Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Katzenberger | Spc. Zachary P. Stafford, a paratrooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Many paratroopers pursue hobbies that enrich their life when they’re off duty. For some, it may be as simple as dropping a fishing line in the water and waiting for a bite; for others, it may be working with wood or spending quality family time at home.
In Spc. Zachary P. Stafford’s case, a hobby he has pursued since he was 5 or 6 years old not only enriches his life, it sustains and bolsters the skills he’s required to perform in the Army.
Stafford, an airborne infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, is a competitive marksman.
The native of Fort Worth, Texas, participates in matches monthly throughout the Southeastern region of the country. Most recently, he beat out more than 50 competitors in a match in Bunnlevel, North Carolina, which required him to engage threat targets using correct tactics, techniques and procedures using three types of weapons: A rifle, pistol and shotgun.
The paratrooper hit targets in a shoot house, was tested on his ability to fire accurately from behind various types of cover as well as to shoot while on the move, and had to flawlessly execute the critical skills a shooter must master in order to take home the win.
Stafford said he utilizes the same skills during competitions that he calls on when training in his profession. The fundamentals that set the stage for winning matches - steady position, aiming, breath control and trigger squeeze - are the same fundamentals utilized at a military range or in combat.
"On the marksmanship side of the house, everything I do - from dry fire practice, reloads [and] running and reloading with my rifle, pistol and shotgun, to putting myself under stress - transfers over to being an infantryman," the paratrooper said. "I have no one shooting at me [during competitions], but still, being able to [fire] without thinking is what I need to be able to do."
As is the case for many seasoned gunslingers, Stafford’s love of sending lead down range began when he was a young boy.
The paratrooper said his father and grandfather first taught him how to safely handle and fire a .22-caliber rifle on some land in the middle of nowhere in Texas. His father later gave him the rifle, and that used his budding marksmanship skills to protect himself and the horses under his care while working on the family ranch.
Stafford said his passion for firearms transitioned into a hobby during high school, where he began to compete competitively. Later, while attending college and serving in the Texas National Guard he continued participating in - and winning - matches.
Two years after he enlisted for active duty service in 2010, Stafford had to apply his marksmanship skills during a real-world mission; the paratrooper deployed to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
During the tour, he used his marksmanship skills to not only protect his teammates but the Special Forces Soldiers his unit augmented.
Between his personal and professional marksmanship training, Stafford said he felt his five-man team was ready for combat.
"We were very prepared, I had no doubt about anything with the guys that I was with," the paratrooper said.
His confidence in his team’s ability came from Stafford taking a personal interest in ensuring each member of his team was well-trained. The paratrooper said he was regularly called upon to pass his skills on to firers who were having difficulty mastering the trade. He has carried the same desire to train fellow paratroopers with him into his current unit.
"Spc. Stafford’s shooting ability means that he is exceptionally well-suited to engaging the enemy and assisting his teammates in doing the same," said Sgt. Peter Korch, Stafford’s team leader of nine months. "He works very hard at whatever he puts his mind to.
"Just to give you an example in a military-related context, we were out on a [qualification] range the other day so he showed up, grabbed [someone else’s] rifle and shot 39 out of 40 without zeroing [the weapon] or warming up," Korch continued. "That man knows how to shoot."
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2015 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 172471 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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