Author Archives: John M. Buol Jr.

Army to Kill Marksmanship Test Shortcut that Made Soldiers Less Deadly

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMastery

The manual referenced below, TC 3-20.40, has (finally!) received final, official approval. The signed copy is imminent and will see an official release at https://armypubs.army.mil/ very shortly.

The individual qualifications the Army has been using since 1980 are no longer valid. Just as Army small arms training doctrine has completely replaced and improved, so too has the qualification process, scoring, and standards.

Chief, Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Luckey and Cmd. Sgt. Major Copeland have decreed the U.S. Army Reserve will be the most lethal, combat-ready Reserve force in American history. These changes move us to that goal. Get your unit and yourself prepared now.


The U.S. Army Reserve Marksmanship Program is ready to help you.

Army to Kill Marksmanship Test Shortcut that Made Soldiers Less Deadly

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/04/01/army-kill-marksmanship-test-shortcut-made-soldiers-less-deadly.html

By Matthew Cox
The U.S. Army’s new strategy to improve marksmanship will eliminate a shortcut that units use for individual weapon qualification — a long-standing practice that has eroded lethality over the years, infantry officials said.

Army officials at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia are awaiting final approval of the new marksmanship manual that will prepare the Army for a new, and much more challenging, qualification test.

The new course of fire — which forces soldiers to make faster decisions while firing from new positions — will drastically update the current, Cold War-era rifle qualification course. That course required soldiers to engage a series of pop-up targets at ranges out to 300 meters.

The stricter qualification standards will also do away with the practice of using the Alternate Course of Fire, or Alt. C, to satisfy the annual qualification requirement, Sgt. 1st Class John Rowland, marksmanship program director at Benning’s Infantry School, told Military.com.

Alt. C is an Army-approved 25-meter course in which soldiers shoot at targets scaled down in size to represent actual target sizes out to 300 meters. At that short range, however, the trajectory of the 5.56mm bullet is extremely flat and unaffected by wind, making it easier to score hits, experts say.

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Army Reserve Soldiers Selected for World Cup, Pan American Games

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMastery

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/1802734/army-reserve-soldiers-selected-for-world-cup-pan-american-games/

Army Reserve Soldiers competed among America’s best international shooters and earned several World Cup and Pan American Games slots. The USA Shooting Rifle/Pistol Spring Selection Match held at Fort Benning through March 30 tested a number of International Shooting Sport Federation competitive disciplines to determine which American shooters qualified to represent the United States at the World Cups in Beijing, China and Munich, Germany as well as the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

USA Shooting is the National Governing Body for ISSF competition in the United States and is chartered by the United States Olympic Committee. At the recent Selection Match, two current Army Reserve Marksmanship Program team members were selected for upcoming international competition.

Sgt. Nick Mowrer (308th MP Company) is a member of the Army World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson in Colorado. Sgt. Mowrer took first place in Men’s Air Pistol for selection to the Pan Am games, second place in Air Pistol for World Cup selection, and third place in Three-Position Smallbore for World Cup selection.

“I’m not yet a World Cup medalist but I have made the finals in both rifle and pistol in World Cup competition and have won a medal in Prone Rifle,” said Sgt. Mowrer. “I’m also Triple Distinguished and compete in Precision Pistol and High Power competition.”

Staff Sgt. Sandra Uptagrafft (98th Training Division) is a medical logistic specialist with the 4/518th Infantry Regiment and also a member of the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program. She took first place in Women’s Sport Pistol for World Cup selection and second for Pan Am games selection. Staff Sgt. Uptagrafft also recently won Silver medals in both the 25m Sport Pistol and 10m Air Pistol events during both the December Winter Airgun and Selection matches in Colorado.

Former Army Reserve Marksmanship Program member, Sgt. 1st Class (ret.) Keith Sanderson took first place in Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol for both the Pan Am and World Cup selection.

Army Reserve Soldiers Conduct Advanced Weapons Training

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve #WeaponsMastery

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1800993/army-reserve-soldiers-conduct-advanced-weapons-training/

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

The Army Reserve Marksmanship program held an invitational training, new event and equipment testing, and competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico March 18-23. Their emphasis was to prepare for upcoming competitions, such as the Army Forces Skill At Arms Meeting, an international Service Conditions event.

Several shooter-instructors with the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program conducted training for Army Reserve Soldiers based on different Service Conditions and Action shooting events. Among these trainers was Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Horner, currently assigned to Army Reserve Careers Division and a member of the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program whose civilian job is a professional shooter with Team SIG.

“Sgt. 1st Class Horner trained us during the event and it was great,” said Lt. Col. Scott Klawon of the 97th Training Brigade (100 Division), the officer in charge of the Service Conditions team and of the training event. “He is a professional shooter and coach and helped each person there. He was especially instrumental in close range speed shooting which our team has less expertise on.”

The event also featured testing new training events for the entire Army Reserve and equipment. “We had a chance to test a variety of equipment, both Army issue and other items of interest,” said Sgt. Maj. Raul Torres, the event noncommissioned officer in charge. “Getting feedback from skilled shooters on a marksmanship program rather than randomly-selected Soldiers is ideal.”

The results of this event will benefit all Army Reserve Soldiers. Information on the results of the training and testing will appear in future issues of Army Reserve Marksman, the quarterly newsletter on small arms training. The new courses are scheduled to be additions to the Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey Postal Match, a Chief, Army Reserve directed training event available to all Army Reserve units.

Having successful training requires a good place to train with helpful support. “Marine Corps Base Quantico was a very good place to train. Range control and S3 of the Marine Corps Weapons Training Battalion were very accommodating,” said Klawon.

As with most Marksmanship Program events, the training culminates with scored competitive events. Soldiers on the team have to produce good scores in order to demonstrate skills as superior small arms trainers and to be effective Team members. Sgt. 1st Class Sean Morris 83D MP Company under the 200th MP Command was the highest scoring Soldier at the event. He as also the first place Rifle shooter. Sgt. Devin Hughes of the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) under the 352nd Civil Affairs Command was the first place Pistol shooter.

New Small Arms Qualifications

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve

Change is coming. The U.S. Army Reserve needs to prepare now.

https://www.army.mil/article/218407/new_marksmanship_test_aims_to_create_more_realistic_environment

While it hasn’t received as much attention as the new Army physical fitness evaluation, the 40 targets on the rifle marksmanship range are also about to be engaged in a more combat-focused manner.

The U.S. Army released a set of Training Circulars that redacted the previous doctrine and established a new way to teach small arms skills. That was back in FY2016. If you or other Army personnel are still discussing “four fundamentals”, using silhouette targets for zeroing, and not implementing a Shot Process with a Peer and/or Experienced Coach, you’re three years behind the power curve.

This new doctrine is also redacting old qualifications with a more difficult and realistic course. TC 3-20.40 is pending publication and it revamps all individual weapon qualifications. Another Training Circular soon to follow will do the same with crew-served weapons.

The Army Reserve Marksmanship Program has already created material to help. The Army Reserve Marksman newsletter has article discussing this new doctrine. The World-wide Chief, Army Reserve Postal Matches has courses that can be conducted during routine group/zero and qualification without additional resources, making it an easy, fast, inexpensive, and effective way to practice the new doctrine and prepare for the new qualification.

Download the current Training Circulars and prepare today.

Army Reserve Soldiers Demonstrate Readiness at All Army

by John M. Buol Jr.

#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1788564/reservists-demonstrate-readiness-at-all-army/

The Army Marksmanship Unit held the 2019 All Army Small Arms Championships March 10-16 at Fort Benning. The training event was open to all Department of Army personnel and consisted of a mix small arms skills.

Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, Chief of the Army Reserve, has stated his vision of developing the most lethal, capable, and combat-ready Federal Reserve force in United States history. That can only happen when Reservists can demonstrate skill beyond elementary basics such as qualification.

Army Reservists from the marksmanship community demonstrated their ability to implement the CAR’s vision by winning numerous events among personnel from all branches and components of the Army. A team from Army Reserve Careers Division led by Sgt. Maj. James Mauer was the highest scoring for the entire event. Firing members included Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Horner, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Parker, Staff Sgt. Rafael Fuentes, and Sgt. Joseph Hall. This team was also second place for the Rifle and Pistol team aggregates.

“Our teams have had a good history with training events like All Army,” said Sgt. Maj. Mauer. “We also host similar events in conjunction with the Army Reserve Marksmanship Program to make this learning opportunity more accessible to Reservists.”

Individually, Reservists also won a number of events. Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Horner was the high overall individual, doing so by also taking first place in the Multigun event. Sgt. Christopher Liming of the 85th USAR Support Command was first place in Pistol overall and the National Match Course (Match 27) event. Staff Sgt. Sandra Uptagrafft of the 98th Training Division took first place among non-distinguished shooters in the Excellence In Competition pistol event (Match 221) and Maj. Thomas Bourne of the 80th Training Command was first place in the Director’s Pistol Match (29).

arcd team 1

Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship

by John M. Buol Jr.

#WomensHistoryMonth #WomensDay
https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1781009/linda-harris-memorial-scholarship

Master Sgt. George Harris, USAR, Ret., SIGARMS Academy co-founder and former Army Reserve Marksmanship Team member, announced the official launch of the Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship administered by the United States Concealed Carry Association.

“This fund will provide a means to create and further perpetuate the concept of female firearms instructors who in turn will bring more women into the shooting sports and personal defense arenas in the United States and around the world,” George Harris said. “The program will start by selecting a well deserving applicant to an all expenses paid class appropriate for their level of expertise. Initially, this will be self-funded by USCCA but will expand with industry support in the interest of bringing more women into the world of safe and successful use of firearms.”

Linda Harris, who passed away at age 68 on September 1, 2018, was well known in the firearms community as an outstanding instructor who dedicated herself and her career to training people to defend themselves and to encouraging women to get involved in the shooting sports. After George Harris co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, Linda joined on as the first female firearms instructor in the history of the company, teaching a variety of firearms-related subjects to men and women alike. She often instructed military personnel with her husband and performed range duties at Quantico and Fort Benning during matches. Often referred to as “The Boss Lady” by Soldiers and shooting team members that worked with, Linda held a command for respect that was immediate by all who knew her. After officially retiring in 2011, she continued teaching women in the proper use and safe handling of firearms for sporting and defensive use.

Applicants can begin by visiting the Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship website for additional information. All female firearms instructors, especially those in the Army Reserve, are encouraged to apply.

“No greater tribute could Linda have but to be able to have the work she was so passionate about carried on in her name with the same passion and effort that she exhibited,” George Harris said. “Pass this along and become a part of this movement to bring more women into our efforts to keep firearms as part of our heritage.”

Rifle and Carbine Assessment

by John M. Buol Jr.

SFC Jake Probst, USARCMP member and full-time educator, created a Rifle and Carbine Assessment. This quiz tests your knowledge of current Army small arms doctrine. It is open book and, as always, you are encouraged to use the manuals (https://armypubs.army.mil) to look up answers.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoqlnnI90Qt1cLZFdPnbS0CPk5gkdvEPvDWbP3eTGV3pFiOQ/viewform
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoqlnnI90Qt1cLZFdPnbS0CPk5gkdvEPvDWbP3eTGV3pFiOQ/viewform