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.
~ 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, 142nd 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 132nd 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. 1st 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 132nd 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.
~ 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.
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.
Article by Capt. Theresa L. Walker, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center and Photos by Master Sgt. Jonathan Brizendine, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center
ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – 15 National Guard sniper teams from across the U.S. gathered, along with four foreign ally nation’s sniper teams and six interservice sniper teams to train through competition in this year’s 46th Annual Winston P. Wilson (WPW) and 26th Annual Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meet (AFSAM) Sniper Championships hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ark. April 21-27, 2017.
The results were a fairly tight a shot group as riflemen say, which is quite a surprise considering this training competition is a blind shoot. Meaning competitors do not know what each course of fire is until they show up at each match, and they do not know the scores of each of their events until the very last day.
This year’s 2017 AFSAM matches resulted in the U.S. Army Sniper School, with 336 points, taking first place as well as Overall Sniper Champions. Taking second place, with 318 points, is U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry-West and third is the Army Warrior Training Center, with 312 points.
The WPW 2017 Champion Sniper Team is from Michigan National Guard, with 316 points. Taking second place is Iowa National Guard with 275 points, and third place is Arizona National Guard with 273 points.
Trophies, awards and winning is nice, however these competitions are so much more for these guys.
“This is a good opportunity to come to and hone those skills and see what you are proficient in and what you need to work on,” said Staff Sgt. Kenny Witt, NGMTC sniper instructor. “We have four different countries here this year, and they feel that it is good enough that they come over here as well.”
At the WPW and the AFSAM Sniper Championships, snipers from across the nation and the world have an excellent opportunity to train in those critical sniper skills, that they may not be able to train in at their home station.
“In the National Guard, due to the training one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year, training and getting the gun time they need to hone their skills and be proficient at marksmanship is not as much as you think it would be,” said Witt. “So, a competition like this gives them the ability to come get a lot of gun time, work on their skill craft, stalking, land nav, and high elevation shooting, which is something back at their home station they may not get to accomplish.”
Going to sniper school and passing doesn’t make a good sniper; it’s skills.
“Even though you go to the sniper school, doesn’t mean that you are a fully qualified skilled sniper,” Witt said. “Yeah, you have the identifier, but you are always continuing to learn and improve on those skills through out your career.”
Using training opportunities in competitions like this helps improve accuracy which is most important.
“The end goal is increased accuracy resulting in more troops coming home from deployments in one piece,” said Lt. Col. Todd Stuff, NGMTC administrative officer. “When that happens, we’re all winners.”
Take a look at the video link below to view some of the training conducted at this year’s Sniper 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.
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.
