Just more than a month after being recognized as one of the top programs in the country, the ISU Army ROTC hosted the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge evaluation event this past weekend.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge evaluation is an event where cadets have the opportunity to test their skills and abilities in a variety of tests and competitions. Some of the events included the flex arm hang, 11 10-meter sprint, 1,000-meter run, 100-meter swim and the pistol shoot.

The performances of each cadet are evaluated and a rating of gold, silver or bronze is awarded based on the outcome of the events.

In addition to physical tests, a portion of the evaluation focuses on the cadets’ abilities to respond to situations requiring medical attention.

In one such test, cadets are scored on how well they are able to treat a wounded victim while they put on a Mission Oriented Protective Posture suit in a race against the clock in another performance evaluation.

The suit is protective gear used by military personnel in a toxic environment.

“It’s to test you on basic soldier skills … something you might see when you go out into the field,” said Xavier Bou, senior in marketing and ROTC cadet.

The two-day event kicked off at 5 p.m. Friday evening at Lied Recreation Athletic Center. The evaluation continued the following morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Beyer Hall pool. Evening events on Saturday, including the pistol shoot and the awards ceremony, were hosted at Camp Dodge in Des Moines.

An event open to anyone in the military; the evaluation hosted cadets in ROTC programs from schools throughout Iowa and surrounding states including the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, Drake University, Buena Vista University and Creighton University.

Bou stated that this would be his first time in his four years in ROTC taking part in the evaluation. 

“This evaluation is kind of rare,” Bou said. “A lot of soldiers don’t get this opportunity, so we are lucky to have the connections to have a German Armed Forces sergeant major here.”

While the Army ROTC is a program largely focused on team accomplishments, the evaluation is an opportunity for cadets to compete against other students on an individual basis. For those who earn the German badge, it can be worn on their uniform.

“While this isn’t a group event, it still gives the individuals a way to put themselves out there above others,” said Miranda Fair, ISU Army ROTC media relations representative. “This event is a way for cadets to prove themselves on an individual level and test their own limits while giving them the opportunity to earn a German badge not offered to everyone.”

This was the first time that the event has been held at Iowa State University.