."
"Sergeant Gavin and I have been preparing for about a month, but we both have been running for a long time because it's part of the raven program to be in good shape," said Sergeant Atkinson. "I run four miles every other day and I have been walking a lot with my wife around Perimeter Road; nine miles."
"I work out all the time, so I thought I was capable of meeting the requirements," said Sergeant Gavin.
The hardest event for the senior master sergeant was the 100-meter sprint. "You had better be fast or you will not make it in the time allotted," he said. "The easiest thing to do was probably the high jump which is only about 4 1/2 feet."
"The easiest event for me was the 1,000-meter swim because I was a lifeguard prior to joining the military and I enjoy swimming," said Sergeant Gavin. "The hardest event was the 3,000-meter run because I hate to run. The march was difficult too. It's not something you can do if you're not in shape or mentally prepared. A lot of individuals that did complete it needed the medic to look at their blisters after the march."
Sergeant Gavin went an extra two miles during the march after making a wrong turn, but still made it under the allotted time to receive the gold badge. "I was relieved it was finally over, because it just didn't seem like it was ever going to end," he said.
"I still consider receiving this badge my most challenging military effort to date," said Sergeant Nelson. "I had never been through anything like that before. It became more challenging as the years went by as I attended longer and longer marches." Sergeant Nelson has completed the march a total of five times.
"Accomplishments such as these add a very great deal to individual morale and bring a very positive light to the abilities of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces," said Sergeant Nelson. "I am hoping that Sergeant Gavin and I can be certified to offer the tests of the German Armed Forces, Troop Duty Proficiency Badge and get 113th Wing personnel awarded the badge."
Foreign decorations and badges are worn in accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, paragraph 7.3. The badge is worn 1/2 inch above and centered on the Airman's nametag.