NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
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The Other Guys pose with the Remington Centennial Trophy after winning the adjutant general’s annual combat marksmanship “TAG match” held July 8 - 11 at Fort Devens, Mass. The squad bested 14 NHNG teams of soldiers and airmen in various pistol, rifle and shotgun events. From left is Capt. Patrick Randall of the 941st Military Police Battalion; and Staff Sgt. Nathan Huntley, Sgt. Cameron Douglas and Sgt. Matthew Proulx of the 237th Military Police Company. Randall also finished as the match’s top overall shooter.
SHOOT BETTER Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO The New Hampshire National Guard held its annual combat marksmanship match July 8 – 11 at Fort Devens, Mass.
different shooting positions and quick reloads to engage targets for score.
Soldiers and airmen competed in various team and individual small-arms events, undaunted by torrential rain that belted the region as Tropical Storm Elsa passed through.
“The biggest part of this match is for soldiers to build confidence in themselves and their equipment and their ability to engage targets at various distances under stressful conditions,” said Maj. Brooks Hayward, match director.
“This is what it’s about,” said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities, one of 75 shooters. “It’s a warrior ethos.” Informally known as the adjutant general’s match, it promotes marksmanship proficiency and provides guardsmen the opportunity to test weapons skills in a battle-focused environment. They fired standard-issue M16 rifles or M4 carbines at ranges up to 500 yards. Matches also featured Berretta M9 or SIG M17 pistols at distances up to 30 yards. Combat gear, including Kevlar helmets and load-bearing vests, were required kit. Courses of fire varied. Some required running,
Organizers added a surprise mystery event, which entailed a unique array of weaponry. Competitors peppered targets with Vietnam Era M14s, toppled bowling pins with M26 shotguns and hurled axes at wooden bullseyes. Fourteen teams from units across the state, including Soup, No Friends, Orangutags and the Dust Bunnies blazed through thousands of rounds while vying for top-squad honors. Once barrels cooled, The Other Guys proved victorious and that just like in the Mark Wahlberg comedy film, peacocks can
