PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Pfc. Scott Greene, a Soldier with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Redhorse, and a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, fires a G36 German service rifle during the third portion of the Schutzenschnur or German weapons qualification at Bagram Airfield Jan. 14. TF Red Horse is part of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, which is deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. James Wilton, Task Force Red Bulls Public Affairs)
Forty-three TF Redhorse Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, part of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, conducted a Schutzenschnur or German weapons qualification under the supervision of German soldiers with the 1st NATO Signal Battalion, German Army.
“Even in the German Army, it may take a soldier several times shooting before he earns the badge,” said Stabsunteroffizier Diemo Heyer, a German Army soldier assisting with the certification. “The requirements are very difficult and require a lot of practice to be proficient.”
To be awarded the Schutzenschnur, participants are tested on their ability to shoot the G36 German service rifle, P8 pistol and MG3 machine gun from a series of shooting platforms: from a wall supported position into the 300-meter target, prone into the 250-meter target, standing into the 150-meter target and kneeling into the 100-meter target then standing and kneeling reactive fire into the 50-meter target. To pass the test with they must hit the all targets at least once.
The Schutzenschnur is one of a few foreign military awards authorized for wear on the U.S. Army uniform and is only authorized for enlisted. Officers can receive the award but not wear it. The silver cord is worn on the military dress uniform.
“We are very glad to be here on Bagram and have the opportunity to do cross-training with our (International Security Assistance Force) partners,” said Oberfeldwebel Helge Krebs, a German Army soldier assisting with the certification. “Having this opportunity will give us a chance to learn about the American Army and allow us to teach you something about our military.”
“It is a great opportunity to work with our (International Security Assistance Force) partners and learn the differences between our weapons systems and theirs,” said U.S. Army Spc. Jeffery Graham an intelligence analyst attached to Troop B from Charlottesville, Va. “It is also a great opportunity to learn about future integration of their weapons technology into our own systems.”
The rifle has a red-dot scope integrated into the top of the power scope. It also includes and a forward-ambidextrous charging handle, which allows shooters to perform immediate action to correct a weapons malfunction more easily and without dropping the barrel.
The opportunity gave Soldiers a chance to experience different types of weapons systems and also work with their coalition partners to strengthen ties and build bonds. The Schutzenschnur also included a marksman test for the German soldiers on American weapons including the U.S. Army M4 service rifle and the M9 pistol.
“It was exciting to fire a new kind of weapon,” U.S. Army Spc. Cody Bunkers from Remsen, Iowa, and a member of Troop B. “This is a new experience for me and the first weapon I have fired outside of U.S., in terms of military service weapons.”
“It’s a neat opportunity, one that not many National Guard soldiers get to do, it usually only comes about during a deployment situation,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Brad McKinney, a member of Troop B and a Le Mars, Iowa, resident.
Task Force Redhorse plans to attempt another Schutzenschnur later in the year if the schedule permits.
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