National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from two different regions met at the Volunteer Training Site in Tullahoma, Tenn., August 18 and 19 for the annual regional marksmanship training match.
The Marksmanship Advisory Council (MAC) region matches are designed to provide a combat focused marksmanship sustainment training event in seven different regions nationwide. The matches consist of battle focused marksmanship sustainment exercises, designed to validate and sustain perishable marksmanship skills essential to mobilization readiness and success.
“This is taking that next step in individual quality,” said Maj. Gen. Max Haston, the adjutant general for Tennessee. “I love that this is a joint endeavor and appreciate all who have come out to train and take your knowledge back with you to teach others.”
Normally, the two regions compete separately, but due to limited funding this year, regions three and five were combined for what has been deemed a “Super MAC.”
“Bringing the states together was a win-win for the program,” said Maj. Dwayne Page, chief of competitions for National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in Arkansas. “Not only does it save money, it is also an opportunity to grow relationships and experience different shooting situations.”
“It is neat to shoot with another region; it’s another group to learn from,” said Tech. Sgt. Chauncey Reed, 188th Wing, Arkansas National Guard. “It ran smoothly and was a more effective use of assets.”
The “Super MAC” consisted of several courses of fire that incorporated pistol and rifle training. Although both regions participated together, they were still scored independently to maintain the integrity of the matches.
Region three consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands.
Region five is comprised of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
Tennessee hosts region three’s competition every year. Arkansas is home to the national level Winston P. Wilson match held annually at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center near Little Rock.
Combining the regions this year made a positive impact overall.
“We need to do more of this,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Harris, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Tennessee National Guard. “This is a great opportunity to bring the states together and train together.”
“Here, I’m surrounded by great mentors and instructors. It builds a sense of accomplishment and confidence,” said Page.
That feeling was echoed by Reed, “They may know something I don’t; we make each other better.”
Even those within the same region enjoy getting out to a different state to sharpen their skills.
“I like that we have the ability to shoot farther distances in Tennessee,” said Sgt. Patrick Stuckey, B Company, 1/118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard. This was his first time at the regional competition. He added, “It is a good range that offers different courses of fire. The range staff and cadre were very professional and pleasant.”
“Marksmanship is a learned skill. It takes hard work and practice,” said Reed. “This level of training is to practice accuracy on such a level that is about more than just hitting a target, but hitting exactly where you are aiming.”
MAC 3 SCORES
Team Grand Aggregate Champions
1. South Carolina
2. Tennessee, Team A
3. Kentucky, Team A
Rifle Team Aggregate Champions
1. Tennessee, Team A
2. South Carolina
3. Kentucky, Team A
Pistol Team Aggregate Champions
1. South Carolina
2. Tennessee, Team A
3. Tennessee, Team B
Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE
1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. TSgt Jeffrey Stanley, Kentucky
3. SGT David Drummer, Kentucky
Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN
1. SFC David Keenom, Tennessee
2. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
3. MSG Edwin Garcia, Kentucky
Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE
1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. TSgt Jeffrey Stanley, Kentucky
3. SSG Justyn Melendez, Kentucky
Individual Rifle Champion OPEN
1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. MSG Edwin Garcia, Kentucky
3. MAJ Glenn Jackson, Tennessee
Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE
1. SGT Patrick Stuckey, South Carolina
2. SGT David Drummer, Kentucky
3. SGT Dwight Bushong, Kentucky
Individual Pistol Champion OPEN
1. SFC David Keenom, Tennessee
2. SSG Christopher Cudd, South Carolina
3. MAJ Glenn Jackson, Tennessee
MAC 5 SCORES
Team Grand Aggregate Champions
1. Missouri, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Arkansas, Team A
Rifle Team Aggregate Champions
1. Arkansas, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Missouri, Team A
Pistol Team Aggregate Champions
1. Missouri, Team A
2. Arkansas, Team B
3. Arkansas, Team A
Individual Pistol-Rifle NOVICE
1. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
2. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
3. SSG Jacom Benitz, Missouri
Individual Pistol-Rifle OPEN
1. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri
2. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa
3. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas
Individual Rifle Champion NOVICE
1. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
2. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
3. SGT Jeffrey Roloff, Iowa
Individual Rifle Champion OPEN
1. SSG James Maynard, Arkansas
2. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas
3. SSG Brandon Pedersen, Nebraska
Individual Pistol Champion NOVICE
1. SGT Andrew White, Nebraska
2. SSG Naaman Tatroe, Texas
3. SSG Jacom Benitz, Missouri
Individual Pistol Champion OPEN
1. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa
2. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri
3. CPT Travis Wahlmeier, Nebraska
SUPER MAC SCORES
Rifle Team Champion
1. Arkansas, Team A, MAC 5
2. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5
3. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5
Pistol Team Champion
1. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5
2. South Carolina, MAC 3
3. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5
Individual Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion
1. 1SG James Phelps, Missouri, MAC 5
2. SGT Brent Smith, Iowa, MAC 5
3. SFC Joe Noe, Arkansas, MAC 5
Team Pistol-Rifle Aggregate Champion
1. Missouri, Team A, MAC 5
2. Arkansas, Team B, MAC 5
3. Arkansas, Team A, MAC 5