By their outstanding performance during the postal qualifier, the SMA Rifle team finished 1st in 6th Brigade and awarded an invitation to the Eastern Region Championships at Ft Benning, Georgia 9-11 FEB 06.  In addition, SMA had 2 individuals invited as a result of their scores. At the end of the school day on Wednesday, February 10th, those participating packed up their equipment and departed for the 490 mile trip.   Our team along with SFC (Ret) Pellegrino and assistant coach Mr David Rudisill, had our eyes on our target-Ft Benning, Georgia’s U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit to compete in the Eastern Region 3 Position Air Rifle Championships. 

           

           

 

 

 

 

Representation of SMA rests on the shoulders of six members: Alex Watson (Sr), who shot in the Precision class; 4 member team made up of Mike Roosa (Sr), Chad Andrews (Jr), Thomas Arbuckle (Jr), Brent Rudisill (Freshman), and Alex Vasiloff (Jr) competed as an individual.

 

Upon arrival, a little after midnight Wednesday, we checked into our hotel and bedded down for some rest.  Thursday morning started at 8:00 am.  We headed to Ft Benning’s home of the “U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit” to check in, register and draw our shooting time.  After registration, we practiced in the afternoon, getting used to shooting our Prone and Kneeling positions on top of tables. 

 

            On Friday morning, we had an awesome opportunity and were invited by COL Scott Henry, the Infantry Training Brigade Commander, to see a few of his facilities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 We had some fun shooting at the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000.  Mr Bennett and the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge Staff Sergeant Hai Clay introduced us to some realistic training using this advanced facility worth over a million dollars. Soldiers in basic training use this to hone their marksmanship skills prior to actually firing any ammunition. 

 

Basically, it’s a high tech video game in which you shoot at various targets:  silhouettes, helicopters, enemy on foot approaching you and finally some scenarios in which you are confronted with a man in his house drinking with a weapon in his possession and also a hold up at a bank.     

           

            After the marksmanship training experience, it was onward to observe a basic training graduation which was a real treat followed by special invitation to eat in a basic training dining facility.  The experience was an eye opening one, in which our cadets’ seen first hand, a little of the wrath of Drill Sergeants interacting with their trainees during their lunch meal. 

 

            Finally, COL Henry had his driver, Private First Class Kinzanis and some of his staff show us some nice videos and a presentation.  The intent of the presentation was not to recruit, but to show some of the things that the Army and Infantry have to offer.  The briefer continually stressed the importance of education, regardless of the career a cadet seeks.  

           

            The SMA Rifle Team wants to give a big “HOOAH” to COL Henry, PFC Kinzanis, Mr Bennett and SSG Clay and the rest of the Infantry Training Brigade for  providing us with these outstanding opportunities and treating us with the utmost respect and honor.

 

            In the afternoon, we went on a tour of the Infantry museum for a few hours.

 

Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast, then were on our way to do what we were there for, to COMPETE.

 

Hundreds of shooters from all (Army, Marine, Navy) JROTC Programs in the Eastern Region attended this tremendous event.

 

            Finishing 1st in the brigade and 6th in the Army JROTC Eastern Region was an accomplishment.  However, with this experience, we can move forward and build on what we already have. 

 

After the first of the three positions, the team showed they were a competitive force with a score of 727, 30 points out of 1st.  We finished with a score of 1936.  This score was an improvement on the 1852 the team shot at the MBA classic in Tennessee in October. 

 

            The team individual scores were: Andrews (501), Thomas Arbuckle (486), Rudisill (475), and Roosa (474) and Vasiloff finished with a very respectable and surprising 492.    

 

            Cadet Captain Alex Watson was focused on his goal.  At the Montgomery Bell Academy Classic in October, he didn’t make it to the finals, but did catch the eyes of a few college coaches.  Since that time, Alex has accepted a 4 year scholarship to the University of Memphis. 

 

Watson focus, and dedication to shooting, by individual commitment and attending other rifle competitions resulted in him reaching the finals, seeded #2 with a score of 571, 1 point behind the top seed.  With the first shot of the ten shot finals in the standing position, Watson jumped out on top with a 10.9 vs 8.2, giving him the lead which he never gave up.  His 10 shot total of 100.8 gave him an aggregate score of 671.8, 5 points ahead of 2nd place and being named the Army JROTC Eastern Region Precision Class 1st Place winner.  With this, Alex earned an invitation to the National Championships 23-25 March once again at Ft Benning, Georgia.  Good Luck Alex.  Represent yourself and SMA in the traditions of excellence the academy is known for. 

 

            We wanted to thank all parents, SMA Staff and faculty for allowing these cadets to attend.  Thanks to COL Cork providing all funding requirements associated with transportation to Ft Benning! 

 

            We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication to Mrs Andrews, Mr Hobson and the rest of the rifle team for keeping Pizza sales going and making this all possible.  To the members of the team that were not invited to attend, your time will come, you just have to want it, “treat  every shot as your last” and JUST SHOOT…  Also, thanks to Mr Rudisill for taking time out to go with the team, help in every aspect of being a coach and mentor…

 

 

 

 

 

PFC Kinzanis with some of the team. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do our shooters meet the challenge when enemy is approaching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rifle Team Captain and 1SG on the line practicing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from right to left, Alex Vasiloff, Brent Rudisill, and Thomas Arbuckle making the best use of practice time.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

more practice trying to get used to firing from the table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Vasiloff scoring a 9.4 in practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vasiloff, Hobson and Arbuckle at the Engagement Skills Training Facility.  No pellets, or rounds are shot out of the M16A4’s here. It’s all air, digital laser technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non Commissioned Officer in Charge, SSG Clay, instructing SMA cadets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EST NCOIC SSG Clay having some fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come on guys, he said “LOCK and LOAD your magazine”…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More instructions.  Specific and detailed instructions ensure for the safe operation and taking care of the equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Bennett checking out Chad Andrews, and Alex Vasiloff’s equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More instructions….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EST video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMA Eagles on the line getting ready for some fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arbuckle, and Hobson scanning for enemy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PFC Kinzanis, COL Henry’s driver, coordinated all our events which included the EST 2000, attending a basic training graduation, eating lunch in an Army basic training dining facility and a conclusion briefing by some of the Infantry Training Brigade staff.  I wonder if this picture helped in the persuasion of getting things accomplished.  Thanks to COL Scott Henry (ITB Commander) and all that made this a tremendous experience. 

 

 

 

 

 

Watson and Rudisill watching some videos in the room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roosa, Andrews, Hobson, and Vasiloff just chillin out…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Watson receiving medal from US Army Eastern Region JROTC representative, Carl Filip.