One hundred and fifty-nine Joint Task Force Troopers took part in a once in a lifetime opportunity of earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge on U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 2 through June 5. The GAFPB is a foreign award demonstrating the requirements a German Soldier must be proficient at in their armed forces. “This is a rare opportunity for a Soldier to experience in their career,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Lawrence Mawhinney, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of proctoring all of the events for the GAFPB. “I have been in the Army for 32-years and have only had two opportunities to compete for any of the German foreign awards.” According to the events regulations, Soldiers must meet two administrative requirements before becoming eligible to compete for the
…show more content…
“So if a Trooper shoots a Silver rating in the pistol marksmanship event, than that is the highest level they can earn for all of the remaining events.” The 100-meter swim, according to the event’s regulation, is performed in the combat uniform while wearing swimming attire underneath. There is a four-minute time limit for the 100-meter swim and time stops upon completion of the 100-meters. However, the Trooper must then remove their outer uniform without touching the sides of the pool in order to complete the event. “When Troopers came up to me and said they were considering dropping out of the entire competition because they didn’t do as well as they wanted in one event; I reminded them they have the rare opportunity to earn a foreign award, regardless of the color,” said Mawhinney. “This opportunity just does not happen that often. These Soldiers should feel honored that they even participated in this competition. They have something that a vast majority of their brothers and sisters-in-arms and especially in the Reserves side, hardly ever get a chance to work
“So if a Trooper shoots a Silver rating in the pistol marksmanship event, than that is the highest level they can earn for all of the remaining events.” The 100-meter swim, according to the event’s regulation, is performed in the combat uniform while wearing swimming attire underneath. There is a four-minute time limit for the 100-meter swim and time stops upon completion of the 100-meters. However, the Trooper must then remove their outer uniform without touching the sides of the pool in order to complete the event. “When Troopers came up to me and said they were considering dropping out of the entire competition because they didn’t do as well as they wanted in one event; I reminded them they have the rare opportunity to earn a foreign award, regardless of the color,” said Mawhinney. “This opportunity just does not happen that often. These Soldiers should feel honored that they even participated in this competition. They have something that a vast majority of their brothers and sisters-in-arms and especially in the Reserves side, hardly ever get a chance to work