Subscribe
MCRD SAN DIEGO — Broadening horizons can mean many different things to many people, but for one Marine in particular, it meant taking on new challenges and reaping the rewards of unforeseen benefits.
Staff Sgt. Brianna Eisenhower never imagined she would become a match director for the Marine Corps’ combat marksmanship program, yet at 23 years old, she now leads one of the most important roles in range operations as the chief instructor of marksmanship training at Weapons Field Training Battalion (WFTBN), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
Eisenhower joined the Marine Corps in 2019 with an 0811 military occupational specialty in artillery operations. It didn’t take long for her to discover a passion for shooting and training.
“I feel like I spend more time with a gun in my hands than I don’t,” she said. “If I’m not shooting, then I’m talking about shooting.”
Despite being initially nervous about reporting to Edson Range, Eisenhower said her time there has been transformational. She was taking a step away from what she knew in the artillery field and dove into the world of small arms marksmanship. Undeterred by her apprehension, she took the challenge head on and with a positive mindset.
“I have met so many incredible people in and out of the Marine Corps,” she said. “Being here has opened my eyes to a passion I never knew was there.”
Eisenhower is now responsible for developing shooting programs, reviewing doctrine, and rethinking traditional training methods. She also plays a critical role in organizing marksmanship competitions. In January 2025, she served as match director for the Depot Competition in Arms at Edson Range.
“Being a match director was challenging, but I learned so much,” she said. “It took months of preparation and support but seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding.”
Her goal extended beyond running a smooth event, Eisenhower explained.
“I wanted people to fall in love with the community,” she said. “It feels so much better to earn something the right way than to have taken shortcuts. People want to follow someone they trust, it’s not about being male or female—it’s about your knowledge and skill.”
Eisenhower’s experience now spans the globe. As a combat marksmanship trainer, she has worked with recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, focusing on fundamentals like sight alignment, sight picture, and stability. Her experiences also include training with the Japanese Self-Defense Force during artillery-focused deployments and participating in a subject matter expert exchange in Jordan. Taking from those experiences, she encourages each shooter to develop their own comfortable style.
Her discoveries and personal accounts have fueled her to commit herself to mentorship, which has become a key part of her mission. Eisenhower’s passion for teaching and leading Marines is what makes her stand out from the crowd.
“The best part about being an instructor is meeting someone who has a passion for success,” she said. “Helping them meet their goals and seeing that look on their face is the best feeling in the world.”
As she continues to mentor others and shape future marksmen, Eisenhower hopes her legacy will be one of inspiration and dedication.
“My hope is that I’ve left a positive impact,” said Eisenhower. “Helping others to see the value of hard work and dedication.”
In recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication, Eisenhower was recently named
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for her battalion. This honor reflects her impact not just on the range, but across the broader Marine Corps organization as she trains the next generation of warfighters.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2025 08:34 |
| Story ID: | 496200 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Staff Sgt. Brianna Eisenhower: A Passion for Success, by Cpl Alexander Devereux, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
