EST, Postal Match Enforces Retention, Training

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RetentionViaReadiness #PostalMatch #LetsGoShooting #RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMaster

Army Regulation directs all Soldiers to benefit from formal marksmanship events. Soldiers of the 3-335th Training Support Battalion “Blackhawks” (85th Reserve Support Command) used this training tool to enhance retention and boost training.

Fort Sheridan, Ill.

Soldiers from the 3-335th Training Support Battalion (85th Reserve Support Command) used a local Engagement Skills Trainer to conduct a Postal Match as a part of their unit Marksmanship Team tryouts. In an effort to improve Unit marksmanship skills, esprit de corp, and retention, the 3-335th “Blackhawks” have committed to fielding a team of six Soldiers to compete in the 2020 All Army Small Arms Championship.

During the Unit’s OCT Battle Assembly, Lt. Col. Keith Cowan and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Fall directed leadership to put together a list of Soldiers interested in representing their Battalion at All Army. The intent to conduct a form of selection was expressed. Information about the event and overall goal was put out, and after schedules were taken into consideration, 14 3-335th Soldiers signed on for the upcoming tryouts to take place as a part of their November Battle Assembly.

1st Sgt. James Salm and Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Rosendorn helped conduct the training. “I was very impressed with the chain of command’s enthusiasm and support with regards to working towards sending a team to the All Army match.” Sgt. 1st Class Rosendorn said. “I was equally impressed with the level of interest among Soldiers within the Unit.”

As scheduled, the “Blackhawks” Soldiers utilized a local EST facility to conduct their Postal Match and All Army tryouts. Simulators are directed as a part of Table II in the Army’s Individual Weapon Training Strategy (TC 3-20.0) and any of them can be used to host an Informal Postal Match. Staff Sgt. David Kukla, Training NCO from 85th RSC, was on hand for support and assistance during the entire process. Four separate courses of fire were put together, with a maximum aggregate possible score of 150 points. These included a scored zero and rifle qualification, pistol qualification, and a modified Precision Pistol (Bullseye) course.

Staff Sgt. David Kukla confirmed the effectiveness of this approach, saying, “Having a unit come prepared to train at my site, in this manner was appreciated. The EST seems to be an afterthought to many, and as a result, tends to be underutilized.”

Using a Postal Match or other organized shooting format is a way to enhance EST use. The Soldiers participating also found this beneficial. Capt. Jeremy Crochiere said, “The EST tryout was a great way to evaluate potential team members, utilizing a variety of shooting skills, rapidly and efficiently.” Staff Sgt. Paul Prado added, “I liked the tryout because it is a good competition for all, a fair competition. All Soldiers fired the same number of rounds, with the same targets and environment (conditions).”

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/2010184/est-postal-match-enforces-retention-training/



NamePistol QualPistol, BullseyePistol AggRifle QualPistol/Rifle Agg
SFC Rosendorn, Joshua30(15, 15, 15, 15) 609020110
MAJ Zizkovsky, David30(15, 14, 15, 15) 598920109
MSG Brunet, Cody30(15, 14, 15, 15) 598919108
1SG Salm, James29(12, 13, 15, 14) 548320103
CPT Crochiere, Jeremy29(12, 14, 15, 14) 558419103
SSG Prado, Paul27(15, 15, 12, 13) 558218100
SFC Nissen, Devin25(14, 13, 14, 15) 56811798
SFC Wright, Jeffrey26(13, 12, 15, 14) 54801898
SSG Dawson, Dwight23(11, 13, 7, 11) 42651883
SSG Neal, Roger25(13, 13, 13, 14) 53781492
SSG Salinas, Jose17(13, 12, 12, 14) 51681785
SFC Jorgensen, Christopher21(11, 6, 15, 6) 38591271
SFC Latterell, Robert23(12, 13, 12, 14) 51741387
MSG Stine, Bridgette14(8, 8, 8, 12) 36501666

Weapons & Gunnery Group

by John M. Buol Jr.

The Army personnel officially in charge of publishing our weapons training doctrine and standards maintain a MilSuite group.

https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/weapons-and-gunnery

All personnel with a current Common Access Card (CAC) can use this resource. All Soldiers can benefit from this resource.

#AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMaster

Barricade for New Qualification

by John M. Buol Jr.

#LetsGoShooting #RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMaster #PostalMatch

From Maj. Jesse Campbell, (COIC, 412th TEC)

If you’re looking for a commercial barricade to practice and conduct the new U.S. Army qualifications and Postal Matches:

http://usmolders.com/portfolio-posts/14515/

9-Hole Firing Barricade, Part# USM-54, $242.06
9-Hole Firing Barricade Base Set, Part# USM-109, $55.00

Soldier Supports Charitable Sports Event

by John M. Buol Jr.

#LetsGoShooting #RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMastery #USARCombatTeam #USARPistolTeam

Maj. Jesse Campbell, Current Operations Integrating Cell (412th Theater Engineer Command), participated in a charitable sporting event that benefited The Boy Scouts of America. The Mississippi Steel Challenge Championship served as a fundraiser for the BSA’s Pine Burr Area Council and Camp Tiak.

“My competition goal at this Steel Challenge was to win as many divisions as possible. I competed in six different divisions: Carry Optics, PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) Irons, PCC Optics, Rimfire Pistol Irons, Rimfire Rifle Irons, Rimfire Rifle Open,” said Maj. Campbell. “This provided good training to improve speed and efficiency with optics and iron sights in a time-constrained, reactive paced event.”

In addition to supporting a charity, events like this offer training advancement and retention opportunities for all Soldiers, something that Maj. Campbell has been pushing up his chain of command. “In our area, we have CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) events, multiple civilian and military shooting ranges, and great shooting weather. I’d like to see better support from the 412th TEC to take advantage of these opportunities,” said Maj. Campbell. “In addition to unit training, I have two TPU Soldiers that I have helped advance to competing in multiple types of action shooting competitions on our own time and expense.”

In addition to supporting a local charity and competing with skilled shooters in his area, Maj. Campbell won first place in his skill Class in the Carry Optics Division. “This event has better prepared me as an individual competitor and Soldier,” said Maj. Campbell. “For future Steel Challenge matches, it provided me with more experience on the standardized stages if I choose to continue competing in any of the divisions.”

Participation in these types of events is directed by Army Regulation (AR 350-66 and AR 140-1 Chapter 7) for the betterment of all Soldiers.

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/1993245/soldier-supports-charitable-sports-event/

Cleto Rodríguez

by John M. Buol Jr.

#HispanicHeritageMonth

Medal of Honor citation
Cleto Rodríguez
Rank and organization: U.S. Army, Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division
Place and date: Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippines, February 9, 1945
Entered service at: San Antonio, TX
Born:San Marcos, TX

Citation:

He was an automatic rifleman when his unit attacked the strongly defended Paco Railroad Station during the battle for Manila, Philippines. While making a frontal assault across an open field; his platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire.

On his own initiative, he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the 2 men remained in this position for an hour; firing at targets of opportunity, killing more than 35 hostile soldiers and wounding many more.

Moving closer to the station and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man the emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station.

Then, covered by his companion, Pvt. Rodríguez boldly moved up to the building and threw 5 grenades through a doorway killing 7 Japanese, destroying a 20-mm. gun and wrecking a heavy machinegun. With their ammunition running low, the 2 men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other’s withdrawal.. In 2 l/2 hours of fierce fighting the intrepid team killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense, and paved the way for the subsequent overwhelming defeat of the enemy at this strongpoint.

Two days later, Pvt. Rodríguez again enabled his comrades to advance, when he single-handedly killed 6 Japanese and destroyed a well-placed 20-mm. gun by his outstanding skill with his weapons, gallant determination to destroy the enemy, and heroic courage in the face of tremendous odds. Pvt. Rodriguez, on 2 occasions, materially aided the advance of our troops in Manila.

A rifle firing range at Ohio National Guard Training Site, Camp Perry, Ohio has been named in honor of Pvt Rodriguez. Camp Perry is the home of the National Rifle and Pistol Championships.

Sharpened Steel Improves Leadership, Training

by John M. Buol Jr.

#LetsGoShooting #RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMastery #USARCombatTeam #USARPistolTeam

Fort Knox, Ky.

Events held by the Hatchet Battalion leads to multiple Soldier training successes, Excellence In Competition, and the Army Reserve’s national-level marksmanship program.

Soldiers of the 2-397th (104th Training Division) conducted a Leader Training event called Sharpened Steel at Fort Knox to hone skills necessary to Soldiers and leaders. The Hatchet Battalion successfully completed two Excellence In Competition events with several Soldiers earning permanent awards for their superior performance.

Holding both pistol and rifle versions of Service Conditions (Combat) Excellence In Competition events at Fort Knox, the pistol event resulted in one Soldier being awarded the EIC Bronze Pistol badge and the rifle event had two Soldiers achieving the distinction. This was the first time the Hatchet Battalion held either event and their command reports a heightened Soldier interest growing as a result.

Their training began with each Soldier establishing Data On Previous Engagements at each yard line and cadre like Sgt. 1st Class Frasier noticed the advantage of using these types of targets. “For many, it was their first time seeing how their shot groups opened up as they moved further from the target.”

The training culminated in an Excellence In Competition Rifle event consisting of timed stages from 400, 300, 200, and 100 yards, and then a Close Quarter Battle stage shot at 75, 50, and 25 yards. The Pistol event was a mix of precision and speed from multiple positions and distances at 30 yards and in. This training is a holistic test of Soldier lethality because it incorporates short and medium range engagements, different shooting positions, speed reloads, and – in the Rifle event – a 25 yard rush to each firing line.

Even Soldiers finishing lower in the rankings found value in the event. Supply NCO Sgt. Vanderpool explained, “I’ve never been taught a lot of the marksmanship techniques that were shown. I learned a better way to hold the M16 and gained confidence in my marksmanship skills.”

In addition to the event being a tremendous training opportunity, Sgts. 1st Class Daugherty and Combs received their EIC Bronze Badge, which supersedes the expert badge on the Army Service Uniform, for scoring in the top 10% of the match.

Also during training year 2019, the Hatchet Battalion had two Soldiers compete as members of USAR Competitive Marksmanship Program, with Sgt. 1st Class Combs participating on the Service Pistol team and Command Sgt. Major Michael Ball participating with the Service Conditions/Combat team at the Armed Forces Skill At Arms Meeting. Their participation on the teams has improved the Battalion’s marksmanship training as they bring what they’ve learned back to the unit. As an Army Reserve Drill Sergeant unit, the Hatchet Battalion’s Drill Sergeants will take what they’ve learned and teach it to new Soldiers in Initial Entry Training, which will immediately impact marksmanship skills across the entire force.

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1965677/sharpened-steel-improves-leadership-training/