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Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a ruck march as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 30, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 2 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a weapons qualification test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Djiboutian National Police firing range in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 29, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 3 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa receives the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, by German commander Axel Schilling at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 8, 2017. Competitors completed a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 4 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a ruck march as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 30, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 5 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a weapons qualification test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Djiboutian National Police firing range in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 29, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 6 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sierra Bray, 346th Tactical Psychological Operations Company (Airborne), U.S. Army Reserve, Columbus, Ohio, deployed with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, shakes hands with German commander Axel Schilling as she is awarded the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 8, 2017. Competitors completed a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 7 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Castilloeggermont, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, wears the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) on his collar at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 8, 2017. Competitors completed a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 8 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a physical fitness test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 27, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 9 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a swim test in uniform as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 10 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a swim test in uniform as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 11 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a ruck march as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 30, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 12 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a weapons qualification test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Djiboutian National Police firing range in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 29, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 13 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a physical fitness test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 27, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 14 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a swim test in uniform as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov 28, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 15 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa complete a weapons qualification test as part of the competition to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Djiboutian National Police firing range in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 29, 2017. Competitors must complete a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Photo 16 of 16
Members of CJTF-HOA Strive for Gold During German Military Challenge in Djibouti
Members of the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment,Texas National Guard, assigned toTask Force Bayonet, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, listen as their leadership congratulates them for earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 8, 2017. Competitors completed a physical fitness test, uniformed swim, weapons qualification, ruck march, first aid course and chemical warfare course to be awarded the GAFPB, a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and one of the few foreign allied military awards that U.S. service members are authorized to wear. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allyson L. Manners
Members from CJTF-HOA strive for gold during German military proficiency challenge in Djibouti
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) shed sweat and tears to overcome demanding physical challenges for a chance to earn the coveted German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 8, 2017.
This was the first time a GAFPB qualification course was held at Camp Lemonnier. German troops stationed in Djibouti volunteered to administer and monitor each: a basic German physical fitness test, a swim test in uniform, a foot march and pistol marksmanship.
“Each of these tasks, they may seem simple on their own,” said Lt. Andree Brieholz, a member of the German Armed Forces Military Police, and German liaison for the competition. “But the short amount of time allowed between each event makes it more difficult to complete.”
Competitors from CJTF-HOA included a diverse mix of service members from multiple branches that are often engaged with building strong relationships with partner nations and allies.
“Having the chance to compete for the GAFPB is a unique opportunity,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jerimiah Griffin, lead organizer for the event. “It’s also an opportunity to see how the Germans approach the test and engage with them in a different setting.”
The badge is a military decoration worn by the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, and is highly sought after since it is one of the few approved foreign awards that U.S. service members can wear.
“This class of GAFPB competitors had 94 out of 114 (82%) successfully complete the course,” Griffin said. “That’s way above the typical 65 percent pass rate.”
40 service members were awarded the gold GAFPB, 37 received silver, and 17 received the bronze award.
The competition for the GAFPB at Camp Lemonnier has largely been considered a success, spurring a proposal to host the event in the spring when the next rotation of German soldiers arrive in Djibouti.
“It was a fantastic event,” said Brieholz. “It was a great opportunity to come together with soldiers from different branches and countries while doing a military competition.”
