Time and open slots are running out for Soldiers of any rank in the entire Army formation, including West Point and college ROTC cadets, Army Reservists and National Guardsmen, to compete in the 2011 U.S. Army Small Arms Championships March 19-26 on Fort Benning.
The championships, hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in conjunction with the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, consist of Small Arms Firing Schools, Excellence-in-Competition Matches, rifle and pistol matches, and special combined-arms combat matches.
Champions will be awarded All-Army Trophies and all Soldiers can earn EIC Marksmanship Badges, which are permanent-wear Army awards as described in Army Regulation 600-22 and have precedence above the standard qualification badges. Two coveted Secretary of the Army Trophy M-1 Garand Rifles will also be presented to two champions.
Soldiers will compete in separate Cadet, Novice, Open and Pro classes based on their competition experience. There are special category awards and trophies also for High Drill Sergeant, High Novice and high enlisted Soldier, Guard, and Reserve (E1-E4). Cadets enrolled in an Army ROTC program are eligible for scholarship money.
Soldiers will fire M-16 or M-4 service rifles at distances between 25-500 yards and M-9 pistols between 7-35 yards.
"One of our most basic skills required as a Soldier is marksmanship," said Army Reservist Sgt. 1st Class Russell Moore, last year's overall individual champion. "Take away our small arms and what are we' The All-Army Small Arms Championships not only provides the training every Soldier needs to excel in marksmanship, it also provides a means in which to test it among their peers."
For additional information, to register and check out the match bulletin, visit the USAMU website at www.usamu.com or contact Michael Behnke, the USAMU chief of competitions, at (706) 545-7841 or michael.behnke@usaac.army.mil. Registration ends March 11.
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