Fort Polk OPFOR names Top Gun

By Chuck Cannon, Fort Polk Guardian staff writerApril 19, 2010

Fort Polk's OPFOR names Top Gun
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Erik Volden, Delta Troop, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, takes aim at targets down range during the 1/509th's annual Top Gun competition at Fort Polk's Range 23. Shooters fired from 200, 300 and 500 meters in a contest to cla... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Polk's OPFOR names Top Gun
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT POLK, La. -- A new champion was crowned at the second annual 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment Top Gun competition April 9.

Spc. Marckinson Charles, Delta Troop, 1/509th Inf Reg, outshot 60 competitors - including a head-to-head shootout with last year's champ - to claim the title of "Top Gun."

The event pitted 15 marksmen from each of the battalion's four companies. Each shooter fired 10 rounds from 200 meters, 300 meters and 500 meters. Competitors are limited to iron sights and can fire either the M4 or M16 rifles. No feedback is allowed between shots. The top 10 scorers repeat the drill. The Soldier who comes out on top then competes against the prior year's winner.

The consensus favorite heading into the competition was last year's winner, Spc. Bob Wade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/509th Inf Reg. Wade said there was pressure in defending his crown.

"I don't want to let my commander down," Wade said. "Last year I wasn't nervous because I didn't expect to win."

As a result of his win, Wade was chosen to go to sniper school.

"I've always enjoyed shooting," he said. "Sniper school was something I always wanted to do."

While he said this year's contest would be easier - "I only have to worry about one person" - Wade said there was added pressure.

"Everybody is after me," he said. "I feel like there is a target on my back. I know Specialist Brown has his heart set on annihilating me."

Indeed, Spc. Collin Brown, one of Wade's fellow snipers, said he could outshoot his friend - if he could make it past the first two rounds.

"I feel confident in my shooting skills," Brown said. "I did a little practice a couple of weeks ago and did OK. Plus, I taught Bob everything he knows about shooting."

But in the end, it was Charles, a native of Port-a-Prince, Haiti, who was top gun. He earned a trip to the 10-Soldier shootoff by scoring 237 points out of a possible 300. He then earned his date with Wade by shooting 171 out of 200. In the final, Charles eased past Wade 233 out of 300 to 232 out of 300.

"It's all about the fundamentals," said Charles, who now calls Hyde Park, Mass., home. "You just need to do what your NCOs tell you."

Charles, an airborne cavalry scout by trade, said he's always enjoyed shooting.

"Marksmanship training is what I enjoy most about the military," he said.

Heading into the competition, Charles said no one in his unit - including his first sergeant - thought he could win.

"I knew I had a chance and I gave it the best shot I had," he said. "I told the first sergeant I was going to win it for my troop and the guys in my platoon."

The event fosters friendly banter such as that between Wade and Brown. Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Thompson, the top enlisted Soldier in the regiment, said the healthy competition was a morale builder for the unit.

"We spend a lot of time using MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) gear," Thompson said. "To keep our guys interested in marksmanship, we instituted this competition so they could compete and have bragging rights."

Thompson said the battalion's commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Judge, shoots competitively and encourages the unit's Soldiers to show off their marksmanship skills. Thompson said sometimes the event reveals hidden gems.

"Last year's winner, Bob Wade, is a prime example," Thompson said. "He comes by it naturally. He outshot all of our sniper-trained guys. As a result he got the chance to go to sniper school and is now one of our snipers."

Charles said the win also garnered a spot for him in sniper school.

"Sniper school is something I'm looking forward to," he said. "And defending my title next year."