Courtesy Photo | The South Carolina Army National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit provided support to...... read more read more
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Extensive planning and movement goes into implementing a drill weekend at the range conducting individual weapons qualifications, but there is a unit that can help ensure this training is executed as effectively as possible – the South Carolina Army National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit.
The MTU is based out of Columbia, South Carolina and will typically help South Carolina National Guard Soldiers on the ranges at Fort Jackson. However, they have traveled as far as Forts Gordon and Stewart in Georgia and will also visit a unit’s home station to provide formal preliminary marksmanship instruction, explained Staff Sgt. Mark Bratcher, MTU marksmanship instructor.
“We try to provide all the support we can for the South Carolina National Guard,” added Bratcher.
Which can make for a busy schedule. Bratcher explained that because they provide support for any South Carolina National Guard unit that requests it, schedule allowing, the unit performs at a high operational tempo. Some months they may be working every weekend or even traveling to provide support to deploying units. While on the range, the MTU will provide instruction on the line, identify and correct any issues the Soldiers may have while firing to assist in qualifying, and provide additional training as needed.
“Our unit is passionate about our job as instructors and we all enjoy helping Soldiers achieve their personal goals,” said Bratcher.
Their passion is evident with the extent that the unit members train themselves to remain proficient in marksmanship. Bratcher explained that the unit members compete nationwide in pistol, rifle and combat matches. Some of the members are even sniper qualified or have been awarded the prestigious President’s Hundred Tab. This allows the unit members to demonstrate their credibility as marksmanship instructors and affords them the opportunity to practice what they preach, added Bratcher.
Recently, the MTU provided support to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade and 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion with individual weapons qualification at Fort Jackson and the Soldiers experienced firsthand the capabilities that the MTU can provide.
“They were out here with us all weekend and the training they provided was essential to the units qualifying,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Coffey, 151st ESB, Headquarters and Headquarters Company readiness noncommissioned officer.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2015 13:43 |
| Story ID: | 166817 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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