University News
WIU Hosts German Military Proficiency Badge Competition
November 2, 2011
MACOMB, IL – The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition, which is based on physically demanding events in track and field, swimming, marksmanship and road marching, will be hosted by the Western Illinois University military science department's Army ROTC Leatherneck Battalion Friday-Sunday, Nov. 4-6.
Approximately 130 cadets, including 27 WIU cadets – two of whom are in Western's satellite program at Monmouth College – will participate in the competition. Competitors will come from Western's ROTC Brigade, which includes battalions from Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin as well as National Guard reservists.
The GAFB is a prized foreign military badge, which is authorized for all German troops and may be awarded to allied soldiers. Awarding the badge to an allied soldier requires the presence and approval of a German liaison officer.
Participants must complete the following: a written test on first aid; 25-meter marksmanship with a 9mm handgun; a 200-meter swim; track and field events including sprints, high jump, long jump and shot put; and a 12-mile road march.
GAFB badges come in three rankings – gold, silver and bronze – that are determined during the marksmanship portion of the competition. The number of accurately landed shots dictates the color of the badge. With five attempts, three hits earn bronze, four hits earn silver and five hits earn gold.
For more information, contact the WIU military science department at (309) 298-1161.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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