Gardner-Webb University ROTC Hosts Competition for Prestigious German Military Award

German Officer will Evaluate Soldier Skills of Cadets from Seven Colleges and Members of Local Reserve and National Guard Units

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) detachment assigned under the Southern Guards Battalion is hosting a competition on Jan. 31 for the highly-respected German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB). Cadets from UNC-Charlotte, Wofford College, USC-Upstate, Furman University, Converse University, and Clemson University will attend the event along with members of reserve and national guard units in the area.

Cadet Operations Sgt. Maj. Banks Munn is serving as the cadet in charge, and Cadet Capt. Paul McElearney is the assistant. They expect a total of 100 cadets and service members to participate and have enlisted the help of several Gardner-Webb student organizations to facilitate the competition.

McElearney described the qualifications for the prestigious badge. “The GAFPB is awarded by the German Armed Forces to individuals who meet established standards in physical fitness, marksmanship, and basic soldier skills, all evaluated by a German Officer who will be present at the event,” he noted. “It is one of the few opportunities ROTC cadets have to earn an official foreign military award authorized for wear on the U.S. Army uniform.”

Gardner-Webb will host the first day of competition. Lasting about two hours, cadets will begin with a 100-meter swim in Bost Pool. They will complete the exercise wearing fatigues over their physical fitness uniforms. Before exiting the pool, they remove their fatigues while treading water. Then, they head over to Bost Gym to complete 11 (10-meter) shuttle runs. Next, they will perform the flexed arm hang in the pull-up position inside the CrossFit Gym. Lastly, participants will move toward Spangler Stadium, where they will run 1,000 meters.

The second day of the event will be held in Spartanburg, S.C., and consist of M17 pistol qualification and a 6km-12km timed march.

“ROTC cadets pursue the GAFPB because it measures performance against professional, internationally recognized military standards, not academic or internal ROTC benchmarks,” McElearney shared. “Successfully earning the badge demonstrates a cadet’s discipline, resilience, and readiness to perform under external evaluation, which directly aligns with the program’s mission to develop competent, confident future officers.”

McElearney also noted that participating in the event supports broader institutional goals and strengthens international military partnerships. “The competition further enhances the ROTC program’s professional credibility,” he affirmed, “and provides cadets with a challenging experiential learning opportunity that reinforces leadership, accountability, and excellence prior to commissioning.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.