USAMU looking for pistol shooters

[USAMU]

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit is looking for a few good shooters.
The highly competitive unit is putting out its annual call for soldiers who are interested in competing in pistol competitions in the summer of 2005.

“We do this every year,” said Sgt. 1st Class Roger C. Jacobson, 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 U.S. Army, the Army Marksmanship Unit is assigned to the Accessions Support Brigade, 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 soldier-athletes of the USAMU also 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, Jacobson said, adding that no previous competitive shooting experience is required.

Soldiers in the rank of staff sergeant and below with fewer than 15 years of 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. The soldiers are trained in advanced marksmanship skills.

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

After the 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, Jacobson said.

Soldiers who are interested in the developmental pistol shooter program, can contact Jacobson at (706) 545-7022 or 545-3893 or DSN 835-7022 or e-mail Roger.Jacobson@usaac.army.mil.