8:41 a.m., Feb. 21, 2011----The University of Delaware Army ROTC selected 11 cadets and one alumnus to attend the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFBMP) competition held Feb. 16-17 in Salisbury, Md.

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The GAFBMP is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The cadets who sought the award were tested in track and field events, timed runs, a road march and a pistol qualification. On the first day of the competition, the cadets attempted the track and field events that included a 100-meter sprint, 3-kilometer sprint, a 5-kilometer run, the high and long jumps, shot put, and 100-, 200- and/or 1,000-meter swims.

Pistol qualification and the ruck march followed the track and field day. These events specifically determined whether a cadet would be awarded a gold, silver, or bronze distinction. Gold represented the most proficient classification and bronze represented the grade of basic proficiency.

Of the 12 UD participants, 11 obtained the highest possible award. They were 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Timmick, Justin Hicks, Amy Bourett, Matthew Robbins, Matthew Sherwood, Kevin Lewandowski, Rob Kotheimer, Mark DiEleuterio, Graham Foresman, Chris Kealty and Brian Naughton.

The decoration is awarded to all German soldiers, and allied soldiers may also be awarded the badge. In the U.S. military the GAFBMP is one of the few approved foreign awards and is highly sought after.