OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - Mass. -- Airmen of the 102nd Intelligence Wing competed for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) on Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Sept. 4-6, 2025. The GAFPB, awarded by the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, is one of the few foreign military decorations authorized for wear on the U.S. military uniform. Highly sought after by service members across branches, the badge is a symbol of physical endurance, military skill and resilience.
Airmen from the 102nd Intelligence Wing joined their fellow service members from the Army National Guard and active-duty Army and Air Force for the joint-service competition. The Massachusetts Army National Guard hosted the event, for the 13th year, in partnership with the German Armed Forces.
Over the course of the event, competitors were tested through a series of physically and mentally demanding events, including an advanced fitness assessment, a timed 100-meter swim in uniform, a first aid and combat casualty care evaluation, CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) proficiency tasks, pistol marksmanship and a challenging 12-kilometer ruck march.
For Tech. Sgt. Alex Poirier, an aerospace medical service specialist with the 102nd Medical Group, this year marked his fifth time competing in the GAFPB. He said the joint-service environment offers not only a chance to push beyond what he thinks he is capable of but also an opportunity to learn from fellow service members.
“Year after year, one of the biggest takeaways for me is the value of staying consistent with my training, whether that’s running, rucking, shooting or swimming,” Poirier said. “I try to improve those skills each year.”
For some participants, this was their first time competing, offering a chance to grow both personally and professionally.
“I signed up to challenge myself,” said Staff Sgt. Andres Escobar, a recruiter with the 102nd Intelligence Wing. “Complacency is boring, and I believe constantly challenging yourself is important. I’ve been able to push past what I thought were my limits and learned what it really means to give it your all.”
Staff Sgt. Kendall Sramek, an intelligence analyst with the 267th Intelligence Squadron, joined the competition to step outside her comfort zone.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned during this competition is that empathy goes a long way when you’re encouraging others to do their best and push their limits,” Sramek said.
The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is awarded in gold, silver or bronze, depending on a service member’s performance in each event. The competition continues to strengthen bonds between the U.S. and the German Armed Forces, while offering American service members a unique opportunity to earn an internationally recognized military award and prove to themselves just how far they can go.