German Proficiency Badge at West Point

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proudpop2

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I have heard that this is the last semester at West Point that cadets can qualify for the German Proficiency Badge. Does anyone know if that is accurate? and if so why?

I have heard many cadets are trying to get qualified this semester as a result. What percentage of cadets earn this badge?

thanks
 
Yes, I believe this is the last semester that we can qualify for the German Proficiency Badge. The first stage of testing took place last weekend. I was one of the graders. I slightly regretted not trying out. I am not sure as to why we are ending it - I forgot.

Just from my company, nearly all the males tried out, and a couple females. I'm not sure of the percentage either, but this test includes a 100m ACU swim, shuttle run, flexed arm hang, 1000m sprint, pistol qualification, and something else - perhaps a ruck.
 
proudpop2 said:
What percentage of cadets earn this badge?
Click to expand...

It depends on which badge they receive. There are three levels to the GPB, Bronze, Silver, and Gold which depend on your score. While a larger percentage may qualify for at least one level, the percentage may be smaller for those that qualify for the Gold Badge.
 
proudpop2 said:
I have heard that this is the last semester at West Point that cadets can qualify for the German Proficiency Badge. Does anyone know if that is accurate? and if so why?

I have heard many cadets are trying to get qualified this semester as a result. What percentage of cadets earn this badge?

thanks
Click to expand...

Military faculty at USMA includes personnel not just US Army. Can't confirm if this is the case this year, but they only generally offer the badge test when there's a German Liasion Officer stationed at USMA. If the current officer's tour is ending, it would make sense that the test goes away until if/when another is assigned. It was offered three of the four years I was at school for this reason.
 
This is in fact the last semester that USMA will be awarding the GPB. At West Point, they will only give cadets the gold one. Silver and bronze are not worn here.

Requirements:

1. Swim. This one is hard for a lot of people. 100 meters in ACU top, bottom, and belt. Swim is under 4 minutes. Unlimited time allotted to take off your clothes but you can’t touch the side of the pool. You must get your clothes and yourself out of the pool on your own.

2. PT test. 11 x 10 meter sprints (in between the sprints you are in the prone position and must clap your hands behind your back), a flexed-arm hang from the chin-up position, and a 1000 meter timed run.

3. Ruck. It’s about 7 and a half miles in 2 hours; the rucksack weighs something around 35 lbs without the watersource. You do not need your FLC.

4. Pistol shoot. This is the only event I haven’t done yet so I’ll let you know what it entails when I finish it.

5. CLS (combat lifesaver) qualified within the past year.

6. NBC gas mask event. All you do is put your gas mask on in a maximum of 9 seconds and close the bag; we did this during beast and it’s super easy.

7. Recommendation from your TAC officer which is usually automatically done for you if you’re going for the GPB
 
Casey said:
proudpop2 said:
I have heard that this is the last semester at West Point that cadets can qualify for the German Proficiency Badge. Does anyone know if that is accurate? and if so why?

I have heard many cadets are trying to get qualified this semester as a result. What percentage of cadets earn this badge?

thanks
Click to expand...

Military faculty at USMA includes personnel not just US Army. Can't confirm if this is the case this year, but they only generally offer the badge test when there's a German Liasion Officer stationed at USMA. If the current officer's tour is ending, it would make sense that the test goes away until if/when another is assigned. It was offered three of the four years I was at school for this reason.
Click to expand...

I saw that badge on a number cadets when they were dressed in their whites. It was this huge gold badge that dwarfed all of the other badges. Much larger than the Supe's Award of Excellence and Combat Dive and Airborne badges. I had to ask DS what it was since the size made you think it must be one of the more prestigious badges.
 
GoArmy2022 said:
At West Point, they will only give cadets the gold one. Silver and bronze are not worn here.
Click to expand...

I think few, if any, wear any other then the gold badge, I don't think I've seen anyone wearing the other two.
 
GoArmy2022 said:
This is in fact the last semester that USMA will be awarding the GPB. At West Point, they will only give cadets the gold one. Silver and bronze are not worn here.

Requirements:

1. Swim. This one is hard for a lot of people. 100 meters in ACU top, bottom, and belt. Swim is under 4 minutes. Unlimited time allotted to take off your clothes but you can’t touch the side of the pool. You must get your clothes and yourself out of the pool on your own.

2. PT test. 11 x 10 meter sprints (in between the sprints you are in the prone position and must clap your hands behind your back), a flexed-arm hang from the chin-up position, and a 1000 meter timed run.

3. Ruck. It’s about 7 and a half miles in 2 hours; the rucksack weighs something around 35 lbs without the watersource. You do not need your FLC.

4. Pistol shoot. This is the only event I haven’t done yet so I’ll let you know what it entails when I finish it.

5. CLS (combat lifesaver) qualified within the past year.

6. NBC gas mask event. All you do is put your gas mask on in a maximum of 9 seconds and close the bag; we did this during beast and it’s super easy.

7. Recommendation from your TAC officer which is usually automatically done for you if you’re going for the GPB
Click to expand...

thanks interesting info. Does anyone know if the pistol shoot uses the original M9 or the newer M9A1? I suspect they shoot the same but those two models do have different rear sites
 
proudpop2 said:
thanks interesting info. Does anyone know if the pistol shoot uses the original M9 or the newer M9A1? I suspect they shoot the same but those two models do have different rear sites
Click to expand...

Whatever is in the WP armory . . .
 
The last event for many will be the pistol shoot on 17 November. The baby has been working on it since last year. However, some of the 2LTs are able to get it during BOLC depending on the post...CAPT Am--who never managed to get to the shooting event at USMA-- earned it at Ft Gordon...over a week of mornings. He noted that a lot of the people who went out for it failed the First Aid test.
 
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