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Monthly Archives: October 2014
MSG Norman Anderson inducted into the Army Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame
Congrats to MSG Norman Anderson on his induction into the Army Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame.
I’d have to look back in my data books over the past 6 years to see how many 200s he’s coached me into at the 600 yard line, but it is enough that I have lost count. He’s coached me into a 499 and 497 during important team matches, leading to me getting 4 different trophies from the National Matches.
Great job, Coach!
– SGT Kris Friend
The method behind the machine
The method behind the machine: Surgeon, shooter, Soldier
Lt. Col. John Cletus Paumier (center) stands with friends who helped build his own private 600-yard rifle range in his back yard, which spans eight acres in Salem, Ohio. Paumier is an orthopedic surgeon, officer-in-charge of the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program and command surgeon for the 416th Theater Engineer Command, headquartered in Darien, Ill. Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret
Missing the mark: Top marksmen say military funding cuts impair teams
This article is about the Navy marksmanship program but resonates with all military shooting programs.
“The Navy, in my opinion, is less focused on marksmanship because of our technology. However, when it comes down to it, basic marksmanship not only goes with shooting, it’s a way of life.”
“A lot of our guys, myself included, find ourselves doing things we never thought we would be doing in the Navy, like walking the streets in Fallujah or going through a village in Afghanistan with an M16 or a 9mm. Even in the fleet, weapons proficiency and aim is key.”
Combat Accuracy
If you want to be a combat-accurate shooter, be a target shooter first.
Experience Earned
Experience Earned
by MSG Joe Carlos, US Army Reserve (ret.)
I’ve been associated with military shooting teams since the mid-1980s. During this entire period these teams have been underutilized, underfunded, and misunderstood. Until our wars in the Middle East I was one of the few members of the Reserve Team that had a combat patch. Generals and bean counters tended to think that all the shooting teams did was punch holes in paper and win trophies. When 9/11 hit all that changed real fast, however. Reservists and National Guardsmen from their respective shooting teams stepped forward and volunteered. Some were sent into combat but, fortunately, enough people in charge had the sense to assign most of the shooters as instructors and range cadre at the various Mobilization Stations or Power Projection Platforms.
At these Mob Stations each soldier has to review and demonstrate proficiency in his particular job skills, be it Infantryman, Motor Transport Operator, or Human Resources Specialist. Everyone also has to qualify with his individually assigned weapon, usually an M16/M4. I have all the respect in the world for Drill Sergeants and was one for many years, but Drill Sergeants have to cover all the tasks taught in Initial Entry (basic) Training from Drill and Ceremonies to Combatives. If your son or daughter was mobilizing, would you want any random Drill Sergeant supervising their marksmanship training or would you rather have an instructor that wore a Distinguished Badge on their chest and a President’s Hundred Tab on their sleeve?
When experience in the Gulf demonstrated the need to reach out a little farther on the battlefield, the active component considered all those old Viet Nam-era M14s that had been stored away. However, few personnel knew squat about M14s or shooting at distance because many active duty soldiers put in 20 years to punch the retirement ticket and get out, leaving no institutional knowledge. Reserve component soldiers (Guard and Reserve) tend to stick around longer because the military is supposed to be part time, with some remaining 30 or 40 years. Many on the two reserve shooting teams not only knew the M14 but had earned their Distinguished Rifleman badges with them and were able to show the active component how to do things right. The level of commitment went even further than that. With only 20 or 30 people slotted a military rifle team there wasn’t enough to handle the entire workload. Retired shooting team members stepped forward to help out, not unlike civilian competition shooters teaching marksmanship during the two world wars.
As time went on Designated Marksman training grew. The concept has at least one person per squad trained in long range precision shooting, not as a sniper but as a superior marksman. This person could be equipped with an M14 or M16 with ACOG or similar optical sight. After the fact, a number of organizations tried to lay claim to the Designated Marksman program but it was mostly reserve component shooting team members having competed internationally doing the the lion’s share of the development using lessons learned in those military shooting competitions. When I hear bean counters, politicians, and even other soldiers claiming shooting teams don’t contribute it riles me up and should anger you as well. A military rifle team can be completely funded for the cost of one cruise missile!
Most of the knowledge and research I write in my articles was learned during my decade-plus tenure as a competitor and armorer with the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program.
Army Reserve wins International event
The annual Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration (CAFSAC) was held at the Connaught Ranges and Primary Training Centre through September 20, 2014. The event is an international marksmanship event organized by the Canadian Army on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and is designed to enhance shooting skills on various standard and dynamic ranges.
CAFSAC was first organized by the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association in La Prairie, Quebec in 1868 before moving to the Rideau Ranges, and later, to the Rockcliffe Ranges in the Ottawa area. The event has been held at the Connaught Ranges since 1921. Over 550 shooters and supporting staff participated this year, with teams representing active and reserve units, Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups, several Canadian police forces, as well as international teams from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
“CAFSAC is essential as it provides a venue for military personnel to test and hone their core soldier skills, combat fitness, and marksmanship.” said Lieutenant-General Marquis Haines, Commander Canadian Army. Major-General Jean-Marc Lanthier, Commander Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, added, “The Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration was created to improve marksmanship and small arms proficiency by providing a national-level event that develops a cadre of credible marksmanship experts. These core skills are essential for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and form the basis of having a well-led, well-prepared, and well-trained military.”
This year marks the return of the USAR Marksmanship Program to international combat competition and they did so becoming the CAFSAC 2014 Open Class Winning Four Man Pistol Team
MSG Espinosa, CW2 Knote, SSG Godel, and CPT Conners
MSG Espinosa was the 2014 CAFSAC Pistol Champion
High Overall Pistol Trophy
