FORT CARSON, Colo. (1/12/11) – Colorado Army National Guard 1st. Sgt. Donald Quandt and Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Douglas both received a German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency during a ceremony at the 168th Regional Training Institute here Jan. 12.

They each earned the badge by completing a series of timed events that included first aid tasks, a 200-meter swim, a long jump, a 100-meter sprint, a shot put, a 3-kilometer run, a 12-kilometer ruck march and a pistol qualification course.

The competition to earn this badge was introduced in the 1970s and was established to recognize and reward those serving in the German Armed Forces who possess superior physical abilities. U.S. Soldiers are authorized to compete individually and wear their badge on their service dress uniforms.

The badge was presented by Master Sgt. Rainer Neuhauser, a German Army Reservist who lives here in the U.S. He is one of 1,600 German Reservists who live and work at various military bases across the nation.

Douglas, who frequently competes in events like the Bataan March in White Sands N.M., as well as races to the top of Pike’s Peak, was told about the badge from a friend at the National Guard Bureau. The conversations eventually lead him to Neuhauser, who hopes to use Douglas and Quandt to hold more competitions in the future.

This competition for this badge allows for some alternative events if a Soldier cannot compete in a particular event. This has been used by the German Army to allow wounded warriors to qualify for the badge as well. Douglas and Quandt hope to offer this competition to our wounded warriors.

For those interested, there will be another class offered this spring. If you have questions about the competition you may e-mail Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Douglas or 1st. Sgt. Donald Quandt.