Sgt. 1st Class Brad A. Balsley, an instructor/shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, Ga., has distinguished himself in competitive marksmanship through his many accomplishments.
Balsley graduated from Uniontown Area High School of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 2006. Balsley, who started competitive shooting in 1998, has numerous marksmanship accomplishments, including becoming just the 17th Soldier ever to earn Triple Distinguished Honors for Excellence In Competition (EIC) matches. He achieved this distinction during the 2018 All Army Championship matches.
Balsley joined the Army in November 2006 and completed Basic and Infantry (11B) Training at Fort Benning before joining the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit International Pistol Team March 16, 2007. In September 2011, he was assigned to the Cross Functional Team Pistol until August 2014, then the International Rifle and Pistol Team. He is now assigned to the Instructor Training Group.
Balsley’s schools include Basic and Infantry Training, Fort Benning, Ga., (2007), Warrior Leadership Course, Fort Benning, Georgia, (2009) Army Basic Instructor Course, Fort Benning, (2009), Squad Designated Marksman / Close Quarter Marksmanship Course, Fort Benning (2010), CFS-PREP Leadership Development, (2011), Advanced Situational Awareness Course (2014), Infantry Advanced Leaders Course, Fort Benning, (2014).
His awards include Two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award, Presidents Hundred Tab, International Distinguished Badge, Distinguished Pistol Badge, EIC Silver Rifle Badge, Gold Inter-service International Pistol Badge, German Schutzenschnur Cord, Accessions Support Brigade Soldier of the Quarter, Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2007, and Accessions Support Brigade NCO of the Quarter, Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2009.
Competitive Shooting Awards
2017
2nd Overall, USPSA Florida Open
4th Overall USPSA Optic Nationals
2016
Bronze Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Olympic Team Selection
2016 USPSA Georgia State Champion
5th Overall, USPSA Open Nationals
2015
Gold Medal & Olympic Quota, Rapid Fire Pistol, Pan American Championship
Bronze Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Center Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Standard Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Spring Selection Match
Bronze Medal, Pistol World Cup Selection Match
2014
16th Overall, Rapid Fire Pistol, ISSF World Championship
13th Overall, Center Fire Pistol, ISSF World Championship
Gold Medal, Center Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
2013
Bronze Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, World Cup Selection
Gold Medal, Center Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Silver Medal, Standard Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
2012
Gold Medal, Center Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
2011
Silver Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, Spring Selection
Silver Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Silver Medal, Standard Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Bronze Medal, Center Fire Pistol, USA Shooting Nationals
Gold Medal, Rapid Fire Pistol, Champion of Champions