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USAMU Soldiers Showcase Shooting Skills On National Stage
By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO

CAMP PERRY, Ohio -- At the National Trophy Individual match, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Rose, a member of the International Pistol platoon, went back to his roots and came out a winner after finishing with the high score. Rose hadn't shot at an outdoor pistol match in six years. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Several members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit showcased the very best of Soldier skills recently as they competed and won at national shooting championships across the country.

Members of the Shotgun platoon started things off by meeting their lofty expectations at the USA Shooting National Shotgun Championship June 26-July 2 in Colorado Springs. Sgt. Jeff Holguin withstood the intense competition amongst his USAMU brethren to claim the gold medal in Men’s Double Trap. He beat out Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond, ranked number one in the world, and Sgt. Glenn Eller, a 2008 Olympic Champion, to win the gold.

“It was awesome to win my second national championship,” Holguin said. “It also qualifies me for the Pan American Games later this year in Mexico.”

Sgt. Vincent Hancock once again defended his title in Men’s Skeet, earning a gold medal for the third consecutive year. The 2008 Olympic Champion led after the first round and never looked back.

At the USAS National Rifle and Pistol Championships held here July 1-8, Soldiers dominated the field of competitors. Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker led the way, earning two gold medals after winning both the Men’s Prone Rifle and Men’s Three Position Rifle matches. He also was a member of three first-place winning teams.

In Men’s Air Rifle, Cpl. Matthew Rawlings came away with the gold medal, also ensuring that he will represent the U.S. at the Pan Am Games along with Parker.

USAMU Soldiers swept the podium in the Men’s center fire and standard pistol matches. Spc. Greg Markowski won gold in center fire and was followed by teammates Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Rose and Sgt. Brad Balsley. Spc. Sean Ragay took gold in standard, outscoring Balsey and Rose, who finished second the third, respectively.

“The Army uniform and the USAMU black hat remain a ‘Symbol of Strength’ at an American tradition, the National Matches,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “When the USAMU is on the firing line, our unit’s and our Army’s expectations are that they will showcase the very best of Army Soldier skills. Winning is not our mission; it is expected.”

At Camp Perry, Ohio, members of both the USAMU’s Service Pistol and International Pistol platoons won a number of matches and swept the coveted team championships July 11-18 at the National Pistol Championships.

U.S. Army Blue won the “Coming Through the Rye” Trophy as the overall four-man team champions after three days of strong competition.

Competing in center fire, .22- and.45-caliber pistol matches the team of service pistol shooters Sgts. 1st Class James Henderson and Gregory Wilson, and Staff Sgts. Lyman Grover and Patrick Franks beat out the second place team by one target to claim their second straight title and third for the Army since the inception of the trophy. Henderson, a two-time National Champion, placed second in the overall individual category.

On July 18, U.S. Army Blue won the prestigious Gold Cup Trophy for the fourth consecutive year. The trophy, in existence since 1920, is given to the winners of the National Trophy Team Match. Firing members were once again Henderson, Wilson, Grover and Franks.

In the National Trophy Individual Match, Rose, a member of the International Pistol platoon, went back to his roots and came out on top after finishing with the high score.

“Shooting International Pistol the last six years has honed my skills to shoot slow-fire better, and with my experience as a service pistol shooter initially, the two combined to work perfectly,” Rose said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better result.”

The National Championships culminate the competition schedule for the Service Pistol platoon, who now turns its attention to its main mission of conducting marksmanship training courses provided for Soldiers throughout the Army.

The Service Rifle platoon now takes center stage as they will represent the Army at the 50th Interservice Rifle Championship, National High-Power Rifle Championship and National Trophy Rifle Matches.

CAMP PERRY, Ohio -- Staff Sgt. Jean-Noel Howell (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Henderson (right), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fire during the National Pistol Championships July 17. Henderson finished second overall and was a member of the team champions. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Sgt. Glenn Eller (left), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fires during the finals of the USA Shooting Double Trap National Championship June 28. Looking on are two USAMU teammates, Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond and Sgt. Jeff Holguin. Holguin, a 2008 Olympian, won the gold medal, and was followed by Richmond and Eller as the Soldiers swept the podium. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

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USAMU & Fort Benning Pay Final Respects To A Brave Soldier
By Michael Molinaro USAMU PAO

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent, 39, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, passed away June 25th after a battle against terminal cancer. He was a decorated member of the Service Pistol team and his last assignment was as the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the International Pistol team. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The Fort Benning community said goodbye to one of its own Thursday.

In a ceremony at the Main Post chapel, Soldiers, Family members and civilians gathered to pay their final respects to Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent, who lost his courageous battle against a terminal illness June 25.

Sargent, 39, was a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit for more than five years. He was a decorated member of the Service Pistol platoon as a member of several championship teams and earned several accolades including the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge and the President’s Hundred tab. He also was the lead instructor in numerous close quarters marksmanship training courses, which raised the combat readiness of thousands of Soldiers.

In 2010 he was named the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the unit’s International Pistol platoon, tasked with preparing Soldiers in their pursuit of the 2012 Olympic Games while they simultaneously train Soldiers and showcase the Army.

“What I admired most about Jason was his caring leadership and his utmost consideration for others,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “I personally selected him to lead. He had the ability to draw the best out of people who already thought they were the best.”

Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Sargent enlisted in the Army in 1993 after graduating from Ellsworth High School of Ellsworth, Maine, in 1990 and studying professional aeronautics at Embry Riddle University. His initial assignment was at Fort Rucker as an aerial observer with the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment. He also served in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division and at Fort Carson with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment before his first assignment with the USAMU. He served in the Army Reserves before returning to active duty and the USAMU in 2008.

In 2003, Sargent volunteered to serve a combat tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Combined Joint Task Force-180 CJ3 Aviation NCOIC.

Sargent, who loved to fly planes and was an avid golfer, leaves behind his wife Cindi and three sons: Nicholas, 15; Andrew, 13; and William, 5.

“Sgt. 1st Class Sargent was a true and loyal friend, and he loved his family more than anything,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Wilson. “He would go out of his way to help you if you needed it. “He was a true ‘Mainer’-his goal was to retire back to Maine with his family.”

During his military career Sargent earned the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Deployment Ribbon, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge and President’s Hundred Tab.

“Although his time on this Earth was cut short, his impact on each of us will last the rest of our lives,” Hodne concluded. “Let us live by Jason’s example, let us make each day count, and let us live with a sense of the profound impact we can all have on each other.”

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit place the casket of Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent on a belt at Lawson Army Airfield in preparation for his final flight home to his native Maine. Sargent, 39, passed away June 25 after a courageous fight against a terminal illness. He is survived by his wife Cindi and three children: Nicholas, Andrew and William. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

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