Skeet Competitors Prove Skill, Have Fun

FORT STEWART, Ga. - The morning air was filled with ghostly puffs of white smoke and the sweet smell of spent gun powder during this year's 50 Bird Skeet Tournament, which attracted both novice and experienced shooters to Fort Stewart's Skeet Range, Sept. 19.

According to Michael Moore, Shooting Sports Manager for Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, 31 Soldiers, Family Members or members of the Marne Club competed in the skeet competition.

Tommy Sexton demonstrated his command of the skeet range by hitting 48-of-50 clay pigeons to win the Expert "Rocky" division. Kendall Smith hit 47-of-50 birds to take a close 2nd place. One competitor, Sgt. 1st Class Frank Munley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor, who competed in the "Dog Face" or Intermediate division, said the competition reminded him just how out of practice he was, but that he had a great time shooting.

"I'm not ready to disclose my score," Sgt. 1st Class Munley said, grinning. "I'm only here today because of this competition; otherwise I'd be in the woods this morning. I'm a bow hunter and bow season has already started."

Originally from Liverpool, England, Sgt. 1st Class Munley has been in the Army for 10 years has been competing in skeet competitions for five years. He said he's been a hunter too many years to remember, with a special fondness for hunting deer, wild boars, doves and turkey. The husband and father of two young boys said he has to divide his "time in the woods" with his Family, especially since he'll soon be re-deploying to Iraq for a fourth tour. Sergeant First Class Munley said he takes advantage of all the hunting, fishing and sport shoot opportunities available to Soldiers here at Fort Stewart.

Colonel Kevin Milton, Garrison commander for Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, was another Dog Face competitor at this year's skeet tournament. Like Sgt. 1st Class Munley, Col. Milton was unwilling to disclose his score, saying only that he "didn't hurt anybody." He admitted he hadn't practiced for the competition, but said he enjoyed shooting and thought the competition was great way to promote the sport of skeet shooting to those unfamiliar with sport shooting.

Travis Kelley and Jay Smith tied for the Dog Face title with 41-of-50 hits, but during a shoot-off, Smith missed his attempt from Station 3, giving the Dog Face title to Kelley.

"I was shooting with my eyes instead of letting my shotgun do the shooting," said Brenda Julian the only lady competing in the Annie Oakley division. "Next year will be better."

Julian, a Marne Club member from Richmond Hill, Ga., said she has competed in lots of skeet competitions but not recently due to a back injury. She and her husband, Bill, both Navy veterans, enjoy sport shooting and appreciate the range here at Stewart.

Other competitors who took home a winner title were Reid Hadden, who hit an impressive 43-of-50 in the Bullwinkle or Youth division, and Robert Ackman, who hit 35-of-50 in the Iron Mike or Novice division. Chad Ackman took 2nd Place.

Ryan McGowan, 12, took 2nd Place in the Bullwinkle division shooting a 20 gauge shotgun. He has only been competing in sport shooting competitions for one year.