U.S. Army Olympian Bio

Sergeant First Class Eric A. Uptagrafft

Sergeant First Class
Eric A. Uptagrafft

Event: International Rifle Shooter

Home State: Alabama

Unit: U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.

Full Biography

Sgt. 1st Class Eric A. Uptagrafft, an international rifle shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, Ga., has distinguished himself in competitive marksmanship through his many accomplishments.

Uptagrafft joined the Army Reserves in 1983. After he completed Basic Training and Medical Lab Technician Training, he was assigned to the 385th Combat Support Hospital in Spokane. After becoming an infantryman in 1987, he was a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Service Rifle Team until 1991. He then shot on the U.S. Army Reserve Shooting Team until he was assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in August 1998 under the Army’s World Class Athlete Program.

He left the Army and joined the U.S. Navy Reserves as a lieutenant where he deployed with the 3rd Army to Kuwait in 2007. He rejoined the Army and the USAMU International Rifle Team April 23, 2008. Deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June of 2011.

Uptagrafft, who started shooting in 1976, has numerous marksmanship accomplishments. The following are some highlights over the course of his career.

Download Full Biography for Sergeant First Class Eric A. Uptagrafft

Athletic Achievements

2012

Fifth Place, Men’s Prone, London World Cup

First Place, Men’s Prone, Rocky Mountain Championships, Colorado Springs, Colo.

2011

Nominated, 2012 US Olympic Team

Silver Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, Poland World Cup Final

Silver Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, Sydney World Cup

Silver Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, Korean World Cup

Bronze Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, USA Shooting National Championships, Ft. Benning, Ga

USA Shooting Men’s Athlete of the Year

2010

Deployment to Afghanistan

Silver Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, USA Shooting National Championships, Ft. Benning, Ga.

Member, Gold Medal Prone Team, World Championships, Munich, Germany

Silver Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, World Cup USA, Ft. Benning, Ga.

Bronze Medal, Men’s Rifle Prone, China World Cup, Beijing, China

2009

Gold Medal, Prone Rifle, 2009 Fall Selection

2008

Interservice Prone Rifle Champion

2006

Team Gold Medal, World Championships

2005

Gold Medal, World Cup Final

Silver Medal, World Cup USA

2004

Gold Medal, World Cup, Sydney, Australia

Best Conseil International du Sport Militaire Male Rifle Shooter

2003

Gold Medal, World Cup USA

Silver Medal, Pan American Games

Bronze Medal, World Cup Final

2002

300-meter Free Rifle Prone and Three Position National Champion

Silver Medal, 300-meter Three Position, World Championships

Two Team Silver Medals, World Championships

International Distinguished Badge

2001

Free Rifle Prone National Champion

Silver Medal, Championship of the Americas

2000

Free Rifle Prone National Champion

Seventh Place, Free Rifle Three Position, Olympic Selection Match

1999

Gold Medal, 300-meter Prone National Championships

Bronze Medal, Free Rifle Prone, National Championships

Gold Medal, Free Rifle Prone, Fall Selection Match

Bronze Medal, Free Rifle Three Position, Fall Selection Match

1996

Olympian in Prone Rifle

1993

NCAA Champion

1990

National Service Rifle Champion

1988

Distinguished Rifleman Badge

1987

President’s Hundred