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Army Staff Sergeant earns German military proficiency badge

Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Smythe, U.S. Transportation Command, recently earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, one of the few approved foreign awards authorized for wear by members of U.S. armed forces.

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Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Smythe, U.S. Transportation Command, recently earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, one of the few approved foreign awards authorized for wear by members of U.S. armed forces.


The GAFBMP was introduced into the German armed forces in 1971 to combine a civilian German sports badge with strictly military type events to show the embedding of the armed forces in the society they serve, as well as to create a challenging event for soldiers of all ages.


“I first heard about it while I was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia,” Smythe, 34, said.  “I enjoy anything that’s challenging, that’s physically demanding.  I’m always looking for some way to challenge myself and it seemed like a really good opportunity to do so.”


Smythe, a security manager in the Operations and Planning directorate, got his opportunity in August when he joined approximately 30 fellow soldiers in the grueling event.


According to Smythe, requirements for the award include: weapons qualification, a ten meter shuttle run, 1000 meter run, pull up hang, a written first aid test, 100 meter swim in ACU uniform and a 7.5 mile march with 33-pound rucksack.


Typically, the German military members have a year to accomplish all the requirements. 


“But they condensed it into a two-day event,” Smythe said.  “It was nice in one way, but then not in another in that your muscles are spent by the time the second day rolls around.”


Smythe said he most enjoyed the 100 meter swim.


“I accomplished the gold,” Smythe said. “I beat everybody by at least a minute in the swim.  That was like my defining moment.”


“In hindsight, the one thing that stands out the most is the camaraderie built and shared amongst the competitors throughout this event,” Smythe continued.  “I am thankful to have had this opportunity to represent TRANSCOM, and the J3 directorate.”


 


                                                                        -30-


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