CAMP PERRY, Ohio — Over nearly four weeks of competition across Ohio, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Service Pistol Team demonstrated the precision, professionalism and consistency that have long defined the unit’s presence on the national stage. From Marengo to Canton to the historic ranges of Camp Perry, Soldiers delivered championship‑level performances while contributing to one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s most enduring traditions: the Pistol Small Arms Firing School.
This year’s SAFS class reflected the collaborative spirit that anchors the National Matches. While USAMU instructors led the classroom portion, the hands‑on range training was supported by servicemembers from the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, along with experienced civilian marksmen. Together, they provided 185 participants with structured, safe instruction and an introduction to the fundamentals of precision pistol marksmanship.
As competition began, that same professionalism carried onto the firing line. At Camp Perry, Staff Sgt. Jason Gregoire delivered one of the team’s most notable performances, earning the General Mellon Trophy as the high Army competitor in the National Trophy Team Match. His score of 283‑11x helped propel USAMU Blue to the Gold Cup Trophy, securing the team victory by a decisive 46‑point margin. Gregoire’s commanding score also earned him the Military Police Corps Trophy as the highest overall scorer in the field of 86 other competitors in the team match. Gregoire continued his streak of excellence and claimed the Gen. Patton Trophy for his aggregate score of 565-17x in both the National Trophy Individual and Team matches. He also claimed the Overall Service Pistol Aggregate champion title, beating out 405 other competitors with his score of 937-24.
Staff Sgt. Walker Buckman claimed the Aubrey E. Smith Trophy for his leading aggregate score of 654-18x in the both the President’s Pistol Match and the National Trophy Individual Match.
Earlier in the month at the NRA National Pistol Championships in Marengo, Sgt. 1st Class Greg Markowski set an early pace with multiple individual wins, including the Harry Reeves Match and the Service Pistol Excellence‑in‑Competition event. His consistency anchored USAMU Blue’s first‑place finish in the Overall Four‑Man Team Aggregate.
The Canton Regional Championship continued that momentum. Markowski and Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Adams earned podium finishes across the 2700 Aggregate, Service Pistol EIC, Rimfire EIC and Revolver EIC events, demonstrating the versatility required of elite pistol competitors.
By the time the National Matches reached their peak at Camp Perry, the Service Pistol Team was in full stride. USAMU Blue secured first place in both the Gold Cup Trophy and the .22 Pistol Four‑Man Team Match, while Soldiers placed prominently in the President’s Pistol Trophy and National Trophy Individual Match. Staff Sgt. Anthony Heinauer and Staff Sgt. Walker Buckman joined Markowski and Gregoire among the top finishers, underscoring the team’s depth and consistency.
The team’s commitment to training did not end when the National Pistol Matches wrapped up each afternoon. Instead, some of the Soldiers moved directly into the National Air Pistol events held later in the day, using the additional match time to sharpen their skills and gain valuable experience under pressure. The air pistol matches also offered a unique opportunity: the chance to work alongside a talented 13‑year‑old junior marksman.
Adams, Heinauer and Gregoire teamed with civilian athlete Luke Messerschmidt to earn second place in the four‑man air pistol team event. Messerschmidt also secured third place in the 15‑and‑younger category, adding a memorable highlight to the week’s competition and showcasing the mentorship woven into the National Matches.
In Glock competition, Staff Sgt. Mate Standard posted two perfect 500 scores to win both the MOS and Unlimited categories, and Sgt. 1st Class Walter Johnson earned first place in the Stock Glock event, rounding out a month marked by precision and professionalism.
Across each venue, the Service Pistol Team’s performance reflected more than competitive success. It showcased the Soldiers who represent the Army in national competition, the collaborative environment that defines the National Matches and the commitment to excellence that drives the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.