Category Archives: Public Affairs Program

USAR Marksmanship Public Affairs Program

Competition Shooting in Special Operations

by John Buol

SGM (ret.) Patrick McNamara (1st SFG, SFOD-D) interviewed by LCDR (ret.) John “Jocko” Willink (SEAL Team 3) about shooting experience within special operations forces. While serving as his Unit’s Marksmanship NCO, SGM McNamara developed his own marksmanship club with NRA, CMP, and USPSA affiliations, running monthly IPSC matches and semi-annual military marksmanship championships to encourage marksmanship fundamentals and competitiveness throughout the Army. This is common throughout military special operations. All Army is an annual Service Conditions match held by the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, similar to Service Conditions matches held throughout all NATO and Commonwealth militaries.

https://armyreservemarksman.info/tung-nguyen-memorial-match/

3D SFG(A) Soldiers report that “Most members of SOF (Special Operations Forces) use competitive shooting as a training tool. Our gear looks like that used in 3-Gun because that sort of practical competition is how we set up equipment.”

Local Competition Heightens Soldier Readiness, Retention

by John Buol

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

Army Reserve Soldiers from 3-335th TSBn (85th Reserve Support Command) started an enhanced unit-level training program that utilizes participation in local competitions to build skills beyond Army qualification standards. The Southport Gun Club conducted an Open Sectional Indoor Pistol Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin open to the public and these Soldiers took advantage.

“Competitions like this embody the concept of promoting excellence at all levels,” said Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Matthew Fall. “I would like to see continued unit participation in these events.” This Open Sectional event coincided with the unit’s scheduled Battle Assembly, allowing Soldiers to participate in the evening after drill.

Unit leadership is using a Retention Via Readiness approach with a series of events throughout the fiscal year, using the stress of match conditions as a training tool and to prepare for the 2020 All Army Small Arms Championship. “I thought it was great shooting in the competition,” said Master Sgt. Cody Brunet. “It’s such a perishable skill, and it is amazing how adding a little stress with timed shooting can change everything.”

While team members had been given guidance on drills and techniques, team captain Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Rosendorn understood the benefit of exposing the team to the stress of shooting under actual match conditions. Moreover, the difficulty of the event’s particular shooting discipline was an excellent means of pushing individuals and moving them out of their comfort zones. “I was looking for a way to challenge our team members and was pleased with the level of enthusiasm among them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Rosendorn. “Additionally, I was thrilled with the hospitality of both the Southport Gun Club and the civilian competitors there that evening.”

After completing normal duties, these Soldiers traveled on their own to the event. The Southport Gun Club 2020 NRA Open Sectional Indoor .22LR Championship is part of a series of competitions held around the country and open to the public, with the results collected and posted to determine the overall national champion. The match is a 90 round Precision Pistol (Bullseye) match, shot entirely one-handed at scaled targets 50 feet away. “It was a humbling but fun experience,” Maj. David Zizkovsky. “You think that you are a pretty good shot, and then you have to try it one handed.”

https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/2067986/local-competition-heightens-soldier-readiness-retention/

DA EXORD-TC 3-20.40

by John Buol

DA EXORD-TC 3-20.40

Not later than October 2021, the Active, Army Reserve, and National Guard components implement the individual weapons training and qualification standards outlined in TC 3-20.40, as the test of record.

Intended End State. An individual weapons training strategy nested with the srm at echelon, provides a common language across all formations, and ensures efficient and effective use of time and resources, IOT build and sustain com bat ready maneuver forces prepared for operations across the conflict continuum.

Army implements TC 3-20.40 in three phases:

Phase 1, Transition and feedback
1 April 2019 – 30 September 2020.
Units begin transitioning to the Training and Qualification standards outlined in TC 3-20.40, and will provide feedback throughout implementation.

Key phase 1 tasks are:
Individual weapons qualifications that are executed for record using the legacy standards will remain valid for a period of up to 12-months from the date of execution (not to exceed 30 september 2021} for readiness purposes.

Early implementation of the qualification standards outlined in TC 3-20.40 is authorized for Record. Army commanders have discretion on which units under their command will conduct early implementation of the individual weapons standards.

Units will provide feedback, related to TC 3-20.40, directly to the Maneuver Center of Excellence, directorate of training and doctrine. Units will provide feedback, related to implementation concerns, directly to the USAIS.

Units will record TC 3-20.40 qualifications in DTMS, enabled unit data entry for TC 3-
20.40 individual weapons qualifications separate from legacy individual weapons qualifications by
end of 1st quarter FY20. DTMS will be prepared to provide data addressing Army, USAIS and command critical information requirements beginning end of 2nd quarter FY20 and continue to evolve TC 3-20.40.

Data collection and display reporting as needed during all TC 3-20.40 implementation phases.

Phase 2, Implementation
1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021
Army-wide implementation of the Individual weapons training and qualification standards outlined in TC 3-20.40.

Key phase 2 tasks are:
Beginning 1 October 2020, execution of individual weapons qualifications that are not in accordance with the standards outlined in TC 3-20.40 are not authorized for record.

NLT 30 September 2021, Active, Guard, and Reserve component units that did not execute early implementation must execute the standards outlined in TC 3-20.40 for record.

Standards outlined in TC 3-20.40 are appropriately incorporated into regulations, publications, forms, records, and school courses.

Phase 3
1 October 2021
All active army, national guard, and reserve components in compliance with standards outlined in TC 3-20.40.