Marksmanship Matches Bring Military Services Together Story by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone, Guard Times Staff
“If you haven’t been here, come and shoot and if you have been here, come back and shoot again.” -- Sgt. Timothy Farnam, pistol range coordinator
At left, an Air National Guard shooter engages targets during the reflexive fire portion of the combat rifle competition of the TAG Match at Camp Smith. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott.
CAMP SMITH, PEEKSKILL – More than 150 military members from almost every branch of service migrate to Camp Smith in April to compete in The Adjutant General’s Combat Rifle, Sniper, Pistol and Light Machine Gun Championships Match or “TAG Matches”. The competition is open to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines throughout New York as well as military members from neighboring states who like to compete for the training and qualification as well as the sportsmanship. “People that participate are all 10
service members of some unit in New York,” said Maj. Dana Brewer, State Mobilization Readiness Officer. “However, any battalion-sized element from a neighboring state can put together a team.” According to Brewer there is more to the competition besides getting the best score and accepting a trophy. “Here we’ll show you where you hit the target and when you miss we’ll show the Soldier what they’re doing wrong.” Brewer said. “Then the Soldier will have that basic skill reinforced so he or she can go back to their unit and help with their
marksmanship program.” “It’s just a lot of fun!” said Sgt. Timothy Farnam, the pistol range coordinator and member of Joint Forces Headquarters. “If you haven’t been here, come and shoot and if have been here, come back and shoot again.” This year marked the 29th Annual “Modern TAG Matches” as Brewer referred to them. He pointed out that records started to be kept about 1978, but that there are paper records that date back to the late 1930’s. Competitors came from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and New York
City as well as Connecticut and Massachusetts. However, only New York military members are awarded first, second and third place trophies. First place team trophies were awarded to the Air National Guard’s 174th Fighter Wing for both the Combat Rifle and Combined Arms competitions and the 109th Airlift Wing for Combat Pistol. To learn more about the “TAG Matches” category winners, go to: www.dmna.state.ny.us/sarts/services.htm.
GUARD TIMES