News from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit USAMU participates in DEP function; Shooters do 21-gun salute, marksmanship training By Paula J. Randall Pagán U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Public Affairs Office CAMP PERRY, Ohio - Although soldiers with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit of Fort Benning, Ga., are best known for their ability to bring home Gold Medals for the Army in shooting competitions, the world-class shooters of the USAMU have been helping the Army with a different mission - recruiting. Soldiers of the USAMU supported a recruiting mission during the 100th anniversary celebration of the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 9. Sgt. 1st Class Steven V. Pullins, USAMU Recruiting Command liaison, provided marksmanship training to 120 Delayed Entry Program members and recruiters of the Toledo, Ohio, Recruiting Company, at the Camp Perry Clubhouse using the portable laser shot system, which uses computer generated moving targets and laser pistols. "The effect of this marksmanship trainer is to have an interactive, safe arcade, in a fun environment," Pullins said. "DEPs are encouraged to attend USAMU functions," Pullins continued. "Recruiters are encouraged to bring their DEPs to these venues and get them involved. Recruiters should not only use this time to prospect for potential Army enlistments, but should energize their DEPs to become part of the recruiting team, handing out promotional items and talking with potential enlistees, thereby reinforcing their commitment. Additionally, DEPs should be afforded the opportunity to meet and talk with USAMU representatives. This is a cost effective and easy way for local recruiters to influence prospects and keep DEPs interested in the Army prior to their ship date. "We are here to serve Army recruiters and assist them in making their mission," Pullins said. "Through USAMU recruiting-assistance events, we help recruiters expand their market and reinforce the contacts they have already made." "The DEPs really enjoyed the marksmanship training as part of their military orientation; we also do drill and ceremony, first aid and map reading, just to name a few of the tasks that help the DEPs prepare for Basic Training" said Toledo Recruiting Company Commander Capt. Michael C. Wise. "The AMU showed them something new and different that we can't provide. I would definitely recommend them to any recruiting unit; they are a great enhancement to the DEP program. "The marksmanship trainer is a neat way to familiarize them with the Army's weapons in a safe, fun and challenging way," Wise continued. "It is also great for them to meet the elite shooters of the Army Marksmanship Unit; who represent an important display of the opportunities that reside within the Army. As added value, the DEPs had the opportunity to observe an airborne jump and meet the Golden Knights in person - yet another inter-Army opportunity." Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army Joel B. Hudson The DEPs also got a very special visitor at the clubhouse after their training - the highest ranking civilian employee in the Army. Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army Joel B. Hudson spoke with the DEPs and then shook hands and spoke with each one of them personally. "I want to say thank you very much for what you're about to do," Hudson said to the future soldiers. "I'm very proud of you." After their training at the Clubhouse, the DEPs attended a Centennial Celebration barbecue at Petrarca Range and observed a parachute-jumping exhibition by the U.S. Army Parachute Team - the Golden Knights, which included jumping in the American Flag during the singing of the National Anthem. A somber portion of the celebration was a tribute to deceased soldiers and shooters. The Golden Knights jumped in the ashes of the late Capt. Don McKenzie, a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, for interment on the 1,000-yard berm. USAMU Commander Lt. Col. David J. Liwanag, ceremony guest speaker, told the crowd that McKenzie was a long-range shooter who named his daughter Perry, after the home of the National Matches. Seven shooters of the USAMU Service Rifle Team rendered a 21-gun salute as part of military honors to McKenzie as a lone bugler played taps. 9 soldiers, 2 sailors on team US Team wins medals at Pan-Am Games FORT BENNING, Ga. - The 28-person U.S. Shooting Team that competed in the Pan-American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aug. 2 to 9, included nine soldiers of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and two Navy Reservists. The Pan-Am Games included an Olympic-style shooting championship for the Western Hemisphere, which is conducted every four years. Not only could shooters win medals and set world records at the Pan-American Games, but the Pan-Am Games was virtually the last chance for shooters from the Western Hemisphere to win quota slots for their countries to compete in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Members of the U.S. Pan-Am Shooting Team, their competition dates and results are: Rifle > Sgt. 1st Class Thomas A. Tamas, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Free Rifle Prone, Aug. 7, Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Staff Sgt. Jason A. Parker, USAMU, Three Position Free Rifle, Aug. 9; Gold Medal. > Spc. Shane M. Barnhart, USAMU, Men's Air Rifle, Aug. 2 and 4, finished in 14th place. > Spc. Mary K. Elsass, USAMU, Women's Air Rifle, Aug. 2 and 3, made finals and finished in seventh place. > Spc. Hattie J. Johnson, USAMU, Sport Rifle, Aug. 6; Bronze Medal. > Navy Reserve Lt. j.g. Eric A. Uptagrafft, Longmont, Colo., Three Position Free Rifle, Aug. 9; Silver Medal. > Former USAMU Staff. Sgt. Kenneth A. Johnson, Crawfordville, Fla., Free Rifle Prone, Aug. 7; Bronze Medal. > Melissa Mulloy, Colorado Springs, Colo., Women's Air Rifle, Aug. 2 and 3, Silver Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Sarah Blakeslee, Vancouver, Wash., Sport Rifle, Sport Rifle, Aug. 6., Silver Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Bradley Wheeldon, Eubank, Ky., Men's Air Rifle, Aug. 2 and 4, Silver Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. Pistol > Sgt. 1st Class Daryl L. Szarenski, USAMU, Free Pistol, Aug. 5, Gold Medal. > Navy Reserve Petty Officer 3rd Class Sandra Uptagrafft, Longmont, Colo., Sport Pistol, Aug. 8, Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Former USAMU Capt. John McNally, Heath, Texas, Rapid Fire Pistol, Aug. 6 and 7, Bronze Medal. > John Bickar, Colorado Springs, Men's Air Pistol, Aug. 2, won Bronze Medal; and Rapid Fire Pistol Aug. 6 to 7, made finals and finished in fifth place. > Janine Bowman, Rowlett, Texas, Women's Air Pistol, Aug. 3, made finals and finished in eighth place; and Sport Pistol, Aug. 8. > Rebecca Snyder, Colorado Springs, Women's Air Pistol, Aug. 3, made finals and finished in sixth place. > Jason Turner, Rochester, N.Y., Men's Air Pistol, Aug. 2, won Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot; and Free Pistol, Aug. 5, made finals and finished in seventh place. Shotgun > Sgt. 1st Class Shawn C. Dulohery, USAMU, Men's Skeet, Aug. 8, finished in 10th place. > Staff Sgt. William H. Keever, USAMU, Men's Double Trap, Aug. 6, Silver Medal. > Jeffrey Holguin, Colorado Springs, Men's Double Trap, Aug. 6, won Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Lance Bade, Colorado Springs, Men's Trap, Aug. 2 and 3, won Gold Medal. > Chris Kiernan, Colorado Springs, Men's Trap, Aug. 2 and 3, finished in eighth place. > Collyn Loper, Indian Springs, Ala., Women's Trap, Aug. 4, won Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Brandie Neal, Colorado Springs, Women's Skeet, Aug. 7, won Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. > Kimberly Rhode, El Monte, Calif., Women's Double Trap, Aug. 5, won Gold Medal. > Randy Sotowa, Arcadia, Calif., Men's Skeet, Aug. 8, won Gold Medal. Running Target > Staff Sgt. Armando R. Ayala, USAMU, 10-Meter 30+30 Running Target, Aug. 7 and 8, Bronze Medal. > Bill Johnson, Woodville, Miss., 10-Meter 30+30 Running Target, Aug. 7 and 8, won Gold Medal and Olympic Quota Slot. Coaching Staff > Army Reserve Maj. Dave Johnson, National Rifle Team Coach > Retired USAMU Master Sgt. Erich Buljung, National Pistol Team Coach > Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Woodhouse, National Shotgun Team Coach > Sergey Luzov, National Running Target Team Coach The following personnel won slots on the Pan-Am Team, but gave up their slots to fellow U.S. National Team shooters: USAMU's Maj. Michael E. Anti, Prone Rifle; Parker, Men's Air Rifle; Szarenski, Men's Air Pistol; Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Callahan, Sport and Women's Air Pistol; Jamie Beyerle, Sport and Women's Air Rifle; Glenn Eller, Men's Double Trap; and Emily Caruso of Fairfield, Conn., Women's Air Rifle. (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. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, paula.pagan@usarec.army.mil or http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/amu/.)