ARMY SNIPER ASSOCIATION
tHE LATEST NEWS
Items of interest and updates on events, competitions and other items of note regarding the Army Sniper Association, The US Army Sniper Course and the sniper community in general.
HEADLINES
2023 INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION FINAL STANDINGS
Congratulations to all of the competitors on a job well done! Outstanding performance by all!
CLASS 03-23 TOP GRADUATES HONORED
The top graduates for Sniper Class 3-23 were recently honored and presented with awards by board member and guest speaker Art Prieto at their graduation ceremony at Ft Benning, GA.
SGT Brendan Ridge – Honor Graduate (Pictured above)
SGT Jesse Ray – Top Shot Award (Pictured top right)
SPC Andrew Shaw – Fieldcraft Award (Pictured on right)
TOP GRADUATES HONORED
The top graduates for Sniper Class 2-23 were recently honored at their graduation ceremony at Ft Benning, GA.
SPC Jacob Campbell – Top Shot Award (Pictured on left)
SPC Daniel Cox – Fieldcraft Award (Pictured on right)
A big thanks to our guest speaker, Mr. John Speer (Class of 4-87!)
DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AND DEPARTING INSTRUCTORS RECOGNIZED
Above: SSG Keenan and SFC Small are recognized for their service as they complete their tours at the US Army Sniper Course. They are pictured receiving their appreciation awards on behalf of the Army Sniper Association from board member Art Prieto.
Left: SPC Jackson Murphy receives the Top Shot and Fieldcraft awards from the ASA at the December 16th graduation ceremony. Great Job and congratulations!
ASA ATTENDS WINSTOPN P. WILSON SNIPER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARKANSAS
The ASA attended the Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championships in Ft Smith, Arkansas. ASA President Ron Kuykendall and board member Butch Cady represented the association for the duration of the event!
TEAM ARMY PREVAILS OVER MARINES DURING GRUDGE MATCH AT THE GATHERING OF SNIPERS
Five army teams competed during the Army vs Marines Grudge Match under team coach Christopher Roberts. Four of the five army teams finished in the top six overall, placing 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th in a field of 126 competitors. Congratulations to the overall winners, Tyler Payne and Kahl Harmon from the Army Marksmanship Unit and thank you for representing Team Army!
ASA SHOOTING TEAM COMPETES AT THE GATHERING OF SNIPERS
Thank you to Sergeants McAndrews and Hjelle for representing the Army Sniper Association as our shooting team at The Gathering. Great job by both of you! Also, thanks to Sierra Ammunition, Field Optics Research, B-5 Systems, Dawn of Defense and Hoist for your tremendous support!
ASA SCHOLARSHIP RAFFLE WINNER DRAWN
Congratulations to Mark WIlliams for winning the Bergara custom rifle provided by Dawn of Defense in support of the ASA Scholarship Raffle. We would also like to congratulate our second place winners who received $250 gift certificates: Raymond Agan (2 gift certificates), Donald Stewart, Daniel Brock and Philip Wendt!
distinguished graduates recognized for class 10/11-22
Congratulations to the two distinguished graduates of class 10/11 – 22. SPC Joshua Black (left) from the 2/187th, 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division was the Top Shot Award recipient. SPC Lukas Wolff (right) from the 1/11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was the Field Craft Award recipient. They are pictured with guest speaker and ASA board member Butch Cady and Army Sniper Course Branch Chief, SFC Kenneth Howell.
ASA attended major land sniper's cup at black bear shooting complex in Gladstone, Virginia
ASA President Ron Kuykendall, Vice President Jim Harris, Board Member John Meyer and association members Teddy Anderson and Scott Raitt attended the Major Land Sniper’s Cup in Gladstone, VA. Teddy Anderson and Scott Raitt were both original instructors at teh US Army Sniper SChool and they represented the association for the debut of the ASA Shooting Team. Thank you to Sierra Ammunition, Hoist, Field Optics Research, B-5 Systems and Dawn of Defense for your support at this great event!
ASA attended BUSHNELL GAP GRINd IN FINGER, TENNESSEE
ASA Board Members Art Prieto and Larry Davis attended the Bushnell Gap Grind event at the Precision Rifle Training SHooting Complex in Finger, TN from September 29th – October 1st, 2022. Thank you Shannon Kay for hosting this great event!
ASA WILL BE ATTENDING EUROPEAN EVENTS
ASA Vice President Jim Harris will be traveling to Europe again at his own expense, from September 15th through October 4th, to attend several events where he will be representing the association. He will be in the UK to visit the Sennybridge training area where the UK Tri-Service Sniper Competition takes place. He will be attending and presenting at the Omega Sniper Symposium in Swindon, England. He will also attend and present at the European Special Operations Sniper Symposium in Warsaw, Poland. Additionally, he will be visiting the Irish Army Sniper School where he will do a presentation and assist with product demonstrations for some of our sponsor partners.
distinguished graduates recognized
Congratulations to the two distinguished graduates of class 08/09 – 22. SGT Steven Lambert (left) from the 2/508 PIR, 82nd Airborne Division was the Fieldcraft Award recipient. SPC Declan Keighley (right) from the 4/31 Inf, 10th Mountain Division was the Top Shot awardee. Great Job!
US Army Sniper School instructor SSG Joe Mille Retires
The Army Sniper Association would like to congratulate SSG Joe Mille on his retirement. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You were an inspiration to many. We wish you all of the best in the next chapter of your life.
THE ARMY SNIPER ASSOCIATION HAS FORMED A SHOOTING TEAM. Sierra AMMUNITION IS THE OFFICIAL AMMUNITION PROVIDER
The Army Sniper Association has formed their first ever shooting team. They will be making their debut at the Major Land Sniper Cup being held at the Black Bear Shooting Club in Gladstone, VA on October 8th and 9th. Thank you to original instructors and winners of the first All Army Sniper Competition, retired members Scott Raitt (left) and Teddy Anderson (right) for agreeing to represent us! And thank you to Sierra Ammunition for agreeing to be our official sponsor for ammunition!
TOP GRADUATE IS RECOGNIZED AT US ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL CLASS 06/07-22 GRAduation
A big round of congratulations to SPC Aidan Bischoff from C Trp., 1-33rd CAV Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Many classes are completed with no distinguished graduates. SPC Bischoff managed to secure all three coveted spots. He was the Honor Graduate, Top Shot and Fieldcraft award winner at today’s graduation for Sniper Class 06/07-22. Fantastic job!
Pictured at left, SPC Bischoff receives his awards from Major Brian Hotchkiss at the graduation ceremony.
ARMY SNIPER ASSOCIATION ATTENDS DANISH INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION
ASA Vice President Jim Harris traveled to Denmark to represent the ASA at the Danish International Sniper Competition July 2nd – July 9th. He engaged in information sharing, reconnected with several competitors and observers from the ISC at Ft Benning earlier this year, to include two US teams. Many new relationships were formed which will benefit the community as a whole moving forward. Denmark has also started an association and is moving towards expanding their operations. Many thanks to Hans Lungaard and General Nissen for a great week of events and amazing hospitality.
THE ASA IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE GATHERING OF SNIPERS
Guardian Long Range is seeking volunteers from our community to assist with matches at The Gathering in Blakely, GA on November 4th and 5th. They are supporting us and the Marine Scout Sniper Association by sponsoring this event. Please consider giving back to the community if you are available. Meals will be provided. You will also receive a free t-shirt as well as $200 in raffle tickets from Guardian for your assistance. While experience is helpful, it is not required. Please email janean.wagner@yahoo.com at Guardian if you are able to help!
THE ASA IS SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT FOR THE GATHERING OF SNIPERS
The “Gathering of Snipers” is an annual event bringing Army and Marine sniper communities together. It provides an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas related to snipers. This year’s Gathering is being held at the outstanding Arena Training Facility in Blakely, GA. 3-6 Nov 2022. This year, the Gathering is being conducted in conjunction an even larger event, the “Guardian Long Range” competition; I recommend that you look at their website and Facebook page and sign-up if you are available. This year’s Gathering consists of Army and Marine symposiums (3 Nov 22) and an “Army verses Marines Grudge Match” shooting event (5-6 Nov 22). Army Sniper and Marine Scout Sniper Associations will publish specific details as they are solidified.
The ASA’s role in the symposium is to provide an environment for and to facilitate and keep a record of discussions pertaining to current issues affecting the Army sniper community. Active and retired Army snipers are encouraged to attend and provide input; ASA will also provide Zoom and telecon links for these discussions.
The ASA needs input from its community. We want to identify issues you feel are current, relevant and need priority at the symposium. As an example, the Marine Scout Sniper community has identified the need to create a Sniper MOS as their main topic of discussion. Please send us your recommended topics (here or ASA Facebook) so we can identify the most significant area of concern and begin coordination for Subject Matter Experts to participate in panel type discussions.
Thanks for Your Support,
Ron Kuykendall
President, Army Sniper Association
TOP GRADUATES RECOGNIZED AT US ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL CLASS 04/05-22 GRAduation
Congratulations to Honor Graduate Brian Postles and Top Gun Awardee Kade Post of Class 04/05-22. They are pictured above being being presented with awards by Art Prieto at graduation on behalf of the Army Sniper Association on Friday, 06/03/22.
DEPARTING INSTRUCTORS HONORED BY THE ARMY SNIPER ASSOCIATION
Instructors were presented with end of tour awards by Art Prieto. Left to right: Luke Smith, Benny Hermanson, Charles Riegel, Art Prieto, Joseph Rosas, Andrew Dominguez. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment and service! Good luck in the future!
ORIGINAL INSTRUCTORS OF US ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL HONORED AT 2022 INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION BANQUET BY ART PRIETO COMMEMORATING 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCHOOL
Left to right: Teddy Anderson, Jeff Gray, Ron Kuykendall, Scott Raitt, Kenneth Arie, Lonny Wright, Jim Harris, Mark Rozycki
THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION TOP 3 TEAMS
First Place Team: 2nd SWTG (A)
Second Place Team: 3/75th Rangers
Third Place Team: USMC SOI – West
THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION FINAL STANDINGS
THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION HAS BEGUN! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE COMPETITORS!
First Woman to finish Army’s Sniper School is Montana Guard Soldier
A student assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School who is in the Special Forces Sniper Course adjusts a scope during sniper training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, August 2, 2021. (Army/K. Kassens)
From 1-8 April 2022, #Sniper teams from across the United States and abroad will travel to Fort Benning to compete in the International Sniper Competition.
The top team will be identified only after all teams have been assessed through a gauntlet of rigorous physical, mental and technical events testing a range of sniper skills including, but not limited to, long-range marksmanship, observation, reconnaissance and reporting abilities, and abilities to move with stealth and concealment. Let the countdown begin!