National Guard Marksmanship Center honors CW4 Tanner with new course of fire -- 46th WPW Championship

Photo By Master Sgt. Jonathan Brizendine | CW4 Richard Tanner, engaging targets on the range. (Courtesy photo by Tanya Lippincott)  

AR, UNITED STATES

07.25.2017

Story by Master Sgt. Jonathan Brizendine 

National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

Tanner was widely known among civilian and military service rifle competitors. A thirty-five-year veteran of the United States Army and Army National Guard, he was widely regarded as very knowledgeable and known as an exceptional marksmanship coach. He had a reputation among his peers as someone who could be counted on and who was always on top of things. Tanner was a fierce competitor himself, raising the bar by setting numerous records which still stand today, but he is perhaps best remembered in the shooting community as a coach and mentor.
“He was the quintessential, gruff CW3-CW4,” said Major David Stapp, NGMTC Chief of Operations and Forward Operations Range Officer in Charge for the Winston P. Wilson Championship. “He was a consummate professional in his military job, but when it came time to be on the range, he was even more of a professional. He was a shooter’s marksman. His competitive spirit was incredible.”
When it came to teaching marksmanship, Tanner was known as a coach among coaches. He knew how to talk to his shooters, no matter their skill level, to bring out their full potential. He would readily offer his assistance to anyone, in or out of his program.
“He had a way of communicating with individuals that gave them confidence and let them grow to be the best that they could be,” said Stapp. “Even though I was completely green and novice and just wanted to learn as a program manager, he took me in and gave me the confidence to go out and be the best I could be without pressure or being made to feel inadequate.”
Tanner was a straight shooter in more ways than one.
“He wouldn’t mince words,” said Major Duwane K. Page, NGMTC Chief of Competitions. “He wasn’t afraid to call you out. He would set you straight no matter who you were.”
Scores of shooters owe their increases in skill to Tanner’s tutelage.
“He brought me up in the program,” said Master Sgt. Nathan R. Watters, NGMTC Forward Operations Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. “We won a lot of matches together. We set some records that still haven’t been broken.”
The new match dedicated to the memory of Tanner is a variation of the National Guard Infantry Trophy Match. This match, known as the ‘Battle Rattle,’ is one of the service rifle matches that have more of a tactical aspect to it. It has a high volume of fire, is more rapid, and is shot at greater distances.
“This year we are making some small adjustments to the way that course of fire is being conducted,” said Stapp. “Because of its ties to the Civilian Marksmanship Program National Infantry Trophy Match, we have decided to name it, and a trophy, in honor of Chief Tanner.”
Tanner lost his battle with cancer Friday, April 14, 2017. In the weeks before his passing, despite being told he had only 45 days to live, he continued to work and pass on his skills to his fellow shooters as he always had.
“He was an inspiration for others,” said Page. “He could have easily taken off and left the work behind, but he cared about this program and the shooters so much that he worked for them until the last minute. It shows you how much love he had for the shooters and the program. More than anything, he took care of his people.”
Tanner’s passing was an emotional event for many. The shooting community is a tightknit group. While they mourn the loss of their comrade, his memory will no doubt live on in the hearts and minds of those he mentored.
“Losing Tanner was huge,” said 1st Sergeant Marchand. “His ability to coach and mentor people was a skillset that a lot of these people don’t have anymore. Chief Tanner was one of those guys you just can’t replace. His experience, his knowledge, and his ability to coach and pull the team together... We don’t have many like him anymore.”
“It shook the program, said Page. “I guarantee stories of him will continue for years to come. His memory is going to live on for a long time in this program. He has a legacy here in the All Guard program.”
“His passing hurt the program a lot,” echoed Marchand. “He is already missed.”

• Date Taken: 07.25.2017
• Date Posted: 09.11.2017 12:43
• Story ID: 243869
• Location: AR, US