CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER - Some sergeants who promote physical fitness may just "talk the talk."
Others - like Staff Sgt. Peter Golden - walk, run, swim, jump, throw and sprint their way to prove their fitness.
The 59-year-old Florida Army National Guard staff sergeant from Panama City, Fla., competed with 44 other Soldiers to earn a coveted German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge during athletic events in north Florida, Feb. 20-22.
Golden, a forward observer assigned to 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment, was the oldest of the competitors and one of several non-commissioned officers (NCOs) participating in the multi-day event which included multiple track and field events, swimming, marksmanship and a timed road-march.
Golden earned a Silver Badge in the competition which was established to recognize and reward those members of the German Armed Forces who possessed superior physical abilities. Under supervision of German officers, U.S. Armed Forces Soldiers are also authorized to participate in the competition and can earn either a Gold, Silver or Bronze badge.
"I feel it's important as an NCO to test your skills and test yourself no matter what (your) age" Golden said. "I believe you need to test yourself in life and it's important that you do that. That's why I'm here."
Golden's military career began in 1970 as a combat engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps, and in 1996 he joined the Florida Army National Guard after a nearly 17-year break in service. He said that throughout his career he's felt a need to show the younger Soldiers the importance of physical fitness.
"You have to lead by example as an NCO," he explained. "And physical fitness is a big part of that. You have to be out there in the field; you have to be very athletic at times, and if you fall down the whole mission could be scrubbed."
Golden said the most challenging event of the three-day competition was a timed 200-meter swim, but he passed that and completed other events like an Olympic-style high jump, long jump, shot put throw and an 18-kilometer road march.
He attributed his achievement of earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge at his age to steady exercise and a healthy diet.
"I physically train every day," he said. "I run on the beach, I do bike riding, I do light weights, pushups, (and) sit-ups"¦I eat a lot of grains and fruit. And that keeps me in pretty good physical shape. Between the physical training and the diet it's a good combination."
Since the competition was held as a retention incentive by the Florida Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, one of the goals was to highlight and reward physical fitness throughout the force.
"It gives them an opportunity to come out here and compete with their peers," recruiter Master Sgt. Donald Hicks said. "It helps them to train to earn a badge they normally wouldn't get, and it is good for attrition and retention.
"But most importantly," Hicks added, "it reminds our Soldiers of how mental and physical fitness are vital to the Army National Guard. At any time we can be called into combat and a physically fit Soldier will play a key role in being able to accomplish the mission safely and quickly."
During a ceremony following the competition a representative of the German Armed Forces awarded 27 Gold medals and eight Silver medals to the competitors.
This is the third year the Florida National Guard has hosted the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition.