- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 1943
- Country: Germany
The Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge, established on August 15, 1943, was awarded to non-German members of the Germanic-SS and Waffen-SS who demonstrated exceptional physical fitness and adherence to Nazi ideology.
The Germanic Proficiency Runes were awarded in two grades: bronze and silver. The distinction between these grades was based on the level of physical achievement demonstrated by the recipients.
The tests for these awards were similar to those required for the SA Sports Badge, ensuring a standardized measure of physical fitness across both German and non-German SS members.
The creation of the Germanic Proficiency Runes served several purposes. It was a tool for promoting physical fitness and readiness among non-German SS members. Additionally, it reinforced the ideology of the Germanic-SS, which sought to include ethnically Germanic volunteers from occupied and neutral countries in Europe.
The Germanic Proficiency Runes Tests
Recipients of the Germanic Proficiency Runes had to undergo rigorous physical tests that were on par with the requirements for the SA Sports Badge. These tests included a variety of athletic and endurance challenges designed to assess overall physical fitness, agility, strength, and stamina. The aim was to maintain a high level of physical preparedness among the SS troops, irrespective of their nationality.
