Soldiers in Weapons Training

Images of military personnel engaging in marksmanship training and qualification exercises with rifles in various outdoor settings and training ranges.

A U.S. Marine with Force Reconnaissance, demonstrates live fire drills to a Swedish Marine, with 2d Marine Battalion, during exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2022 (AE22), at Berga Naval Base, Sweden, Sept. 9, 2022. AE22 is an integrated field training exercise that increases operational capability and enhances strategic cooperation between the U.S. Marines and Swedish forces.

Service members from the Texas Army and Air National Guard prepare to fire during the weapons qualification range May 04, 2022, at Camp Swift, Texas, as part of the Texas Military Department Best Warrior Competition. The three-day competition challenges service members on professional military knowledge, marksmanship, obstacle course and land navigation. The Army winners of this event will move on to represent Texas at the National Guards Region V Best Warrior Competition. (Photo by Warrant Officer 1 Gregory Illich)

Capt. Sheriff Dosunmu, physical therapist with the 167th Medical Augmentation Detachment, 512th Field Hospital, 519th Hospital Center, shoots his assigned M4 Carbine at the range during the 30th Medical Brigade Best Squad Competition at Franken Kaserne military base, Ansbach, Germany on Feb. 29, 2024. Soldiers are required to qualify on their assigned weapon no less than once a year. Events like these are used as a test of grit and toughness, foster readiness and esprit de corps, and are a fundamental part of the Brigade's method of building lethal, cohesive teams and expert leaders. Army

Army ROTC Cadet Jake Gleason completes his M-4 carbine qualification at Fort Knox, Ky., July 2, 2022. Gleason scored a 34 out of 40 targets earning him sharp-shooter. | Photo by Savannah Baird, CST Public Affairs Office

Airmen assigned to the 31st Security Forces Squadron practice full distance shooting at the Cao Malnisio range in Pordenone, Italy, May 21, 2015. The Airmen were hand-selected by their squadron to serve as designated marksmen.

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing run speed-fire drills during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Eglin Range, Florida, May 02, 2022. Emerald Warrior provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas. The exercise prepares special operations forces conventional force enablers, partner nations and interagency elements, to integrate and execute full-spectrum special operations in any environment climate, sharpening U.S. forces abilities to operate around the globe.

A U.S. Marine with Force Reconnaissance, demonstrates live fire drills to a Swedish Marine, with 2d Marine Battalion, during exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2022 (AE22), at Berga Naval Base, Sweden, Sept. 9, 2022. AE22 is an integrated field training exercise that increases operational capability and enhances strategic cooperation between the U.S. Marines and Swedish forces.

Spc. Aiden Rosadillo, assigned to 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, shoots a M17 handgun during the First Corps Marksmanship Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (JBLM) February 27, 2024. This year's First Corps Marksmanship Competition was made up of 13 teams from across JBLM to see who participates in the U.S. Army Forces Command Marksmanship Competition. Army

The Tennessee National Guard's 30th Troop Command ensured that all soldiers that were conducting individual weapons qualification adhered to all safety precautions, April 9, at Tullahoma's Volunteer Training Site. The Tennessee National Guard finds risk reduction and safety as a major piece of mission readiness.

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.

Tech. Sgt. Heaven Briley, 99th Security Forces Squadron Combat arms noncommissioned officer in charge, fires an M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle Aug. 26, 2022, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Combat Arms trains and qualifies individuals on weapons systems needed to perform their duties in garrison or overseas.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kason Rondot, 822nd Base Defense Squadron armorer, fires a Sig Sauer M18 at a ballistic pad alongside Staff Sgt. Mack Jones, 820th Combat Operations Squadron combat arms instructor, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2022. Rondot and Jones shot 9 mm and 5.56 mm rounds at ballistic plates and Ballistic Rapid Air Deployable System (B-RADS) technology during a ballistic and blast protection demonstration.

U.S Army Soldiers conduct pistol training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, July 28, 2022.

Sgt. Matthew Fiore, a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer with Alpha Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment fires weapons system in the Region 3 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla., on May 9th, 2022. Soldiers in the Army National Guard gather to compete, build esprit de corps, and represent their respective states for the upcoming national competition.

A Green Beret assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) works with a Polish soldier assigned to Polish 1st Brigade Territorial Defense Forces during a pistol firing drill near Bialystok, Poland, Sept. 6-10, 2022. This was the first of many training iterations between Polish 1st TDF and 10th SFG(A) and allowed soldiers the opportunity to improve their tactical skills related to close quarter battles and increase overall lethality.

Pfc. Noah Carlsson, a Public Affairs Mass Communications Specialist assigned to the 368th Public Affairs Detachment, fires an M249 light machine gun at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on April 3, 2022. While on a shooting range, Soldiers work to qualify their weapons by shooting at paper and pop-up targets, fulfilling their annual training requirement.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason Shaffer, 88th Air Base Wing command chief, fires his M18 9mm pistol during the Excellence in Competition shooting event held as part of Police Week at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 17, 2022. Police week is an annual event, which allow law enforcement, and citizens to pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Sgt. Christian Stafford, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, shoots the M17 modular handgun system pistol during the Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ravenna, Ohio on April 1, 2022. The winners of the BWC will move on to represent the Ohio Army National Guard at the regional level competition this summer. The BWC recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the future. (Photo by Sgt Katelin Uhinck, 196TH Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/RELEASED)

U.S. Army Sgt. Francisco Acosta of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Regiment, New Mexico Army National Guard, competes in the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region VII National Excellence in Competition Pistol event from 50-yards at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, Sept. 18, 2018. The competition was facilitated by the California Military Department's Office of Competitive Programs.

A Cadet from the University of North Georgias alpha team fires his M-17 pistol at the Pistol Range event during 1st Brigades Army ROTC Ranger Challenge on October 28 at Fort Knox, Ky. The Ranger Challenge runs October 26-29, and the top two teams go on to compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at West Point Military Academy in April 2023. | Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (June 24, 2022) Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 1, Detachment Guam, fires an M4 carbine to complete their annual category III small arms qualification at Naval Base Guam.

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 Sgt. 1st Class, a Soldier assigned to the 20th CBRNE participates in the stress shoot event of the 2022 20th CBRNE Best Warrior Competition, at Fort Indiantown Gap Pa., July 12, 2022.Command Sgt. Major Jorge Arzabala, senior enlisted advisor for the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Command, said this years Best Squad Competition and Best Warrior Competition is focused on the basic fundamentals every Soldier should master.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. Jeremy Weller, 207th Engineer Utility Detachment, engages targets, June 1, 2022, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during Alaskas 2022 The Adjutant General Match. Teams of four service members competed throughout the week in a series of combat pistol and rifle marksmanship tests for a spot on the Governors Twenty marksmanship team. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by David Bedard)

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.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (1/2CR) fires a German pistol 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.

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. 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.

Sgt. Kodi Pfleeger, assigned to Alpha company 113th Transportation Battalion shoots his M17 at the target during the TAG Match on October 22, 2022, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Edwards, 120th PAD) This is Sgt. Pfleegers first attempt at the TAG Match competition.

Sgt. Jose Machado, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 356th Quarter Master Company under the 50th Regional Support Group, fires weapons system in the Region 3 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla., on May 9th, 2022. Soldiers in the Army National Guard gather to compete, build esprit de corps, and represent their respective states for the upcoming national competition.

Staff Sgt. Daemon Walton assigned to 222 Chemical Company, fires an M17 SIG Sauer pistol while competing in the 53rd Troop Command Best Warrior Competition at Youngstown Local Training Area, Buffalo, N.Y., Sep. 9-11, 2022. The three-day event consists of several events to test Soldiers on their Army knowledge, physical fitness, and tactical prowess ending in a 12-mile road march and the privilege to represent New York at the regional and national levels.

U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Downes, chaplain assistant with the 246th Transportation Company, 272nd Regional Support Group, Michigan Army National Guard, fires his M4 rifle 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.

The soldiers from the 7301st MTSB (Medical Readiness Training Battalion are completing their training at the TSC/TADS EST II Simulator (SIM EST II). The EST II simulates weapons training events that lead to live fire qualifications for individual or crew-served weapons. EST II provides weapons training in a controlled environment that reduces range/live fire fees and provides the soldier with more trigger time. Units utilize EST II to improve and excel at marksmanship skills, which improve performance during live-fire training. This unit is the first unit to train in the newly renovated EST II Simulation Building. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

During the Far East Division Matches at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, US Marine Corps STAFF Sergeant David K. Adkins, Headquarter Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, takes his score down on his scorecard after firing a 9 mm pistol at the pistol range. The Far East Division Matches are held every year to determine who will be selected to go to the Marine Corps Championship. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Hansen State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

Armed and ready with their Colt 5.56 mm M16A2 rifles several members at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base carry out necessary procedures to ensure the safety and security of the installation and its personnel, in compliance with National Command Authority directives. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Airmen of 944th Fighter Wing Security Forces conduct Tactical Combat Casualty Care TCCC training at Fightertown Paintball Park in El Mirage, Ariz., Aug. 12, 2022. TCCC is standardized training to equip every Airman with the basic skills to save lives in combat operations. The Airmen worked through various scenarios amidst simulated combat engagement with the goal to deliver care and or evacuation under fire or threat.

Lieutenant Joshua Riley, a Special Response Team (SRT) team member with the Department of Energy (DOE), completes a dynamic movement live-fire drill at IAMS Range, Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, Virginia, June 22, 2022. MCSFR CQB instructors led various live-fire qualifications, movement to contact drills and guided discussions on CQB tactics and techniques for personnel with the DOEs SRT, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agents, the Chesapeake Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agencys Emergency Response Team. MCSFR capitalized on the interagency training evolution to enhance CQB capabilities and knowledge for U.S. Marine CQB instructors and all participating agency operators further equiping anti-terrorism security forces for vital national assets.

35th Infantry Division Soldiers practice using the M4 during Weapons preliminary marksmanship training on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 2, 2022.

221129-N-OX430-1765CORONADO, Calif. (Nov. 29, 2022) A Republic of Korea Navy SEAL shoots at targets during a bilateral training exercise with U.S. Navy SEALs at Silver Strand Training Complex. NSW is the nation's premier maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the fleet's reach and deliver all-domain options for naval and joint force commanders.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Michael Welch, a platoon commander with Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East, fires his rifle during the Intramural Marksmanship Competition at Stone Bay on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 2, 2022. The Marine Corps Intramural Marksmanship Competition inspires unit cohesion and mission readiness by allowing Marines to compete and improve lethality with both rifle and pistol weapons.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Roberto Salinas-Jimenez, 432nd Security Forces Squadron officer in charge of logistics and resources, shoots at his practice target during a shooting competition during police week at the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, May 16, 2022. Police week occurs annually to honor the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and to the officers who serve and protect their community.

Sgt. Ashlind House, a squad member representing U.S. Army North's best squad competition team, zero's an M4 carbine during the Army Futures Command 2022 Best Squad Competition on June 6, 2022 at Camp Bullis, Texas. The Best Squad Competition is being used to select the team that will represent their command at the next level of competition with the hope of eventually winning the inaugural U.S. Army level Best Squad Competition

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.

Super Garuda Shield 2023, at 5th Marine Training Center (Puslatpur), Situbono Regency, East Java, Indonesia, Aug. 31, 2023. Super Garuda Shield is an annual exericse that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. Super Garuda Sheild 2023 is the second consectutive time this exercise has grown into a combinedand joint event, highlighting the 6 parcipating and 12 observing nations' committment to partnership and a free and open indo pacific.

A member of the Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington Security Force Defender Challenge Team, fires an M-9 handgun at targets during the M-9 competition during Air Mobility Commands DEFENDER CHALLENGE. Defender Challenge is an exercise, which determines the best security, forces squadron in Air Mobility Command with the winner of AMCs competition going on to the Air Forces wide Defender Challenge. Subject Operation/Series: DEFENDER CHALLENGE Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A Soldier assigned to 2nd Infantry Division shoots at the Bayonet Blitz range during the 7ID Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 21, 2022. The three-day competition was held to recognize the best Soldier and noncommissioned officer in the division through various tests including a ruck march, obstacle course, land navigation, R2 performance test and a board.

A Marine with the Marine Corps Shooting Team fires 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.

Senior Airman Victor Yastrzab, a 99th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms instructor assigned, fires an M4A1 carbine Aug. 26, 2022, at Nellis Air Force Base. Combat Arms is a specialty subset of Security Forces that specializes in weapons qualification training and small arms repair.

Dutch Marines with Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps, evaluate a U.S. Marine with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, during Exercise Tres Kolos in Savaneta, Aruba, Oct. 21, 2022. This exercise promotes partnerships, shares knowledge, and enhances interoperability between the forces in order to strengthen our common defense, foster stability and defeat threats.

Air Force Reserve Maj. James Fink, 94th Aerial Port Squadron helps his CIOR teammate Army Reserve Sgt.1st Class Charles Blackwell, 108th Training Command, mark holes on a target at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Vermont on July 20, 2022. The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition (CIOR MILCOMP) is a three-day team competition consisting of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations in Europe. It has been around since 1957. The competition is open to all reserve components for both NCO and officer. It is now run on a volunteer basis and funded by former competitors through an alumni association.

U.S. Air National Guard Airmen of the 185th Air Refueling Wing trained with the M9 pistol at the 185th Air Refueling Wing at Sioux City, Iowa, April 1, 2023. Training instruction was provided by combat arms instructors of the 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces.

Company command teams across the Nebraska Army National Guard attend Operation Heartland Fury at the Camp Ashland and Mead Training Sites, Nebraska, Aug. 27, 2022. Operation Heartland Fury was an event hosted by Training Center Command, 209th Regional Training Institute, and consisted of various events and tours of training installations and equipment to show what capabilities are available to support all of Nebraskas units. Some of the events included trench clearing with medical evacuation, leaders reaction course, the rappel tower and vehicle recovery.

British soldiers from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (PWRR) Tigers participated in marksmanship training on September 1, 2023. The PWRR is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, and is training alongside NATO partners to enhance interoperability.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Thompson, a combat videographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, reloads an M18 pistol during a pistol range on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 23, 2022. The range was held as a tryout for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific Marines to represent their individual units at the upcoming Far East Division Matches shooting competition.

Soldiers from Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry and Soldiers from the Republic of Latvia conduct firearms training near Mitrovica, Kosovo April 23, 2022. Internally, KFOR cooperation occurs between all of our valued, troop-contributing nations.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, and Soldiers from the Republic of Latvia conduct firearms training near Mitrovica, Kosovo, April 23, 2022. Internally, Kosovo Forces cooperation occurs between all of our valued, troop-contributing nations.

U.S. Army Spc. Bryan Hutchins conducts a weapons familiarization session with the SA80A3, the British armys standard issue rifle, during Exercise Eager Lion 22 in Jordan, Sept. 11, 2022. Eager Lion is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations.

U.S. Army Maj. Jefferey Dannemiller (left) and 1st Lt. Daniel Frasch go over the steps for firing the M136E1 AT4-CS confined space light anti-armor weapon during expert infantryman badge training on Fort Stewart, Georgia, April 1, 2022. Dannemiller and Frasch will be representing the 3rd Infantry Division in the Armys Best Ranger Competition April 8-11 on Fort Benning, Georgia.

A U.S. Army Soldier from the New Jersey National Guard fires the M9 Beretta during the pistol marksmanship portion of the New Jersey Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 27, 2017. Eight Soldiers and eight NCOs are competing in the NJARNGs Best Warrior Competition, Mar. 27-29, 2017, which features timed events, including urban warfare simulations, a 12-mile ruck march, land navigation, and the Army Physical Fitness Test. The top Soldier and NCO will go on to compete in the Region 1 Competition in April against National Guard Troops from the six New England states and New York. The Best Warrior Competition recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the Future.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Megan Cann, 31st Fighter Wing Commanders Action Group director, fires an M18 Modular Handgun System during the 2022 Excellence in Competition Pistol match at Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 17, 2022. In commemoration of Police Week, more than 150 Wyverns participated in the competition to test their firing skills in three different timed scenarios. Police Week pays tribute to the local, state, and federal police officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty.

Soldiers of Squad 4, representing the U.S Army Special Operations Command, conduct a stress shoot during the Army Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 5, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

Soldiers of Squad 4, representing the U.S Army Special Operations Command, conduct a stress shoot during the Army Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 5, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Team Operator Michael Godjikian, a SWAT sniper with the Chesapeake Police Department's SWAT Team, inspects his carbine before an operator readiness test live-fire drill at IAMS Range, Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, Virginia, June 24, 2022. Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR) close-quarters battle (CQB) instructors led various live-fire qualifications, movement to contact drills and guided discussions on CQB tactics and techniques for personnel with the Department of Energys Special Response Team, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agents, the Chesapeake Police Department's SWAT Team, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agencys Emergency Response Team. MCSFR capitalized on the interagency training evolution to enhance CQB capabilities and knowledge for U.S. Marine CQB instructors and all participating agency operators further equiping anti-terrorism security forces for vital national assets.

Soldiers assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, participate in the MDW Best Squad Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. and Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., July 31 to Aug. 5, 2022. Soldiers were tested on patrol lanes, weapons lanes, medical lanes, and a board over the course of the five-day competition.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jon Alexander, an Apache Helicopter pilot assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, acts as a lane safety during an M4A1 weapons qualification range at Grafenwohr Training Area, 31 July 2022.

040606-M-4419R-053. Base: India Base (NASIR WAAL SALAAM) State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Cadet Katie Humphereys, Texas A&M University, fires at her target during the pistol range event on April 30 at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition. Cadets take turns shooting at a cardboard target in their firing lane, gaining points for each designated body zone they hit during their turn. The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition took place April 29-30 at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. | Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Spc. Vaquahn Barner and Pvt. Teddy Johnson test their proficiency on an unfamiliar weapons system Jan,26, 2022 at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Indiana National Guard Sgt. Sergio Hunt, infantryman with 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Battalion, prepares himself for sniper school by practicing high elevation marksmanship at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Aug. 1, 2022.

U. S. Marines, assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Europe (FASTEUR), participates in a shooting competition with members of the Spanish National Police's Grupo Especial de Operaciones (GEO), May 19, 2022. FASTEUR is deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ceaser Verdin, a drill instructor with Support Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and a member of the Edson Range shooting team, engages a target during an action rifle stage at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition West at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 23, 2024. Verdin is a native of Pomona, California. The MCMC West was held in conjunction with several other competitions around the Marine Corps to find the top 10 percent of shooters who will go on to compete in the national tournament in Quantico, Virginia for a place on the Marine Corps Shooting Team. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Steven Gomez, a small arms repairer/technician with weapons training battalion, fires a World War II M1 Grand rifle during the Marine Corps Championships on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, March 31, 2023. Marines who place in the top 10-percent at their respective Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition receive an invitation to participate in the Marine Corps Championships that consists of 10 days of competition in precision rifle, action rifle, precision pistol, action pistol, and multi gun action shooting.

Spc. Andrew Davis of the New Jersey Army National Guard's 50th Special Troops Battalion fires a shotgun during familiarization training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Spc. Connor MacDowell, a team leader assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division instructs New Zealand and Fijian soldiers on American jungle tactics during Exercise Cartwheel at Nausori Highlands Training Area, Fiji, September 17, 2022. Exercise Cartwheel is a multilateral military-to-military training exercise with the U.S., Republic of Fiji Military, Australian, New Zealand, and British forces that builds expeditionary readiness and interoperability by increasing the capacity to face a crisis and contingencies by developing and stressing units at the highest training levels.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Kane directs a competitor May 13, 2014, during the Law Enforcement Pistol Shoot event at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Kane is the range safety officer with the 30th Security Forces Squadron. The pistol shoot was open to all military and local law enforcement officers as part of a National Police Week celebration at Vandenberg AFB.

040727-F-4882M-011. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

LA VENTA Honduras - A soldier drags a dummy on a modular personnel carrying device during Pull For Your Life shooting event of the Fuerzas Comando competition in La Venta, Honduras, June 14, 2022. Fuerzas Comando is a multinational SOF skills competition showcases the diversity of the SOF community in the western hemisphere, strengthens our regional partnerships, and demonstrates the readiness and interoperability across regional boundaries.

British soldiers from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (PWRR) Tigers participated in marksmanship training on September 1, 2023. The PWRR is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, and is training alongside NATO partners to enhance interoperability.

U.S. Army Spc. Trevor Gruber, Alpha Company, 378th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion, 336th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, Military Intelligence Readiness Command intelligence analyst, fires a Sig Sauer M-17 during the Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 22, 2024. Participants underwent rigorous evaluations by seasoned leaders who are subject matter experts in their respective fields. The assessments encompassed a wide range of military skills tests, including physical fitness, weapons knowledge, marksmanship, land navigation, general military knowledge and more. Air Force

U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, participate in the rifle portion of the June Warrior Games on MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, June 24, 2022. The Warrior Games are a monthly competition hosted in an effort to promote camaraderie within the H&HS family.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ceaser Verdin, a drill instructor with Support Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and a member of the Edson Range shooting team, engages a target during an action rifle stage at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition West at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 23, 2024. Verdin is a native of Pomona, California. The MCMC West was held in conjunction with several other competitions around the Marine Corps to find the top 10 percent of shooters who will go on to compete in the national tournament in Quantico, Virginia for a place on the Marine Corps Shooting Team. Marine Corps

A U.S. Army Sniper assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF) takes watch in a tower during an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) to provide security at the U.S. Embassy, Mogadishu, Somalia, April 22, 2022. The Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa deploys the EARF to support Department of State partners in fixed-site security and evacuation support to protect U.S. Government facilities and personnel and to enable U.S. Embassies to continue operations in challenging security environments.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Woolford, an administrative specialist, Reserve Affairs Management 1, reloads during the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition classes on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia Oct. 26, 2022. The Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition enhances a Marines lethality on the battlefield via advanced marksmanship training and competition in support of the Commandants guidance to develop warriors with physical and mental toughness, tenacity, initiative, and aggressiveness to innovate, adapt, and win in a rapidly changing operating environment. Woolford is a native of Bowie, Maryland.

U.S. Air Force Staff. Sgt. Kendon Freeman, noncommissioned officer in charge, executive administration, Headquarters Office of Special Investigations from Twin Falls, Idaho, prepares for his stage during the Precision Rifle Series match at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 23, 2022. The Marine Corps Shooting Team participates and hosts various shooting matches located on Marine Corps Base Quantico. This match had shooters engage steel targets at various distances from different positions and objects.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Travis Hunt, a tactical air control party specialist and commanding officer of Detachment 1, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, fires the M18 Modular Handgun System during small arms live-fire training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 22, 2022. The special warfare Airmen conducted shooting drills that honed reaction time, speed reloading and clearing weapon malfunctions utilizing the M18 Modular Handgun System and the M4 carbine.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army 1174th Transportation Terminal Battalion from Fort Totten, Flushing, New York are on Range 28B during their Zero and Grounding training. The unit was here at the Fort Dix Range Complex. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team engaged in urban conflict exercises practicing entrance into buildings occupied by an opposing force. Solders from the 2-116th CAB were completing exercises prior to deployment in support Operation Spartan Shield.

Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment trainees seeking to become infantry soldiers focus on hand grenade training, February 27, 2024, at Story Range on Fort Moore.During the six-hour course, trainees are briefed on hand grenade operation, how to hold a hand grenade, how to correctly throw a hand grenade and how to kneel after one is thrown. Army

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Matthew Stampfler, an assistant operations chief with Marine Corps Base Hawaii, unloads his rifle during the Marine Corps Championships on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, March 30, 2023. Marines who place in the top 10-percent at their respective Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition receive an invitation to participate in the Marine Corps Championships that consists of 10 days of competition in precision rifle, action rifle, precision pistol, action pistol, and multi gun action shooting.

ARTA, Djibouti (Sep. 22, 2022) - U.S. Navy Sailors from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti conduct a live-fire exercise to maintain operational efficiency at Djibouti Range Complex, Sep. 22, 2022. Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations ing the Horn of Africa and Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S. Africa relations.

240114-N-VM650-1774 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 14, 2024) Quartermaster 1st Class Timothy Lindsey, from Louisville, Kentucky, fires an M4 carbine rifle during a gun-shoot qualification aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104). Sterett is assigned to Carrier Strike Group ONE and deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Swedish Marine Cpl. Niklas Karlsson, a coastal ranger with Coastal Ranger Company, 2d Swedish Marine Battalion, observes two U.S. Marines firing AK-5 service rifles while participating in combat marksmanship training during exercise Archipelago Endeavor 22 at Berga Naval Base, Sweden, Sept. 8, 2022. AE22 is an integrated field training exercise that increases operational capability and enhances strategic cooperation between the U.S. Marines and Swedish forces.

Family members of U.S. Marines and Sailors based on Camp Schwab participate in a live-fire range during In Their Boots” day on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. This event provided family members with an opportunity to learn more about their Marines’ work and experience a taste of Marine Corps training.

U.S. Airmen from the 628th Security Forces squadron prepare to fire during the Excellence in Competition Pistol Shoot at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, July 25, 2022. The competitors that score in the top 10% are awarded the Excellence in Competition badge that they will be able to wear on their service dress uniform.

U.S. Marine Corps close-quarters battle (CQB) instructors with Training Company, Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment (MCSFR), stand as position safety officers for personnel employed by the Department of Energys (DOE) Special Response Team (SRT), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agents, the Chesapeake Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agencys Emergency Response Team (ERT) conducting speed reloads during a dynamic movement live-fire drill at IAMS Range, Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, Virginia, June 22, 2022. MCSFR CQB instructors led various live-fire qualifications, movement to contact drills and guided discussions on CQB tactics and techniques for personnel with the DOEs SRT, the FBIs Special Agents, the Chesapeake Police Department's SWAT Team, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agencys ERT. MCSFR capitalized on the interagency training evolution to enhance CQB capabilities and knowledge for U.S.

A Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School runs from building to building as he participates in Basic Urban Combat training during the Tactical Skills portion of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina January 6, 2023. Soldiers participated in SFQC training that tested their knowledge of small unit tactics and basic urban operations to ensure they possess the combat skills required to successfully operate on a Special Forces Operational Detatchment Alpha.

U.S. Marine Corps Captain Anthony B. Reyes, Communication Strategy and Operations Chief with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, fires his Beretta M9 Pistol on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California May 5, 2022. Pistol qualification enables Marines to enhance their shooting skills and maintain proficiency with a sidearm.

030205-M-2796K-002. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Hansen State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, direct a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft into its proper parking spot in Normandy, France, June 3, 2022. Multiple C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th AS, participated in memorial events in commemoration of the 78th anniversary of D-Day.

220609-N-EJ241-2628DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (June 9, 2022) - Gunners Mate 1st Class David Perrin, right, and Chief Master-at-Arms Peter Carrick, left, both assigned to U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, evaluates Builder 3rd Class Dylan Nikoley, assigned to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East, Public Works Department, Detachment Diego Garcia, during the M500 shotgun practical weapons portion of a weapons qualification course for Auxiliary Security Forces (ASF) Academy. ASF personnel are active duty service members that augment base security personnel during contingencies, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, civil disturbances, exercises and special events that require heightened levels of security.

During the Far East Division Matches at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Marines armed with M16 rifles on the line are anxiously awaiting for their targets to appear before shooting downrange during a rapid fire event. The Far East Division Matches are held every year to determine who will be selected to go to the Marine Corps Championship. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Hansen State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

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