What is the National Guard marksmanship training unit like?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:39:08 -0500

What types of training are lined up? How does the process of becoming involved work?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 15 at 2016 6:23 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 06:23:34 -0500

Personally no, our Bn had a Govenors Twenty in the '70's and early '80's.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 9:59 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:59:25 -0500

While I've never served at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, I am currently a marksmanship trainer for the ILNG Small Arms Readiness Training Section. It is an excellent gig. We train units to pass yearly qualification at a higher percentage, train units prior to deployment in advanced marksmanship, organize the yearly TAG match and other shooting competitions, and shoot in regional and national matches ourselves. I'm not sure if you have a SARTS team in your state, but if you're interested in getting involved you should start by speaking with your state marksmanship coordinator or whoever deals with forecasting ammunition at the state level. You can also follow up with the NGMTC about upcoming regional matches your state may be able to participate in.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 15 at 2016 1:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 13:28:44 -0500

Weapons draw, get on a bus, get safety brief, get ammo, start firing according to the commands of the tower.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Feb 15 at 2016 7:44 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 19:44:12 -0500

When I was in my unit, our unit commanders tasked some of the expert marksmen to train the rest of the unit to either bring up their existing qualification scores or to get the unqualified qualified. We were the hunters in the unit and brought those skills to the classroom first and then to the range.
Basic Marksmanship fundamentals like breathing, trigger squeeze and sight alignment helped improve most scores. Other things like Qualification Range anxiety were handled by a coordinator coaching on the range with the individual to calm them down and concentrate on the task at hand.
I know that the marksmanship School is at Camp Roberts in Arkansas and for the most part the students there learn how to train other soldiers in marksmanship, how to maintain the small arms weapons systems, and how to plan and operate qualification ranges.
These are the same things we did but our training was self taught from FM's on the weapons themselves and then was blended with our own experiences on the qualification ranges. We worked with the enlisted and officers to improve their skills and scores and we achieved total participation and qualification in our units.
You might say that we were the precursor to this type of training in Arkansas. Time and money well spent for individuals to go to the training but individual units can request Marksmanship Teams to come to the unit and instruct them in their own Armory's. I hope this has helped you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:47:47 -0500

I don't know the trainer side of it. I went to SDM (squad designated marksman) at CAmp robinson, in Little Rock. Best school ive ever been to, well besides small arms master gunner course. I will tell you where you can find some of the best marksmanship instructors in the whole Army: The Pennsylvania Army national Guard
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Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 01:14:14 -0500

If you're in the PA Guard you have access to one of the finest marksmanship trainers anywhere in the U.S. Army: SFC Gibbons. Seek his counsel.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2018 11:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:44:24 -0500

It's sad that I didn't even know this was a thing. I'm not sure if it even exists in my state (MN).