On target! Airmen showcase their skills at EIC match

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom held an elementary Excellence in Competition match March 17 to 21. One hundred and eighty members of Team Malmstrom participated and 18 went home with medals for rifle or pistol proficiency. 

A wide range of ranks, occupations and both genders came out to showcase their skills and take their shot at winning the Non-National Bronze Medal. 

"The point of this competition is to be among the top 10 percent of competitors to earn the Air Force Excellence in Competition Bronze Medal in the rifle or pistol disciplines," said Keith Head, Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor. "The top 10 percent also earn four credit points toward the Distinguished Rifle or Pistol Award which requires 30 points for high place finishes by participating in higher level shooting competitions." 

To start the match, participants were given a briefing on the program from the executive officer of the competition, Mr. Head, who explained the rules and what to expect. Then they proceeded to the firing range, set up their weapons and the competition began. 

Participants proved their skills in four different stances with different times. While standing, they had 60 seconds to shoot 10 rounds; kneeling and sitting were 45 seconds for 10 shots; and 60 seconds were given for 20 shots in the prone position. 

All shots were fired in unsupported positions, meaning participants were not allowed to rest the weapon on anything while firing. 

The event culminated March 21 with an award ceremony at CATM. Chief Master Sgt. Larry Wilson, 341st Security Forces Group superintendent, spoke, and Lt. Col. Lynden Skinner, 341st Security Forces Group deputy commander, presented the awards. 

"I was extremely pleased with the participation from across the wing," Chief Wilson said. "It was awesome to see medal winners from career fields outside of security forces. This type of competition serves two purposes: it's fun from a competitive standpoint and serves to hone essential skills." 

Chief Wilson also said he hopes there will be a greater turn out with next year's competition to include the members of the 819th RED HORSE Squadron, as the majority of them were deployed during this competition. 

For those who did participate, though, the event was still a success. 

"We could not have put the event on without the assistance of all the combat arms instructors assigned to the 341st Security Support Squadron," Mr. Head said. "Additionally, we had four new Airmen assigned to the 341st SFG volunteer to help with support functions such as cleaning weapons and other duties." 

For the competitors who were awarded the Non-National Bronze Medal this time, the next award is the National Bronze Badge which can be earned by receiving six points in a higher level competition. Higher level competitions are any National, State or Regional competitions conducted in compliance with the Civilian Marksmanship Program. 

The National Silver Badge is the second level award earned at the higher level of competition. The National Silver can be earned with 20 EIC points. 

The final award is the Distinguished Badge, earned by accumulating 30 points of more. The Distinguished Badge is the highest award in the EIC program, and only a handful of active-duty Air Force personnel have currently earned this badge, according to www.usafsports.com/shooting.


Pistol results, out of 300 possible points:

Senior Airman Jeremy Thatcher - 341st Security Forces Group, Tactical Response Force, 272

Senior Airman Thomas Tikalsky - 341st SFG, TRF, 270

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Rushford, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron, 269

1st Lt. Daniel Wasserman - 564th Missile Squadron, 268

Special Agent Christopher Stone - Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 806, 265

Airman 1st Class Liseth Rodriquez - 341st SFG, TRF, 260

Capt. Richard Zeigler - 741st MSFS, 257

Senior Airman Christopher Stephens - 341st SFG, TRF, 252

Staff Sgt. Joshua Haynes -341st Security Forces Squadron, 252

Rifle results, out of 500 possible points:

Tech Sgt. Timothy Stokes - 741st MSFS, 475

Master Sgt. Eric Sweet - 341st Security Support Squadron, 470

Staff Sgt. Douglas McPherson - 564th Missile Squadron, 467

Master Sgt. Nathan Brett - 341st SFS, 466

2nd Lt. William Springer - 490th MS, 462

Tech Sgt. Robert Ruelas - 341st SFG, TRF, 461

Senior Master Sgt. Scott French - 341st SSPTS, 457

Airman 1st Class Joshua Aleprete - 341st SFS, 457

Chief Master Sgt. John Korpi - 341st Maintenance Group, 454