Crossing international boundaries

Tired soldiers formed a distinct sight at Camp Atterbury’s Range 13, as part of the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency on Sunday. They marched for five hours in battle dress uniform and safety gear, carrying at least 15 pounds per person. \nThe award is given out by the German armed forces to ROTC participants who had to complete a set of qualifications during the two-day competition. \nIU Army ROTC cadet and sophomore Andrew Baer said achieving the honor was something that would follow cadets throughout their careers.\n“It is a very high honor. Should you receive the award, you are allowed to wear it on your uniform for the rest of your life,” Baer said. “It’s a fairly prestigious award given out to the German military as well as others who have earned it.”\nTheir pride and sense of accomplishment overpowered the cadets’ fatigue after two strenuous days, said IU Army ROTC cadet and junior Ryan Shields. \n“The best part was crossing the finishing line of the 18-mile road march,” Shields said. \nShields covered the 18 miles in four hours and eight minutes in addition to receiving the badge. \n“To be able to do something with the Allied forces is a major honor,” Shields said. “Yes, it was very tiring and very challenging. It hurts to just walk and move after running and walking for 18 miles. But it feels great. I have accomplished something that not many people accomplish.”\nThe two-day event involved IU cadets and several volunteers, many from the University. Cadets from schools as far away as the upper peninsula of Michigan competed at the event. \nWhile most IU students were involved as competitors, others helped to run the event and handled many small yet necessary details. Volunteers did everything from helping track contestants’ scores to traffic control to acting as safety personnel. \nVolunteer and senior Adam Buehler said he was happy to lend his time and be involved with the event. \n“Before I joined ROTC, I was a medic with the Indiana Army National Guard and they needed a medic on site here today,” Buehler said. “That’s how I got involved. The response has been amazing; about 130 people have contested for the badge.” \nBuehler was appreciative of the commitment of the cadets who participated. \n“There were athletic events all day yesterday including swimming, running, long and high jumps and shot put, as well as first-aid tests,” he said. “The contestants very much enjoyed it; they put in a lot of effort, they accomplished a lot and are rightfully proud of it. They have blisters all over their feet, and I am sure they just want to go off to bed.”\nThe two-day event began at 8 a.m. Saturday. The swim event and the first-aid tests took place at the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. \nTrack-and-field events took place at the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, before contestants were moved back to the HPER for the five-kilometer run. \nSunday’s program included the pistol event, in which soldiers had to successfully shoot each given target at least once with a 9 mm pistol. The second day finished with the road march.\n“Five foot-sore hours” later the cadets formed a tired site in full uniform, crossing the finish line as snow swirled around them, Capt. Bruce D. Baltis, IU ROTC training officer, said in an e-mail. \nAfter completion of the road march, successful cadets received the badge from the overseer of the event, the German sergeant major. \n“It’s a great experience,” Shields said after winning the badge. “To be a part of something that’s so international is just great. It’s a great morale booster for all the soldiers that participated.”