WEBVTT 00:01.159 --> 00:03.381 The fundamentals of being in the army , 00:03.381 --> 00:05.548 especially infantrymen , is to shoot . 00:05.548 --> 00:07.770 And if you think you can do that , come 00:07.770 --> 00:06.920 here and put your money where your 00:06.920 --> 00:09.159 mouth is and prove it and then learn 00:09.159 --> 00:11.103 what you need to get better at and 00:11.103 --> 00:13.215 bring that back to your unit and make 00:13.215 --> 00:12.640 them more lethal by learning from the 00:12.640 --> 00:13.640 best here . 00:40.119 --> 00:41.119 the . 01:20.150 --> 01:22.949 Welcome to the 2026 United States Army 01:22.949 --> 01:24.739 Small Arms Championships awards 01:24.739 --> 01:27.199 ceremony . The challenge period has 01:27.199 --> 01:30.050 ended , and all scores are final . This 01:30.050 --> 01:32.272 evening , we will recognize some of the 01:32.272 --> 01:35.449 United States Army's finest marks . Our 01:35.449 --> 01:37.616 guest speaker this evening is the 18th 01:37.616 --> 01:39.838 Airborne Corps Command Sergeant Major , 01:39.838 --> 01:41.949 Command Sergeant Major Brian Barker . 01:41.949 --> 01:44.060 Command Sergeant Major Barker entered 01:44.060 --> 01:46.171 the entered the United States Army in 01:46.171 --> 01:49.209 June 1996 from Crooks , South Dakota 01:49.379 --> 01:51.919 and completed one station unit training 01:52.379 --> 01:54.699 for MOS 11 Bravo infantrymen at Fort 01:54.699 --> 01:56.900 Benning , Georgia . Command Sergeant 01:56.900 --> 01:58.860 Major Barker has served in various 01:58.860 --> 02:01.027 positions as an infantryman throughout 02:01.027 --> 02:03.440 his career . Including all positions 02:03.440 --> 02:05.496 from rifleman to Operations Sergeant 02:05.496 --> 02:08.440 Major with 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger 02:08.440 --> 02:10.580 Regiment , Command Sergeant Major of 02:10.580 --> 02:12.440 the 1st Squadron , 91st Cavalry 02:12.440 --> 02:15.550 Regiment , 173rd Airborne Brigade , 02:15.919 --> 02:18.086 21st Regimental Command Sergeant Major 02:18.086 --> 02:20.440 of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment , Brigade 02:20.440 --> 02:22.607 Command Sergeant Major for 5th Armored 02:22.607 --> 02:25.229 Brigade in Fort Bliss , Texas , Command 02:25.229 --> 02:27.229 Sergeant Major , the 101st Airborne 02:27.229 --> 02:29.470 Division , air assault . And Fort 02:29.470 --> 02:31.359 Campbell Command Sergeant Major . 02:31.359 --> 02:33.303 Command Sergeant Major Barker also 02:33.303 --> 02:35.303 served most recently as the Command 02:35.303 --> 02:37.414 Sergeant Major of Combat Capabilities 02:37.414 --> 02:39.581 Development Command . Command Sergeant 02:39.581 --> 02:41.581 Major Barker's overseas assignments 02:41.581 --> 02:43.303 include a tour in Germany with 02:43.303 --> 02:45.303 deployments to Latvia , Lithuania , 02:45.303 --> 02:48.050 Estonia , Poland , and Ukraine . He has 02:48.050 --> 02:50.272 6 combat deployments to Iraq in support 02:50.272 --> 02:52.690 of Operation Iraqi Freedom , 8 combat 02:52.690 --> 02:54.801 deployments to Afghanistan in support 02:54.801 --> 02:56.912 of Operation Enduring Freedom , and 1 02:56.912 --> 02:59.134 deployment to Afghanistan in support of 02:59.134 --> 03:01.190 Operation Resolute Support . Command 03:01.190 --> 03:03.357 Sergeant Major Parker is a graduate of 03:03.357 --> 03:05.246 the Air Assault School , Airborne 03:05.246 --> 03:07.412 School , the United States Army Ranger 03:07.412 --> 03:09.634 School , Jumpmaster School , Pathfinder 03:09.634 --> 03:11.857 School , the United States Marine Corps 03:11.857 --> 03:13.634 Winter Mountain Leader course , 03:13.634 --> 03:15.801 Pre-command course , and all levels of 03:15.801 --> 03:17.968 the non-commissioned officer education 03:17.968 --> 03:19.912 system . Including Class 63 of the 03:19.912 --> 03:22.134 United States Army , United States Army 03:22.134 --> 03:24.190 Sergeant Majors Academy , nominative 03:24.190 --> 03:26.357 leaders course , and Keystone course . 03:26.449 --> 03:28.449 He has earned an associate's degree 03:28.449 --> 03:30.282 from Excelsior College . Command 03:30.282 --> 03:32.227 Sergeant Major Marker's awards and 03:32.227 --> 03:34.560 decorations include the Legion of Merit , 03:34.560 --> 03:36.782 the 3 Oaking clusters . The Bronze Star 03:36.782 --> 03:38.616 Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters , 03:38.616 --> 03:40.671 Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak 03:40.671 --> 03:42.338 leaf clusters , Joint Service 03:42.338 --> 03:44.449 Commendation Medal with Vadvice and 2 03:44.449 --> 03:46.560 oak leaf clusters , Army Commendation 03:46.560 --> 03:48.616 Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters , the 03:48.616 --> 03:50.782 Army Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf 03:50.782 --> 03:52.838 clusters . Army Good Conduct Medal , 03:52.838 --> 03:54.960 9th Award , National Defense Service 03:54.960 --> 03:57.550 Medal , Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 03:57.550 --> 04:00.279 5 campaign stars , Iraq Campaign Medal 04:00.279 --> 04:02.639 with 5 campaign stars , the Global War 04:02.639 --> 04:04.583 on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal , 04:04.583 --> 04:06.806 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , 04:06.919 --> 04:08.919 NCO Professional Development Ribbon 04:08.919 --> 04:10.839 with numeral 5 , Overseas Service 04:10.839 --> 04:13.070 Ribbon with numeral 6 , and the NATO 04:13.070 --> 04:15.440 Medal . Command Sergeant Major Barker 04:15.440 --> 04:17.399 has earned the Ranger tag , Master 04:17.399 --> 04:19.350 parachutist badge , Master Combat 04:19.350 --> 04:21.440 Infantryman Badge , Pathfinder , and 04:21.440 --> 04:23.760 Aerosault badges , as well as Canadian , 04:24.040 --> 04:25.707 Korean , Moldovan , and Czech 04:25.707 --> 04:27.818 parachutist badges . Command Sergeant 04:27.818 --> 04:30.040 Major Barker is also a recipient of the 04:30.040 --> 04:32.373 Order of St . Maurice , the Order of St . 04:32.373 --> 04:34.651 George , and the Order of St . Barbara . 04:34.651 --> 04:36.873 It is my distinct pleasure to introduce 04:36.873 --> 04:38.929 the guest speaker for this evening's 04:38.929 --> 04:40.873 award ceremony , the 18th Airborne 04:40.873 --> 04:43.040 Corps Command Sergeant Major , Command 04:43.040 --> 04:42.369 Sergeant Major Brian Barker . 04:50.519 --> 04:52.686 All right , good evening . Let's start 04:52.686 --> 04:54.741 off with a round of applause for our 04:54.741 --> 04:54.459 competitors . 05:01.089 --> 05:02.700 I got to see a little bit of 05:02.700 --> 05:04.811 competition today , and I tell you it 05:04.811 --> 05:07.209 really motivated me . Hey , good 05:07.209 --> 05:09.380 evening , leaders , soldiers , and 05:09.380 --> 05:12.019 competitors . It is an honor to stand 05:12.019 --> 05:14.500 here among the finest marksmen our army 05:14.500 --> 05:17.299 has to offer . Looking across the room , 05:17.420 --> 05:19.859 I don't just see trophy winners . I see 05:19.859 --> 05:22.170 the tip of the spear . I see technical 05:22.170 --> 05:24.540 experts who ensure that when the United 05:24.540 --> 05:26.700 States Army speaks , we speak with a 05:26.700 --> 05:29.260 clarity that is understood at maximum 05:29.260 --> 05:31.799 range . It is often said that 05:31.799 --> 05:34.040 marksmanship is a perishable skill . 05:34.589 --> 05:36.959 While true , that phrase doesn't quite 05:36.959 --> 05:39.181 capture the gravity of what you've been 05:39.181 --> 05:41.320 doing here . Marksmanship just isn't 05:41.320 --> 05:43.264 about skill . It's the fundamental 05:43.264 --> 05:45.760 currency of the combat arms and the 05:45.760 --> 05:48.899 bedrock of our profession . There's a 05:48.899 --> 05:50.899 temptation for those outside of our 05:50.899 --> 05:53.121 community to view shooting competitions 05:53.121 --> 05:56.070 as a sport . But we know better . This 05:56.070 --> 05:58.290 isn't about points on the scorecard or 05:58.290 --> 06:01.239 the weight of the metal . Competition 06:01.239 --> 06:03.461 is the ultimate stress test for alley . 06:04.779 --> 06:06.940 In the heat of these matches , you've 06:06.940 --> 06:09.380 had to force your bodies to remain calm 06:09.380 --> 06:11.491 while your heart rate spiked . You've 06:11.491 --> 06:13.269 mastered wind calls , elevation 06:13.269 --> 06:15.491 adjustments , and trigger squeeze under 06:15.491 --> 06:17.700 the pressure of a ticking clock . That 06:17.700 --> 06:19.811 discipline translates directly to the 06:19.811 --> 06:21.644 battlefield . When we talk about 06:21.644 --> 06:23.589 lethality , we aren't just talking 06:23.589 --> 06:25.811 about the ability to fire a weapon . We 06:25.811 --> 06:28.179 are talking about the certainty of the 06:28.179 --> 06:31.029 strength . Because you've competed here , 06:31.279 --> 06:33.390 you are more than just shooters . You 06:33.390 --> 06:35.390 are practitioners of the craft that 06:35.390 --> 06:37.335 ensures when our army is called to 06:37.335 --> 06:39.279 resolve a conflict , we do so with 06:39.279 --> 06:42.589 surgical precision . History shows us 06:42.589 --> 06:44.811 that a single discipline marks with the 06:44.811 --> 06:46.533 changes in the geometry of the 06:46.533 --> 06:48.645 battlefield . We can look back to men 06:48.645 --> 06:50.645 like Staff Sergeant Burt Waldron in 06:50.645 --> 06:53.529 Vietnam with 109 confirmed kills . 06:53.950 --> 06:55.950 Waldron ditched didn't suppress the 06:55.950 --> 06:58.429 enemy . He paralyzed them . He once 06:58.429 --> 07:00.709 famously engaged on an enemy sniper 07:00.709 --> 07:03.470 from a moving platform , tango boat , a 07:03.470 --> 07:06.010 feat of marksmanship that defied the 07:06.010 --> 07:07.788 odds but was rooted in the same 07:07.788 --> 07:09.954 fundamentals that you practice here in 07:09.954 --> 07:13.239 this . Or consider Master Sergeant Gary 07:13.239 --> 07:15.309 Gordon or Sergeant First Class Randy 07:15.309 --> 07:18.779 Shoguard in Mogadishu . Their lethality 07:18.779 --> 07:20.946 wasn't just about their own survival . 07:20.946 --> 07:23.057 It was a shield for their brothers on 07:23.057 --> 07:25.112 the ground . They provided precision 07:25.112 --> 07:27.335 fliers from a circling helicopter under 07:27.335 --> 07:29.557 intense pressure , eventually inserting 07:29.557 --> 07:31.660 themselves into a locked cause to 07:31.660 --> 07:34.609 protect a drowned pilot . Those men 07:34.609 --> 07:36.609 weren't just good shots . They were 07:36.609 --> 07:38.720 products of a culture that values the 07:38.720 --> 07:40.776 calculated application of violence . 07:41.170 --> 07:43.226 They proved that a lethal soldier is 07:43.226 --> 07:44.837 the most effective tool in a 07:44.837 --> 07:47.239 commander's tool chest . You are the 07:47.239 --> 07:50.470 modern steward of that legacy . Winning 07:50.470 --> 07:52.470 here didn't happen by accident . It 07:52.470 --> 07:54.470 wasn't luck on the range . It was a 07:54.470 --> 07:56.137 result of meticulous training 07:56.137 --> 07:58.779 management . To get to this podium , 07:59.149 --> 08:01.570 you had to identify performance gaps 08:01.790 --> 08:03.568 and be honest through an honest 08:03.568 --> 08:05.790 self-assessment . You had to prioritize 08:05.790 --> 08:08.070 limited resources , ammunition , time , 08:08.230 --> 08:11.029 and range space . You had to execute a 08:11.029 --> 08:13.085 progressive plan that moved from dry 08:13.085 --> 08:15.000 fire fundamentals to advanced 08:15.000 --> 08:17.470 application . This is a blueprint for 08:17.470 --> 08:19.869 how we must train our force . As you 08:19.869 --> 08:21.910 return to your home stations . I 08:21.910 --> 08:23.910 challenge you to take the rigor you 08:23.910 --> 08:26.077 apply to your own preparation and bake 08:26.077 --> 08:28.132 it into your training calendars . We 08:28.132 --> 08:30.188 cannot settle for qualification as a 08:30.188 --> 08:32.460 standing in a near pure fight . Good 08:32.460 --> 08:35.020 enough is a death sentence . The 08:35.020 --> 08:37.140 standard is mastery , and mastery 08:37.140 --> 08:39.440 requires the deliberate , data-driven 08:39.780 --> 08:41.947 training management that you displayed 08:41.947 --> 08:44.869 this week . The most critical takeaway 08:44.869 --> 08:46.702 from this competition isn't your 08:46.702 --> 08:48.925 individual score . It's your ability to 08:48.925 --> 08:51.690 replicate your success in others . We 08:51.690 --> 08:53.857 call this train the trainer , and this 08:53.857 --> 08:56.023 is the most vital function of a master 08:56.023 --> 08:58.429 marksman . If you leave , leave the 08:58.429 --> 09:00.596 range and you are the only one in your 09:00.596 --> 09:03.469 platoon that can make a 600 m coke bore 09:03.469 --> 09:06.770 shot , you have failed your unit . Your 09:06.770 --> 09:08.489 duty now is to become a force 09:08.489 --> 09:10.322 multiplier . You must be able to 09:10.322 --> 09:12.590 diagnose a shooter's anticipation , 09:13.409 --> 09:15.187 explain the nuances of external 09:15.187 --> 09:17.659 ballistics , and mentor the next 09:17.659 --> 09:20.539 generation of NCOs . True excellence 09:20.539 --> 09:22.706 isn't measured by how many bull's eyes 09:22.706 --> 09:24.872 you hit here this week . It's measured 09:24.872 --> 09:26.983 by how many of your soldiers will hit 09:26.983 --> 09:29.095 the target tomorrow . You are now the 09:29.095 --> 09:31.206 subject of our experts . When you get 09:31.206 --> 09:33.317 back to your footprint , I expect you 09:33.317 --> 09:35.261 to be the primary advisors to your 09:35.261 --> 09:37.206 commanders on how to build a legal 09:37.206 --> 09:39.261 formation . You aren't just shooters 09:39.261 --> 09:41.979 anymore , you're instructors . Finally , 09:42.059 --> 09:44.170 we must recognize that the success of 09:44.170 --> 09:46.226 the army marksmanship rests world on 09:46.226 --> 09:48.337 the shoulders of our non-commissioned 09:48.337 --> 09:50.448 officer corps . ThisCO is the primary 09:50.448 --> 09:52.392 instructor , the safety of the air 09:52.392 --> 09:54.615 ventilator . But more importantly , the 09:54.615 --> 09:57.039 NCO is the standard bearer . Every 09:57.039 --> 09:59.150 great markster in our history started 09:59.150 --> 10:01.261 with an NCO whispering corrections in 10:01.261 --> 10:03.206 their ear on a cold morning at the 10:03.206 --> 10:05.372 ranch . To the NCOs in this room , you 10:05.372 --> 10:07.539 are the ones who transform and recruit 10:07.739 --> 10:10.809 into a marksman . Your development as a 10:10.809 --> 10:12.698 leader is tied to your ability to 10:12.698 --> 10:14.920 communicate complex ballistics in a way 10:14.920 --> 10:17.020 that a writer can understand . By 10:17.020 --> 10:18.742 competing here , you have only 10:18.742 --> 10:20.964 sharpened , you have not only sharpened 10:20.964 --> 10:23.131 your own tools so that you can sharpen 10:23.131 --> 10:26.330 others . A lethal army is led by NCOs 10:26.330 --> 10:28.552 who don't just tell their soldiers what 10:28.552 --> 10:30.663 to do , but show them what rank looks 10:30.663 --> 10:32.719 like . You are the custodians of our 10:32.719 --> 10:35.210 lethality . When an NCO knows their 10:35.210 --> 10:37.266 weapons system inside and out , they 10:37.266 --> 10:39.488 command a level of respect that no rank 10:39.488 --> 10:42.789 insignia can provide . As you receive 10:42.789 --> 10:44.900 your awards today , remember that all 10:44.900 --> 10:47.233 Army title isn't a personal achievement . 10:47.233 --> 10:49.400 It's a credential that mandates you go 10:49.400 --> 10:51.511 back to your formations and raise the 10:51.511 --> 10:53.622 level of play . Take this lethality , 10:53.622 --> 10:55.845 this training discipline , and this NCO 10:55.845 --> 10:58.067 leadership back to your squads and your 10:58.067 --> 11:00.122 platoons , and the next time we find 11:00.122 --> 11:02.289 ourselves in a fight , it might not be 11:02.289 --> 11:04.511 for a trophy . It'll be for a person to 11:04.511 --> 11:06.567 your left and right . And because of 11:06.567 --> 11:08.567 the work you did here this week , I 11:08.567 --> 11:10.345 know we'll win that fight too . 11:10.345 --> 11:12.567 Congratulations to you all arm strong . 11:17.929 --> 11:20.320 And now for the awards . The United 11:20.320 --> 11:22.487 States Army Rifle Team Championship is 11:22.487 --> 11:25.000 an aggregate of matches 9 tango , 10 11:25.000 --> 11:27.119 tango , and the infantry trophy team 11:27.119 --> 11:28.950 match . During the matches , 11:29.119 --> 11:31.840 competitors engage targets from 25 to 11:31.840 --> 11:34.039 500 yards in either the standing , 11:34.159 --> 11:36.103 kneeling , or the prone position . 11:36.669 --> 11:39.599 Third place team is Indiana Alpha . 11:40.080 --> 11:43.020 Team members are Sergeant Nicholas 11:43.280 --> 11:46.729 Logsdon . Warrant Officer One , and 11:47.130 --> 11:49.900 Questenberry . First Lieutenant Joshua 11:49.900 --> 11:53.789 Price . Captain Jacob Tischler and 11:53.789 --> 11:55.956 the team captain is Captain Tischler . 11:57.059 --> 11:59.020 The 2nd place team is South Dakota 11:59.020 --> 12:00.964 Alpha . The team members are Staff 12:00.964 --> 12:03.500 Sergeant Garrett Maskin . Technical 12:03.500 --> 12:05.909 Sergeant Trevor Dietrich , Sergeant 12:05.909 --> 12:08.710 First Class Jeffrey Per , Master 12:08.710 --> 12:10.989 Sergeant Clint Sandiness , and the team 12:10.989 --> 12:14.080 coach is Staff Sergeant Devin . Whose 12:14.080 --> 12:14.599 costs . 12:26.150 --> 12:28.317 The first place team will be presented 12:28.317 --> 12:30.261 a picture plaque of the Rifle Team 12:30.261 --> 12:32.206 Championship trophy and individual 12:32.206 --> 12:34.206 awards . The rifle team champion is 12:34.206 --> 12:36.440 South Carolina Alpha . Team members are 12:36.440 --> 12:38.419 Sergeant Jonathan Vaughn , Staff 12:38.419 --> 12:40.530 Sergeant John Jordan , Staff Sergeant 12:40.530 --> 12:43.080 Kevin Pritchett , Major Samuel Freeman , 12:43.260 --> 12:45.427 and the team captain is Staff Sergeant 12:45.427 --> 12:46.427 Kevin Pritchett . 12:52.489 --> 12:54.433 The United States Army Pistol Team 12:54.433 --> 12:56.656 Championship is an aggregate of matches 12:56.656 --> 12:59.169 4 tango and 6 tango . During the match , 12:59.289 --> 13:01.289 competitors were required to engage 13:01.289 --> 13:03.929 targets from 10 to 35 yards from the 13:03.929 --> 13:05.873 standing , kneeling , and throwing 13:05.873 --> 13:08.750 positions . The 3rd-place team is Iowa 13:08.750 --> 13:11.070 Alpha . The team members are Staff 13:11.070 --> 13:13.830 Sergeant Dallas Smith , Staff Sergeant 13:13.830 --> 13:17.219 Kevin Peace , Sergeant 1st Class Evan 13:17.390 --> 13:20.330 Gwyn , Sergeant 1st Class Paul Dugan , 13:20.549 --> 13:22.605 and the team captain is Sergeant 1st 13:22.605 --> 13:23.660 Class Paul Dugan . 13:28.460 --> 13:30.460 The 2nd place team is 18th Airborne 13:30.460 --> 13:32.510 Corps . Team members are Sergeant 13:32.510 --> 13:34.950 Christopher Villard , Master Sergeant 13:34.950 --> 13:37.909 John Zanoff , 1st Lieutenant Anthony 13:37.909 --> 13:40.179 Connolly , 1st Lieutenant Nathan 13:40.179 --> 13:42.401 Villamy , and the coach is Sergeant 1st 13:42.401 --> 13:43.770 Class Lawrence Carter . 13:49.250 --> 13:51.250 The official team champion is South 13:51.250 --> 13:53.890 Carolina Alpha . The team members are . 13:54.559 --> 13:57.030 Jonathan Long . Staf Sergeant John 13:57.030 --> 13:59.363 Jordan , Staff Sergeant Kevin Pritchard , 13:59.669 --> 14:02.109 Major Samuel Freeman , and again , the 14:02.109 --> 14:03.887 captain is Staff Sergeant Kevin 14:03.887 --> 14:07.700 Pritchard . The US Army 14:07.700 --> 14:09.589 Multi-gun Team Championship is an 14:09.589 --> 14:11.811 aggregate of the individual scores from 14:11.811 --> 14:14.033 multi-gun match 15 . During the match , 14:14.080 --> 14:15.691 competitors were required to 14:15.691 --> 14:17.691 demonstrate weapon proficiency with 14:17.691 --> 14:19.524 both their primary and secondary 14:19.524 --> 14:21.413 weapons in time , scenario-driven 14:21.413 --> 14:23.580 stages . The third place team is South 14:23.580 --> 14:26.140 Carolina Alpha . Team members are 14:26.359 --> 14:28.900 Sergeant Jonathan Vaughn , Staff 14:28.900 --> 14:31.239 Sergeant John Jordan , Staff Sergeant 14:31.239 --> 14:33.469 Kevin Bridget , Major Samuel Freeman , 14:33.559 --> 14:35.670 and again , the team captain is Staff 14:35.670 --> 14:36.670 Sergeant Kevin . 14:40.590 --> 14:42.909 The 2nd place team is New Mexico Alpha . 14:43.109 --> 14:45.109 The team members are Staff Sergeant 14:45.109 --> 14:47.570 Alejandro Solis , Sergeant 1st Class 14:47.570 --> 14:50.289 Eric Vargas , 1st Lieutenant Cameron 14:50.289 --> 14:53.049 Carpenter , Captain Scott Pope , and 14:53.049 --> 14:55.160 their coaches , Sergeant Major Jeremy 14:55.160 --> 14:55.130 Jackson . 15:02.590 --> 15:05.309 The multi-gun team champion is Aviation 15:05.309 --> 15:07.429 Center of Excellence Red . The team 15:07.429 --> 15:09.679 members are Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 15:09.750 --> 15:13.260 David Davila , Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 15:13.270 --> 15:15.548 Matt Downing , Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 15:15.630 --> 15:18.349 Jacob Freeman , Captain Zachary Chabot , 15:18.669 --> 15:20.679 and their coach is Major Nicholas 15:20.989 --> 15:21.789 Barakowski . 15:31.580 --> 15:34.309 team champion is an aggregate of the 15:34.309 --> 15:36.359 rifle , pistol , and multi-gun team 15:36.359 --> 15:39.039 matches . The 3rd place team is 18th 15:39.039 --> 15:41.270 Airborne Corps . The team members are 15:41.559 --> 15:43.670 Sergeant Christopher Ballard , Master 15:43.670 --> 15:45.781 Sergeant John Zanoff , 1st Lieutenant 15:45.781 --> 15:47.670 Anthony Connolly , 1st Lieutenant 15:47.670 --> 15:49.781 Nathan Billaming , and their coach is 15:49.781 --> 15:51.781 Sergeant 1st Class Maurice Garter . 15:55.780 --> 15:57.969 The 2nd place team is Aviation Center 15:57.969 --> 16:01.130 of Excellence Red . The team members 16:01.130 --> 16:03.890 are Chief Warrant Officer 3 , David 16:03.890 --> 16:06.520 Avila , Chief Warrant Officer 3 , Matt 16:06.520 --> 16:08.520 Downing , Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 16:08.520 --> 16:10.750 Jacob Freeman , Captain Zachary Shaba , 16:11.130 --> 16:12.963 and their coach , Major Nicholas 16:12.963 --> 16:13.963 Barwankowski . 16:17.780 --> 16:21.380 The 2026 US Army Small 16:21.380 --> 16:24.090 Arms team champion is South Carolina 16:24.090 --> 16:25.969 Alpha . The team members . 16:36.070 --> 16:37.169 2 . 16:40.770 --> 16:42.937 We will now present the drill Sergeant 16:42.937 --> 16:45.159 Award to the highest scoring competitor 16:45.159 --> 16:47.270 on drill status . They will receive a 16:47.270 --> 16:49.326 picture plaque of the drill Sergeant 16:49.326 --> 16:51.548 trophy and a Sergeant Major of the Army 16:51.548 --> 16:53.437 coin . The high drill sergeant is 16:53.437 --> 16:55.510 Sergeant First Class Matthew Lee . 17:10.578 --> 17:12.659 We will now present awards for the 17:12.659 --> 17:15.078 novice , cadet , and open categories . 17:15.538 --> 17:17.649 We will also recognize the individual 17:17.649 --> 17:19.927 pistol , rifle , and multi-gun winners . 17:20.208 --> 17:22.375 The 3rd place novice is 1st Lieutenant 17:22.375 --> 17:25.139 Anthony Connolly . The 2nd place novice 17:25.139 --> 17:27.028 is Lieutenant Colonel Christopher 17:27.028 --> 17:29.578 Palumbo . The 1st place novice will 17:29.578 --> 17:32.899 receive an M1 Grainer grade rifle , a 17:32.899 --> 17:35.239 picture plaque of the novice champion 17:35.678 --> 17:37.734 trophy , and a Chief of Staff of the 17:37.734 --> 17:41.650 Army coins . The 2026 novice champion 17:41.650 --> 17:43.920 is Staff Sergeant Dallas Smith . 17:55.239 --> 17:57.350 Brandon . Put it all the way up , all 17:57.350 --> 17:58.599 the way up . 18:11.209 --> 18:12.209 Give it back . 18:20.060 --> 18:21.949 The 2nd and 3rd place cadets will 18:21.949 --> 18:24.060 receive an individual award . The 3rd 18:24.060 --> 18:26.750 place cadet is Cadet Nicholas Price . 18:27.219 --> 18:29.800 The 2nd place cadet is Cadet George 18:29.800 --> 18:33.339 Vlamos . First place cadet will receive 18:33.339 --> 18:35.506 a picture plaque of the cadet champion 18:35.506 --> 18:37.739 trophy and a Chief of Staff of the Army 18:37.739 --> 18:41.180 coin . In 2026 , 1st place cadet is 18:41.180 --> 18:42.550 Cadet Jesse Shoemaker . 18:53.670 --> 18:55.892 For the open category , the 2nd and 3rd 18:55.892 --> 18:57.614 place competitors will receive 18:57.614 --> 18:59.837 individual awards . Please come forward 18:59.837 --> 19:01.948 as your name is called . 3rd place in 19:01.948 --> 19:03.892 the open category is Chief Warrant 19:03.892 --> 19:05.349 Officer 3 , David Avila . 19:09.310 --> 19:11.550 Is Staff Sergeant Colt Edwards . 19:19.880 --> 19:22.439 The next award , the Master Sergeant 19:22.439 --> 19:24.119 Earl D . Plumly Trophy , was 19:24.119 --> 19:26.286 commissioned this past year as part of 19:26.286 --> 19:28.609 the all Army Awards scheduled . Master 19:28.609 --> 19:32.109 Sergeant Earl P . Plumlee was awarded 19:32.109 --> 19:34.109 the Medal of Honor on December 16 , 19:34.189 --> 19:37.469 2021 for distinguishing himself by acts 19:37.469 --> 19:39.790 of gallantry and intrepidity above and 19:39.790 --> 19:42.189 beyond the call of duty on October 22 , 19:42.310 --> 19:45.910 2015 while engaging with the enemy in 19:45.910 --> 19:48.021 support of Operation Enduring Freedom 19:48.021 --> 19:51.219 in Kanzai Province , Afghanistan . Then 19:51.219 --> 19:53.469 Staff Sergeant Plumly repeatedly placed 19:53.469 --> 19:55.525 himself in extreme danger to protect 19:55.525 --> 19:57.691 his team in the base and to defeat the 19:57.691 --> 20:00.930 enemy . Plumlee's heroism . And 20:00.930 --> 20:02.986 selflessness beyond the call of duty 20:03.209 --> 20:05.042 were in keeping with the highest 20:05.042 --> 20:06.987 traditions of military service and 20:06.987 --> 20:09.209 reflect great credit upon himself , his 20:09.209 --> 20:11.431 unit , and the United States Army . The 20:11.431 --> 20:13.653 Master Sergeant Earl G . Plumlee Trophy 20:13.653 --> 20:15.598 for Excellence and marksmanship is 20:15.598 --> 20:17.487 presented to the soldier with the 20:17.487 --> 20:19.709 highest aggregate across all individual 20:19.709 --> 20:21.765 rifle and pistol matches in the open 20:21.765 --> 20:23.765 category . The winner of this award 20:23.765 --> 20:25.987 will be presented a picture of black of 20:25.987 --> 20:28.042 the Master Sergeant Earl D . Plumlee 20:28.042 --> 20:30.265 Trophy and a Chief of Staff of the Army 20:30.265 --> 20:32.042 Corps . First place in the open 20:32.042 --> 20:34.153 category is Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 20:34.153 --> 20:33.750 Matt Downey . 20:42.920 --> 20:43.920 I 20:46.719 --> 20:48.330 The US Army Rifle Individual 20:48.330 --> 20:50.569 championship is an aggregate of all 20:50.569 --> 20:53.130 individual rifle matches . 3rd place is 20:53.130 --> 20:55.130 Staff Sergeant Kevin Pritchett . 20:57.319 --> 21:00.760 2 please . Joseph Spradling . 21:05.689 --> 21:07.810 The next award , the Sergeant Major 21:07.810 --> 21:09.810 Thomas P . Payne Trophy , was 21:09.810 --> 21:11.921 commissioned last year as part of the 21:11.921 --> 21:13.969 All Army Award schedule . Sergeant 21:13.969 --> 21:16.025 Major Payne was awarded the Medal of 21:16.025 --> 21:18.650 Honor on September 11 , 2020 for 21:18.650 --> 21:20.761 distinguishing himself by conspicuous 21:20.761 --> 21:22.859 gallantry and intrepidity above and 21:22.859 --> 21:25.026 beyond the call of duty . October 22 , 21:25.060 --> 21:27.890 2015 , during a daring nighttime 21:27.890 --> 21:30.099 hostage rescue in Kirkuk province , 21:30.339 --> 21:32.561 Iraq , in support of Operation Inherent 21:32.561 --> 21:34.819 Resolve , his extraordinary heroism and 21:34.819 --> 21:36.986 selfless action were key to liberating 21:36.986 --> 21:39.699 75 hostages during a contested rescue 21:39.699 --> 21:41.699 mission that resulted in 20 enemies 21:41.699 --> 21:43.930 killed in action . The Sergeant Major 21:43.930 --> 21:46.097 Thomas P . Paine Trophy for excellence 21:46.097 --> 21:48.097 in marksmanship is presented to the 21:48.097 --> 21:50.041 soldier with the highest aggregate 21:50.041 --> 21:52.152 across all individual rifle matches . 21:52.152 --> 21:53.986 The winner of this award will be 21:53.986 --> 21:55.874 presented a picture plaque of the 21:55.874 --> 21:58.041 Sergeant Major Thomas P . Paine Trophy 21:58.041 --> 22:00.208 and a Sergeant Major of the Army . The 22:00.208 --> 22:01.763 winner of the US Army Rifle 22:01.763 --> 22:03.763 Championship is Major Samuel Samuel 22:03.763 --> 22:04.763 Freeman . 22:25.119 --> 22:27.341 Individual championship is an aggregate 22:27.341 --> 22:29.452 of all individual pistol matches . In 22:29.452 --> 22:31.452 3rd place , Sergeant 1st Class Paul 22:31.452 --> 22:35.099 Dugan . 2nd place , National Sergeant 22:35.099 --> 22:36.219 Kevin Pritchett . 22:40.459 --> 22:42.292 The winner of the US Army Pistol 22:42.292 --> 22:44.500 Championship is Staff Sergeant John 22:44.500 --> 22:45.500 Jordan . 22:51.520 --> 22:53.880 Awards for the All Army Multi-gun 22:53.880 --> 22:55.880 Championship are presented to those 22:55.880 --> 22:57.713 competitors who displayed superb 22:57.713 --> 22:59.769 marksmanship skills with both , both 22:59.769 --> 23:01.719 pistol and rifle innumerous timed 23:01.719 --> 23:04.760 scenario-based events . Third place is 23:04.760 --> 23:06.538 Staff Sergeant Colton Edwards . 23:10.890 --> 23:13.112 Chief Warrant Officer 3 , Matt Downey . 23:15.250 --> 23:17.209 This year's individual multi-gun 23:17.209 --> 23:20.189 champion is Sergeant First Class Eric 23:20.290 --> 23:20.979 Vargas . 23:26.910 --> 23:28.966 The Colonel Ralph Buckett Trophy for 23:28.966 --> 23:31.188 Excellence in marksmanship is presented 23:31.188 --> 23:33.410 to the combined top novice shooter from 23:33.410 --> 23:35.577 all the rifle and pistol excellence in 23:35.577 --> 23:37.799 competition matches . The winner of the 23:37.799 --> 23:40.030 Colonel Ralph Buckett Award is Staff 23:40.030 --> 23:41.609 Sergeant Dallas Smith . 23:46.920 --> 23:48.920 The Lieutenant General Benjamin C . 23:48.920 --> 23:50.809 Freakley Trophy for Excellence in 23:50.809 --> 23:52.864 marksmanship is presented to the top 23:52.864 --> 23:54.809 cadet shooter , having the highest 23:54.809 --> 23:56.849 combined score from all rifle and 23:56.849 --> 23:58.682 pistol excellence in competition 23:58.682 --> 24:01.319 matches . This year's winner is Cadet 24:01.319 --> 24:02.810 George Vlajos . 24:06.369 --> 24:08.480 The Excellence in Competition Program 24:08.480 --> 24:11.209 was created in 1894 for service rifle 24:11.530 --> 24:14.329 and in 1901 for service pistol . Since 24:14.329 --> 24:18.050 its inception , 3530 soldiers have 24:18.050 --> 24:20.050 received the Distinguished Rifleman 24:20.050 --> 24:22.161 Badge , and 2000 soldiers have earned 24:22.161 --> 24:24.383 their Distinguished Pistol Shop Badge . 24:24.383 --> 24:26.550 The only way to earn the Distinguished 24:26.550 --> 24:26.270 Marksmanship Badge is through 24:26.270 --> 24:28.479 exceptional performance and numerous 24:28.479 --> 24:30.719 excellence in competition events . The 24:30.719 --> 24:32.830 following individuals have earned the 24:32.830 --> 24:34.886 required number of points to receive 24:34.886 --> 24:36.997 the coveted Distinguished Pistol Shot 24:36.997 --> 24:39.989 Badge . Chief Warrant Officer Matt 24:39.989 --> 24:40.989 Allen . 24:44.010 --> 24:47.979 That . Team 4 officer 3 , Jacob 24:47.979 --> 24:51.969 Freeman . Smith 24:53.079 --> 24:54.579 and Sergeant Cody Pawley . 25:02.000 --> 25:04.167 Two more individuals have earned their 25:04.167 --> 25:06.056 distinguished pistol shot badge , 25:06.056 --> 25:08.000 making them double distinguished . 25:08.000 --> 25:10.589 These are Sergeant First Class Jeffrey 25:10.930 --> 25:14.109 Pyer and First Lieutenant Nathan Ville . 25:29.310 --> 25:30.310 Thanks . 25:34.839 --> 25:36.950 The audience may remain seated during 25:36.950 --> 25:39.530 the reading of the orders . Attention 25:39.530 --> 25:42.369 to orders . Announcement is made of the 25:42.369 --> 25:44.770 following award United States Army 25:44.770 --> 25:46.770 Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge for 25:46.770 --> 25:48.937 Outstanding marksmanship , performance 25:48.937 --> 25:51.329 with a Service pistol during the 2026 25:51.329 --> 25:52.996 United States Army Small Arms 25:52.996 --> 25:55.218 Championship Excellence and Competition 25:55.218 --> 25:58.709 match . Date 14 March 2026 , 25:58.930 --> 26:01.449 signed Donnie B . Phillips , adjutant 26:01.449 --> 26:03.839 general , Fort Benning , Georgia . The 26:03.839 --> 26:05.950 following individuals have earned the 26:05.950 --> 26:08.006 required number of points to receive 26:08.006 --> 26:10.061 the coveted Distinguished Rifleman's 26:10.061 --> 26:13.969 Badge . Sergeant Jonathan Vaughn . 26:15.040 --> 26:17.359 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Johnson . 26:19.569 --> 26:23.369 Jesse Kenny . Master Sergeant Joshua 26:23.369 --> 26:24.219 Rosenborn . 26:27.689 --> 26:29.800 5 individuals have also earned enough 26:29.800 --> 26:31.911 points to receive their Distinguished 26:31.911 --> 26:33.911 rifleman badge , making them double 26:33.911 --> 26:35.856 distinguished . They are Technical 26:35.856 --> 26:39.250 Sergeant Trevor Dietrich . Kevin 26:39.250 --> 26:41.989 Richards , Sergeant First Class Ryan 26:41.989 --> 26:44.280 Adams , and Captain Andrew Pluke . 27:16.270 --> 27:18.437 We will now present the awards for the 27:18.437 --> 27:20.270 US Army Small Arms Championship 27:20.270 --> 27:22.780 individual winners . The US Army Small 27:22.780 --> 27:24.836 Arms Championship is an aggregate of 27:24.836 --> 27:27.058 all individual matches fired during the 27:27.058 --> 27:29.420 competition . Please come forward and 27:29.420 --> 27:31.587 remain on stage as we call your name . 27:31.869 --> 27:33.813 2nd and 3rd place competitors will 27:33.813 --> 27:36.609 receive individual awards . 3rd place 27:36.609 --> 27:38.430 is Staff Sergeant John Jordan . 27:45.619 --> 27:47.979 2nd place is Chief Warrant Officer 3 , 27:48.219 --> 27:48.989 Matt Dowdy . 27:55.430 --> 27:57.550 The overall individual winner for the 27:57.550 --> 28:00.949 2026 United States Army Small Arms 28:00.949 --> 28:03.479 Championship will be presented an M1 28:03.479 --> 28:05.869 Grain Service grade rifle , a picture 28:05.869 --> 28:08.036 plaque of the United States Army Small 28:08.036 --> 28:10.202 Arms Championship trophy , and a Chief 28:10.202 --> 28:13.619 of Staff of the Army Corps . The 2026 28:13.869 --> 28:16.150 United States Army Small Arms champion 28:16.150 --> 28:19.670 is Sergeant First Class Eric Vargas . 29:24.859 --> 29:27.026 1 2nd , OK , give me a second . I take 29:28.829 --> 29:32.000 OK . Give the rival . What up ? 29:58.270 --> 29:58.719 12 . 30:06.689 --> 30:08.689 Thank you , Command Sergeant Andrew 30:08.689 --> 30:10.800 Barker . Ladies and gentlemen , thank 30:10.800 --> 30:12.856 you for your presence and support of 30:12.856 --> 30:15.329 the 2026 United States Army Small Arms 30:15.329 --> 30:17.551 Championship . It has been an excellent 30:17.551 --> 30:19.718 training event for all those that have 30:19.718 --> 30:21.940 participated . Everyone is walking away 30:21.940 --> 30:23.551 from this training event and 30:23.551 --> 30:24.430 competition , a better shooter .