USAMU Soldiers Pile Up Medals
By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO
FORT BENNING, Ga.— -(AmmoLand.com)- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit began to close out yet another successful competitive season by winning multiple medals at a number of matches recently.
Sgt. Daniel Horner got things going on a right note by winning the U.S. Practical Shooting Association Multi-gun National Championship in Boulder City, Nev. for the second time. Horner completely dominated the competition, winning by more than 380 points and establishing himself as the standard bearer in the sport.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and the Army,” said Horner, a native of Suffolk, Va.. “This is the biggest match of the year for me. I plan to win it again next year.”
Across the Pacific Ocean, several Soldiers from the USAMU showed up at the World Cup Finals in Beijing with something to prove and left with more hardware for the USAMU trophy case.
Starting things off in the Men’s Rifle 50m prone match, Sgt. Michael McPhail earned his first medal in a World Cup event when he won the silver medal. McPhail missed out on the gold by .04 but was still extremely pleased with his performance.
In Men’s Double Trap, Spc. Jeff Holguin earned a bronze medal. Holguin placed fourth in the 2008 Olympics on the same range and was happy that the results were more positive this time around.
“It was great to be back on the Olympic Range of Beijing, and this time walking out with something in my hands,” he said.
Holguin’s USAMU teammate, Sgt. Vincent Hancock, also stood on the winner’s podium in China, winning a silver medal in Men’s skeet. Hancock withstood a driving snowstorm to earn the medal on the same range where he was crowned an Olympic champion in 2008.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Hadden, a two-time World Cup match winner in 2009, placed in fifth place overall in Men’s trap, also overcoming the falling snow to finish an outstanding season on the range.
A number of Soldiers performed extremely well at the 300-meter National Rifle Championships held at Pool Range.
Spc. Joseph Hein won a gold medal in the 3×40 match, outlasting McPhail by one target. McPhail also claimed a silver medal in the Men’s 3×20 match and just beat out Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, who took home the bronze.
In the women’s 3×20, Spc. Sherri Gallagher won the silver medal in the Women’s 3×20 event. Lt. Col. Rhonda Bright earned a bronze medal.
Only a few more events remain on the calendar for 2009, although the Soldiers continue their primary mission of training Soldiers in marksmanship proficiency, as well as attending numerous clinics around the country. The USAMU will soon begin preparations to host the 2010 Fort Benning Rifle and Pistol championships Feb. 3-5 and 10-12.
About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com .
Cold Weather Camping
Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 2:35 pm – View Previous Posts
Cold Weather Camping
Bass Pro Shops
SPRINGFIELD, MO ––(AmmoLand.com)– It’s hard for most people to overcome the notion that Camping is just a spring, summer or fall activity.
Cold weather and snow can add a few challenges but when properly prepared, winter campers can stay warm and comfy.
Summer tents can be winterized by adding a nylon fly that fits over the roof and sides to help keep heat in and protect against rain and snow. You can even put a smaller tent inside a bigger one for double-walled protection.
Outdoor World Radio’s Larry Whiteley
Place a non-porous ground sheet on the tent floor, then add individual foam sleeping pads under sleeping bags rated to minus 20 degrees.
Sources of added heat can be in the form of catalytic heaters or small, folding wood burning stoves.
Pick places close to home and the main road for your initial cold Camping experience.
Larry Whiteley is host of the award-winning Outdoor World® RadioFor more tips, log onto basspro.com
About Bass Pro Shops
Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops, also an international catalog and internet retailer, currently has 54 retail locations in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people per year. In addition, Bass Pro Shops, also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. Bass Pro Shops gift cards can be purchased at over 10,000 retail outlets across America. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.
USAMU Holds Action-Packed Junior Shooter Camp
Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am
USAMU Holds Action-Packed Junior Shooter Camp
By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Staff Sgt. Travis Tomasie, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, displays the correct way of transitioning a shooters body through a course of fire Nov. 7 at Krilling Range. Tomasie and the rest of the USAMU’s Action Shooting team held a camp for junior action pistol shooters from all over the country, as kids from California, Idaho, Arizona, and North Carolina, among others, descended on Fort Benning to learn from the best in the world and meet new friends. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)
United States Army Marksmanship Unit
FORT BENNING, Ga. —-(AmmoLand.com)- Junior shooters from across the country descended on Fort Benning Nov. 6-8 as the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Action Shooting team hosted a junior camp at Krilling Range.
With two national champions, a two-time international sniper champion and a previous attendee at the camp among the instructors, the opportunity to learn from the best was a chance 48 of the top up-and-comers in the growing sport of action shooting couldn’t pass up.
“I needed more training, and my Mom thought if I came here I would meet new friends and have a lot fun,” said nine-year-old Lee Wills, the camp’s youngest participant and a native of Gainesville, Va.. “She was really right.”
The kids were picked to attend the camp after a thorough selection process, said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Hampton, the camp director. Each junior had to meet certain criteria such as being a ranked U.S. Practical Shooting Association competitor or able to show that you have a good deal of shooting experience.
“This isn’t a beginner’s class,” Hampton said. “By no means is it geared to teach you the fundamentals. Our goal is to help grow the sport.”
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Pvt. Shane Coley, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, instructs juniors on the proper techniques of reloading the weapon Nov. 7 at Krilling Range. Coley and the USAMU Action Shooting team held a junior camp for 48 juniors Nov. 6-8. Coley himself was an attendee just last year and joined the Army after his positive experience at the camp.
Once the juniors met the criteria, they had to submit an essay on what they wanted to gain from coming to the camp and also what the second amendment means to them. Many submissions included a fondness for the Army and desires to one day join the ranks.
“I wanted it to be something that was personal and heartfelt but also something that they’d have to spend a little bit of time to research and understand,” Hampton said. “If you have nine-year olds who can write you a two-page essay on the second amendment, they probably want to show up. It was designed to be a litmus test on how dedicated they were.”
The attendees had the opportunity to learn from the best. Sgt. Daniel Horner, who recently won the Multi-Gun National championship in Boulder City, Nev., worked with the juniors on drawing and accuracy. Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson, a two-time International Sniper Competition champion, gave a block of instruction on the introduction to the rifle. The attendees also learned movement techniques, transitions, and reloads.
“I was here last year and had lots of fun,” said Mark Saffery, a 13-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla. “I’ve been competing for three years now. This camp is the best part of the year. We get to learn something from every AMU mentor. They are so awesome and really great guys.”
FORT BENNING, Ga. — 13-year-old Justin Saffery of Jacksonville, Fla. makes his way through a course of fire while being followed by Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Nov. 8 at Krilling Range. The USAMU hosted a junior camp for 48 of the top action shooting youths in the nation, instructing them on a variety of techniques and concluding with a competitive match. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)
Instructing them on reloads was a familiar face. Pvt. Shane Coley, the newest member of the USAMU, attended the camp in its inaugural year last fall. Before attending the camp, he had no plans on joining the Army. That all changed rather quickly.
“It helped me so much when I came here,” Coley remarked, who arrived at the USAMU after completing basic and advanced individual training a mere three weeks ago. “I got to meet a bunch of new people in the sport, but I also had great mentors and great teachers in the Soldiers on the team.
“I really wanted to prove to them that I could be here. After the world championships last year Sgt. 1st Class Hampton came up to me and we talked. And now I’m here. It is a little weird because a lot of these guys are my friends, but I have to set boundaries. I want to teach them and instruct them. This is a great camp and these kids realize how valuable it is.”
This is a tricky time of year for the Action Shooting team to hold the camp. Soldiers compete in their national championships in late October, and the Fort Benning Three-Gun challenge, which they host, is held the first weekend of December. But it’s a no-brainier for Hampton and his Soldiers to continue bringing the kids back to Krilling Range and keep growing the sport that they all cherish.
“I believe in two things: one, if you’re going to do something you need to go ahead and do it and, two, if you got momentum keep it going because it’s hard to get it started again,” he concluded.
FORT BENNING, Ga. — 13-year-old James Wall of Parma, Idaho fires on a target under the watchful eye of Sgt. Lee Dimaculangan, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Wall and 47 other children attended the USAMU Action Pistol junior camp Nov. 6-8 at Krilling Range, receiving instruction on reloads, transitioning, draw and accuracy, movement, and an introduction to the rifle. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)
About USAMU:
The USAMU’s mission is to raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness throughout the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national/ international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com . The U.S. Practical Shooting Association is a nonprofit membership association affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation, which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.