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.
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.
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.”
Iowa National Guard Sgt. Brent Smith 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.
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.
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.
