WEBVTT

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Established in 1956 , under the

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direction of President Eisenhower , the

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US Army marksmanship's primary mission

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was that of winning marksmanship

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competitions to compete with the Soviet

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Union's well organized shooting program .

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Since that time , the USAMU has

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transformed into one of the most unique

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units in the entire United States

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military . It quickly became capable of

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showcasing the very best soldier skills

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anywhere from the Olympics to the

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battlefields throughout the world . The

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USAMU is now recognized as having the

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best shooters and most competent

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marksmanship instructors and gunsmiths

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in the world , and is often referred to

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as the home of champions . In addition

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to competition , the USAMU provides

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essential support to army marketing

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efforts , marksmanship training , and

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small arms research and development

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that advances army readiness efforts .

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The USAMU serves as a unique and

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critical link to the American public by

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providing clinics , junior camps , and

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marksmanship demonstrations around the

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country . The unit

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consists of 5 competitive shooting

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teams .

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The instructor training group and the

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custom firearms shop . Soldiers from

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the international teams , shotgun and

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rifle , compete in national ,

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international , and Olympic

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competitions against the world's best

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marksmen . USAMU soldiers have proudly

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represented our nation at every Summer

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Olympics that the United States has

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participated in since 1952 , earning 27

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Olympic medals .

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In 2024 , the unit sent four soldiers

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to Paris , France to compete in the

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Olympic Games , and one combat wounded

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soldier to compete in the Paralympic

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Games . The service teams rifle ,

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pistol , and action shooting compete in

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hand win inter-service and national

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championship matches as well as

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numerous local , state , and regional

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championships . Participation in these

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matches allows the soldiers to share

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the knowledge gained from competition

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with the broader army , which adds to

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the overall combat readiness of the

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force . The service rifle and service

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pistol teams play a vital part in

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connecting the army with the American

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people . Each summer , both teams

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conduct the congressionally mandated

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small arms firing schools in

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conjunction with the national matches

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at Camp Perry , Ohio . Here , citizens

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from around the country learn marching

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ship safety and fundamentals from the

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best shooters in the army . The action

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shooting team specializes in 3 dynamic

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disciplines action pistol , 3 gun , and

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the long range precision rifle . Each

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of these fast-paced competitions is

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designed to mimic real-world scenarios

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that warfighters may encounter ,

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emphasizing speed , accuracy , and

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tactical decision making . The skills

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gained by the action shooting team

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directly translate into improved

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lethality and operational readiness on

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the battlefield through training elite

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units , making them an invaluable asset

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to military preparedness . The

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instructor training group soldiers

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serve as the primary instructors in

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support of the USAMU's mission to

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improve small arms lethality .

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Comprised of combat veterans with a

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wealth of knowledge and firsthand

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experience , the instructor training

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group soldiers conduct tailored

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marksmanship training courses wherever

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they are asked to go . These mobile

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training teams provide effective

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marksmanship training courses and

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subject matter expertise to assist

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commanders in achieving their missions .

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The unit builds and customizes

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competition arms and ammunition in the

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custom firearms shop . The custom

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firearms shop is comprised of gunsmiths ,

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machinists , range technicians , and

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ammunition specialists who could be

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called the backbone of the unit and are

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equivalent to a pit crew of an auto

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racing team . This uniquely skilled

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team was the first section formed when

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the unit was established in 1956 . The

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custom firearms shop's research ,

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development , testing , and evaluation

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efforts have led not only to enhanced

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accuracy and reliability of the unit's

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precision arms and munitions , but have

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also increased combat effectiveness

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across the DOW .

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It is here that the M21 and M24 sniper

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systems , special purpose rifles and

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squad designated marksman rifles , were

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developed and tested . The USAMU has

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been involved with the NextGen weapons

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system from the beginning and continues

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to conduct ballistic testing to ensure .

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The weapon system and ammunition meet

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capability requirements across the

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force . Whether it is winning major

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shooting competitions around the world ,

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enhancing army marketing efforts by

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conducting clinics and demonstrations

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that showcase unique soldier skills ,

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or improving army marksmanship and

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lethality on the battlefield , the

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unique capabilities within the USAMU

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are why it has come to be known forever

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as the home of champions .