By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs
PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard’s top marksmen gathered at LANG Training Center Pineville for the annual Adjutant General’s Match, March 10-14.
Fifty-six Soldiers and Airmen competed in six individual and two team matches, testing their rifle and pistol skills. The top 20% earned a spot on the Governor’s Twenty, with the highest performers advancing to regional and national competitions.
“Some of you arrived not knowing what to expect, but you showed up and competed,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Chapman, state marksmanship program coordinator. “I challenge you to be the best in everything you do, whether you’re in the crawl, walk, or run phase.”
The competition, modeled after regional and national matches, enhances combat readiness by placing shooters in high-pressure scenarios. Events included Rifle Rundown, Rifle Reflexive Fire, Special Zero, Pistol Antibody Armor, Pistol Excellence in Competition, Rifle EIC, Know Your Limits, and the General George Patton Combat Pistol Match. Each match used designated targets with scoring rings ranging from two to five points in the facial or center mass areas.
Army Staff Sgt. Elliot Smith, with E Company, 1st Battalion, 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, competed for the third time, aiming for Top Gun honors.
“I train with firearms regularly and prepared my team the day before the match,” said Smith. “I have been trying to place in the top four to qualify for regional and nationals.”
Air Force Master Sgt. Stephen Boniol, with 259th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron, was also a returning competitor.
“I enjoy the challenge of marksmanship competitions and the constant push to improve,” Boniol said.
Chapman encouraged interested Soldiers and Airmen to coordinate with their chain of command to register for future competitions.
This year’s competition was attended by Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the joint staff for the LANG; Command Sgt. Maj. Clifford Ockman, command senior enlisted leader of Louisiana; Command Sgt. Maj. Sud Robertson, LANG senior enlisted advisor-Army; and Command Chief Master Sgt. Daryl Herty, LANG senior enlisted advisor-Air.
“I congratulate all competitors for their efforts,” Villalaz said. “You will take valuable skills and lessons back to your units. Good luck to our Louisiana team at the regional competition at Camp Robinson in April.”
At the conclusion of the match, Army Staff Sgt. Elliot Smith, of Mandeville, Louisiana, was named Top Gun, achieving the highest overall combined score while leading in the Pistol Antibody Armor, Special Zero, Pistol Excellence in Competition, and Rifle Excellence in Competition matches, as well as posting the highest individual pistol and rifle scores. Air Force Master Sgt. Stephen Boniol, of Alexandria, Louisiana, placed second overall and recorded the top score in the Rifle Reflexive Fire match. Army Spc. Christopher Williams, of Choudrant, Louisiana, earned the highest score in the Rifle Rundown match. The top team honors went to the Army National Guard’s “It’s All About Control,” which included Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jacques Madere, Staff Sgt. Fallan Lowder, Staff Sgt. Elliot Smith, and Sgt. Preston Hatten.
The top 20% of competitors earned the Governor’s Twenty tab, while the top 10% received points toward the bronze Excellence in Competition badge. Shooters can accumulate additional points at regional and national matches to progress to silver and gold badges, the highest marksmanship distinction.
