Staff Sgt. David Bahten is a native of Jamestown, California. He joined the Army in 2011 where he attended Infantry OSUT at Fort Benning, Georgia. Bahten was assigned to the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) in September 2011 following his training. Upon assignment to the USAMU, Bahten deployed to Afghanistan and was attached to ISAF where he instructed Afghan and coalition forces in marksmanship. He is a member of the Service Rifle Team and has competed and won multiple National, Regional, and Interservice titles. Bahten has been an instrumental asset to the Instructor Training Group, being hand selected to assist in numerous squads designated marksmanship courses and MTT’s across the country, enhancing lethality throughout the Army. He currently serves as a shooter/instructor and is the Battalion Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Program (SHARP) Victim Advocate.
Bahten has graduated from SHARP, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Combat Lifesaver, Ranger First Responder, and Leader Comprehensive Fitness. He is currently enrolled at Columbus Technical College for a technical certificate in welding. He volunteers for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention at the Out of the Darkness Walk and Campus Walks.
His awards include an Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medals (3), Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, President’s 100 Badge, and his Distinguished Rifleman Badge. He was also awarded the Golden Schu̇tzenschnur.
Competitive Shooting Awards
2022:
Interservice Championships/2nd Place
Firing member of the winning Interservice 10-Man Team
Firing member of the winning National Trophy Team
Firing member of the winning National Trophy Infantry Team
2021:
25th Infantry Division Trophy/1st Place, set National Record
Firing member of the record setting National Trophy Team
National Trophy Individual/2nd Place
Presidents Hundred Tab
2020:
Interservice Long Range Service Rifle Champion
Firing member of the record setting Interservice 10-Man Team
2019:
Interservice Championships/2nd Place
LtCol. Reynolds Trophy
Firing member of the winning Interservice 10-Man Team
Coach of the winning Interservice Infantry Team
2018:
25th Infantry Division Trophy
National Trophy Individual/2nd Place
CMP Cup Champion
LtCol Reynolds Trophy/ set Interservice record
Interservice Championships/2nd Place
Firing member of the winning Interservice 10-Man Team
Firing member of the record setting National Trophy Team
Presidents Hundred Tab
2017:
25th Infantry Division Trophy/ set National Record
National Trophy Individual/2nd Place
Special 6 Interservice Champion/ set Interservice record
Firing member of the Interservice 10-Man Team match
Presidents Hundred Tab
2016:
Mammoth Sniper Challenge/1st Place
NRA Service Rifle Championships/2nd Place
Presidents Hundred Tab
2015:
NRA Service Rifle Championships/2nd Place
President Hundred/2nd Place
Firing member of the Interservice 10-Man Team match
2014:
Firing member of the winning Interservice 10-Man Team
President Hundred Tab