2017 MAC 1 & 2 Marksmanship Championships

Vermont Guardsmen outshoot rest of regions 1 & 2 in marksman competition
~Over 100 Soldiers and Airmen compete in the MAC Regional Eastern Conference

By Sgt. Joshua Frick, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

Event Photos      Ceremony Photos     Results

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pennsylvania – The National Guard held the Marksmanship Advisory Council region one and two small arms championship at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania near Hershey, Pennsylvania 24-27 August 2017.

National Guard Soldiers from Vermont Team Alpha took 1^st Place in the overall competition, and Pennsylvania National Guard natives Team Alpha took home 2^nd place overall. They competed against 112 fellow Guardsmen from 21 teams over 4 days for the honors.

The training offers shooters a chance to train in the operationalization of shooting, engaging targets from multiple positions, including the sitting, kneeling, standing, moving and running positions.

During the four-day competition, the competitors shot over 20,000 rounds of 5.56mm and 12,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

While the championship offered the teams a chance at a little friendly, inter-state rivalry, the training value and camaraderie gained during the matches is immeasurable.

For some of these Soldiers, it doesn’t end at being a prime marksman and just competing in shooting competitions. A select number of them are, also, mentors that teach advanced marksmanship skills to Soldiers and Airmen across the nation as experts in the small arms weapons field.

Most of these Soldiers spend their own time, money and fuel to go out and practice on their own for these competitions. Getting to see their improvement over the course of these matches and getting rewarded for placing in the top percentile for their efforts is a great thing. These improvements are often lessons learned from the past that they can then take back to their units and can be taught to improve unit operational readiness.

MAC 1 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. Vermont, Team A
2. New Hampshire, Team A
3. Vermont, Team B

Rifle Team Aggregate Champions

1. Vermont, Team A
2. Massachusetts, Team B
3. New Hampshire, Team A

Pistol Team Aggregate Champions

1. Vermont, Team A
2. Vermont, Team B
3. New Hampshire, Team A

Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE

1. SPC John Walsh, Maine
2. SPC Lucas Duncan, New Hampshire
3. SSgt Patrick Glennon, Connecticut

Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN

1. SGT Maxim Nickerson, Vermont
2. SGT Robert Tucker, Vermont
3. SFC Peter Uliana, Massachusetts

Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. SPC John Walsh, Maine
2. SSgt Patrick Glennon, Connecticut
3. MSG James Kendall, New Hampshire

Individual Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SGT Maxim Nickerson, Vermont
2. SGT Robert Tucker, Vermont
3. SFC Peter Uliana, Massachusetts

Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. SPC John Walsh, Maine
2. SSgt Robert Marciniak, Vermont
3. SFC Richard Saffo, Vermont

Individual Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SGT Robert Tucker, Vermont
2. SGT Maxim Nickerson, Vermont
3. SSgt Justin Oddy, Vermont

MAC 2 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. Pennsylvania, Team A
2. Virginia, Team A
3. Delaware, Team B

Rifle Team Aggregate Champions

1. Virginia, Team A
2. Pennsylvania, Team A
3. Delaware, Team B

Pistol Team Aggregate Champions

1. Pennsylvania, Team A
2. Virginia, Team A
3. Delaware, Team A

Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE

1. SGT Albert Whitlock, Delaware
2. SSG Lawrence Smithson, Virginia
3. SSG Sean Kelly, Pennsylvania

Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN

1. SMSgt Edward Altmeyer, Pennsylvania
2. LTC Phillip Peters, Pennsylvania
3. SGT Alexandra Wilson, Virginia

Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. SGT Albert Whitlock, Delaware
2. SGT Lloyd Layfield, Delaware
3. SSG Lawrence Smithson, Virginia

Individual Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SMSgt Edward Altmeyer, Pennsylvania
2. SGT John Miller, Virginia
3. SSG Lee Beauchamp, Delaware

Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. SSG Lawrence Smithson, Virginia
2. SGT Albert Whitlock, Delaware
3. Sr Airman Robert Lydic, Pennsylvania

Individual Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SMSgt Edward Altmeyer, Pennsylvania
2. LTC Phillip Peters, Pennsylvania
3. SGT Alexandra Wilson, Virginia

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE “SUPER MAC” SCORES

Rifle Team Champion

1. Virginia, Team A, MAC 2
2. Pennsylvania, Team A, MAC 2
3. Vermont, Team A, MAC 1

Pistol Team Champion

1. Pennsylvania, Team A, MAC 2
2. Vermont, Team A, MAC 1
3. Virginia, Team A, MAC 2

Individual Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion

1. SMSgt Edward Altmeyer, Pennsylvania, MAC 2
2. SGT Maxim Nickerson, Vermont, MAC 1
3. SGT Robert Tucker, Vermont, MAC 1

Team Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion

1. Pennsylvania, Team A, MAC 2
2. Vermont, Team A, MAC 1
3. Virginia, Team A, MAC 2

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2017 MAC 3 & 5 Regional Competition

18 State National Guards compete in combined regional training competition
~ National Guard operationalized shooting     
by Master Sgt. Robin Brown, Tennessee National Guard

Event photos             Award ceremony photos            Results

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from two different regions met at the Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma, Tenn., August 18 and 19 for the annual regional marksmanship training match.

The Marksmanship Advisory Council (MAC) region matches are designed to provide a combat focused marksmanship sustainment training event in seven different regions nationwide. The matches consist of battle focused marksmanship sustainment exercises, designed to validate and sustain perishable marksmanship skills essential to mobilization readiness and success.

“This is taking that next step in individual quality,” said Maj. Gen. Max Haston, the adjutant general for Tennessee. “I love that this is a joint endeavor and appreciate all who have come out to train and take your knowledge back with you to teach others.”

Normally, the two regions compete separately, but due to limited funding this year, regions three and five were combined as the Central Conference, which has been deemed a “Super MAC.”

“Bringing the states together was a win-win for the program,” said Maj. Dwayne Page, chief of competitions for National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in Arkansas. “Not only does it save money, it is also an opportunity to grow relationships and experience different shooting situations.”

“It is neat to shoot with another region; it’s another group to learn from,” said Tech. Sgt. Chauncey Reed, 188^th Wing, Arkansas National Guard. “It ran smoothly and was a more effective use of assets.”

The “Super MAC” consisted of several courses of fire that incorporated pistol and rifle training. Although both regions participated together, they were still scored independently to maintain the integrity of the matches by region.

Region three consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands.

Region five is composed of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

Tennessee hosts region three’s competition every year. Arkansas is home to the national level Winston P. Wilson match held annually at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center near Little Rock.

Combining the regions this year made a positive impact overall.

“We need to do more of this,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harris, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Tennessee National Guard. “This is a great opportunity to bring the states together and train together.”

“Here, I’m surrounded by great mentors and instructors. It builds a sense of accomplishment and confidence,” said Page.

That feeling was echoed by Reed, “They may know something I don’t; we make each other better.”

Even those within the same region enjoy getting out to a different state to sharpen their skills.

“I like that we have the ability to shoot farther distances in Tennessee,” said Sgt. Patrick Stuckey, B Company, 1/118^th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard. This was his first time at the regional competition. He added, “It is a good range that offers different courses of fire. The range staff and cadre were very professional and pleasant.”

“Marksmanship is a learned skill. It takes hard work and practice,” said Reed. “This level of training is to practice accuracy on such a level that is about more than just hitting a target, but hitting exactly where you are aiming.”

MAC 3 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. South Carolina
2. Tennessee, Team A
3. Kentucky, Team A

Rifle Team Aggregate Champions

1. Tennessee, Team A
2. South Carolina
3. Kentucky, Team A

Pistol Team Aggregate Champions

1. South Carolina
2. Tennessee, Team A
3. Tennessee, Team B

Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE

1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. TSgt Jeffrey Stanley, Kentucky
3. SGT David Drummer, Kentucky

Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN

1. SFC David Keenom, Tennessee
2. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
3. MSG Edwin Garcia, Kentucky

Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. TSgt Jeffrey Stanley, Kentucky
3. SSG Justyn Melendez, Kentucky

Individual Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. MSG Edwin Garcia, Kentucky
3. MAJ Glenn Jackson, Tennessee

Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. SGT David Drummer, Kentucky
3. SGT Dwight Bushong, Kentucky

Individual Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SFC David Keenom, Tennessee
2. SSG Christopher Cudd, South Carolina
3. MAJ Glenn Jackson, Tennessee

MAC 5 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. Missouri, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Arkansas, Team A

Rifle Team Aggregate Champions

1. Arkansas, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Missouri, Team A

Pistol Team Aggregate Champions

1. Missouri, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Arkansas, Team A

Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE

1. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
2. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
3. SSG Jacom Benitz, Missouri

Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN

1. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri
2. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa
3. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas

Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
2. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
3. SGT Jeffrey Roloff, Iowa

Individual Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SSG James Maynard, Arkansas
2. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas
3. SSG Brandon Pedersen, Nebraska

Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
2. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
3. SSG Jacom Benitz, Missouri

Individual Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa
2. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri
3. CPT Travis Wahlmeier, Nebraska

 

CENTRAL CONFERENCE “SUPER MAC” SCORES

Rifle Team Champion

1. Arkansas, Team A, MAC 5
2. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5
3. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5

Pistol Team Champion

1. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5
2. South Carolina, MAC 3
3. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5

Individual Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion

1. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri, MAC 5
2. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa, MAC 5
3. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas, MAC 5

Team Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion

1. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5
2. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5
3. Arkansas, Team A, MAC 5

2017 MAC 6 & 7 Regional Marksmanship Competition

North Dakota and Colorado National Guard Soldiers win the MAC VI and VII Regionals
~ National Guard operationalized shooting

by Major Theresa Austin, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

 Event Photos           Ceremony Photos          Results

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyoming – National Guard soldiers from western half of the United States gathered at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming to compete in regional operational marksmanship training championships 14-17 August, 2017.

This year due to budget constraints Marksmanship Advisory Council (MAC) Regions six and seven were combined as the Western Conference, which has been referred to as a “Super MAC.”

“Bringing the states together was a win-win for the program,” said Maj. Dwayne Page, chief of competitions for National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in Arkansas. “Not only does it save money, it is also an opportunity to grow relationships and experience different shooting situations.”

North Dakota took first place overall in MAC VI as well as the overall Western Conference winner, while the Colorado team first place overall in MAC VII. North Dakota competitors, also, claimed champion in every category, as well as the Western Conference Overall Aggregate Team and Individual Champions.

MAC 6 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. North Dakota, Team A
2. North Dakota, Team A
3. Wyoming, Team A

Individual Aggregate Champion OPEN

1. SPC Tyrel Hoppe, North Dakota
2. SGT Andrew Maley, North Dakota
3. SSgt Adam Witte, South Dakota

Individual Aggregate Champion NOVICE

1. A1C Gaven Rook, North Dakota
2. SPC Kurt Needham, Wyoming
3. SPC Drew Topp, North Dakota

Combat Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. A1C Gaven Rook, North Dakota
2. SPC Kurt Needham, Wyoming
3. SPC Drew Topp, North Dakota

Combat Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SPC Tyrel Hoppe, North Dakota
2. SGT Andrew Maley, North Dakota
3. MSG Timothy Smith, Wyoming

Combat Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. A1C Gaven Rook, North Dakota
2. SPC Drew Topp, North Dakota
3. SPC Kurt Needham, Wyoming

Combat Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SPC Tyrel Hoppe, North Dakota
2. SMSgt Peter Sheperd, Oregon
3. SPC Thomas Carpenter, South Dakota

MAC 7 SCORES

Team Grand Aggregate Champions

1. Colorado, Team A
2. New Mexico, Team A
3. Utah, Team A

Individual Aggregate Champion OPEN

1. SPC Michael Goulet, California
2. SFC Christopher Catlin, Colorado
3. SPC Jeremy McCombs, Colorado

Combat Rifle Champion NOVICE

1. SGT Cameron Carpenter, New Mexico
2. SFC Rick Hone, Utah
3. SFC Benjamin Jacobson

Combat Rifle Champion OPEN

1. SFC Christopher Catlin, Colorado
2. SPC Jeremy McCombs, Colorado
3. SFC Jeremy Jackson, New Mexico

Combat Pistol Champion NOVICE

1. SFC Rick Hone, Utah
2. SGT Cameron Carpenter, New Mexico
3. SSG Michael Galvin, Colorado

Combat Pistol Champion OPEN

1. SPC Michael Goulet, California
2. MSG Kirk Holmer, Utah
3. SGT Ivan Varela, New Mexico

WESTERN CONFERENCE SCORES

Team Pistol-Rifle Champions

1. North Dakota, Team A, MAC 6
2. South Dakota, Team A, MAC 6
3. Wyoming, Team A, MAC 6

Individual Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion

1. SPC Tyrel Hoppe, North Dakota, MAC 6
2. SGT Andrew Maley, North Dakota, MAC 6
3. SSG Adam Witte, South Dakota, MAC 6

DTS issues affect voucher process

by Theresa Austin, Maj. National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

GUERNSEY, Wyoming- National Guard marksmanship competitors and support staff who participated in marksmanship events in June and July will have a huge delay receiving travel reimbursement if they submitted their vouchers with missing documents or errors.

Normally, the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) has been able to assist the service members with making necessary corrections, however the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) recently sent out a notice announcing that they launched a new version of the Defense Travel System (DTS) that has now eliminated the NGMTC’s DTS reviewers’ ability make edits and upload needed documents.

Fixing these two major issues now falls on the service members or their NDEAs (Non-Duty Entry Agent) to fix, and the NGMTC reviewing officials will have to review all vouchers and then return all affect vouchers back to the service members, which will take some time due to the high volume of vouchers required to process.

The NGMTC resolution for the issues below is that all affected DTS Vouchers will be returned to the individual service member with a remark on the digital signature page that will specify the required corrections needed. Service members or NDEAs will need to make the appropriate changes, upload all required supporting documents and then resubmit their vouchers back to the NGMTC Finance for processing.

The NGMTC finance team will attempt to contact service members or the units to inform them of the new changes and explain the new required steps to successfully resubmit their DTS Vouchers.

Here are more details about the issues from the DTMO notices received by the NGMTC finance team/ DTS reviewers:

Issue 1: The receipts that were attached to documents prior to July 29, 2017 may improperly appear as “Missing”. DTMO Operations is working to restore the receipts. Receipts that are “missing” in documents currently routing for approval should be re-attached to ensure that they are available to be viewed by the routing officials.

Issue 2: On Friday, August 11, 2017, a software release was implemented in DTS that consolidated the current expense screens and introduced new receipt functionalities. In doing so, DTS routing officials and reviewers no longer have the capability of uploading files into the Substantiating Documents tab. It is now the responsibility of the traveler / service member to upload or attach all documents into DTS.

The finance team points of contact are Finance Operations NCO Sgt. Taja Lewis at taja.l.lewis.mil@mail.mil; and Senior Financial Management Technician, Sgt. 1st Class Khuong Tieu at khuong.q.tieu.mil@mail.mil.

 

MACs are back: Super-sized!

by Theresa Austin, Maj. National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Arkansas- Found some change in the seat cushions and the MACs are back: super-sized. We’re not talking “Golden Arches Value Menu Big Mac,” but rather the National Guard Marksmanship Advisory Counsel (MAC) regional marksmanship competitions for 2017.

Stretching the dollars, the NGMTC has combined the MAC regional competitions into three conference matches at three different locations, allowing for every state in each region to send two (four man teams).

• 14-17 August 2017 – Camp Guernsey, WY (MAC VI and MAC VII)
• 17-20 August 2017 – Tullahoma, TN (MAC III and MAC V)
• 24-27 August 2017 – Fort Indiantown Gap, PA (MAC I and MAC II)

Official Match Programs (OMP) will soon follow.

Start submitting requests for orders (RFOs) to the NGMTC Mailbox. There is very little reaction time, so please submit the RFOs as soon as possible. Do not CC your RFOs to anyone at the NGMTC. Send them directly to the mailbox to eliminate confusion on our end.

ANG funding is not available. I suggest working with your wing commanders to support the ANG shooters. If any funds come available we will announce it. If a wing does fund shooters, please provide the NGMTC with an RFO noting that the wing is funding them, so we can track who is attending.  This will eliminate confusion.

Please forward any questions to your appointed MAC reps.

 

Iowa Guard outshoots rest of country in national marksmanship competition

By Sgt. Garrett L. Dipuma, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – More than 300 U.S. Army and Air National Guard marksmen from 47 states and territories competed in the 46th annual Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championship at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at the Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, July 23-27.

“The WPW matches test the full range of shooting skills, from precise long range shots that demand discipline and patience to rapid reaction engagements at close range that demand quick, decisive action,” said Col. Dennis Humphrey, the officer in charge of NGMTC. “This is not a competition for specialists in a single event. The teams that compete and hope to win here must excel from one end of that spectrum to the other.”

Iowa’s A team, comprised of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Deugan, Staff Sgt. Karl John, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Waechter and Sgt. Brent Smith, took the all-state trophy with a total rank score of 50. Wisconsin’s A team followed in 2nd place with 69 points, and Illinois’ A team took third with 73 points

Although Iowa’s team came in 1st place among all of the states, two shooters distinguished themselves from all of the individual marksmen who competed.

Deugan, a veteran in these competitions, and Smith, who competed in the novice category, both made several trips to the stage during the awards ceremony to accept multiple first place trophies in individual events. Deugan has only missed four of these matches over the past 11 years, due to deployments.

“I’ve shot on the All Guard Combat Team for about a year and a half now,” said Deugan. “With the experience I’ve gained from going to England and Canada last year, I had a lot more time behind a gun practicing and training with the best marksmen in the National Guard.”

Smith said that he started his Army marksmanship career last year and that he was glad that he was able to progress to a national match so quickly. “The key to being successful is to watch the old guys,” he said. “I just watch them to pick up on any tips or tricks they can give me.”

South Carolina National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Eric Lawrence fires a pistol at the Winston P. Wilson Small Weapons Championship at Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, July 25, 2017. Elite Guardsmen from 47 states and territories are competing to be recognized as the Guard’s best marksmen July 23-28. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Garrett L. Dipuma, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center)

The WPW, usually held in April, was held in July this year. The three-month delay brought on much hotter weather than usual. Temperatures soared over 100 degrees at the peak of every day, but the competitors slogged through the hot, muggy weather to continue with the match.

The NGMTC holds four other national competitions every year, including the Armed Forces Skills at Arms Meeting (a multi-national competition), a sniper competition, the Chief National Guard Bureau Postal Match and a light machine gun match.

“Although highly competitive, the WPW matches are not games. They are an objective assessment of the top products of our marksmanship training throughout the force,” said Humphrey. “They validate what works and they identify what does not work. With that information, we can optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of our training throughout the total force.”

National Guard competitors sprint to the firing line at the Winston P. Wilson Small Weapons Competition at Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, July 27, 2017. Elite Guardsmen from 47 states and territories are competing to be recognized as the Guard’s best marksmen July 23-28. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Garrett L. Dipuma, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center)

In addition to holding competitions, the NGMTC also teaches several marksmanship courses to National Guardsmen from around the country. These courses include Squad Designated Marksman, Sniper School and the Small Arms Weapons Course.

Deugan, who is the state marksman coordinator for Iowa, and Humphrey both stressed the need for proper training to be a good marksman whether a Troop plans to compete or not.

“There’s always been a mystique, this myth of the American Soldier as this magical marksmen,” said Humphrey. “Natural talent for shooting only goes so far. It takes the education piece of it as well.”

For nearly half of a century, the WPW matches have shown that the National Guard is a formidable force when it comes to deadly accurate marksmanship. Most of the top competitors have attended at least one of the courses offered at NGMTC, and some of those marksmen are members of the prestigious President’s 100, which is made up of the top 100 shooters in the country and is open to military personnel and civilians.

“The key to success is focusing on the details and getting proper instruction, because you don’t know what you don’t know,” said Deugan. “Day one of SDM, the first thing I heard was to forget what I’ve been taught about about marksmanship.” He said that even though he was stubborn when it came to changing his technique when he began training as an Army marksman, the advice from the NGMTC instructors ultimately made him the decorated marksman he is today.

*In a previous release, we reported that Vermont won first place in the state championship. Due to computer errors, this was incorrect and has been rectified.

The award photos

The news video

The 46th WPW Small Arms Wrap up Video

46th WPW Results

 

MAC regional championships postponed

by Theresa Austin, Maj. National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – MAC Regional Championships are postponed, due to the split of WPW, unless additional funding is received in fourth quarter.

The NGMTC and MAC region representatives teleconferenced today to devise a few courses of action should we receive additional funding. The NGMTC remains hopeful that the funding will come through, however we will have to cancel this year’s MAC regional championships should the funding not come through.

More to follow, as the budget unfolds through the remainder of this year.

Increasing readiness levels through use of the CNGB Postal Matches

~ 2017 CNGB Phase III Postal Match Championship Results

 By Maj. Theresa L. Austin, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. —

Over 50 excited shooters gathered from across the nation to compete in the phase three portion of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Postal Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) held at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. May 21-25, 2017.

Competitors were selected from state OML results from Phase I and II, which resulted in a variety of shooters ranging from state trainers, to those far outside the scope of their MOS.

3 Gun Match – Sr. Airman Nathan Smyly, 142^nd Special Forces, Oregon National Guard, fires at long range paper targets from a helicopter platform during the Three Gun Match part of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Phase III Postal Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) held at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. May 21-25, 2017.

Almost every Soldier and Airmen interviewed, said they were excited to be here, because they learn so many valuable skills and techniques that they are able to take back to their state and share with others.

Sr. Airman Nathan Smyly with the 142nd Special Forces, Oregon National Guard, said “I’m getting paid to shoot; can’t get any better than that!”

One tip he offers up to all service members is to be familiar with your gear, so you don’t have to look at it in combat.

“Being familiar with your gear is an important part, because you need to quickly access different pieces and some can get in the way of others,” said Smyly. “ In real life, where you could get injured, you don’t have time to take your eyes off of your target, so you have to learn your equipment to reload quicker.”

Music without mercy– Spc. Jennifer Trotnow with the 132^nd Army Band, Wisconsin National Guard, loads a slug round into a shotgun during the 3 Gun Match, of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Phase III Postal Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) held at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. May 21-25, 2017.

He continued, “If anyone has the opportunity to come out here, it’s a good test with your weapon and to keep up your weapon skills.”

To provide the best weapon skills training while in a competition setting is why the National Guard All Guard Team served as the range staff for the CNGB, according to Maj. Dwayne Page, NGMTC chief of competitions.

“The All Guard Team is important, because they are comprised of the best shooters in the world,” said Page. “Having them running the competition provides the opportunity for them to train others and make on the spot corrections to improve the competitors techniques.”

“Competitions are good to have, because we gain knowledge to take back to our state,” said Sgt. 1^st Class Edward Cole, with the Small Arms Readiness Training Section (SARTS) in the Kentucky National Guard, who is a first time competitor at the CNGB. “All of our team, here, are SARTS trainers in Kentucky, and being here gives us good info to take back for training other new shooters.”

Here for the second year in a row is an all female team from the Wisconsin National Guard’s 132nd Army Band, and they said they attend training, here, because they are trying to improve in marksmanship.

Spc. Jennifer Trotnow with the 132nd said, “It is fun to keep learning and improving in something we don’t get to do all the time and is a lot different from our MOS.”

Trotnow is a middle school band instructor on the civilian side. She said, “the students know I’m in the National Guard, but were surprised that I shoot, and that we have an all girl team.”

The bullets sound off– Spc. Jennifer Trotnow with the 132^nd Army Band, Wisconsin National Guard, sounds off sending bullets down range in the 3 Gun Match, during the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Phase III Postal Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) held at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. May 21-25, 2017.

“When shooting we are all held to the same standard,” says Trotnow.

Regardless of gender or military job, service members must be able to shoot to maintain readiness.

“Learning known and unknown distance training, how to properly hold the weapon and shoot from a stable platform and varying weight platforms, all help with first time go’s when qualifying with your weapon,” said Cole.

The bottom line, as Cole said, “Competitions help us with our readiness levels.”

At the end of a long week, all competitors, instructors, and staff gathered to see who are the top CNGB shooters.RESULTS:

CNGB Postal Match Overall Individual Champion: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Lintz, Nebraska National Guard, with a combined score of 2525-31X

CNGB Postal Match Overall Individual

Champion: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Lintz, Nebraska National Guard, combined score of 2525-31X

Overall 2nd place: Staff Sgt. Micah Fulmer, Colorado National Guard, combined score of 2474-28X

Overall 3rd place: Sgt. 1st Class Williams Thorpe, Illinois National Guard, combined score 2460 24X

CNGB Postal Match Individual Rifle
Champion: Capt. Andrew Hahn, Tennessee National Guard, with a combined score of 1538-9X

CNGB Individual Rifle

Champion: Capt. Andrew Hahn, Tennessee National Guard, combined score of 1538-9X

2nd  place: Staff Sgt. Micah Fulmer, Colorado National Guard, combined score of 1519-16X

3rd place: Spc. Austin Norcross, Colorado National Guard, combined score of 1513-19X

CNGB Postal Match Individual Pistol
Champion: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Lintz, Nebraska National Guard, combined score of 1650-12X

Individual Pistol

Champion: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Lintz, Nebraska National Guard, combined score of 1650-12X

2nd place: Spc. Thomas Carpenter, South Dakota National Guard, combined score of 1577-17X

3rd place: Sgt. 1st Class Edward Cole, Kentucky National Guard, combined score of 1523-12X

Take a look at the video link below to view some of the training conducted at this year’s CNGB Championships. Also, for more information about getting involved, contact Maj. Dwayne Page 501-212-4531 or visit us on the web at https://ngmtc.wordpress.com.

2017 CNGB in Review Video

Photos in Flickr

Results Bulletin

Win-Win for All Guard team and 39th Brigade Support Battalion

~ NGMTC conducts live rehearsals with 39th BSB, Ark. National Guard

by Theresa Austin, Capt. National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – A random phone call about targets, led to the 39th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) fulltime staff receiving first class training from the elite shooters of the National Guard’s All Guard Marksmanship Team prior to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Phase Three Postal Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. May 18, 2017.

The All Guard Team was scheduled to conduct range rehearsals prior to the CNGB, then Maj. Dwayne Page, NGMTC chief of competitions, received a phone call asking for assistance with targets. After a brief conversation, he offered that the 39th BSB of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), let the All Guard team practice range rehearsing and training with their Soldiers, therefore allowing the 39th BSB to focus on conducting their annual fulltime arming qualification requirements.

“Working with the 39th BSB gave us the opportunity to work out kinks before we have several National Guard Soldiers on ground from across the nation,” said Page. “This was also a good opportunity for the Arkansas National Guard to see the capabilities of the All Guard Team members, and receive training on Soldier tasks they have never been taught before.”

The 39th BSB staff was very grateful for this opportunity to receive their training from the All Guard Team.

“I wish we could have them come out and teach the whole unit,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaughter, Charlie Company, 39th BSB supply NCO. Staff Sgt. Shandy Erisman, Bravo Company, 39th BSB training NCO, also, said, “The whole unit could benefit from this training.”

Sgt. Mandi York, Headquarters Company, 39th BSB personnel NCO could definitely testify to the quality training they are able to provide.

“I have not qualified the last two years,” said York, “but with this instruction I finally qualified. The instructors were all attentive and patient; letting you try over and over until you got it right.”

 

Not only did the less experienced shooters gain confidence, but the experienced shooters also took away new techniques and skills.

“I shoot expert always,” said Erisman, “but the PMI they taught me on my M4 is the opposite of what I was taught in basic training, and used about half of what they taught me today. I have been taught for 18 years not to rest the magazine on the ground, but they taught us to do that and hold the magazine well, which made me more comfortable shooting and made me more relaxed, when I am normally stressed about it.”

Resting the magazine on the ground and gripping the magazine well, was recently added to the regulation after research conducted by a former member of the All Guard Team, Mark Richards, who proved this to be a beneficial technique.

Not only were the instructors knowledgeable, but were patient, working specifically with each person to address their individual needs.

“One of my weaknesses was pistol grip, and they assisted with adapting my grip to fit my needs, since I have small hands,” said Staff Sgt. Athena Staples, Headquarters Company, 39th BSB operations NCO. “And with the M4,” she continued, “they moved my ACOG and taught me about the white and black shadows when looking through the optic, and how to adjust your cheek position based on the shadowing.”

This one on one coaching helped out the 39th BSB Soldiers, from their most skilled marksman to the Soldiers who had been struggling.

“This allowed the 39th BSB to increase their training time and receive premiere training from the All Guard Team,” said Page, “but, this was also, an opportunity for the All Guard Team, who needed to check their teaching methods, to see if they could do them more expeditiously and effectively, prior to moving into the CNGB. At the CNGB, they would be working with many more Soldiers and trying to get them on and off the range quickly.”

“Overall, this was a win-win situation,” said Page.

For more information about getting involved, contact Maj. Dwayne Page 501-212-4531 or visit us on the web at https://ngmtc.wordpress.com.

For more photos visit our Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHskW5exJX.

 

AFSAM 2017 Results- cross-training & exposure

~ 26th AFSAM Small Arms Championship Results

 By Staff Sgt. Adrian Borunda, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. —Sixty-four soldiers and airmen from across the country and from allied nations took aim at being the top shot at the 26th annual Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting (AFSAM) here April 23-28.

Top marksmen from the United States, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom competed shoulder-to-shoulder on four-man teams testing their skills with multiple matches and different weapons systems to include pistols, rifles and shotguns.

The National Guard Marksmanship Training Center hosts the annual training competition to continue emphasis on basic and advanced marksmanship at all levels of the armed forces. The AFSAM, also, helps build working relationships with our allied nations.

“It’s not every day that we get to train with internationals in an International competition,” said Lieutenant Matthew Clancey a marksman from the Canadian Armed Forces shooting team. “So, it’s a great opportunity for us to come to a different environment, see different match conditions, and the way that you handle and use the weapons.”

The range of knowledge found at this high level of competition is as vast and teeming to be tapped into.

“It’s out here that the marksmanship training center pits those top-notch shooters from all the states, military branches and other countries,” said Col. Dennis Humphrey, Director of the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center.

“It’s a privilege,” Clancey said. “They get an an opportunity to train at a level that they otherwise wouldn’t otherwise get to train in their homelands.”

Opportunities to train with our allies is rare, however critical when in a combat situation.

“We operate in a joint environment when we are down range,” Humphrey said. “It’s important that these branches and partner nations get together to build relationships, so you can trust the soldier or airmen to the left and right of you.”

Competitors from other nations also appreciated this opportunity to train in a joint environment.

“Working together gives us exposure to them,” said Clancey. “Talking about the way we use our tactics, the way we use our firearms, and and the different ways that we operate in a combat environment. The cross training and working with other countries at such a professional level allows us to up our game.”

Competitors and coaches worked their way through a variety of matches that challenged every shooter from veteran to newcomer.

“When you see the level of competitors out here, the Americans and Canadian, they are taking it proper seriously, it does get a little nerve racking,” Daniel Jenkins, a marksman with the United Kingdom Royal Air Force Regiment shooting team, and first time competitor in the AFSAM.

Long days on the range and thousands of rounds expended, all the marksmen came together to find out who were the top shooters.

RESULTS:

Overall Indvidual Champion- Senior Master Sgt. Edward Altmeyer, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha

Overall Individual

Champion: Senior Master Sgt. Edward Altmeyer, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha, combined score of 1375 17x’s

Overall 2nd place: Sgt. Justus Densmore, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha, combined score of 1371 13 x’s

Overall 3rd place: Sgt. Brandon Swanson, U.S. All Guard Team Bravo, combined score 1350 18 x’s

Individual Rifle Champion- Cpl. Michael Aube, Canadian Armed Forces

Individual Rifle

Champion: Corporal Michael Aube, Canadian Armed Forces, combined score of 837 with 8x’s

2nd  place: Corporal Jean Fancois Doucet, Canadian Armed Forces, combined score of 818 with 5 x’s

3rd place: Sgt. David Fenwick, British Army Reserve Operational Shooting Team, combined score of 815 5x’s

Individual Pistol Champion- Senior Master Sgt. Edward Altmeyer, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha

Individual Pistol

Champion: Senior Master Sgt. Edward Altmeyer, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha, combined score of 767 13 x’s

2nd place: Sgt. Justus Densmore, U.S. All Guard Team Alpha, combined score of 759 11 x’s

3rd place: Sgt. Brandon Swanson, U.S. All Guard Team Bravo, combined score of 739, 10 x’s

 

Overall Team Rifle

Overall Team Rifle Champions- Canadian Armed Forces Team Alpha

Champion: Canadian Armed Forces Team Alpha (Cpl. Michael Aube, Cpl. Jean-Francois Doucet, Cpl. Jonathan Palmer, Cpl. Matheu Valcour) combined score of 2444

2nd place: Canadian Armed Forces Team Bravo (Warrant Officer Luke Foster, Sgt. Jesse Hall, Cpl. John Herriot, Cpl. William Rayment) combined score of 2213

3rd place: U.K. British Army Reserve Operational Shooting Team Red (Maj. Michael Oliver, Sgt. David Fenwick, Cpl. James Deville, Cpl. Lisa Ingram) combined score of 2204

 

Overall Team Pistol

Overall Team Pistol Champions- U.S. All Guard Team Alpha

Champion: U.S. All Guard Team Alpha (Sr. Master Sgt. Edward Altmeyer, Pennsylvania. NG; Staff Sgt. Michael Richey, Missouri NG; Staff Sgt. Jacob Blount, Illinois NG; Sgt. Justus Densmore, Texas NG) combined score of 3031

2nd place: U.S. All Guard Team Bravo (1st Lt. Garrett Miller, Pennsylvania. NG; Sgt. 1st Class Paul Deugan, Iowa NG; Sgt. 1st Class David Keenom, Tennessee NG; Sgt. Brandon Swanson, Wisconsin NG) combined score of 2981

3rd place: U.S. Army Reserve Team Blue (Lt. Col. Scott Klawon, New York; Master Sgt. Lance Espinosa, Washington; Staff Sgt. Chris Kizanis, Idaho; Sgt. Benjamin Mercer, Arkansas) combined score of 2728

For the full results, and more information about AFSAM and the NGMTC visit ngmtc.wordpress.com.

Take a look at the video link below to view some of the training conducted at this year’s AFSAM Championships. Also, for more information about getting involved, contact Maj. Dwayne Page 501-212-4531 or visit us on the web at https://ngmtc.wordpress.com.

2017 AFSAM in Review Video