Staff Sgt. Karla Baldoza tests her shooting skills at the pistol range to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 22, 2026 (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPRHEYS, South Korea — U.S. soldiers pushed through exhaustion during two days of demanding trials at this Army base recently to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
The April 21-22 event brought together troops from across Camp Humphreys, the headquarters of U.S. Forces Korea, to compete for the coveted badge, an award that tests physical endurance and mental resilience.
Participants must complete a 100-meter swim in uniform, a sprint, chin-ups, a 1,000-meter run, a 33-pound ruck march and a pistol qualification. A medical screening is also required.
Of more than 400 sign-ups, 46 soldiers passed the screening and 38 earned the badge, according to a message Friday from 1st Lt. Jacob Matthews, the officer in charge of the event.
The competitors came primarily from the 11th Engineer Battalion and the 23rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, but included members of other units.
Staff Sgt. Karla Baldoza, 719th Military Intelligence Brigade, described a long journey to meet the challenge. From the start, she did not know how to swim and was recovering from an injury.
Pvt. Jayson Foland of the 11th Engineer Battalion tests his swimming ability to qualify for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 21, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
“I went to the pool every day, watched YouTube videos, and asked lifeguards for help,” she said.
Participants must complete the 100-meter swim in under four minutes and remove their uniform in the water, which is a decisive factor for pass or fail.
Baldoza initially failed the swim screening but refused to quit.
“It’s not just about earning the badge — it’s about pushing myself to the limit,” she said. “Failing is part of success.”
Baldoza messaged Stars and Stripes on April 25 after hearing the final results: “I got the gold!”
The badge is awarded in gold, silver or bronze, depending on performance, particularly in the pistol qualification.
Sgt. Maj. Moritz Hauschildt, the German liaison officer to United Nations Command, observed the event to ensure German standards were upheld; U.S. troops conducted evaluations.
“This is a good opportunity to exchange with partner forces and share common values,” Hauschildt said. German soldiers are required to complete the test annually.
Matthews said the event presented more than a physical challenge.
“It’s a great chance to work with another nation’s military and learn their traditions,” he said.
