[JGarcia]

Nope Gene Econ,

I have earned no distinguished badges or President’s Hundred tab. I am just lucky they decided to bring me on board, I guess. But yes, I do instruct there. Our last class was conducted in terrible shooting conditions, ice, fog, snow, heavy winds and plenty of rain over the two week class (our course runs two weeks as opposed to the 5 day AMU version); yet 100% of our students met the standards and passed the course, the bar was not lowered. We had a few re-tests on Range E which is typical and probably the most difficult part of SDM; Range E with an ACOG is an acquired skill. Typically we have an 84% pass rate. We work closely with all of them to do our best to help them achieve the standards.

We don’t use fancy pants rifles, or exotic optics, just what you can expect at any old arms room, M16A4’s, iron sights and ACOG’s. (With standard Army equipment the course is really a true test of one’s marksmanship ability, train like you fight, no? Your typical infantryman, engineer, or scout cannot expect to be given a free floating barrel, Leupold optics, bipods and national match triggers, but that’s what you’ll train with at AMU.) I think this past class was a testament to our instruction, of which I am a part of.

I certainly do think that Distinguished Badges, Presidents Hundred, High Power etc., relate to precision marksmanship. Fundamentals are fundamentals.

It is infinitely more interesting to me to see how well guys can shoot in full kit with issue ammo and weapons than it is to see some guys with sooped up race guns, light loads, and fancy pants attire jog around a neat little range popping targets. Now if it were scantily clad surgically enhanced college chicks jogging around popping targets, that’d be cool… IF… they had a naked Crisco Twister cage match at the end and then suddenly were passionately attracted to each other… but I digress.

At any rate, I intend to compete in Benning's Combat Pistol Championship match - Novice class (as this will be my first) in February. I am working towards my distinguished badge. I don't think I will be able to compete in the All Army matches this year because we will be otherwise engaged during that time. I have no interest in high power right now, working only on pistol for now; we’ll see how well I do in February. Pistol is not something infantry guys spend a great deal of time on so it’s fun for me.

Gene, you are right, I need the badges to get the respect. I believe our course might just be the best practical marksmanship training you can get ... anywhere in the Army. I’m a graduate of it, and excited about marksmanship for the average Soldier. I'll let you know when I am sporting that Distinguished Badge.

Do you think any of your students might participate in our Wilson Match or AFSAM this year?