Army Marksmanship Unit looking for pistol shooters

By U.S. Army Marksmanship UnitDecember 12, 2006

FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, Dec. 12, 2006) - The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit is looking for a few good shooters.

The competitive unit is putting out its annual call for Soldiers who are interested in competing in pistol competitions in the summer of 2007.

"We do this every year," said Sgt. 1st Class Jason M. St. John, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the USAMU Service Pistol Team. "Soldiers who wish to represent the U.S. Army in pistol competition, marksmanship instruction and recruiting assistance are welcome to apply. This is a highly visible, fast- paced mission."

Formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the Army, the unit is assigned to the Accessions Support Brigade of Fort Knox, Ky., which is under the U.S. Army Accessions Command, of Fort Monroe, Va.

The Marksmanship Unit trains its soldiers to win competitions and enhances combat readiness through train-the-trainer clinics, research and development. The world-class USAMU Soldier-athletes promote the Army and assist recruiters in attracting young Americans to enlist in the Army.

"The Army Pistol Team is always looking for active Army soldiers who are highly motivated, disciplined and competitive by nature," said St.John. "No previous competitive shooting experience is required."

Soldiers at the rank of staff sergeant and below with fewer than 15 years service who obtain approval from their commanders can travel to Fort Benning in April at the expense of the Marksmanship Unit to participate in the initial training. At Fort Benning they are trained in advanced marksmanship skills.

Once that's complete, pistol team officials will select shooters to participate in the Interservice Championships in June and the National Matches in July 2007.

"After a three-month tour, Soldiers return to their units with invaluable marksmanship training that can be harvested by unit trainers to improve the marksmanship skills of their Soldiers," St. John said.

Soldiers interested in the developmental pistol shooter program can contact St. John at (706) 545-7022/3893 or DSN 835-7022 or e-mail <a href="mailto:Jason.StJohn@usaac.army.mil"target=_blank> Jason.StJohn@usaac.army.mil</a. "