Soldiers in Action Training

Images depict soldiers from various branches participating in marksmanship training, showcasing focus, teamwork, and military precision within various environments.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, completed a weapons qualification course for the M17 pistol and M4 carbine at Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center in Blackstone, Virginia, on Aug. 1, 2022. Hokanson experienced firsthand the latest individual weapons qualification standards expected of all Soldiers in the National Guard while simultaneously demonstrating his personal proficiency in marksmanshipa basic and essential Soldier skill.

Soldiers of Squad 7, United States Army Reserves, participate in a zero range during the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 2, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests Soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events that test their physical endurance, technical skills, and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, completed a weapons qualification course for the M17 pistol and M4 carbine at Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center in Blackstone, Virginia, on Aug. 1, 2022. Hokanson experienced firsthand the latest individual weapons qualification standards expected of all Soldiers in the National Guard while simultaneously demonstrating his personal proficiency in marksmanshipa basic and essential Soldier skill.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bryan Shifflett, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, conducts a stress-shoot drill during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 16, 2022. Shinka exemplifies a shared commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

A Green Beret from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) engages long range targets during the Menton 2022 Best Sniper Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Dec. 8, 2022. The competition is comprised of nine teams, including a team from the British Armys 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment. During the competition, team events incorporate precision marksmanship, moving targets, live-fire stalks, and stress shoots conducted during daylight and hours of limited visibility. Throughout the event, participants use the M24 Sniper Weapon System, 5.56 M4 carbine, and 9mm pistol.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt Benjamin Holley, a Army Sniper assigned to Headquarters, Headquqrters Company, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade, Arkansas National Guard, fires his M110 Sniper Rifle at his assigned targets during the "Mystery Box" event on Burroughs Range, Fort Benning Ga., April 4, 2022. These snipers are the best from their home Units and have come to prove they are the best. (U.S. Army Reserve photos by Staff Sgt Austin Berner)

LA VENTA, Honduras - U.S. Army service member shoots down range during the assaulter stress shoot for Fuerzas Comando competition June 16, 2022, in La Venta, Honduras. This year's host is Honduras. FC alternates between participating nations every year. The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) moderates the Senior Leader Seminar designed for leaders, both military and police of the SOF units, and the civilian leadership/policymakers to collaborate to counter emerging crises.

220427-N-PG340-1084 PORT HUENEME, Calif. (April 27, 2022) Builder 3rd Class Timothy Fernstrom, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, sights in a simulated enemy with his rifle during the battalions second Command Post Exercise onboard Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme, California. The U.S. Navy Seabees with NMCB-5 are homeported out of Port Hueneme. They train on high-quality construction, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to execute construction and engineering projects for major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christian Hernandez with U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalzshoots to zero his M4 carbine during theInstallation Management Command-Europe 2023 Best Warrior Competition at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 4, 2023. The competition enhances expertise, training, and understanding of the skills needed to be a well-rounded Soldier. Winners will go on to compete at the Installation Management Command level.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (1/2CR) fires a German G36 rifle during a Schuetzenschnur (German weapons proficiency test) event with the German partner unit of 1/2CR, the Panzergrenadierbataillon 112, at Regen, Germany, Sept. 29, 2022. 1/2CR provided an opportunity for exemplary Soldiers to earn a foreign award and to build camaraderie with German Army counterparts in order to strengthen NATO and multinational partnerships.

Pfc. Lance Gogue, left, and Pvt. Jeremy Cepeda of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, fire a M249 squad automatic weapon down range June 11 at Camp Roberts, California, during the Explorable Combat Training Capability.

030829-M-5578G-004. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST MARDIV

Staff Sgt. Michael Barger , with C Co 2-151 INF BN demonstrating proper technique while wielding an M4 during the TAG Match on October 22, 2022, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Edwards, 120th PAD) The competition consists of two graded events, an M9/M17 and M4 shoot.

An Albanian special forces soldier provides security for his fellow sniper during a joint combined exchange training (JCET) event near Tirana, Albania, Feb. 27, 2024. Albania special operations forces and the 10th SFG(A) conducted JCET to enhance interoperability and strengthen military readiness, teamwork, and joint confidence while promoting peace and stability in Europe. Army

modern warfare american marines soldier in action while sneaking and aiming on laseer sight optics in combat position and searching for target in battle

A U.S. Marine with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, posts security during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 14, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 fire an M240B machine gun during a field exercise at Camp Schwab, Japan, Dec. 4, 2022. MWSS-171 conducted this exercise in order to familiarize themselves with expeditionary advanced base operations, demolition operations, urban operations, and different weapon systems.

Soldiers from the Alabama National Guard's 31st CBRN Brigade and Romania's 72nd NBC Defense Battalion join forces to crosstrain on tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, April 24-30, 2022. The troops integrated into combined teams for exercises involving hazardous material reconnaissance, analysis and decontamination; Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) operations; site security; medevac; M4 carbine marksmanship; machine gunnery and more. The force-to-force engagement was the second part of a two-part event, with the first held in Romania in September 2021. Both engagements focused on maintaining readiness and enabling troops from both nations to work together in the same environments to defend against imminent threats from near-peer adversaries in the Black Sea region.

A U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fires his rifle during a small arms and M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System range on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 14, 2024. The 24th MEU is a premier crisis response force capable of deploying and landing at a moments notice. The skilled 24th MEU Marines and Sailors who comprise the flexible sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force are ready to answer the nations call to crisis, no matter the climate or place. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Palmer, a fire support coordinator, with command element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a shooting drill at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 30, 2023. The drills were held to hone Marines skills in close quarters combat while testing Marines marksmanship. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

Spc. Daniela Barberena, assigned to Alpha Company "Orphans," 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, kneels to take her shot during table VI of the new weapons qualification at Studnica Range, Poland, April 1, 2022. Training and readiness are vital in being ready and able to respond to any threats from our adversaries and provide support to our allies.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Isaac Torbert, a rifleman assigned to Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a Combat Marksmanship Program range as part of Exercise Cobra Gold in Chanthaburi province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 29, 2024. Cobra Gold, now in its 43rd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Marine Corps

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines engage targets during a Combat Marksmanship Program range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 8, 2022. This training sharpened Marines critical combat arms skills by executing transition drills and increasing their proficiency in switching between primary and secondary weapons. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

A Soldier with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, conducts Buddy Team Tactics at a Fort Benning Range on 27 September 2022.In each lane, a drill sergeant coached Soldiers on the correct movements. Soldiers began the lane behind a structure's wall, moved down range to another structure, took a knee, locked and loaded their M4 rifle and began their patrol.

Army Reserve Sgt Joshua Tsang, 311th Signal Command, fires the M4 Carbine Assault Rifle, during the Army Reserve Best Squad Competition, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, on May 15, 2022. Approximately 40 soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the 2022 U.S. Best Squad Competition from May 14-21, 2022 BWBSC is an annual competition that brings together the best Soldiers and squads from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of Best Warrior and Best Squad among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focus events that test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.

A competitor in the United States Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition uses a digital range finder on his weapon while engaging long-distance targets at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 19, 2019. Twenty-one teams competed in the USASOC International Sniper Competition where instructors from the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School designed a series of events that challenged the two-person teams ability to work together, firing range, speed and accuracy in varied types of environments.

U.S. Marine Aims a Rifle with a Suppressor On Its Barrel.

Sgt. 1st Class Alan Alcaraz fires an M240B during AMCs Best Warrior Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., August 14-17.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cherish A. Ragland, a heavy equipment mechanic with 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d Marine Division, fires a M240B machine gun during a live-fire machine gun range on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 27, 2023. The live-fire machine gun range allows Marines to practice operating an M240B machine gun.

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Corban Lundborg, assigned to 4th Combat Camera Squadron, 315th Airlift Wing, participates in a marksmanship qualification range while competing in the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P Hill, Virginia, May 21, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the physical, tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

U.S. Marine Corps recruit Tyzai Burris with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, fires his rifle during table two on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California July 19, 2022. All recruits must participate in the table two rifle qualification course during the 3rd phase of recruit training.

U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Fiore, representing the Georgia Army National Guard, fires a round during the weapons qualifying portion of the Best Warrior Competition on Camp Blanding, Fla., May 11, 2022. The Regional Best Warrior Competition highlights the lethality, readiness and capabilities of Army National Guardsmen throughout the southeastern region.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Baine Vantilburg, a scout sniper with Sniper Platoon, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), participates in a bilateral live-fire exercise in Beignon, France, July 8, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Pfc. George Warshany, Allied Trade Specialist, 410th Medical Company Logistics Support from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, fires M249 on the range at Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin April 3, 2022. Soldiers qualify their marksmanship every year in order to maintain combat readiness.

A U.S. Marines fires his M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle on an Indonesian range during Exercise Super Garuda Shield on Dodiklatpur Rindam V, East Java, Indonesia., September 1, 2023. Super Garuda Shield 2023 is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. SGS2023 is the second consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, highlighting the 6 participating and 12 observing nations' commitment to partnership and a free and open indo-pacific.

Capt. Andrea Kennedy of the Michigan National Guard's 51st Civil Support Team fires a 12 guage shotgun at the Winston P. Wilson Small Weapons Competion begins at Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, July 24, 2017. Elite Guardsmen from 47 states and territories are competing to be recognized as the Guard's best marksmen July 23-28.

U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Matthew Fiore, representing the Georgia Army National Guard, fires a round during the weapons zeroing portion of the Region Three Best Warriors Competition on Camp Blanding, Fla., May 11, 2022. The Region Three Best Warrior Competition highlights the lethality, readiness and capabilities of Army National Guardsman throughout the southeastern region.

U.S. Army Soldier of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, drags a litter sled during stress shooting exercises at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt., Aug. 13, 2022. Soldiers negotiate obstacles and fire live rounds using M4 carbines and squad automatic weapons. The goal of the training is to build individual Soldier skills and confidence in a scenario replicating movement in combat.

A U.S. Marine assigned to Alpha Company; 1st Battalion; 1st Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Division; buddy rushes toward an objective while conducting Range 800 during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; California; Sept. 20; 2022. Range 800 improved Alpha Companys efficiency in independent platoon operations and basic fire support team skills during the larger FEX; intended to increase the battalions combat readiness.

Norwegians in the Norwegian Home Guard Rapid Response Force and Home Defense Youth complete M4A1 Rifle live-fire range qualification ranges during the 51st Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange at Camp Ripley Training Center in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 5th, 2024. The Norwegians previously learned about the weapon system on Camp Ripleys Engagement Skills Trainer ranges before beginning live-fire exercises (Minnesota Army National Guard

U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Bean, a signal specialist, Bravo Company, 115th Signal Battalion, Alabama National Guard, zeros his M249 squad automatic at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 4, 2022. Bean is from Oneonta, Ala., and is conducting his annual training at Northern Strike 22-2. This years exercise brings 7,400 people from 19 states and 4 coalition countries to Northern Michigan.

A U.S. Army Soldier with the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, zero fires the M4 carbine before a range qualification on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 22, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jeffery Cowhey, a student with School of Infantry-East, conducts live fire training during the Combat Instructor Advanced Marksmanship Training Program on Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, North Carolina, July 20, 2022. The Advanced Marksmanship Training Program utilizes Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune facilities to increase Marines proficiency as riflemen to better prepare future warfighters for tomorrows fight.

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Sgt. Javion Siders, assigned to the 982nd Combat Camera Company (Airborne) conducts M4 Carbine marksmanship qualifications on Fort Jackson, SC, April 9, 2022. Soldiers qualify their marksmanship every year in order to maintain combat readiness.

U.S. Army soldier Spc. Aiden Gallo-Murphy with the 412th Alpha Company qualifies with his m4 at the qualification course, during Operation Viking at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., July 23, 2022. Operation Viking is an intense joint task force exercise designed to prepare Soliders with realistic training simulating deployment of civil affairs units in direct support of a contingency operation in Africa.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Johnson Harding, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines fires an M107 .50 caliber Sniper Rifle while conducting a live-fire sniper range on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 16, 2022. The training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed critical marksmanship skills. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Harding is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

Competitors participate in a stress-shoot event during the 2022 National Guard Bureau Region 2 Best Warrior Competition, held May 17-20, 2022, at Camp Dawson, Kingwood, West Virginia. The Best Warrior Competition is a physically and mentally challenging three-day competition that tests competitors on a wide range of technical and tactical skills relevant to todays combat operating environment. Region 2 consists of competitors from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional winners from across the nation will advance to compete at the national-level competition this summer.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Keoni Gandalf, a small arms repair technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, fires an M4 carbine during a table three through six range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 8, 2022. The purpose of the range was to improve Marines combat marksmanship in preparation for future operations. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Forces comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Gandalf, a native of Waimea, Hawaii, graduated from Kealakehe High School in 2021 and enlisted out of Recruiting Station Kailua-Kona in 2021.

Soldiers of the Arizona National Guard, Alpha Company,1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Tucson, Arizona, provide support fire with a M240 Bravo July 31, 2017 during a live fire exercise as part of Exercise Northern Strike 17. Northern Strike is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise uniting approximately 5,000 service members from 13 states and five coalition countries during the first two weeks of August 2017 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both located in northern Michigan and operated by the Michigan National Guard. The newly accredited NS 17 demonstrates the Michigan National Guard's ability to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air, sea, and ground maneuver integration, together with the synchronization of fires in a joint, multinational, decisive action environment.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Kennedy Ralph, a joint terminal attack controller with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, fires his M4 carbine during his annual rifle qualification at Range 116A on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 11, 2022. Camp Pendletons Marksmanship Training Division trains 22,000 Marines and sailors each year across the installation to effectively engage targets with both rifles and pistols. The ARQ is a timed course of fire, ranging from 500 yards down to 15 yards. Ralph is a native of Spokane, Washington.

U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (August 15, 2022) - A U.S. Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command (FASTCENT) conducts advanced marksmanship live-fire drills at a training facility in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Aug. 15. FASTCENT provides expeditionary antiterrorism and security forces to embassies, consulates and other vital national assets throughout the region.

Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade conducted the fourth quarter best warrior competition on August 15, 2022. Soldiers stopped at the small arms range to test their competence on the M4A1 weapon system.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew Martin, an infantry squad leader with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, provides security during Exercise Manticore in France, Sept. 22, 2022. Exercise Manticore is a French Army-led large scale exercise that integrated the Marines into a platoon-sized maneuver element to conduct offensive and defensive operations.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1-173rd Infantry take part in a live-fire trench warfare exercise at Fort Benning, Ga. March 8, 2019.

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-73 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division take part in the Machine Gun Event for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, GA, July 27, 2022. The Best Squad Competition tests squads physical, technical and tactical abilities under stress and fatigue to determine which squad from the XVIII Airborne Corps will advance to the Forces Command Best Squad Competition in the coming months.

U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Umesh Ral with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, shoots an M16A4 service rifle during table 1 practice at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California May 9, 2022. Recruits shot at a variety of distances on several targets as part of their marksmanship assessment. Ral was recruited out of Dallas, Texas, with Recruiting Station Dallas.

Staff Sgt. Cody Rush, attached to C Co 2-151 INF BN shows proper technical skill while handling the M9 pistol during the TAG Match on October 22, 2022, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Edwards, 120th PAD) The M17 pistol was first introduced in the first quarter of 2019 and would replace the older model M9.

U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor anti-personnel weapon system on Range 800 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 10, 2022. Range 800 is capable of hosting platoon attacks supported by rockets and machine guns, allowing 1st MARDIV units to conduct this type of training without traveling to another installation.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Richard Castro, with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, prepares to shoot his rifle during the 2022 National Matches on Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2022. Participants compete in six-man-teams, each shooter firing a timed 100-point aggregate using national match M-16 A4 service rifles. Rifles are fired from the 200, 300 and 600 yard lines in both sitting and standing positions. The National Matches, also called the World Series of Shooting Sports, have been a tradition on Camp Perry since 1907; more than 4,500 participants compete annually.

Army Sgt. Zachary Scuncio, a military police officer with the Rhode Island Army National Guards 169th Military Police Company, engages targets with an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon while competing in the 2017 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Ripley, Minn., Tuesday, July 18, 2017. The competition is a mentally and physically challenging three-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills to determine the Army Guards Soldier and noncommissioned of the year. The winners move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition, battling it out with Soldiers from throughout the Army to be named the Armys Soldier and NCO of the year.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Scott Prouty, a fireteam member assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, trains with an M4 carbine at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 24, 2022. Prouty is a Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 307th Security Forces Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Active-duty members and Reservists within the 378th ESFS work and train with the 1-182nd Infantry Regiments Task Force Americals Massachusetts National Guardsmen completing the trifecta of PSABs Total Force protection.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M136 AT4 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M136 AT4 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

Old Guard Soldier competing in National Capital Region Noncommissioned Officer and/or Soldier of the Year

U.S. Army Sgt. Ian McCloskey, an infantryman assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, aims an M4 rifle during a platoon live fire exercise while conducting pre-mobilization training at Fort Drum, Jun. 29. The battalion is honing its warfighting skills for an upcoming deployment to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, slated for later this summer.

Master Sgt. Aaron Hildebrant, with the 34th Infantry Division Red Bulls, Minnesota National Guard, laser bore sights his M4 Carbine during preliminary marksmanship instruction at Fort Cavazos, Texas, February 20, 2024. Practicing PMI ensures proper firearm handling and shooting techniques before attending weapons qualification at the shooting range. (Minnesota National Guard

A Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) completes M4 rifle qualification requirements July 26, 2022, on Range 18 on North Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2/24 is an infantry battalion based out of Chicago consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. The 2/24 was holding annual training at Fort McCoy.

Close-up photo of special forces soldier with sniper rifle.

Staff Sgt. Calvin Miller, a combat engineer assigned to Eighth Army and native from Minot, North Dakota, fires a M4 carbine in the prone supported position at the multiple weapon scenario-based marksmanship event during the 2022 U.S. Army Pacific's Best Warrior Competition at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, June 8, 2022. The USARPAC BWC 2022 is an annual week-long competition consisting of competitors from multiple USARPAC units across the Indo-Pacific. The noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers are evaluated in several categories such as general military knowledge, basic Soldier skills, and physical fitness.

U.S. Army soldier Spc. Aiden Gallo-Murphy with the 412th Alpha Company qualifies with his m4 at the qualification course, during Operation Viking at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., July 23, 2022. Operation Viking is an intense joint task force exercise designed to prepare Soliders with realistic training simulating deployment of civil affairs units in direct support of a contingency operation in Africa.

U.S. Army soldier assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducts rifle qualifications with an M4-A1 Carbine during tryouts for the Best Ranger Competition. The Best Ranger Competition is held annually at Fort Benning, Georgia, where for over 60 hours, ranger-qualified soldiers compete in a series of challenges ranging from physical fitness and marksmanship.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Eddie Joe Camacho, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, fires an M16A4 service rifle during a table three through six range on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 7, 2024. The range was part of a battalion field exercise that rehearsed crucial logistical operations executed within an Alert Contingency Air-Ground Task Force, aimed at enhancing the capabilities and readiness of CLB-4. Camacho is a native of Guam. Marine Corps

A soldier from the 231st Transportation Company pulls guard with an M249 SAW during perimeter defense at Independence Tactical Training Base on July 22, 2022 at Fort McCoy, Wis. This exercise is part of the annual WAREX in which Army Reserve units conduct joint training under the 78th Training Division.

U.S. Marine Corps recruit Brayan Gaitanrivera with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, shoots the table one course of fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton California, July 12, 2022. Table one covers the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and rifle safety in all shooting positions sitting, kneeling, standing, and prone. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Jacob Hutchinson)

Specialist Paul Mendez, Division Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), fires the M249 SAW during a squad live fire exercise on Fort Campbell, Ky., June 22, 2022. Mendez supports his squad with suppressive fire so his squadmates can flank the objective.

GREYWOLF Troopers took part in M240 Machine Gun weapons training on 25 August, 2022. As part of the training troopers learned about the components of the weapons and competed in disassembling and reassembling the weapon against each other. Training like this promotes familiarization helping troopers build readiness.

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion fires at his target during a table one live fire exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug 2, 2022. Recruits shot a variety of distances on several targets as part of their marksmanship assessment.

U.S. Army Sgt. Olivia Stephan, heavy equipment operator with I Company, 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, 126th Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard fires her M17 pistol during the Best Warrior Competition (BWC), Fort Custer Training Center, Augusta, Michigan, Sept. 14, 2022. The BWC reinforces fundamental warrior tasks and battle drills, promotes esprit de corps, and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values and embody the warrior ethos.

U.S. Army sniper during a military operation.

A recruit with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, prepares to fire from the seated position at the Table 1 Range on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., April 5, 2023. Table 1 is where recruits first get a chance to fire the M16A4 service rifle.

U.S. Army soldier, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, test fire their 50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun. Regular range visits allow soldiers to hone their marksmanship and ensure their weapon is functional.

A Latvian soldier takes a shot from a downed helicopter as part of the Mogadishu lane of the European Best Sniper Team Competition at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Aug. 6, 2022. The annual European Best Sniper Team Competition is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa competition that tests marksmanship skills, physical prowess, and mental agility while developing relationships and sharing skills between sniper teams across Europe.

U.S. Special Operations Forces assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), participate in a combat marksmanship exercise at Panzer Range, in Boeblingen, Germany, Feb. 14, 2024. Combat marksmanship training increases team lethality, builds cohesion, and provides integrated training to new members of the unit. Army

A Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) completes M4 rifle qualification requirements July 26, 2022, on Range 18 on North Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2/24 is an infantry battalion based out of Chicago consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. The 2/24 was holding annual training at Fort McCoy.

Sgt. Joshua Kleinhans of Kiel, Wisconsin, a Fire Control Specialist with the Wisconsin National Guards B Battery, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Regiment, fires a M240B machine gun during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh. An area of this photo has been blurred to protect sensitive information)

An Albanian special operations forces soldier takes cover behind a wooden barrier and fires his rifle during a stress fire exercise as part of a joint combined exchange training near Tirana, Albania, Feb. 27, 2024. Albania special operations forces and the 10th SFG(A) conducted JCET to enhance interoperability and strengthen military readiness, teamwork, and joint confidence while promoting peace and stability in Europe. Army

070308-A-3218C-022. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

USA, California, Sierra Nevada Mountains, United States Marine aiming an M16 service rifle during mountain warfare training in Mountain Warfare Training Center

U.S. Army soldier, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, test fires an M17 pistol. Regular range visits allow soldiers to hone their marksmanship and ensure their weapon is functional.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matt Taller, a security forces specialist with the 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, participates in an exercise called Shoot, Move, Communicate over drill weekend at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, on Aug. 13, 2022. This training is part of the Security Forces annual weapons training plan, ensuring Airmen remain proficient in not only marksmanship, but how to move and communicate effectively when engaged with a target.

Pohang, South Korea, March 29, 2006 - A corpsman fires an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon at the Su Song Ri Range during Exercise Foal Eagle 2006.

A Michigan National Guard Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 107th Engineer Battalion fires the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) during a live fire exercise. The HHC is operating in support of the 107th during exercise Northern Strike. It’s my first AT where we have been able to get real war training. The kind of training I signed up for.” Says Sgt. Chelsea Anderson the Assistant Readiness NCO for the HHC. Northern Strike 17 is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise uniting approximately 5,000 service members from 13 states and five coalition countries during the first two weeks of August 2017 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both located in northern Michigan and operated by the Michigan National Guard. The newly accredited NS 17 demonstrates the Michigan National Guard's ability to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches to achieve and

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Faith, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard, adjusts site on MK 19 grenade launcher (pronounced Mark 19) an American 40mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher during weapons training held at Camp Ripley Minnesota July 26, 2022. Airman participated in stationary and mobile training on the Mark 19 during their qualify course to prepare them for real world missile fields and deployments.

SENIOR AIRMAN Nick Masi, 39th Security Forces Squadron, sites his target, as he readies to fire his Colt 5.56 mm M16A2 rifle in preparation for the US Air Forces in Europe Defender Challenge. Areas of training for the Defender Challenge include tactics, fitness and weapons. Training took place at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Senior Airman Nick Masi, 39th Security Forces Squadron, sites his target, as he readies to fire his Colt 5.56 mm M16A2 rifle in preparation for the US Air Forces in Europe Defender Challenge. Areas of training for the Defender Challenge include tactics, fitness and weapons. Training took place at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

U.S. soldier in action.

Soldiers from the from the 301st Tactical PSYOP Company conduct weapons familarization with the 240B machine gun on Edwards Air Force Base on January 21, 2011.

Soldiers assigned to the Virgin Islands Army National Guard attend Annual Training at Camp Shelby, M.S. May 20-27, 2022. Soldiers participated in various training exercises while on annual training. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Spc. Keyra Moolenaar)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Navaeh Longoria, an aviation supply management specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 1, provides security during a field exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 18, 2023. MWHS-1 conducted rear area security combat readiness rehearsals, which allowed Marines the opportunity to assess their readiness in a field environment and engage in team-based training exercises.

National Guard soldier shoots a gun

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