Pattonsburg, Mo. — Staff Sgt. Rachel Tozier, a 32-year-old U.S. Army Soldier and 2024 Paris Olympian, has returned to her home state of Missouri for an inspiring hometown tour, aimed at sharing her Olympic and Army experiences with Future Soldiers, students, and the local community. The tour, which began on September 21, 2024, includes stops at schools, colleges, and military installations across the state.
Tozier’s journey to the Olympics began long before her military service. At the age of 12, her stepfather, Monte Hoover, introduced her to trap shooting. By the time she reached her senior year of high school, Tozier had already set her sights on the Olympic Games. In 2024, she realized that dream when she represented Team USA in Paris, finishing 18th out of 30 competitors in women’s trap with 116 clays shattered.
“This is greater than I ever could have imagined,” Tozier said of her Olympic experience. “Just being there was an honor, but competing against the best in the world—it’s been the goal forever.”
Her Olympic aspirations are far from over. Tozier, who joined the Army in 2017 and serves as part of the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Moore, Ga., now looks at her remaining military career in terms of four-year Olympic cycles, or “quads.” She plans to compete in three more Olympic cycles before her military retirement. “This is going to be the goal from now until the next Games—to make the next team,” she said. “And from then on, every quad until I retire.”
The hometown tour officially kicked off at the Brunner Skeet and Trap Range on Ft. Leavenworth, where Tozier demonstrated her world-class shooting skills in front of Future Soldiers, recruiting NCOs, and Soldiers from across the region. During a Q&A session, she discussed her path from small-town Missouri to the Olympics, emphasizing the balance between her Army career and competitive shooting.
“I’m incredibly proud to return to Missouri and share my story with Future Soldiers and the community,” Tozier said. “I want them to know that with dedication and perseverance, they can achieve great things, whether it’s in the military, athletics, or any other field.”
On September 23, Tozier made stops at William Jewell College and Polo High School. Her visit to William Jewell served as a key opportunity to engage with local media and highlight the significance of her Olympic journey and Army service. At Polo High School, she spoke to students, reinforcing the importance of hard work, resilience, and embracing opportunities, including those available in the U.S. Army.
“Having someone like Staff Sgt. Tozier come back and speak to our Future Soldiers is invaluable,” said 1LT Benjamin Steger, Liberty Company Recruiting Operations Officer, who helped organize the tour. “Her story of success, both in the Army and at the Olympics, shows our Future Soldiers that they can achieve their dreams no matter how big they are.”
Beyond her Olympic accomplishments, Tozier has also found success at the World Championships, earning a gold medal in 2019 (Trap - Team - Women) and a silver in 2023 (Trap - Team - Mixed). When she’s not competing, Tozier enjoys bodybuilding, weightlifting, gaming, sewing, and cooking.
Tozier’s tour celebrates her roots and offers a chance to give back to the communities that shaped her. She credits her hometown of Pattonsburg with teaching her the values of hard work and perseverance, values she continues to carry with her in her Army and athletic careers.
“Growing up in Pattonsburg taught me the value of hard work,” Tozier shared. “Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career, both in the Army and on the shooting range.”
As her tour continues, Tozier hopes to inspire Future Soldiers to pursue their dreams—whether through military service, athletic achievement, or personal growth. With her sights set on future Olympic Games, Tozier remains committed to leadership, excellence, and motivating the next generation.