Photo By Staff Sgt. Brandon Keys | US Army 1st Lt. Kiel Petkoff, 89th Military Police Brigade, competes in the Operation...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT HOOD, TX -- In the United States Army, weapon marksmanship is a primary tool in building a more effective, lethal Soldier.
Various units from across III Corps, came to Clear Creek Competition range, Fort Hood, Texas, October 17, 2018 to compete in the Operation Phantom Warrior Salute Best Marksman Competition.
Contests like this, set the standard for skills all Soldiers should have while providing a venue for them to excel.
Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, Commanding General, of III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, planned Operation Phantom Warrior Salute to build esprit de corps, and reinforce strong relationships within the local community.
Building esprit de corps can be accomplished through different events, but this competition allowed units the chance to move and fire as a team.
Sgt. 1st. Class Wilhelmina Jarvis of the 89th Military Police Brigade, non commissioned officer in charge of the range, noted this competition showed how Soldiers deal with stress in a real world setting.
“This is a different kind of range with steel targets. Soldiers are put under stress here, with both near and far targets, so it simulates a tactical environment where you have targets closer that you would engage with a pistol, but also personnel that are at a distance where you would need your rifle, “ she said.
Four person teams represented each unit as they navigated various obstacles and barriers throughout the course. There were ten units in total, competing in the event.
The course was designed with four separate lanes, focusing on precision shooting and timing, while gauging specific targets down range.
Spc. Gordon Carlson of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, stated the course gave a more realistic feel than normal ranges.
“This isn’t like basic rifle marksmanship at all. You’re moving and you’re shooting, so this is real world. The course was very fun and fast paced,“ said Carlson.
Carlson also noted without practice ahead of time, they would’ve been at a disadvantage on the course.
“We experienced some ranges and went through some reactionary drills to make sure we were ready to come down here and compete, “ Carlson said.
The weather played a more prominent role as the competition went on, but Soldiers responded well to the constant rain and cold temperatures.
As the competitors knelt in mud behind barriers, maintaining the proper form for their shot, and sprinting through rain puddles to various stations, they welcomed the challenges to decide who would become champion.
“Overall, the impact of the weather made the usage of gloves a little more difficult, as they were slippery, but the competitors liked that it was a little bit cooler, because it kept them from overheating while going through the course, “ said Jarvis.
After the final shots were tallied, the 89th Military Police Brigade claimed first place on the leaderboard. Although Spc. Carlson’s unit did not finish first, he still sees the value in the competition and hopes he can be a competitor again during future events.
“These kinds of competitions are really good for Soldiers. It puts them into positions that are more realistic, and ultimately helps create a more lethal Soldier, “ said Carlson.
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2018 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 297030 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, III Corps units compete in Best Marksmanship Competition, by SSgt Brandon Keys, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT