USAMU Soldiers embark on historic mission

[USAMU]

By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit set out on a historic mission for the unit, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Dec. 11 to train Afghan security forces in marksmanship proficiency.
It is the first time in the history of the prestigious unit that Soldiers will work in concert with indigenous Soldiers. The USAMU offered its marksmanship training capabilities to the military leadership in Afghanistan for as long as they need it, and having this persistent marksmanship training presence for the Afghani Soldiers falls right in line with President Obama's intent of increasing the ability to train competent Afghan security forces and help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans.
"This unit is ideally suited for this type of mission," said Lt.
Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. "Our Soldiers - the best Shooters, gunsmiths, and marksmanship instructors in the world - will enhance the overall readiness of forces executing counterinsurgency in Afghanistan through a marksmanship train-the-trainer program. In this way the USAMU will make an invaluable contribution to the war effort."
An array of Soldiers from the various shooting disciplines within the USAMU and the custom firearms shop will make up the cross-functional teams that will deploy on a rotational basis until their mission is accomplished. The USAMU is the only unit of its kind in the Army:
providing support to Army accessions and performing at the highest level possible in competitive shooting, to include the Olympics, while also training thousands of Soldiers every year.
The dedication, professionalism and expertise of the USAMU showcase the best of Army Soldier skills that instill positive impressions of the Army all over the country as they connect America's people to America's Army; they will take those same values with them to train the Afghan forces.
"This deployment is consistent with the depth and breadth of the USAMU mission," said Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras, the unit's senior enlisted advisor. "On any given day, USAMU Soldiers could be executing such disparate missions as training Afghan security forces, instructing Soldiers throughout the entire Army on marksmanship fundamentals,, improving weapons and ammunition through research and development for the Warfighter, coaching junior shooters at various high school clinics, and winning a world championship in China, all simultaneously."
This is not the first time that Soldiers from the USAMU have deployed in harm's way. A cadre of Soldiers deployed to Vietnam in 1968 to serve as sniper instructors for American forces, providing sniper training and the know-how of the USAMU gunsmiths, the most competent in the world. Members of the custom firearms shop developed and tested the
M21 sniper rifle, which was successfully used in Vietnam. The Army's current M24 sniper system is also a product of the USAMU.
The USAMU has had an indirect impact on the global war on terror since its initial stages by training Soldiers from units throughout U.S.
Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, as well as National Guard Soldiers preparing to deploy for the first time. They have also conducted numerous train-the-trainer missions for drill sergeants, who subsequently use the tools they learned to train basic trainees set to fill the ranks after graduation.
In 2003, the USAMU sent a team of Soldiers to Iraq to train officers and noncommissioned officers from the 1st Armored Division on marksmanship fundamentals. While there have been boots on the ground previously, this mission is unlike any other for the unit.
"I'm extremely proud of how the USAMU Soldiers and civilians execute their wide-ranging mission, from supporting Army recruiting and accessions, to supporting the Warfighter through marksmanship training and small-arms research and development initiatives," Hodne remarked.
"This historic undertaking by the Soldiers of this unique unit demonstrates yet another facet of the tremendous capability that resides within it."


v/r,

Mr. Michael Molinaro, YA
Public Affairs Officer
US Army Marksmanship Unit
7031 Bills St Rm 208
Fort Benning, GA 31905
(706) 545-5436 - Office
(877) 837-7918 - Cell
(706) 545-6704 - Fax

[Jack Milchanowski]

Thank them all for their contributions and service to our country.

Jack

[2650 Plus]

This is not the first time for members of the AMU to go to war. Teams of six marhsmanship instructors , a gun smith and 150 match grade rifles with telescopes were assembled and sent into army divisions in Veit Nam.In one division almost one forth of the divisions body count was attributed to the snipers trained by the team . They were called the 17 cent killers. [ the value of one M 118 m-14 round.] In that same division 14 snipers were wounded, Eight by frindly fire , none killed. Thats Good nShooting Bill Horton

[Guest]

What a crock of propaganda. Afganistan has been able to defeat the British empire, its then border nation the USSR and now we send a training unit of palace guards to string some jewels around the necks of seasoned fighters.
We supported the same people when the were fighting the Russians. Does anyone think they need a world class shooting cadre now?
I dislike stupid policy at the cost of others.

[Marc Orvin]

Brave words for a GUEST!!! Come out from behind that cover and identify yourself before saying anything derogatory about the AMU, you coward!!

Marc

[Jose Rossy]

What a crock of propaganda. Afganistan has been able to defeat the British empire, its then border nation the USSR and now we send a training unit of palace guards to string some jewels around the necks of seasoned fighters.
We supported the same people when the were fighting the Russians. Does anyone think they need a world class shooting cadre now?
I dislike stupid policy at the cost of others.

I really wish the owners of this forum would do away with the guest posting ability. It invariably leads to XXXXXXXX posts such as the one quoted above.

Coward.

[PL]

Each forum has a moderator, right? So they can censor at will, ie: remove spam posts, as they have always have. Or we can simply choose to ignore the trolls, or even post a little history lesson. Unfortunately, the history in those regions is not especially pretty. My wish is that the USAMU and all others come home safely, and tours are short. Coach Paula.