Staff Sgt. Tyler Payne was born in Princeton, Minnesota. He joined the Army in March 2010 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completion of initial training in June 2010, Payne was assigned to the United States Army Marksmanship Units Action Shooting Team.
Payne immediately showed his talent on the range and has since had the following shooting accomplishments. Five national Championships, fifteen 3-gun matches, over twenty PRS matches, Two International Sniper Competitions, Four Mammoth Sniper Competitions and the USASOC Sniper Competition.
While assigned to Action Shooting Team, Payne deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as the USAMU’s mission to establish a marksmanship training program for the Afghanistan National Army in 2012.
He is a graduate from Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, and Sniper School at Fort Benning, Georgia; and Special Forces Sniper School and Advanced Sniper Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal x5, Army Good Conduct Medal x2, Army Commendation Medal x3, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award and Certificate of Appreciation. Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award and Certificate of Appreciation.