International Sniper Competition and Symposium

Horus Vision

Fort Benning, GA. --(Ammoland.com)- Horus Vision congratulates the winners of the 2011 International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning, GA.

The event gave some of the best shooters in the world a chance to compete. Teams tested diverse sniper skills including marksmanship, target detection, land navigation, reconnaissance and intelligence, stalking, and providing protection for ground troops, while enduring grueling physical circumstances.

This year’s event spanned 72 continuous hours, from September 27 through September 29. Teams endured sleep-deprived nights during round-the-clock competition. The event is an intense experience, ranking among the toughest sniper events in the world.

Horus Vision was once again a Platinum Sponsor for the event. This year we contributed prizes for the winners including the HDMR 3.5-21×50 Riflescope (H59) and the Kestrel 4500 NV with Horus ATrag Ballistics.

Competitors included teams from the Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon Police, the San Diego Police Department and countries of Canada, Germany and Ireland. A total of 32 two-man teams from around the world competed in the event.

The top five winning teams were:

• First place – Master Sgt. Kevin Owens and Sgt. 1st Class Terry Gower of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.
• Second place – Cpl. Michael Craven and Cpl. Lloyd Kenny of the Irish Defense Forces.
• Third place – Sgt. 1st Class Tony Amerman and Sgt. 1st Class Andy Roy, B of Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group at Fort Bragg.
• Fourth place – Staff Sgt. Jonathan Geib and Sgt. Jesse Wargolet, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Brigade Combat Team at the Arizona National Guard.
• Fifth place – Sgt. 1st Class Gabe Kessay and Sgt. 1st Class Chance Giannelli of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group at Fort Bragg.

Competition tries new format
For the first time in the event’s history, teams were prohibited from competing with their own sniper rifles. Each team was given two M110 SASS weapons. Contestants had two days to shoot and familiarize themselves with their weapons before the competition.

• http://www.soc.mil/UNS/Releases/2011/October/111006-01.html
• http://kitup.military.com/2011/09/sniper-comp-dont-bring-your-guns.html

About:
Horus brings cutting-edge technology to long-range shooting to help you shoot farther with ultimate accuracy. Horus reticles, scopes, ballistics software and accessories offer a simpler solution for making fast, precise, bulls-eye hits consistently. Our easy-to-use reticle design and targeting software deliver dramatic improvements no matter what your skill level. Visit: www.horusvision.com

Inaugural Army Strong Collegiate Shooting Championships On Target

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Only three months remain until the inaugural Army Strong Collegiate Shooting Championships brings collegiate and junior shooters from around the country to Fort Benning and the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

The dynamic format will draw the top college and junior shooters March 13-18 in four distinct championships: the National Rifle Association Intercollegiate Pistol Championships; the NRA Intercollegiate Rifle Club Championship; the Scholastic Steel Challenge Collegiate Championship; and the Scholastic Clay Target Program Challenge.

The ASCSC is designed to connect the Army with and promote youth and collegiate shooting sports. It aligns directly with the youth and collegiate shooting programs of the NRA Competitive Shooting Division, SSC, and SCTP, which all foster junior and collegiate participation in prestigious competitions while promoting firearms safety. The USAMU aims to make this an annual event.

The USAMU connects to America’s youth through teaching, coaching, and mentoring junior shooters throughout the year, and Soldiers make ideal mentors and role models for our nation’s youth, said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. In these respects, the Army’s hosting of this event a perfect fit.

“The USAMU, home to the absolute best marksman, marksmanship instructors, and gunsmiths, is the ideal location to hold this ground-breaking Army Strong Collegiate Shooting Championships,” said Hodne. “Our newest generation of collegiate champions across multiple shooting disciplines will earn their titles at the ‘Home of Champions.’”

Teams and individuals are currently vying to earn an invitation to the NRA Collegiate Pistol and Rifle Club Championships. The top ten ranked teams and thirty individuals in each event after the Intercollegiate Sectionals earn coveted slots. This is the first time that both the pistol and rifle club championships will be held in the same location, making the event bigger than ever.

USAMU Soldiers Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond and Sgt. Vincent Hancock are among a long list of SCTP alum that has used their experiences in the program to propel them to the heights of shooting. Hancock won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Skeet and Richmond has already qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in Double Trap. The next generation of SCTP heavyweights will make their way to the unit’s historic Hook Range and compete in the challenge.

Earlier this year the SSC program, primarily a juniors program, was expanded to offer college teams the opportunity to participate in the action pistol discipline of speed shooting in a competition format. The SSC recently held the SSC Fall Collegiate Challenge, with the Coast Guard Academy winning their second straight championship. The top-ranked “Coasties” aim to win a third consecutive title, soliciting Army cadets or other collegiate teams the chance to beat them on Army grounds.

The ASCSC will be sandwiched around the electrifying Army Strong Experience, hosted by the Maneuver Center of Excellence March 15-16.

This event showcases the capabilities of the Army through demonstrations by an array of units on post.

Spectators can see the “Rangers in Action” demo, the Hands-on Training Exercise (HOTEX), the “Airborne 5000″ demonstration and Fort Benning Silver Wings Skydiving exhibition, a shooting demonstration performed by members of the USAMU Shotgun team, and experience a culmination of hands-on and interactive Army systems via the Army Adventure Semi.

“There is no better way to showcase our Army and let our fellow citizens experience and witness ‘a Strength like no other’ than seeing our Soldiers in action,” said Hodne. “The positive Army impressions to be generated will last a lifetime.”

Check out www.usamu.com for information on the event and for teams interested in competing.

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.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Olivia Jackson, a student from Harris County High School, assists a shooter while he gets in position prior to a match Oct. 5 at Pool Indoor Range. volunteers from Harris County High School, Gameday for Heroes, American Red Cross, Soldiers and others all pitched in to make the first-ever International Paralympic Committee Shooting World Cup on U.S. soil a huge success. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Hosting a successful world-class event requires the strength of an entire community, and the joint-effort between Fort Benning and the Chattahoochee Valley left a lasting impression on hundreds of people from around the world.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit hosted the first-ever International Paralympic Committee Shooting World Cup held in the Western Hemisphere Oct. 4-9 here and while several deserving athletes left with medals around their neck, the teamwork between the military and civilian community was a true victory in itself.

“This event was a great opportunity to show the visitors from around the world what right looks like – what a winning combination of partnership between a military installation and the community looks like,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Brown, commander, Maneuver Center of Excellence.

“The Chattahoochee Valley has a heart for the military, more so than any other place I have been and I am not just saying that. It’s evident by the outstanding community support we have from so many organizations. The relationships are mutual too, as our Soldiers get great enjoyment in rolling up their sleeves and volunteering in the community through programs like Partners in Education and supporting local organizations through the Combined Federal Campaign. It is a win-win for the military and our community outside the gate.”

A number of organizations reached out to the USAMU, lending their services for the week. Students from Harris County High School received permission to volunteer their time while navigating around their test week. Gameday for Heroes and Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment teamed together all week and The American Red Cross had volunteers on the grounds throughout the event.

“We feel that helping our military is a priority,” said Michelle Walton, Fort Benning manager for the Red Cross. “Helping out with events such as this are our ‘feel good’ moments.”

Volunteers served food to the athletes, assisted them in traveling from their hotels to the range, helped those in wheelchairs get around the range, and even helped them during their matches by handling their guns while they adjusted their shooting positions or providing a quick rubdown in between rounds.

“By volunteering at this event my daughters, 10 and 14, have been able to do things that many people have not,” said Jana Tarleton, director of Gameday for Heroes. “Not only have they been able to meet others from around the world, they have been able to meet individuals that have a disability do the same things that able bodied individuals can do and more.

“I have met friends that I know will be friends for life. I don’t think people understand everything that goes on at Fort Benning-it’s not just a military base with Soldiers, helicopters, tanks and guns-it is our community with events that have visitors from all over the world and experiences that no other community has to offer.”

By hosting two World Cups alone in 2011, more than a thousand people from the international community have stayed in local hotels, ate their meals at local restaurants, and purchased items from merchants to take back to their countries, pumping dollars into the local economy, Tarleton said. It leaves a positive impact on everyone.

“Having world-class events like the IPC Paralympic World Cup is one of many examples of the high-caliber of activities that happen at Fort Benning, in addition to the world-class training and leader development we do 365 days a year,” said Brown. “There is so much happening at Fort Benning that it is hard to not be a little excited and inspired by the spirit of enthusiasm you see. Having all of these people from around the world come to Fort Benning is a great way to showcase this installation and the impact it makes on the Army and the world.”

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.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Fort Benning, in conjunction with USA Shooting, will host the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Cup USA October 3-9 at the home of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

This event will be the largest Paralympic shooting event on American soil. Paralympic shooters from around the world will travel to Columbus, Ga., for the opportunity to win quotas to the 2012 Paralympic Games.

“As the first IPC Shooting World Cup in the United States we hope to bring a great opportunity to our western hemisphere neighbors as well as a first rate competition for the Paralympic shooting community,” said Wanda Jewell, the Chief of the Organizing Committee for the event.

Hosting an event such as this is not new to the USAMU or Fort Benning. The past two years more than 1,200 shooters and country representatives from around the world have come to Fort Benning to participate in International Shooting Sports Federation Rifle and Pistol World Cups, providing a boon to the local economy while showing off Fort Benning and the Columbus area.

The match held back in May was the biggest international shooting event ever on U.S. soil. 24 Olympic quotas were awarded over the course of the week-long event.

USAMU Paralympic Shooting platoon members Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson and Sgt. Kisha Makerney will have the unique opportunity of representing the Army and the U.S. team on their home range.

“This Paralympic World Cup is an exciting new avenue for our unit and our Army,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU.

“This Paralympic World Cup will be the first event of its kind to ever take place in the Western Hemisphere. It will also be the first event of its kind to enable our unit’s Wounded Warriors to show the strength of our Soldiers, represent our Army and our nation at this high level on their home range.”

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.

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.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The fourth annual U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Action Shooting Junior Clinic will be held Oct. 28-30 at Krilling Range here on Fort Benning.

Champions from the USAMU’s Action Shooting Team, including three-time multi-gun national champion Staff Sgt. Daniel Horner and Pfc. Shane Coley, a former camp attendee and U.S. International Practical Shooting Confederation World Shoot team member, will be the primary instructors.

Juniors attending the clinic will learn advanced skills in drawing, accuracy, movement techniques, transitions and reloads. The first two days will consist of hands-on training with a match on Sunday to conclude the clinic.

There is no entry fee associated with the clinic. A government-issued identification card is all that you need now to get on to Fort Benning-visitor’s passes are no longer required. Attendees must bring all equipment, ammunition, and provide their own transportation to and from the range, as well as all meals.

This is not a clinic for novice shooters–those wishing to attend must be USPSA classified. USAMU Soldiers relish the chance to pass on their expertise to junior shooters who have the desire to learn and enhance their skills while having fun. Groups will be broken down to ensure the instructor-to-student ratio is the best you will find anywhere.

“If it has ever crossed your mind to attend the junior camp, do it,” said an attendee from last year’s clinic. “Raise money, have a raffle, have a lemonade stand-just do whatever it takes to get there. The camaraderie between shooters and instructors was unmatched by anything else I have ever been involved in.”

Space is limited. Registration is now open and will end on Aug. 12. To learn more about the clinic and register, please go to www.usamu.com.

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.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson (middle), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, won the individual championship at the 52nd Interservice Pistol Championship. Staff Sgt. Lyman Grover (left), USAMU, placed second and Marine Cpl. Luis Esparza (right) came in third. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Despite fielding a team without its full arsenal due to deployments to Afghanistan, Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit showcased the skills and capabilities of the Army at the 52nd iteration of the Interservice Pistol Championship June 12-17.

Every service of the military was represented at the week-long event, braving the intense southern heat to be tested against the best the military has to offer.

Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson, USAMU, was crowned champion after dominating the field, winning every day’s aggregate and breaking the record for overall individual aggregate for the match, besting the record he set in 2008. It is Henderson’s seventh individual championship and the third time he has broken the match record.

“This is a true testament to being the best overall pistol shooter (in the military),” he said.

“It’s a week-long, it’s all four guns-it’s tough. It means a little more to me than shooting against civilians at the nationals. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but it feels good to be the best in the military. My job is to train other Soldiers so to be the best among them, it’s kind of cool.”

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson, U.S. Army Marksmanship unit, fires at a target June 16 at Phillips Range during the 52nd Interservice Pistol Championships. Henderson won the overall individual championship and was also a member of the team champions, U.S. Army Blue. He set a new match record and won his seventh title at the competition. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

Henderson’s overall total was 3554-194x, breaking the record by two targets. He won the .22-caliber, .45-cal., centerfire and service pistol aggregate titles as well as shooting nine high match scores to add to his hardware.

Henderson’s teammate, Staff Sgt. Lyman Grover, took home a second-place finish after scoring a 3529-160x, a new personal best. Marine Corps Cpl. Luis Esparza rounded out the top three after scoring 3514-168x.

U.S. Army Blue, made up of Soldiers from the USAMU, won the overall team championship with a score of 4643-202x. Team members consisted of: Henderson, Grover, Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Wilson, Staff Sgt. Patrick Franks, Staff Sgt. Jean-Noel Howell, and Sgt. Benjamin Lanzotti. The team won every team match during the competition, giving the Army a clean sweep during the week.

“Even though we are missing some guys, everyone still stepped up and did what they needed to do,” Henderson said. “It’s pretty impressive and shows their determination. It’s that strength we always talk about as Soldiers that drives us. The Army expects us to be the best and my teammates rose to the challenge.”

Two Marine Corps teams rounded out the top three: USMC Scarlet, with a 4590-177x, and USMC Gold, which scored 4454-132x. The South Carolina National Guard Blue team won the post/station championship for smaller teams.

Shooters compete with four different calibers of pistol, shooting one gun a day in individual and team matches. It makes it important that the competitors are proficient in a broad array of pistols and enables the competition to crown the best of the best.

The championship allows the best pistol shooters in the military the opportunity to come together and discuss new techniques to further enhance their services marksmanship capabilities.

“As we are part of a joint force that has been engaged in combat operations for nearly 10 years and a joint force that may remain engaged in combat operations for the foreseeable future, it is important to know that the marksmanship training provided to all of our fellow servicemembers will help shape the course of future battles and propel our nation to future victories,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU.

Hodne told those who participated in the championship that they represent the very best pistol shooters amongst the entire joint force and that they represent a network and a capability.

“If you combine the very best as a capability built within a network, this group represents an incredible amount of potential energy to increase the marksmanship readiness of our joint force,” Hodne said.

The Interservice Rifle Championships are next on the schedule, slated for July 19-26 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. It will be the 50th anniversary of the prestigious competition.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson (right), U.S. Army Marksmanship unit, and fellow competitors fire at targets June 14 at Phillips Range during the 52nd Interservice Pistol Championships. Henderson won the overall individual championship, his seventh.(Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen compete at the 52nd Interservice Pistol Championships. The best pistol shooters in the military come together annually to test their skills against their peers and learn new techniques to further enhance their services marksmanship capabilities. (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.

USA Shooting

FORT BENNING, GA --(Ammoland.com)- The USA Shooting Team’s Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, Pa.) defeated Eva Friedel of Germany and Li Peijing of China in an epic come-from-behind victory at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup USA in Fort Benning, Ga.

Beyerle entered the final in the fourth position with 585 qualification points. With the leader (Annik Marguet of Switzerland) three points ahead of Beyerle, her chances were growing slim with every shot.

Even though the competitors were challenged by the wind in the finals, Beyerle astounded the crowd as she buried a 10.8 for her final shot. Her competitors all marked mid 9s and 8s for their final shots, so Beyerle’s deep ten was golden.

National Rifle Coach Major Dave Johnson said, “Jamie has continued to build her resume and experience. She was patient in what could have been a very frustrating day in challenging wind and that discipline paid off on the last shot for a dramatic gold medal.” Beyerle finished with 98.2 points in the final for 683.2 total points.

Jamie Beyerle with her gold medal victory in Women's 50m Rifle Three Position

This win makes it her second ISSF World Cup medal in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. Fridel won the silver medal just one-tenth behind Beyerle at 683.1 points (587+96.1) and Li picked up the bronze with 683 total points (586+97). American teammates Amanda Furrer (Spokane, Wash.) finished in seventeenth place with 580 qualification points and Sarah Beard (Danville, Ind.) shot 571 points.

The day continued to shine as Brian Beaman (Selby, S.D.) won the bronze medal in Men’s 10m Air Pistol. Beaman, the 2010 Championship of the Americas gold medalist (and quota winner) in his specialty event, entered the final with 586 qualification points and shot 100.6 points in the final for 686.6 total points.

When asked about his victory, Beaman said, “I feel like I was finally able to overcome a lot of the adversity in this sport and I now have a solid inner confidence that allowed me to excel today.”

Russian Leonid Ekimov, who finished ninth at the 2010 ISSF World Championships in this event, entered the final in the middle of the field. Nailing ten after ten, Leonid shot his way up to victory with the highest final of 104.2 points. Leonid finished with 689.2 total points. Portugal’s Joao Costa climbed his first ISSF podium since the 2009 season to win the silver medal with 587 qualification points and 100.8 points in the final for 687.8 total points. American Anthony Lutz (Tonganoxie, Kan.) finished with 571 points and teammate Sergeant First Class Thomas Rose shot 570 points.

For all scores and results, please visit the ISSF Website. www.issf-sports.org

ELEYELEY is a Proud Sponsor of the USA Shooting Rifle and Pistol Teams: ELEY Limited, manufacturer of the world’s most consistently accurate rimfire ammunition, has been the Official Sponsor and Official Supplier of .22 rimfire ammunition of the USA Shooting rifle and pistol teams since 2000. For more information on ELEY and their products, please visit www.eley.co.uk.

About USA Shooting:
USA Shooting, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, was chartered by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of shooting in April 1995. USA Shooting’s mission is to prepare American athletes to win Olympic medals, promote the shooting sports throughout the U.S. and govern the conduct of international shooting in the country. Check us out on the web at www.usashooting.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/USAShooting.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, Sgt. Joe Hein and Staff Sgt. Michael McPhail, all from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, stand atop the podium after finishing 1st-3rd in Men’s Prone Rifle at the 2010 U.S. National Rifle and Pistol Championships. The three Soldiers are all vying to make the Olympic team for the London Olympics in 2012 and will compete during the ISSF World Cup USA May 14-22 on Fort Benning. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Years of dogged determination and unwavering support has Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft on the brink of being nominated for selection to the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in the London Summer Games in 2012.

The rifle instructor/shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit has garnered two silver medals in World Cup competition thus far in 2011 and has earned enough points to reach the threshold for making the Olympic team, something that he has sought since getting a taste of it once before.

Uptagrafft, who began shooting competitively 34 years ago in Spokane, Wash., made the U.S. team and competed in the 1996 games held in Atlanta. More understanding of the Olympic experience after a 30th-place finish, it was almost a sure-bet that Uptagrafft would become a regular on Team USA for multiple Olympics.

The sport of shooting can be measured by tenths-of-a-point and is ripe with hungry competitors striving to reach their goals, and he came up short qualifying for the next three games.

“I was pretty close to making the 2000, 2004, and 2008 teams but fell short,” Uptagrafft said. “From 1984 to 2004, there was a three- or four-day tryout process–you shoot well at the tryout and you were on the team. In 2008 the selection process started to be weighted more toward international success, as one slot per event was available to a shooter who won consistently on the world stage.”

Some would call it a career and transition into other opportunities but Uptagrafft displayed the strength of a Soldier, knowing deep down that he still wanted to scratch that Olympic itch. The past two years that focus and determination has led him to medal in multiple World Cup events and his return to the world stage in Olympic competition is near completion.

“He’s definitely a contender to medal in the next Olympics,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Moore, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the International Rifle platoon. “As long as I have known him he has been driven. In this sport its all about perseverance.”

Moore has known Uptagrafft since they were college teammates at Texas A & M University back in the 1980s. He said a lot of his recent success is due to his work ethic and engineer’s mind-something that enables him to tinker with his rifle and stay ahead of the pack.

“He designed and manufactured his own action and build of the gun-he’s always on the cutting edge,” Moore said. “He is dialed in right now and focused on reaching his goals.”

Being a member of the USAMU is an advantage not many shooters have. Two fellow Soldiers of the platoon earned gold medals in World Cup competition last year and are among other Soldiers aiming to make the 2012 Olympic team. That kind of daily competition and camaraderie is vital to the success of Uptagrafft.

“Training with my International Rifle teammates is like shooting a world cup every day,” he said. “At one point last year there were four U.S. shooters ranked in the top six in the world in Men’s Prone. Two of them are teammates of mine-Staff Sgt. Mike McPhail and Sgt. Joe Hein. They each won a World Cup last year. Every day I go out on the firing line to train I’ve got these guys to test my skill-level against. They push me constantly, never letting me get complacent.”

The next World Cup is being held in a venue very familiar to Uptagrafft and his USAMU teammates-Pool Range Complex on Fort Benning, the same range where they train every day. The world’s best will be on the post and the match is on track to be the largest World Cup ever on U.S. soil with coveted Olympic quota slots on the line.

“I seem to do really well at Ft. Benning, so I would like to continue that trend and have another solid world-class performance,” Uptagrafft said. “I’m not one to predict medal colors because I have no control over the other shooters. If I do my job I’ll be in contention for a win.”

Upon completion of the match Uptagrafft will begin preparation for a scheduled deployment to Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. Soldiers from the USAMU deploy on a rotational basis to assist forces deployed in Afghan National Army marksmanship training efforts and present a marksmanship train-the-trainer program designed to foster consistency in marksmanship instruction, enhance the overall capability of the ANA, and ultimately, support the transition as the ANA stands on its own.

“I am excited to deploy to Afghanistan, to be part of something bigger than myself,” he said. “I’ve got 34 years of shooting and coaching experience that I will bring to our mission in Afghanistan. We also help in the fight by training U.S. Soldiers both at home and abroad on how to be better marksmen, and by developing, testing, and building better small arms weapons platforms for our Soldiers.”

There are many people Uptagrafft credits for his successful shooting career, but none more than his wife Sandra. A pistol shooter on the U.S. National team, she is a reservist in the Navy and recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan.

“She is my biggest supporter,” he said. “She gets it: the stress and travel and time required to be among the best. She understands about being a competitive shooter and what that takes. (She) also just got back from Afghanistan, so she understands that too.”

The ISSF World Cup USA competition will commence May 15 at the USAMU’s Pool and Phillips Ranges. Uptagrafft will compete in Men’s Prone Rifle, slated to be held May 21-22 at Pool Range. For the complete schedule and information on the event, go to www.issf-sports.org or www.usashooting.org.

Eric Uptagrafft competes in the 50m Rifle Prone at the Munich Olympic Shooting Range during Day 3 of the 50th ISSF World Shooting Championship. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Soldier is on track to make the 2012 Olympic Team.

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.

World's Top Shooters & Olympic Hopefuls Headed For Fort Benning

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Hundreds of the world’s top rifle and pistol shooters are set to converge on Fort Benning and the ranges of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in hopes of securing coveted quota slots for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.

USA Shooting will host the 2011 International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup USA for Rifle and Pistol May 14-22 on the military post. More than 800 athletes and officials from 73 countries have registered for the gigantic event, which could end up as the biggest international shooting event to ever occur on American soil.

“The World Cup is the entryway to the 2012 Olympic Games,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “For some, Fort Benning will be the location where they earn their individual or country quotas for London in the summer of 2012. I could not think of a better place than the USAMU, the ‘Home of Champions,’ to solidify a position on any Olympic Team.”

The ISSF World Cup Series, together with the ISSF World Championships and the Continental Championships, can award Olympic Quota Places, and it is therefore considered an Olympic qualification competition. The ISSF World Cup Series is articulated in four different World Cup stages in Rifle and Pistol events and four different stages in Shotgun events.

This World Cup promises to be an exciting and memorable event. High scores and superb competition are the norm for this venue, and previous World Cups have provided fantastic matches for the world’s greatest competitive shooters. This is the second consecutive year that Fort Benning and the USAMU have supported USA Shooting in hosting this international competition.

“USA Shooting is pleased to partner with the USAMU, Valley Hospitality and the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the largest ISSF event ever on U.S. soil,” said Lindsay Brooke, chief of organizing committee, USAS. “This world class event will not disappoint, as we welcome the top shooters from around the world. We expect an exciting competition with Olympic caliber results, as these athletes give it their all in hopes of achieving a ticket to the Olympic Games in London.”

Fort Benning is the home to dozens of shooting legends including five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lones Wigger as well as two-time Olympic gold medalist Gary Anderson, both former Soldiers of the USAMU. Current USAMU Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft will compete at this year’s match. Uptagrafft has won two silver medals in World Cup competition in 2011 and is the leading American contender in securing one of two Olympic slots in Men’s Prone Rifle for Team USA.

“Observers can expect to see concentration, focus, and intensity of the highest degrees where even a millimeter can determine making a 2012 Olympic Team or not,” Hodne said. “Those who come to Fort Benning to watch this World Cup choose to be a part of history in the making, and U.S. Army Soldiers from the USAMU will represent the Army and their nation.”

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.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, presents Cadet Robert Hull, North Georgia College and State University, with the trophy for overall individual champion of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Rifle Championship Feb 24 at Phillips Range. Hull, a corporal in the Georgia National Guard, dominated the field, winning the Excellence-in-Competition match as well as earning the coveted bronze Distinguished Rifle Badge during the match.(Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- A cadet from North Georgia College and State University dominated the field at the Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Rifle Championships Feb. 23-24 at Easley Range.

More than 70 Soldiers and Cadets from Fort Benning and area ROTC units competed under the tutelage of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in two individual matches and a team match to determine the top rifle shooters on post. Fort Benning is the only Army installation to host its own marksmanship competition.

Cadet Robert Hull posted an overall score of 306-6x to blitz the field. Hull, a corporal in the Georgia National Guard, scored a superb 178-4x in winning the Excellence-in-Competition match, clinching the overall title.

1st Sgt. Michael Sage, 2nd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, came in second place overall with a score of 259-3x. 1st Sgt. Erick Ochs, 2nd Bn., 19th Inf. Regt., placed third with a score of 256-3x. A team from NGCSU won the team championship, clearing the field by 85 points. The team members were Hull, Cadet Jacob Freeman, Cadet Casey Jemelka, and Cadet Weston Lee. A second team from NGCSU came in second and 2nd Bn, 330th Inf. Regt. rounded out the top three.

In the first match of the event, Maj. David Schultz, 2nd Bn, 330th Inf. Regt., won in the open class with a score of 112-1x. Staff Sgt. Robert Buller was the high score in the novice class, as well as overall for the match, with a score of 131-1x. Hull won in the cadet class with a 128-2x.

Soldiers were afforded the opportunity to earn EIC points in an effort to obtain their distinguished rifle badges, which are more prominent than normal qualification badges and eligible for wear on their uniforms. Seven Soldiers earned enough points to earn their coveted bronze distinguished pistol badge: Sage, Ochs, Hull, Jemelka, Staff Sgt. Brian Fyffe, 2nd Bn., 54th Inf. Regt.; Staff Sgt. Bret Richardson, 2nd BN., 29th Inf. Regt.; and Staff Sgt. Micah Smith, Martin Army Community Hospital.

The matches are designed as both a competition and a training event. They serve to train and support the war fighter and prepare local shooters for the U.S. Small Arms Championships, scheduled to be held in late March on the same ranges.

The U.S. Small Arms Championship is slated to be held Mar. 18-26. There are a limited number of slots still open for prospective competitors. Go to www.usamu.com for more information on how to register.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Soldiers compete during the Excellence-in-Competition match Feb. 24 on Easley Range. The match was part of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Rifle Championship, hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Feb. 23-24. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Soldiers fire from the prone position Feb. 23 during the first match of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Rifle Championship on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's Easley Range.(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.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit will host rifle, pistol, and high-power rifle beginning and intermediate level coach’s courses here this fall.

The Rifle coach’s course will be conducted Sept. 10-11, the Pistol course Sept. 17-18, and the High-Power Rifle coach’s course will be held Oct. 1-2.

Cost of the course will be $125.00. Classes start at 8 a.m. each day and conclude at 4 p.m. Upon successful completion of the course, each participant will be eligible to be awarded a NRA Level 1 Coach Certificate.

Each participant must provide their own transportation, lodging and meals.

For more information contact Coach Richard Hawkins at (706) 545-7022, or email richard.hawkins@usaac.army.mil ; rnh1953@aol.com .

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.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Nine Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit are gearing up to compete in an International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup series event in Sydney, Australia. Competition kicks of March 23.

750 shooters from 68 counties are making the trek Down Under to shoot at the combined World Cup event, pitting the best in the world from rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting disciplines.

Shotgun shooters Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond and Sgt. Jeff Holguin are slated to compete in double trap. Shooting in Men’s Trap is Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden, and Sgt. Vincent Hancock will compete in Men’s Skeet.

Richmond, the current world champion and number-one ranked double trap shooter in the world, has already qualified for nomination to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. He earned a bronze medal in the year’s first World Cup last month in Chile.

After months of training, the road to the 2012 Olympics begins in earnest in Sydney for members of the International Rifle team. Rifle shooters Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, Sgt. Joe Hein and Sgt. Matt Rawlings are set to compete in their first international match of 2011.

Pistol shooter Sgt. Brad Balsley will be competing in the Men’s Rapid Pistol, looking to build upon a successful 2011, his first year competing on the grand stage of World Cup competition. Thirty-four Olympic Quota places, the “entrance tickets” to the 2012 London Olympic Games, will be assigned to the top performers during this World Cup Stage.

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.

Scholastic Steel Challenge

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- The Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) announced that Atlanta Arms & Ammo will be the ammunition sponsor for the free Scholastic Steel Challenge demonstration being hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) at Ft. Benning, Ga. on March 11-12.

This is the second demonstration event that the USAMU has hosted for the youth shooting program. Last November the USAMU hosted the first demonstration during Unit’s very popular Junior Shooting Camp.

“We’re very excited to be returning to Ft. Benning – The Home of Champions – and working with the talented shooters of the USAMU. We especially appreciate the generous support of Danny Wisner of Atlanta Arms & Ammo. The ammunition Danny is providing will allow us to give local youth the opportunity to shoot the SSC demo free of charge,” said Scott Moore, director of SSC.

The demonstration, which will feature two Steel Challenge stages of the four used in the program, Smoke & Hope and Roundabout, is also supported by Glock and Smith & Wesson. Both companies have been strong supporters of the program since it began and have worked closely with SSC officials at events like those at Ft. Benning. Representatives from the two firearms makers will be on hand to assist with the event.

The USAMU was established March 1, 1956 at the direction of President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the U.S. Army. Since then the Unit has produced national, world and Olympic champions in every discipline it has competed in. And members of its Action Shooting Team will serve as expert instructors during the demonstration.

The free shooting demonstration will take place from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12 on the Parks Range at Ft. Benning. Handguns and ammunition will be provided.

Atlanta Arms & Ammo

The Scholastic Steel Challenge is a national team-oriented youth shooting program developed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association and funded in part by a grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The program is open to young men and women ages 12 to 20 and offers them the opportunity to compete as a four person team for a national title in the action pistol discipline of speed shooting.

The Scholastic Steel Challenge is sponsored by Action Target, Atlanta Arms & Ammo, Brownells, EOTAC, Glock, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network, Precision Delta, Smith & Wesson and Winchester Ammunition.

For more information on the Scholastic Steel Challenge and the Steel Challenge Shooting Association please visit www.SteelChallenge.com, follow @SteelChallenge on Twitter or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteelChallenge.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. Robert Price joined the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit late in 2010 as a new Paralympic shooter. Severely wounded while deployed to Iraq in 2007, Price is committed to meeting the high standards set at the USAMU while showcasing the Army to America's public. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Despite sustaining serious injuries in Iraq, which included the loss of part of his right leg, Sgt. Robert Price wanted to stay in the Army.

He refused to believe that his disability would prevent him from continuing to serve and he looked for any avenue available to continue his relished role as a noncommissioned officer.

Sgt. Kisha Makerney had similar goals. Even though she lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, she persevered through the rehabilitation and was resolute to staying in the Army to serve as an inspiration for other Soldiers.

In fact, she volunteered for and served a second tour in Iraq,, being told that she was the first female amputee ever sent to battle.

As if by fate for these two noncommissioned officers, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit with the assistance of the World Class Athlete Program was in the process of building a ground-breaking Paralympic section, thus creating a unique opportunity for wounded veterans deemed able to continue to serve on active-duty to demonstrate the strength of our Soldiers in Paralympic competition.

The personal triumph of each of these NCOs and their manifestation of the notion of ability over disability led to job offers with the USAMU for both. As Price and Makerney joined the prestigious unit’s ranks and stood alongside Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson, USAMU’s pioneer paralympic shooter, the Army reached a monumental moment in history.

While continued service for disabled veterans is not new, particularly in the special operations community, granting these wounded warriors the opportunity showcase the best of Army Soldier skills and connect America’s Army to the American public is. These Soldiers will also share their mastery of marksmanship fundamentals required at world-class levels with Soldiers and units across the force through USAMU’s marksmanship training program.

“These proud veterans exhibit ‘a strength like no other’ each and every day,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “They will directly raise Army combat readiness through imparting their skills in marksmanship instruction. More importantly, they will serve to inspire generations of Americans as these wounded warriors will epitomize the triumph of the human spirit.”

USAMU submitted a concept plan to Headquarters, Department of the Army, which seeks permanent authorizations to hire select wounded veterans to serve as paralympic shooters and marksmanship instructors. As an interim solution, WCAP agreed to assign those selected and attach them for duty at USAMU.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Soldiers Sgt. Kisha Makerney (top) and Sgt. Robert Price take aim during training at the USAMU's Pool Indoor Range. The two noncommissioned officers are members of the ground-breaking Paralympic section of the USAMU, a unique opportunity for wounded veterans deemed able to continue to serve on active-duty. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

REFLECTING
Price has always led from the front. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was operating a forty-foot boon arm on a Buffalo vehicle as part of a route clearance team in northern Baghdad on Jan. 14, 2007 when a cigarette stand they were approaching detonated, sending copper slugs through the crew compartment of his vehicle.

Price was rushed to Balad and then Landstuhl before being flown back to the U.S. He settled at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he was set to begin a grueling, seven-and-a-half-month long rehabilitation for a right leg below-knee amputation.

“I met a lot of good people that helped me overcome my injuries,” he said. “I also found out that my rehab made me a better person by wanting to help others out. Once I completed all of my rehab I was found fit for duty and was a squad leader for other wounded Soldiers. This gave me a chance to help repay the people that helped me through my injuries and also help others that are in a similar situation.”

Price became aware of the USAMU after attending a training camp the unit hosted for Soldiers competing in air rifle at the inaugural Warrior Games last May in Colorado Springs. He competed in air rifle, archery and seated volleyball. He also had the honor of carrying the torch for the Army during the opening ceremonies of the games. It left lasting memories and motivation to keep serving in the Army.

The Warrior Games also left lasting memories for Makerney. The Fort Towson, Okla., native lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident just four months after returning home from a deployment to Iraq in 2005. The front tire blew out and she lost control of the bike, severing her left leg below the knee among other major injuries. The accident shattered bones but it didn’t shatter her drive and determination to keep living and serving.

“My Warrior Game experience was truly amazing,” she said. “The camaraderie was unbelievable. Everyone overcoming their injuries to compete, to represent their military force-everyone’s spirit was so fierce; you would almost forget anyone had ever been injured.

“I am happy to say that losing my leg has, so far, been the best thing that has ever happened to me. And what I mean by that is that it’s made me a much stronger person, I learned true faith, and it has helped to develop me into the woman I want to be and to be able to help others.”

COMPETE AND INSPIRE
The bar is set high for all Soldiers of the USAMU and winning is expected. The new Soldiers are relishing the chance to compete and embracing the challenge of upholding the USAMU standards.

“I expect the USAMU’s Paralympic team to be the pinnacle of Paralympic-style shooting throughout America and eventually the world, just as the rest of the USAMU’s team’s are” said Sgt. 1st Class Bill Keever, handpicked by the commander and sergeant major of the unit to be the NCOIC of the new section.

Earlier this month, Makerney and Price competed in their first competitive match, joining Olson in Colorado Springs at the Rocky Mountain Rifle Championships. Most athletes must not only deal with their fellow competitors but their own raw nerves, something that even the top athletes in all sports have to cope with.

But after going through the physical and mental rehabilitation they had to endure, competing in a shooting match was one of the most painless activities that Makerney and Price have had in years and their strength was on full display–Makerney won a gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Prone-Mixed event Feb. 13 and Price, in his first competitive match ever, came in fifth.

“I have always said, one of my favorite places to be is behind a rifle,” Makerney said. “The USAMU is full of champions so my expectations are to soak in all of the wisdom, knowledge and training so that I can go on to compete and be successful.

“But I also want to be able to help other injured Soldiers or civilians, to give them hope that no matter what comes your way, whatever bad things might happen to you, with determination and faith, you can rise above it.”

Aside whatever accomplishments the team earns this year, the Soldiers have already succeeded by becoming an inspiration for others. The landmark team is sure to be a motivation for others who have dreams to continue serving and showcasing the strength of the Army.

“If I was talking to a wounded Soldier right now in the hospital and he or she was worried about their military career being over I would have to tell them to never accept defeat,” Price concluded. “With a positive mind and a positive attitude you can overcome any obstacles that life throws at you.”

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson is the pioneer Paralympic shooter for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Olson, seen firing on a target at the unit's Krilling Range, inspired the concept for a new Paralympic team at the USAMU, enabling Wounded Warriors a chance to continue serving in the Army. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. Kisha Makerney won a gold medal at the 2011 Rocky Mountain Rifle Championships in February, her first competition since joining the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit late last year. Makerney is part of the landmark USAMU Paralympic section, another opportunity for wounded Soldiers to continue serving on active-duty. (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.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- An overhead view of the skeet fields on Hook Range from the 1970s with the Patton Round House off to the side. The range has hosted numerous national matches and those in attendance would frequent the Round House for a game of pool or to sit by a fire and relax in between shooting.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- A relic of an historic era on post is set to be revived after persistent determination by a proud unit and generous contributions from those who understand the nostalgia of the old building.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit will rededicate the USAMU Round House, commonly called the “Patton Round House” in association with Gen. George Patton’s time at Ft. Benning, at a ceremony Friday.

Originally built in 1938 on the unit’s Hook Range, its purpose was to serve as a hunting lodge but soon became the Officers Club annex. The building of the Round House coincided with the designation of Hook Range as the post’s skeet range. 2nd. Lt. Paul Tibbets attracted attention for his innovative method of using skeet training to teach aerial gunners to lead their targets at the range. Tibbets later attained the rank of brigadier general and piloted the Enola Gay on Aug. 6, 1945, dropping the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

It is known that Generals Patton, Tibbets, Omar Bradley and Courtney Hodges all spent a significant amount of time on the range during the World War II era, and it is presumed that they often visited the adjacent Round House. It has been said that the generals would place small wagers on shooting matches and then find refuge in the Round House afterwards. John Wayne used the building as a retreat while filming “The Green Berets” on post in 1967 and one scene of the film was shot on location at Hook Range.

In 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower formed the USAMU to raise the overall marksmanship proficiency of the Army. By 1960, Hook Range and the Round House were home to the USAMU Shotgun team and it hosted the Olympic trials for marksmanship. Since that time, seven Olympic medalists, several World Champions and a slew of national champions have walked through the door of the Round House to shoot a game of pool or sit by the fireplace to relax after a match.

The wooden landmark has been beset by age and erosion the last several years and word got around that it was slated for demolition. Several former and current members of the USAMU made it their mission to ensure that the World War II artifact would survive and be better than before.

In a letter dated 1999, Tibbetts wrote a letter describing the Round House as not just an old World War II building, but as “an icon to be preserved” because it “projects a strong nostalgic memory and image” for those who spent time there during the World War II era.

The building survived the chopping block thanks to the charity of a friend of the USAMU family. Prosser Mellon and the Mellon Foundation stepped in and made a significant monetary contribution to the Army with the intent of restoring the Round House.

Mellon is friends with Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond, a shotgun shooter for the USAMU. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, John Hamilton, Mellon’s son-in-law, and they immediately struck up a rapport. Mellon was an invited guest of the unit one day a few years ago and after touring the custom firearms shop and the pistol range, he descended upon Hook Range to do some skeet shooting.

“Walking up to the skeet line he saw this building, unmaintained, and asked about it since it didn’t really fit into the landscape with everything else so clean and in-shape,” Richmond recalled. “He asked me the story behind this building, so I briefly told its history, about all of the famous and influential generals who used it, and went back to shooting.

“Prior to him leaving for the day, his wife Sandy Mellon came over and said that she needed to get some information on who to get in touch with-Prosser wants to re-do that house. Basically it started there over night and we are where we are today.”

After several months of construction, a few words, a ribbon cutting and “first shot” ceremony will reopen the building Friday morning. From that point on, the Patton Round House will once again be ready to host social gatherings, shotgun matches, and maybe even a few more of those “unofficial” officers meetings.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- The Patton Round House sits on Hook Range some 20 years ago. The rapidly deteriorating building was restored to its design and will be rededicated Friday.

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.

Team ITI's Gary Byerly

International Training Inc

SHACKLESFORD, VA --(Ammoland.com)- Team International Training, Inc. (ITI) pro shooter Gary Byerly captured fourth place in the Tactical-Irons Division at the 2010 Fort Benning 3-Gun Challenge, held at Fort Benning on December 2-5th, 2010.

Byerly competed in nine stages of fire against 21 divisional competitors, placing within the top five in six of the nine stages. Over 275 of the country’s finest 3-gun shooters came out to compete in the challenge.

“Having never shot a 3-gun match in the Tactical-Irons Division before, I decided to make the Fort Benning 3-Gun Challenge my first. Talk about learning what you don’t know…this year’s match was absolutely the most varied and balanced I have ever been to,” commented Byerly.

“Every skill set with each weapon was tested along with using the military hardware of grenade launchers and machine guns. I learned a lot at this match which will help me formulate a training plan to improve my standings. Thanks to all the staff for putting this on!”

To view the complete list of results, visit the FB3G website.

• Follow Team ITI on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamITI
• Watch videos of ITI on YouTube: www.youtube.com/wwwitiwsicom

About Gary Byerly
Gary Byerly has been competing in IDPA matches for the past eight years and USPSA and 3-Gun matches for five years. He is an IDPA ESP and SSP Master, as well as a six-time IDPA State Champion. Byerly is a Master in Production and holds an “A” Classification in Open and Limited in USPSA. Byerly is also a three time Area class winner.

About International Training, Inc.
International Training Incorporated (ITI) is a subsidiary of Wackenhut Services Inc. Founded in 1989; ITI is committed to providing benchmark security training programs emphasizing professionalism, quality, customer service, and a fair price. ITI conducts both mobile and fixed site training in security assistance and security service programs for the U.S. Government, U.S. military, corporate America, and now private citizens. For more information on ITI or any of their courses, log on to www.itiwsi.com.

Fort Benning Three Gun Challange

Horus Vision

San Bruno, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Congratulations to West Chandler Winner of the Horus Vision FB3G Slot Shot!

Thank you to all the who entered our drawing.

Horus at Fort Benning 3-Gun
The Fort Benning 3-Gun Challenge filled up in less than one second this year, as it did the year before.

Horus Vision was lucky enough to snag two slots, but since one of our original sponsored shooters was unable to shoot this year, we had opened the slot to our loyal customer base.

With a waiting list of over 500 shooters, we knew we were bound to get responses about the FB3G Slot Shot. We want to thank all of you who participated! We also want to thank all of you for your continued business and support.

This year, Horus Vision is the FB3G WebCam Sponsor and will be present throughout the competition. If you will be at the event, be sure to stop by our booth, so we can meet you personally.

About:
Horus brings cutting-edge technology to long-range shooting to help you shoot farther with ultimate accuracy. Horus reticles, scopes, ballistics software and accessories offer a simpler solution for making fast, precise, bulls-eye hits consistently. Our easy-to-use reticle design and targeting software deliver dramatic improvements no matter what your skill level. Visit: www.horusvision.com

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, Spc. Joe Hein and Sgt. Michael McPhail, all from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, stand atop the podium after finishing 1st-3rd in Men's Prone Rifle at the 2010 U.S. National Rifle and Pistol Championships. Hein won the event and medaled in two others. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit won five national championships and a combined 14 medals during the 2010 U.S. National Rifle and Pistol Championships at Fort Benning’s Pool International Range Complex.

Spc. Joe Hein got very comfortable atop the podium stand after winning three medals in rifle shooting during the competition. Hein won in Men’s Prone Rifle, beating out two teammates for the gold with a score of 1299.4 to win the national championship.

The USAMU’s Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft scored a 1297.9 for the silver medal while Sgt. Michael McPhail tallied a 1294.6 for the bronze medal.

In Men’s Three Position Rifle, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker won the gold medal after an impressive score of 2449.5. Hein got the silver in this event, scoring a 2440.4 and Spc. Matt Rawlings shot a 2440.0 to win the bronze medal. Hein earned his third medal, a bronze, in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle event.

On the pistol side of the competition, the USAMU’s trio of Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski, Cpl. Brad Balsley and Pfc. Greg Markowski cleaned up after winning seven medals among the three of them.

Szarenski continued his dominant 2010 season after winning two gold medals at the national championships. He won in Men’s Air Pistol with a score of 1257.4 and Men’s Free Pistol with a score of 1196.8. He had already won four medals, including two gold’s, in World Cup competition this year and still has chances at a World Cup event and the upcoming World Championships to add to his total.

His teammate, Markowski, won two silver medals after finishing behind Szarenski in the same events, scoring 1249.7 in air pistol and 1187.8 in free pistol. It was Markowski’s first time competing in the national championships and he has set the bar high after the successful week.

To close out the medal count, Balsley went three-for-three in events he entered, winning gold and two silver medals. He won the national championship in Men’s Rapid Fire with a score of 1360.8, beating out the closest competitor by 20 points. He came in a close second in both the Centerfire and Standard Fire matches.

Across the pond in Lonato, Italy, Sgt. Vincent Hancock won a bronze medal in Men’s Skeet at the Italy World Cup event. The 2008 Olympic Champion started the final round in fifth place but had a strong final to medal at the event, earning points toward another possible Olympic slot on Team U.S.A. for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Cpl. Brad Balsley, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, competes in the final round of the Men's Raid Fire Pistol match during the 2010 U.S. National Rifle and Pistol Championships. Balsley won the gold as the International Pistol team collectively won seven medals during the competition. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski and Pfc. Greg Markowski, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, compete in the Men's Air Pistol final June 15 at Pool Indoor Range during the U.S. National Rifle and Pistol Championships. Szarenski won the gold medal and national championship, and was followed by Markowski. They duplicated their effort in Men's Free Pistol a few days later. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

FORT BENNING, Ga.- Staff Sgt. Timothy Barber, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fires during the service pistol team match June 17 at Phillips Range, the site of the 51st Interservice Pistol Championship. Barber and his USAMU teammates on U.S. Army Grey won the match, edging out their USAMU counterparts on U.S. Army Blue.(Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- A fourth different Soldier from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit won the day’s individual championship on day four of the 51st Interservice Pistol Championships.

Staff Sgt. Lyman Grover took home first place in the service pistol category with a score of 873-27x. He was followed by USAMU teammates Sgt. 1st Class James Henderson with an 870-39x and Staff Sgt. John Ennis with an 867-31x.

In the team match, U.S. Army Grey pulled out their first win of the week. Team members were Ennis, Staff Sgt. Timothy Barber, Staff Sgt. Adam Sokolowski, Sgt. Patrick Franks, and Sgt. 1st Class Damon Baxter, all from the USAMU. Their counterparts on the U.S. Army Blue team took second.

Today’s Excellence-in-Competition match concludes the competition. An awards banquet tonight will honor the week’s winners and crown the 2010 overall individual and team champions for 2010.

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Sgt. Patrick Franks, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, stands with the Marine Corps Trophy after winning the individual .45-cal championship at the 51st Interservice Pistol Championship June 16. (Photo by Mike Badger)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- One champion won for a second day in a row and another new champion was crowned after day three of the 51st Interservice Pistol Championships.

Sgt. Patrick Franks, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, won the .45-caliber individual championship, his first after posting a score of 886-48x. He was followed by USAMU teammate Staff Sgt. Jason Sargent, who shot an 879-46x. In third came Staff Sgt. Robert Park II with a score of 879-41x.

The U.S. Army Reserve Black team won the day’s team championship, their second title in as many days. They scored a collective 1160-48x, beating the U.S. Army Blue team by a single point. The USAR Black team members are Lt. Col. Alan Toler, Master Sgt. Robert Mango, Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sanderson and Staff Sgt Jonathan Rosene.

Today is the final day of the individual and team aggregate competition. Competitors will be shooting with the service pistol of their choice. Tomorrow there will be an excellence-in-competition match to conclude the championship.

FORT BENNING, Ga.--U.S. Army Reserve Team Black won the centerfire team championship June 15 at the 51st Interservice Pistol Championships. Team members are: Cpt. Patrick Sleem, Staff Sgt Jonathan Rosene, Lt. Col. Alan Toler, Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sanderson, Master Sgt. Robert Mango, and Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Spencer. (Photo by Mike Badger)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

USA Shooting

FORT BENNING, GA --(Ammoland.com)- USA Shooting is eager to welcome more than 400 competitors from 52 different countries as we embark on the 2010 ISSF World Cup at Fort Benning, Ga. In conjunction with the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), Valley Hospitality, and the Columbus Visitors Bureau (CVB), USA Shooting is pleased to host this great event. The Opening Ceremony will commence Sunday evening at the prestigious National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Ga.

The World Cup will feature 10 different Olympic rifle and pistol events. From Women’s 3-Position to Rapid Fire to Men’s Prone, you’ll find the best of the best here at the Phillips and Pool Ranges at Fort Benning. In addition to the top three- US Shooters from each event of Spring Selection, the World Cup will feature top US athletes such as Matt Emmons, Daryl Szarenski, Jamie Beyerle, Jason Turner, Amy Sowash, and Emily Caruso. Please visit the websites below for immediate results, more information, and our sponsor announcement.

Want more information on World Cup? Please visit our official World Cup website (http://usashooting.sports.officelive.com/default.aspx).

For live coverage and immediate results, please visit the ISSF Website (http://www.issf-sports.org).

US Rifle National Coach Dave Johnson on Twitter? The rumors are true: get up-to-date feeds, results, and comments from Coach Johnson at his twitter account (http://twitter.com/OlympicSho).

ELEY is a Proud Sponsor of the USA Shooting Rifle and Pistol Teams: ELEY Limited, manufacturer of the world’s most consistently accurate rimfire ammunition, has been the Official Sponsor and Official Supplier of .22 rimfire ammunition of the USA Shooting rifle and pistol teams since 2000. For more information on ELEY and their products, please visit www.eley.co.uk

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga --(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with USA Shooting, will host the 2010 World Cup USA May 22-31. This spectacular event, the third of four World Cup’s being held this year, is conducted by the International Shooting Sport Federation. So far, more than 400 of the world’s top-level shooters from 49 countries have committed to the event.

Shooters competing in two Olympic shooting disciplines—rifle and pistol—will be competing for medals and world records. This is also the same range where 2012 Olympic quota slots will be earned next year. Opening ceremonies will be held at the National Infantry Museum.

For more information on the competition, venues, match schedule, etc., please visit www.usashooting.sports.officelive.com

Media are invited to attend and must coordinate with the Public Affairs Office before coming to post. Call (706) 545-5436, or e-mail michael.molinaro@us.army.mil for more information.

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Soldiers brave to cold and wind to compete in the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Rifle Championships Feb. 11 at Easley Range. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. – -(AmmoLand.com)- More than 100 Soldiers and Cadets braved the cold, rain and wind over the course of two weeks to participate in the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Pistol and Rifle Championships Feb. 3-11, hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

“The USAMU is extremely proud to host these championships,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “Competitions like this are very rare in the U.S. Army. They all had a great opportunity to train with the absolute best shooters and marksmanship instructors in the world and implore their skills in competition.”

The objective of this competition was three-fold, Hodne said. First was to gain some great training from the Soldiers of the USAMU. The second was to have some friendly competition amongst units here on Fort Benning. The third objective was to have fun.
Soldiers were afforded the opportunity to earn excellence-in-competition points in both the pistol and rifle matches, which lead to the distinguished pistol and rifleman’s badges. Additionally, the Soldiers had the chance to shoot on some of the same ranges where the much bigger All-Army Small Arms championships will take place, possibly gaining an advantage over the hundreds of Soldiers and Cadets from throughout the Army who will make their way to Fort Benning for the match at the end of the month.

“Our core competency is engaging those targets that we shoot at and hitting them the first time,” said Col. Charles Durr, chief of staff, MCOE. “This competition, along with all of the competitions the USAMU sponsors, helps us instill discipline and skill in each one of our Soldiers.”

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Col. Charles Durr, Maneuver Center of Excellence chief of staff, presents the Commanding Generals trophy to the overall champion of the 2010 Fort Benning MCOE Rifle match, Cadet Sean-Paul Adams, N. Georgia College and State University. Adams also took home the top prize in the pistol match. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

Cadet Sean-Paul Adams, North Georgia College and State University ROTC, swept the biggest awards, claiming the commanding general’s trophy as overall champion in both the pistol and rifle matches. He was followed by Spc. Benjamin Lanzotti, 75th Ranger Regt., who had the top score in the novice division. Staff Sgt. Jeramy Smith, 75th Ranger Regt., placed first in the open division and third overall.

Team Boars’ Head, made up of cadets from NGCSU, won the team match. Members were Adams, CDT Jessica Carlock, CDT Jacob Larios, and CDT Zachary Guyton. 1st Battalion, 16th Cavalry Regt. took second while third place went to MEDDAC.
In the commanding generals pistol match, Capt. Howard Rice, 4th Ranger Training Bde., took first place in the open division. Staff Sgt. Erik Correa, Company C, RTB, was first in the novice division and Adams won in the cadet division.

At the chief of staff match, Smith took home first-place in the open division. Lanzotti won the novice division, and Adams reigned supreme in the cadet division.

Spc. Brad Balsley, USAMU, won first-place in the EIC match. Five Soldiers earned enough points during the match to be awarded the bronze EIC marksmanship badge and are one step closer to achieving distinguished status, the highest honor in marksmanship. They were: Balsley, Lanzotti, Smith, Spc. Lawrence Cleveland, USAMU, and Staff Sgt. Phillip Allison III, MCOE Band.

In the rifle match, Adams again claimed the top spot overall. Following him in second-place was Cadet Anton Kletsko, NGCSU. Third-place went to Capt. Adam Pickett, 199th Inf. Bde.

The top rifle team was the 198th Inf. Bde. with Soldiers Master Sgt. Alan Goetzinger, Staff Sgt. Bradley Schwaiger, Staff Sgt. James Slayton, and Staff Sgt. James Hidgin. MEDDAC placed second and 2nd Bn., 54th Inf. Regt. came in third.

The rifle EIC match was won by Sgt. Patrick Franks, USAMU. Three Soldiers earned their bronze EIC badges: Franks, Spc. James Travllion, and Pfc. Matthew Sawallis.

“We’ve been training really hard for this event,” said Adams. “We always like coming here to the USAMU. They really help us with all skills. The weather was nasty and cold, but it was good learning all about the wind from the guys. It’s always a lot of fun.”

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Soldiers and Cadets fire shots downrange Feb. 4 at Parks Range during the 2010 Fort Benning Post Pistol Championships. Although the final day produced heavy rains, the competitors managed to have a good time at the range. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

FNH USA

McLean, Va --(AmmoLand.com)- January 13, 2010. The FNH Shooting Team roster has been bumped up to a total of seven members, including Tommy Thacker and Ken Pfau of FNH USA; sponsored shooters, Tasha Hanish, Mark Hanish; and new members, Dianna Liedorff, Dave Neth, and Larry Houck.

Liedorff is a 17-year veteran with the Tulsa Police Department and was proud to win the Tactical Optics (Lady) division at the 2009 Ft. Benning Three-Gun Challenge.

FNH Shooting Team's Dianna Liedorff

She hopes to add three more major matches to her schedule in 2010. “I have always looked at competitive shooting as “practice” for skills I may need at work,” Liedorff said.

Neth serves as an Idaho state trooper and is a national champion shooter and state-certified firearms instructor. He has shot competitively for over 15 years in a wide range of shooting disciplines including Three-Gun; USPSA/IPSC; Manual Rifle; Sniper matches; tactical shotgun and others. In the twelve years of the extremely challenging MGM Iron Man event, Neth has taken a remarkable six wins.

Houck currently serves as director of training with the Department of the Army West Region Police Academy and brings a distinguished competition and match management background to the FNH USA team. He had a very respectable year in 2009 including winning Ft. Benning Three-Gun Challenge Champion for the Trooper Division and was Tactical Division winner in the NRA Tactical Police Competition in Waco, Texas, as well as placing in the top four in several other events.

Ken Pfau, vice president of sales for FNH USA, says the Shooting Team’s goal for 2010 is to build public awareness about 3-Gun Shooting while showing the distinct advantages of FN’s guns in matches across the country. Tommy Thacker FNH USA’s product manager and team captain added, ”The team is an important part of product refinement and development, as we move deeper into the shooting sports.”

FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium. Its corporate mission is to expand its global leadership position in defense, law enforcement and commercial markets by delivering superior products and the finest in training and logistical support. Visit www.fnhusa.com to view the entire line of FNH USA products and services. FNH USA, P.O. Box 697, McLean, VA, 22101, U.S.A.

Ranger Shooters Sgt. Christopher K. Wooten and Sgt. Nicholas G. Irving

75Th Ranger Regiment

FORT BENNING, Ga.— -(AmmoLand.com)-  Two non-commissioned officers from the 75th Ranger Regiment competed in the 2009 Rifles Only Shooter Bash Competition held in Kingsville, Texas Nov. 6 and 7.

Sgt. Christopher K. Wooten and Sgt. Nicholas G. Irving, both assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment placed first and second respectively.

During the competition, Wooten and Irving conducted multiple sniper tasks not commonly taught within the sniper community.

Shooters Bash was specifically designed for precision rifle shooting, ranging from 400-1000 meters, with targets ranging from one inch in diameter to 11 x 18 inch targets.

“Throughout the competition, every shot had to be well calculated from the range, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and wind in order to make a 1,000 meter shot on an 11-inch target,” said Wooten.

Rarely did competitors shoot from the standard prone position. Much of the shooting was conducted from alternate positions, including standing, kneeling and sitting.

“As a sniper platoon, we need to focus more towards alternate shooting positions, partially exposed targets and combat-focused pistol shooting,” said Irving.

Stress shoots were also conducted which consisted of shooting from inside buses, make-shift sniper hides, and building structures. Combat pistol shots not commonly practiced nor taught were also a major portion of the competition.

During the combat pistol shoot, competitors shot one-handed from 10 meters to 100 meters as they were moving forward and dragging an 80 pound bag, simulating a wounded individual, as well as shooting moving targets.

“We are fortunate enough to be around and train with the most motivated, physically and mentally toughest individuals I have had the privilege of serving with in close to ten years of service,” said Maj. Richard Taylor, Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt.

“These two Rangers are not only gifted snipers, but they are extremely gifted and talented leaders and are the highest quality Soldiers.”

“One of the great qualities within this organization is the fact that these two Rangers will now take their high skill set and their advanced level of training and spread their wealth of knowledge throughout their platoon, company and the battalion,” said Taylor.

The competition consisted of 60 competitors from both the military and civilian shooting communities.

About:
The 75th Ranger Regiment, composed of three Ranger battalions, is the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army. Headquartered at Fort Benning, Ga., the 75th Ranger Regiment’s mission is to plan and conduct special missions in support of U.S. policy and objectives.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Service Pistol Team will host a Pairs Conventional Pistol shooting camp here March 10-12 2010.

The focus of the camp will be for beginner and intermediate pistol shooters of all ages as well as for coaches. There is no cost to attend the camp; however, junior campers must be accompanied by an adult participant, and any adult attendee must bring a junior to the camp.

Instruction for the event will be provided by the national award-winning shooters of the USAMU Service Pistol Team at Phillips Range. An NRA Conventional 2700 Pistol Match will be held on March 13, and participants are encouraged to stay and test their skills. All attendees must provide their own shooting equipment, lodging and meals.

For more information contact Coach Rick Hawkins at (706) 545-3893, or email richard.hawkins@usaac.army.mil

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit will host a Level 1 Pistol Coach Course 12-13 Dec. 2009 here at Phillips Range.

Cost of the course is $100.00. Classes start 8 a.m. each morning and conclude at 4 p.m.

The Level 1 Rifle Coach Course will be conducted on 6-7 Feb. 2010. Cost of the course will be $100.00.

Classes start at 8 a.m. each morning and conclude at 4 p.m. Each participant will be awarded a Level 1 Coach Certification upon successful completion of the course.

The National Rifle Association, Civilian Marksmanship Program, and USA Shooting co-sponsor the Coaches Programs.

Each participant must provide their own lodging and meals. For more information contact Coach Rick Hawkins at (706) 545-3893, or email richard.hawkins@usaac.army.mil.

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

BEIJING -- In a driving snowstorm, Sgt. Vincent Hancock, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, prepares for a target during the World Cup Final in Men's skeet at the Beijing Olympic Range. Hancock, the current Olympic, World and National champion in Men's skeet, earned a silver medal and closed out a successful 2009 competitive season. (Photo courtesy of Marco Dalla Dea)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga.— -(AmmoLand.com)- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit began to close out yet another successful competitive season by winning multiple medals at a number of matches recently.

Sgt. Daniel Horner got things going on a right note by winning the U.S. Practical Shooting Association Multi-gun National Championship in Boulder City, Nev. for the second time. Horner completely dominated the competition, winning by more than 380 points and establishing himself as the standard bearer in the sport.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and the Army,” said Horner, a native of Suffolk, Va.. “This is the biggest match of the year for me. I plan to win it again next year.”

Across the Pacific Ocean, several Soldiers from the USAMU showed up at the World Cup Finals in Beijing with something to prove and left with more hardware for the USAMU trophy case.
Starting things off in the Men’s Rifle 50m prone match, Sgt. Michael McPhail earned his first medal in a World Cup event when he won the silver medal. McPhail missed out on the gold by .04 but was still extremely pleased with his performance.

BEIJING -- Sgt. Michael McPhail, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, shoots during the final round of the Men's 50m prone rifle event in the World Cup Finals at the Beijing Olympic Indoor Range. McPhail earned his first medal in a World Cup competition, placing in second place. (Photo by Marco Dalla Dea, ISSF)

In Men’s Double Trap, Spc. Jeff Holguin earned a bronze medal. Holguin placed fourth in the 2008 Olympics on the same range and was happy that the results were more positive this time around.

“It was great to be back on the Olympic Range of Beijing, and this time walking out with something in my hands,” he said.

Holguin’s USAMU teammate, Sgt. Vincent Hancock, also stood on the winner’s podium in China, winning a silver medal in Men’s skeet. Hancock withstood a driving snowstorm to earn the medal on the same range where he was crowned an Olympic champion in 2008.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden, a two-time World Cup match winner in 2009, placed in fifth place overall in Men’s trap, also overcoming the falling snow to finish an outstanding season on the range.

A number of Soldiers performed extremely well at the 300-meter National Rifle Championships held at Pool Range.

Spc. Joseph Hein won a gold medal in the 3×40 match, outlasting McPhail by one target. McPhail also claimed a silver medal in the Men’s 3×20 match and just beat out Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, who took home the bronze.

In the women’s 3×20, Spc. Sherri Gallagher won the silver medal in the Women’s 3×20 event. Lt. Col. Rhonda Bright earned a bronze medal.

Only a few more events remain on the calendar for 2009, although the Soldiers continue their primary mission of training Soldiers in marksmanship proficiency, as well as attending numerous clinics around the country. The USAMU will soon begin preparations to host the 2010 Fort Benning Rifle and Pistol championships Feb. 3-5 and 10-12.

BEIJING -- Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, weathers the cold and impending snowstorm moments before the final round of the Men's Trap event at the 2009 World Cup finals. Hadden won two World Cup matches in 2009 and placed fifth to round out an extremely successful 2009. (Photo courtesy of Marco Dalla Dea)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 .

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. Travis Tomasie, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, displays the correct way of transitioning a shooters body through a course of fire Nov. 7 at Krilling Range. Tomasie and the rest of the USAMU's Action Shooting team held a camp for junior action pistol shooters from all over the country, as kids from California, Idaho, Arizona, and North Carolina, among others, descended on Fort Benning to learn from the best in the world and meet new friends. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. —-(AmmoLand.com)- Junior shooters from across the country descended on Fort Benning Nov. 6-8 as the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Action Shooting team hosted a junior camp at Krilling Range.

With two national champions, a two-time international sniper champion and a previous attendee at the camp among the instructors, the opportunity to learn from the best was a chance 48 of the top up-and-comers in the growing sport of action shooting couldn’t pass up.

“I needed more training, and my Mom thought if I came here I would meet new friends and have a lot fun,” said nine-year-old Lee Wills, the camp’s youngest participant and a native of Gainesville, Va.. “She was really right.”

The kids were picked to attend the camp after a thorough selection process, said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Hampton, the camp director. Each junior had to meet certain criteria such as being a ranked U.S. Practical Shooting Association competitor or able to show that you have a good deal of shooting experience.

“This isn’t a beginner’s class,” Hampton said. “By no means is it geared to teach you the fundamentals. Our goal is to help grow the sport.”

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Pvt. Shane Coley, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, instructs juniors on the proper techniques of reloading the weapon Nov. 7 at Krilling Range. Coley and the USAMU Action Shooting team held a junior camp for 48 juniors Nov. 6-8. Coley himself was an attendee just last year and joined the Army after his positive experience at the camp.

Once the juniors met the criteria, they had to submit an essay on what they wanted to gain from coming to the camp and also what the second amendment means to them. Many submissions included a fondness for the Army and desires to one day join the ranks.

“I wanted it to be something that was personal and heartfelt but also something that they’d have to spend a little bit of time to research and understand,” Hampton said. “If you have nine-year olds who can write you a two-page essay on the second amendment, they probably want to show up. It was designed to be a litmus test on how dedicated they were.”

The attendees had the opportunity to learn from the best. Sgt. Daniel Horner, who recently won the Multi-Gun National championship in Boulder City, Nev., worked with the juniors on drawing and accuracy. Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson, a two-time International Sniper Competition champion, gave a block of instruction on the introduction to the rifle. The attendees also learned movement techniques, transitions, and reloads.

“I was here last year and had lots of fun,” said Mark Saffery, a 13-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla. “I’ve been competing for three years now. This camp is the best part of the year. We get to learn something from every AMU mentor. They are so awesome and really great guys.”

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- 13-year-old Justin Saffery of Jacksonville, Fla. makes his way through a course of fire while being followed by Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Nov. 8 at Krilling Range. The USAMU hosted a junior camp for 48 of the top action shooting youths in the nation, instructing them on a variety of techniques and concluding with a competitive match. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

Instructing them on reloads was a familiar face. Pvt. Shane Coley, the newest member of the USAMU, attended the camp in its inaugural year last fall. Before attending the camp, he had no plans on joining the Army. That all changed rather quickly.

“It helped me so much when I came here,” Coley remarked, who arrived at the USAMU after completing basic and advanced individual training a mere three weeks ago. “I got to meet a bunch of new people in the sport, but I also had great mentors and great teachers in the Soldiers on the team.

“I really wanted to prove to them that I could be here. After the world championships last year Sgt. 1st Class Hampton came up to me and we talked. And now I’m here. It is a little weird because a lot of these guys are my friends, but I have to set boundaries. I want to teach them and instruct them. This is a great camp and these kids realize how valuable it is.”

This is a tricky time of year for the Action Shooting team to hold the camp. Soldiers compete in their national championships in late October, and the Fort Benning Three-Gun challenge, which they host, is held the first weekend of December. But it’s a no-brainier for Hampton and his Soldiers to continue bringing the kids back to Krilling Range and keep growing the sport that they all cherish.

“I believe in two things: one, if you’re going to do something you need to go ahead and do it and, two, if you got momentum keep it going because it’s hard to get it started again,” he concluded.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- 13-year-old James Wall of Parma, Idaho fires on a target under the watchful eye of Sgt. Lee Dimaculangan, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Wall and 47 other children attended the USAMU Action Pistol junior camp Nov. 6-8 at Krilling Range, receiving instruction on reloads, transitioning, draw and accuracy, movement, and an introduction to the rifle. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Staff Sgt. Armando Ayala, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, gives instructions to members of the Fort Benning Junior Rifle Club at Pool Indoor Range. Ayala and his teammates run the program, providing instruction and guidance that the juniors carry with them into the future. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga.—-(AmmoLand.com)- After spending all day in school, learning about math and social studies, most children can’t wait to get home and start playing with their friends. Two days a week, however, some kids from the area descend on Fort Benning to continue their education from the best in the business with an eye to towards their future.

The Fort Benning Junior Rifle club, started in the 1970s, was formed to help junior shooters raise their level in competitive shooting and assist them in getting recognized by college coaches. It is organized and run by members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s International Rifle team, whose roster includes Olympians and national champions.

“The kids are extremely motivated,” said Staff Sgt. Armando Ayala, the club’s head coach. “These shooters are exposed to the USAMU work ethic and our accomplishments, and it really motivates them.”

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Spc. David Sprecher, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, monitors a group of young boys as they take part in a practice session at the Fort Benning Junior Rifle Club at Pool Indoor Range. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

There are 52 kids in the club this year, Ayala said, which is almost double the number of shooters from last year. There are two training sessions a week during the school year with a break during the winter holidays. Besides Ayala, who attends every training session, two of his teammates rotate from week-to-week, allowing the students a chance to work with the entire IR team.

“We teach shooters from beginners all the way to advance levels,” he remarked. “We essentially take them from never shooting to the U.S. National junior team-level.”

The biggest reward for the juniors is that they have been able to take the skills and lessons learned as members of the club and translate that into success geared toward their futures, Ayala remarked. The West Point Academy has tapped into the program and recruited future officers through the academy’s shooting team, and many former and future members made the military their career choice after being tutored within the military environment.

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Spc. David Sprecher, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, answers questions from Mackenzy Crawford (right), 14, Columbus, Ga. as Glenn Fausti (left), 13, Columbus, fires his rifle at Pool Indoor Range. The two youngsters are among 52 kids who make up the Fort Benning Junior Rifle Club, instructed by members of the USAMU International Rifle team. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

Coaches from Columbus State, University of Kentucky, Memphis University, Texas Christian University, Nebraska and others have scouted the club’s members and brought scholarship offers with them.

“This is a ton of fun,” said Mackenzy Crawford, 14, of Columbus. “I started shooting when I was six and wanted to join the school’s rifle team, so I needed to get practice and coaching here.”

Crawford said he has improved tremendously in a short amount of time. He has gotten a lot more comfortable in his stance and has learned how to sight his target more properly. This is his first year in the club.

The club members compete in a number of matches year-round. The biggest matches are sanctioned by USA Shooting, including the national championships and spring and fall selection matches for juniors. They also travel to Camp Perry, Ohio each summer to compete in the Smallbore National Championships and compete in regional postal and invitational matches.

“To see our juniors develop into motivated young citizens and accomplish great things is very rewarding,” Ayala said. “I know what they learn here they carry into all aspects of their lives because the examples set for them affect their lives. What we do here really inspires and motivates young people.”

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Staff Sgt. Armando Ayala, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, shows the proper positioning to Breanna Kasl, a member of the Fort Benning Junior Rifle Club, at Pool Indoor Range. Kasl hopes to attend the West Point Academy after high school and compete on its shooting team. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

USAMU at Fort Benning Shooting Match

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. —-(AmmoLand.com)- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit shot their way onto the medal stand today at the 2009 International Rifle and Pistol Fall Selection “Champion of Champions” matches at Pool International Shooting Complex.

Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft won first place in the Men’s Rifle 50-meter prone event and was followed by Spc. Joseph Hein, USAMU. Uptagrafft scored a perfect 600 to advance to the final round and outlasted his USAMU teammate. Former USAMU Soldier Steve Goff rounded out the top three.

In the Men’s 50-meter free pistol match, three 2008 Olympians battled for first place. Brian Beaman came out on top, defeating Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski of the USAMU, and Jason Turner.

The competition continues with Men’s and Women’s Air Pistol, and Men’s and Women’s 3×20 and 3×40 rifle events on Thursday and Friday. Shooters are attempting to qualify for spots on the national team to compete in the 2010 World Championships as well as multiple World Cup events in 2010. The event runs through Oct. 1st.

USAMU Soldier Wins in Men’s Rifle at Fort Benning Shooting Match

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU)

FORT BENNING, Ga. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras assumed responsibility of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from Sgt. Maj. Thomas Fuller at a ceremony Aug. 28 at Pool Indoor Shooting Complex.

Barreras becomes the 23rd senior enlisted advisor at the “Home of Champions.” He arrives from the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served for more than 20 years. He served with distinction in all three Ranger battalions as well as the regimental headquarters.

“Sgt. Maj. Barreras arrives to the USAMU with a tremendous reputation-one of inspiring leadership, extreme competence, and extraordinary professionalism,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU.

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras (right), assumed responsibility of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from Sgt. Maj. Thomas Fuller (left) Aug. 28 at Pool Indoor Shooting Complex. Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne (center) commands the USAMU. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

“I eagerly anticipate continuing the forward momentum and building upon the tremendous achievements and initiatives of this unit with the benefit of the counsel and leadership of Sgt. Maj. Barreras.”

Fuller is retiring after 21 years in the Army. Under Fuller’s mentor-ship the USAMU had some of its most successful years, which included seeing two of his Soldiers capture Olympic Gold medals in 2008 as well as numerous international, national and inter-service championships.

“In this year, the ‘Year of the NCO,’ it is entirely fitting that we honor such an outstanding NCO for his years of service in the defense of our nation,” Hodne said. “I feel extremely fortunate that I had the opportunity to serve alongside a non-commissioned officer of such caliber.”

Fuller put an emphasis on training that contributed to measured progress on the USAMU’s marksmanship training programs, Hodne remarked. He also developed a concept to field a paralympic shooting team at the USAMU for wounded warriors, as well as institute an installation-wide program for all Command Sergeants Major that provides a venue to share marksmanship training techniques for dissemination throughout the Army.

“The last two years (at the USAMU) has been an indescribable honor,” Fuller said. “True human greatness is achieved when you are part of something bigger than yourself.”

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

ATK LW25 Integrated Weapon Systems

ATK

MINNEAPOLIS, Mn --(AmmoLand.com)- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) demonstrated its innovative firepower capabilities at the U.S. Army’s Ft. Benning Red Cloud Range, on August 27, 2009. During the live-fire event, ATK demonstrated advancements to its battle-proven Bushmaster Chain Gun systems, on a variety of platforms, with enhanced precision, lethality, reliability, and range to address current and future operational needs. ATK is a leader in integrated weapon systems capabilities that include remote-operation, electronics and fire control, and compatibility with a full-suite of ATK ammunition, including a compatible Programmable Airburst Munition (PABM) that extends operational effectiveness.

During the event, ATK fired four cannons in the following live-fire configurations:

• Lightweight 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun (LW25) integrated into a Kongsberg mount on a Textron MSV
• LW25 integrated into a Palletized Autonomous Weapon System (PAWS), mounted onto a HMMWV
• 30mm M230 Link Fed (LF) integrated into the Viper Gun System (Viper)
• 30mm/40mm Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun with PABM

The LW25 is the newest member of the Bushmaster family; its compact size and low-recoil design makes the LW25 ideally suited for ground combat, surface combatant, and rotary-wing applications. The system is also compatible with the current family of remote weapon stations employed on Stryker, Bradley, HMMWV and MRAP vehicles. The LW25 system enhances operational flexibility and performance in a light-weight integrated armaments package.

PAWS is a self-contained Palletized Autonomous Weapons System that is user scalable to specific mission requirements. PAWS is designed to accommodate most small- and medium-caliber weapons and can be mounted on a wide range of vehicles, or deployed autonomously to satisfy a range of security needs. PAWS’ remote weapon station also contains a self-contained sensor package and power supply.

The 30mm M230 Bushmaster Chain Gun has served as the sole gun system for the AH-64 Apache Helicopter for more than 30 years. The link-fed (LF) variant, combined with the M789 high-explosive, dual-purpose (HEDP) round, brings the Apache’s devastating firepower to platforms of all kinds and can be remotely operated or fired in a crew-served configuration.

Viper, developed collaboratively between ATK and Nobles Manufacturing, Inc., is an affordable “plug and play” weapon station that incorporates a patent-pending Gun Mount Braking System (GMBS), which allows for superior weapon stabilization during firing. Viper can be installed on multiple platforms and incorporates a flex chute and ammunition magazine into a compact and versatile weapons platform while offering economy and agility to meet the security needs of U.S. and international customers.

The Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun is the U.S. Marine Corps’ weapon of choice for its Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). The Mk44 increases firepower and range of 25mm systems and is designed for remote operation. This chain gun is in production and in service on various international ground combat and surface combatant platforms.

The Mk44 fires the only type-classified PABM in the U.S. arsenal. This revolutionary new round can be programmed by the fire control system to function in either point detonate, point detonate delay, or air burst modes, defeating targets on contact or in defilade. ATK’s airburst technology will also be available for the company’s new LW25 chain gun.

About:
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots – The Uzi Challenge

Pro shooter Jerry Miculek tries to out-run a full-auto sub-machine gun with his 1911 pistol. Then Mr. Flintlock, George Sutton is splitting miniature playing cards. And Bob Munden puts down his six guns and picks up a slingshot for his impossible shot. Brian Speciale reports the stories of the world’s best exhibition shooters and their amazing feats of marksmanship.

Shooting USA – USAMU Three Gun at Fort Benning
This time civilians are playing army in combat simulations for the most realistic Three Gun competition of the year. And the Army is using the event to help teach soldiers. It’s the Army Marksmanship Unit’s Three Gun match from Fort Benning, Georgia. More Info…

Sighting In With Shooting USA – Open Division Shotguns / Monterey Gang Task Force
First John is Sighting In on Open Division shotguns and the new trends to compete faster. Then we’re on the streets with the members of the Monterey County Gang Task Force in California’s version of paradise. Brian Speciale reports on the unit, their training and their assignment to control the dangerous gangs of California’s tourist mecca. More Info…

Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots by time zone:

The Shooting USA Hour Block

• Eastern Time:4:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 12:30 AM
• Central Time:3:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 11:30 PM
• Mountain Time:2:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 10:30 PM
• Pacific Time:1:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 9:30 PM

Be there for 90 minutes of gun stories Wednesday on Outdoor Channel

We’re Famous in South America:

Some of you have been seeing close caption subtitles in Spanish over our shows. That’s because Shooting USA is international, with the distribution of Outdoor Channel Programming in Mexico and South America. The Spanish Sub-titles are on the second close captioning channel on your TV set. If you’re seeing Spanish, it’s because your set is switched to CC-2. But there wasn’t anything there until recently. If you’re seeing Spanish, punch the CC button on your remote until your set says Close Captioning is off.

Jim – www.ShootingUSA.com

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Sgt. Glenn Eller (left) and Spc. Vincent Hancock (right), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, each won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. This week marks the one-year anniversary of their accomplishment. The Soldiers have been on the road ever since, telling people to follow their dreams and how the Army can help make that happen. (Photo by Mike Badger)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU)

FORT BENNING, Ga.- -(AmmoLand.com)- They still can’t believe it. They can’t believe it’s been one year since they did it, since they won Olympic Gold medals in the sport that has engulfed their lives practically forever. They can’t believe how fast a year can go.

The Soldiers dream of winning gold medals at the Olympics and sharing it with their families and friends. Those dreams didn’t include sharing it with the country. They didn’t comprise meeting the president and vice-president. They didn’t consist of throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game or jumping out of a plane. They didn’t include becoming heroes to the nation’s youth or a Soldier deployed in combat.

U.S. Army Marksmanship Soldiers Sgt. Glenn Eller and Spc. Vincent Hancock embraced all that comes with being crowned Olympic champions the only way they knew how: with the dedication, expertise and professionalism instilled in every Soldier at the USAMU. While there will be no gold medals for what they have done in the time since their triumph, it may end up being more valuable than the medals around their necks.

“I still can’t believe I did it,” said Eller, who won gold in the Men’s Double Trap Aug. 12, 2008, setting an Olympic record along the way.

“I remember how nervous I was, but reality never set in on what I was doing until it was over. It’s still all kind of surreal right now.”

Hancock already had a world record in Skeet but had been aiming for Olympic Gold since the age of 10. On Aug. 16, he fulfilled that dream and also set an Olympic record.

“I don’t remember much besides breaking the final pair and holding my gun up because it was an accomplishment that I had been dreaming about my whole life, ” he remarked. “Thinking about it now brings a smile to my face. It’s just awesome.”

The Soldiers returned to the U.S. after the games and hit the ground running. They met then-President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney. They had lunch with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. They made small talk with Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Gen. George Casey, Army Chief of Staff. And that was only the beginning.

“The first six months was completely hectic,” Eller said. “We were traveling from city to city, going to NASCAR races, visiting high schools, colleges-you name it and we were there. We were showing people that your dreams can come true.”

“It was tough being away from my wife so much,” Hancock said. “We’ve only been married since May of last year so being gone from her for the first half-year of our marriage had been kind of difficult.”

Besides being away from loved ones and friends, they were also taken from two of the reasons why they are successful-their training and the unit.

“A lot has been asked of them and they definitely rose to the occasion,” said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Coffey, USAMU shotgun team noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “They shared that victory with other Soldiers. They showed young adults and teenagers that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It shows that we’re Army strong.

“It’s neat to see how that individual accomplishment affected so many. Our brigade commander, Col. Fred Johnson (Accessions Support Brigade), was telling us how he was deployed overseas and one of his Soldiers was holding a newspaper illustrating a fellow Soldier had won gold and his Soldier raved ‘The Army won!’ That’s the team spirit of the Army. We always come together as a team.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--Sgt. Glenn Eller, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, fires on a target during the U.S. National Shotgun Championships July 13. Eller won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China and has been sharing his victory with the country ever since. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

Had the Soldiers been full-time Olympic athletes or civilians, the past year would have been jammed with endorsements and uninterrupted training time to continue enhancing their skills. Instead, Eller and Hancock were handed the reigns of the Army accessions wagon.

“People ask me if I regret joining the Army because I could have made a lot of money this entire time,” Hancock said. “The Army helped me get to where I am. Here, I know I have the right training and the right people pushing me.

“Being here has given me a lot of stability and something to lean on. It’s given me a drive and helped me set my goals. I don’t regret it at all.”

The Soldiers accomplishments showed the American public the professionalism of the Army, but also validated the expertise of the USAMU to those inside the most powerful military organization in the world.

“If I train Soldiers here before they deploy, and then they go back to their unit and train their guys, then I just helped an entire unit raise their combat readiness,” said Eller. “And everywhere we go, we instill positive impressions of the Army. That may help prospective candidates in their decision to enter the Army.”

The Soldiers didn’t train for four-to-five months after the Olympics due to their mission for the Army. It was the longest they both had gone without shooting since they started as youth and they agree it affected their results in competitions early in the season. But now things have calmed down and their focus has returned, evident by Hancock winning his first national championship last month in skeet.

The duo is currently in Slovenia competing in the World Championships. They both said they now have a plan to get back to that podium in London in 2012. But they know being a Soldier and the mission always comes first. At a moments notice, they may be asked to grand marshal a parade or speak at a high school assembly.

“It’s not easy, but I love it,” Hancock said. “(The Army) is a great place to be and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Their accomplishments away from the shooting range this past year will never go documented and the effects may never officially be known. The gold medals, however, are theirs for keeps.

They still can’t believe it.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--Spc. Vincent Hancock, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, competes in the skeet event during the U.S. National Shotgun championships July 14. Hancock won top honors at the National Championships for the first time, adding to his collection of first-place finishes worldwide, including the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in the same event. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

FORT BENNING, Ga.-- Sgt. Nicole Allaire, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, focuses on a target June 16 at Pool International Shooting complex during the Women's U.S. National three-position finals. Allaire and her teammates will take on the world at the 44th Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Shooting Championships in Zagreb, Croatia Aug. 12-16. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU)

FORT BENNING, Ga.— -(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Military Shooting team is set to take on the world’s best at the 44th Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Shooting Championships in Zagreb, Croatia Aug. 12-16.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit out of Fort Benning comprise the majority of the team, along with a Coast Guardsman, a Sailor, and one Army Reservist.

“This is a veteran-laden team,” said Michael Behnke, team captain and USAMU chief of competition. “Except for one member, all have been to a CISM, some more than others.”

There was a series of tryouts this year to invite non-USAMU members from other services to provide them an opportunity to be on the team, Behnke said. Because of deployments and opportunities throughout the year it’s very difficult for other services to do so.

The U.S. team consists of USAMU Soldiers Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Rose; Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft; Sgt. 1st Class Janet Sokolowski; Staff Sgt. Armando Ayala; Staff Sgt. Kelly Dove; Staff Sgt. Robert Park II; Sgt. Michael McPhail; Sgt. Nicole Allaire; and Cpl. Brad Balsley.

Army Reservist Lt. Col. Rhonda Bright made the team, as did Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sandra Uptagrafft and Coast Guard Lt. Jennifer Leong. The coaches are Thomas Tamas, Glenn Sulser, and Ray Arredondo. The chief of mission is Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, USAMU commander, and jury members are Wanda Jewell and Richard Hawkins.

The U.S. team has had a very successful past at CISM. The highest award given at the competition, Best Nation, is named the U.S. Army Challenge Trophy. The U.S. team had won the best nation award so many times that CISM permanently gave the award to the U.S. in 1972.

A pair of dueling silver antique pistols donated by King Paul of Greece in 1957, the U.S. handed the trophy back to CISM to serve as a perpetual trophy at featured CISM matches. After losing out on the trophy for two years, the U.S. won the coveted trophy in 2008 for the 24th time and will defend it this year.

The competition includes events in rifle and pistol shooting for both men and women. They compete in individual events as well as team events. The men shoot with 300m bolt guns and.32-caliber center fire pistols. The women shoot with small-bore rifles and .22-caliber pistols.

The women’s 50m prone rifle team won that event last year and all three competitors—Bright, Dove, and Allaire—will be on hand to defend their crown. This year, the toughest competition for the U.S. team in general will be perennial powerhouses China, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Belarus, as well as Russia and Germany, remarked Behnke.

According to the mission statement of CISM, its goal is to promote friendship through sport. All of the athletes are in the military for their respective nation and while they train to meet on the battlefield, CISM’s goal is to use a sports field to bring those athletes together.

The competitors will stay on post for the most part, Behnke said, since they stay in barracks and the ranges are all on the post grounds. While opportunities for sightseeing arise, clubs with casual settings on post allow the teams to reacquire old friendships and acquire new ones. Since it is a military-only sports organization, CISM’s shooting championships are one of the best attended events of the year.

“Shooting is the center of all armies,” Behnke said. “This is a military skill set in a military competition.”

The opening ceremonies will be jam-packed with pomp and circumstance, drill and ceremony, military bands, and a conglomerate of shooters on the world stage representing their nations. The U.S. team will wear their Class B’s, march in unison before the world and reacquaint themselves with old friends, but make no mistake about it: their focus will be on the task at hand.

“We go to win, we don’t go to participate,” Behnke said. “We are going there to defend our title.”

FORT BENNING, Ga.--The U.S. Army Challenge Cup, given to the team who wins Best Nation at the Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Shooting Championships, sits in the headquarters of U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. The U.S. won the award in 2008 and is preparing to defend the title Aug. 12-16 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

FORT BENNING, Ga.--Army Marksmanship Unit Shotgun team member Sgt. 1st Class Joetta Dement fires a round during the Interservice Trap Championships June 20 at Hook Range. Dement won the silver medal in trap, just missing out on the gold to teammate Staff Sgt. Matt Depuydt. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU)

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Shotgun team had an extraordinary weekend, winning on both the International and Interservice stage.

At a World Cup Shotgun meet in San Marino, Spc. Joshua Richmond was awarded a bronze medal in the Double Trap event June 20. Richmond tallied a final score of 190, just losing out on a gold medal by three points to eventual champion Junjie Mo of China.

At the Interservice Championships at Fort Benning, Spc. Jeff Holguin crushed the field after a dynamic display, setting two Interservice records and winning the Double Trap event. He was followed by teammates Staff Sgt. Matt DePuydt and Sgt. 1st Class Joetta Dement, making it a clean sweep for the AMU.

In the Trap event, DePuydt took first-place and was followed by Dement, making it an extremely successful weekend for the Army and the AMU.

SAN MARINO-- Sgt. Joshua Richmond (right), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, poses with silver medalist Hakan Dahlby of Sweden (left) and gold medal winner Junjie Mo of China (center) after winning a bronze medal at the World Cup Double Trap finals June 20. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. 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 . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

USA Shooting

FORT BENNING, GEORGIA - -(OutDoorWire.com)- The Men’s 50m Free Pistol final was the first final contested at the 2009 USA Shooting National Championships for Rifle and Pistol with three-time Olympian Daryl Szarenski of Saginaw, Michigan taking home the title.

USAMU member Szarenski won the Men’s Free Pistol national title for the second year in a row finishing with a match score of 1098, a final of 96.3 for a total score of 1194.3 points. James Henderson (Columbus, Ga.), a USAMU Service Pistol shooter, took second place after firing a score of 1096 in the qualification, a final score of 97.4 for an overall score of 1193.4. John Zurek (Chandler, Ariz.) grabbed third place with a total score of 1184.6 (1091+93.6) points.

The National Championship title in Junior Men’s Free Pistol went to Alex Callage (Columbia, Md.) with 1033 points. Gary Reburn (Kensington, Md.) took second with 1026 and Jack Dutoit (Arlington, Texas) finished in third place with 1000 points.

For complete National Championship results as well as a detailed competition schedule, please visit USA Shooting’s website at www.usashooting.org.

The Rifle/Pistol National Championships are being held at Ft. Benning’s International Shooting Complex in Columbus, Ga., which is home of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), and will run through June 21. Competition continues on Tuesday with the Women’s 50m 3 Position Rifle and Men’s 10m Air Rifle finals.