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U.S. Military Academy at West Point Defends Title at SIG Relentless Warrior Championship

Monday, May 1st, 2023

NEWINGTON, N.H., (April 28, 2023) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is honored to announce the conclusion of the Fourth Annual SIG Relentless Warrior Championship. On Friday, April 7 through Saturday, April 8, 2023, over one hundred cadets from the United States Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, Norwich University, Texas A & M, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech and the Royal Military College of Canada competed in the SIG Relentless Warrior Championship at the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire. The course of fire consisted of six mission stages that tested the marksmanship and leadership skills of our future military leaders. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point Combat Weapons Team defended their title for the third year in a row to earn the honor of 2023 SIG Relentless Warrior Champion.

“The SIG SAUER Relentless Warrior Championship serves as the capstone event for our club’s training throughout the year. It provides a unique test of shooting ability, physical agility, and problem-solving while engaging with peers from other service academies, senior ROTC programs, and allied nations. SIG’s superb facilities and world-class staff make this an unforgettable experience,” said MAJ Sean Marquis – OIC of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Combat Weapons Team.

“The goal of the Combat Weapons Team is to develop highly proficient shooters, leaders, and instructors. From the moment a cadet joins the team, they begin an immersion into understanding firearms, the principles of marksmanship, physical fitness, mindset, combat shooting, accuracy, speed, and tactics. This cross-training of disciplines helps mold them into amazing tactical and competitive shooters,” continued Gary Salman, Head Coach, U.S. Military Academy at West Point Combat Weapons Team. “Every new season, we train with the intention of embracing the SIG Relentless Warrior mindset. This mindset helps instill the goals we have as a cohesive team. I am so proud of the accomplishments of our entire team, especially some of our new members who have never participated in a competition before. Thank you to SIG for providing this amazing opportunity to compete and bring together so many like-minded individuals who may someday be fighting side by side.”

Additional top awards for the SIG Relentless Warrior Championship are as follows:

Top Gun: Leon Ward, U.S. Military Academy at West Point

High Lady: Uta Givens, U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Top Shot: Awarded to the best shooter from each participating school:

U.S. Air Force Academy: Jeremy Kappel

U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Thomas Hughes Gill

U.S. Naval Academy: Jaimeson Hamsho

U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Leon Ward

Norwich University: Ryan Cranston

Texas A&M: Chance De Vos

Virginia Military Institute: Kevin Ryan

Virginia Polytechnic Institute: Christopher Campione

Royal Military College of Canada: Samuel Payne

“It’s an honor for SIG to host the SIG SAUER Relentless Warrior Championship and provide this opportunity for the cadets to compete and come together as they prepare to lead and serve our country and defend our freedoms,” concluded Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, Profession of Arms, Shooting Sports | 1 Comment »

USSF Completes Service Dress Uniform Fit Tests

Monday, April 24th, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Space Force completed its final service dress uniform fit test March 27-31 at the Pentagon. The initial fit test was conducted February 13-17 at Peterson Space Force Base.

Fit tests are an essential process in developing the prototype’s sizing and fit. One hundred Guardians worldwide were selected as fit test participants, an important milestone in delivering a first-rate uniform.

“From the word ‘go’ we have been committed to keeping Guardian feedback at the forefront of developing the service dress,” said Col. James Jenkins, director of the Office of Change Management Team. “We know Guardians are excited for a uniform they can call their own and we are accelerating as quickly as possible to deliver a product they can wear with pride.”

The Space Force unveiled its initial service dress uniform prototype in September 2021, quickly followed by a uniform roadshow garnering Guardian feedback.

“We used Guardian focus groups and roadshows to narrow service dress design options,” said Wade Yamada, U.S. Space Force Director of Staff deputy. “We listened intently to Guardian design and fit requests. In many ways, Guardians helped select our current service dress design.”

The next step in developing the service dress uniform is the wear test to assess the durability, functionality and comfort of the prototype. The wear test will begin in summer 2023.

During the wear test, Guardians will wear the uniform three times a week and provide detailed feedback assessing the prototypes.

“We are excited by Guardians’ input into their future uniform,” said Catherine Lovelady, Office of Change Management Team uniform lead. “We are passionate about ensuring our members continue to have a voice in shaping a unique Space Force uniform.”

Guardian feedback will continually be at the forefront of uniform development as the service works toward delivering to the force in late 2025.

Story by SAF/PA Staff Writer, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Photos by Andy Morataya

Posted in Clothing, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Space | 7 Comments »

Croatia, Canada Join Minnesota Best Warrior Competition

Monday, April 17th, 2023

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Croatian and Canadian Armed Forces competed to find this year’s best Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier during Minnesota’s 2023 Best Warrior Competition at Camp Ripley March 29-April 1.

The Minnesota Guard and Croatia have a 27-year relationship through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, and Minnesota has longstanding ties with Canada.

“The continued coordination with partners like Croatia and Canada is rewarding for our Soldiers and leaders alike,” said Army 1st Sgt. Jack Esget, the competition’s noncommissioned officer in charge.

The Best Warrior Competition tested participants’ knowledge of Soldier skills over four days. The competition included an appearance board, written exams, essays, a physical fitness event, weapons qualifications, medical evacuation tasks, an obstacle course, a live-fire exercise, and a ruck march. In addition, this year’s contest featured the “Valor Ruck,” which included five stations, each highlighting the story of a Medal of Honor recipient.

“Camp Ripley is a world-class training site, and we are excited to host not only Minnesota’s best noncommissioned officers and Soldiers, but also seven competitors from Croatia and Canada,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Rian Hofstad, Camp Ripley’s garrison command sergeant major.

Of the 20 Minnesota National Guard, four Croatian, and three Canadian Soldiers who competed, only one Minnesota noncommissioned officer and one Minnesota Soldier will advance to compete at the next level, the National Guard’s Region IV Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Ohio National Guard in May. Special recognition and pride go with the international allies as they place throughout the event.

On Day One, Soldiers conducted vehicle maintenance checks and services, changed tires and competed in the live-fire exercise. Next, the noncommissioned officers took on the valor ruck march around Camp Ripley’s cantonment area and tested their knowledge of Army tasks and drills.

“I hope this competition is a career-developing experience for all our competitors and that this opportunity continues to foster our long-lasting international partnerships,” Esget said.

On the second day of the competition, in cold and icy conditions, the noncommissioned officers treated a simulated casualty and performed vehicle maintenance and live-fire exercises. The Soldiers took on the valor ruck with an ice sheet covering Camp Ripley.

Participants also competed in low-light land navigation with snowshoes, combating the deep snowpack of north central Minnesota.

The 2023 Minnesota Soldier of the Year is Spc. Gabriel Senf, an infantryman with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. Army Staff Sgt. Leo Kerfeld, an infantryman with the Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, is the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

By CPT William Hermanson, Minnesota National Guard

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »

Reserve Command Announces $10K Bonus for Prior-Service Enlisted Airmen

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) —

To remain competitive in a tight labor market and retain valuable talent, Air Force Reserve Command is offering a $10,000 incentive bonus to fully-qualified, prior-service enlisted Airmen who sign up to fill open positions and agree to a three-year service commitment.

One of several incentives available to those who join the Air Force Reserve, this particular program opens a wider aperture for recruiters to capture qualified Airmen separating from the active-duty Air Force.

“The Air Force Reserve affiliation incentive is a clear demonstration of how we value those who continue to serve and are ‘ready for more,’” said Brig. Gen. Lisa M. Craig, Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander. “Ready for more time with family, work-life balance, community involvement, educational goals and connections. At the same time, we get to retain the knowledge and experience of that prior-service Airman.”

Historically, the Air Force Reserve has targeted a recruiting mix of 70% prior-service and 30% non-prior-service members. This incentive bonus aligns with helping to achieve this balance and helping the Reserve meet its annual recruiting goal and overall end-strength.

“This bonus is one of many policies and incentive adjustments to help the Air Force Reserve ensure we can recruit the quality Airmen we need to safeguard our combat readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, AFRS commander. “The move is also important to encourage our Airmen separating from active service to ‘stay blue’ and continue to use their skills and training for the nation as part of the Reserve.”

As recruiting continues to be a challenge across all services, the Air Force Reserve missed last year’s goal of 8,200 by nearly 2,000 accessions. Providing an incentivized opportunity for fully-qualified enlisted prior-service members or Inactive Ready Reserve members to transition to the Reserve Component is one tool to help close the gap in reaching this year’s goal of 9,300 accessions.

“In order to compete with the private sector and other military services in appealing to and retaining qualified talent, we need to have all available resources at our disposal,” said Col. Ephod Shang, 367th Recruiting Group commander and director of AFRC Recruiting. “The Air Force Reserve is such an attractive option to continue to fulfill one’s desire to serve and maintain some very tangible benefits, all while performing on a part-time basis. I highly encourage individuals separating from the active duty to engage with a recruiter to learn more about what additional benefits and incentives they may qualify for.”

Active-duty and IRR Airmen interested in joining the Reserve should contact a recruiter using the Aim High app, visit AFReserve.com or call 800-257-1212 to learn more about this and many other opportunities to serve in the Air Force Reserve.

By Master Sergeant Bobby Pilch, 367th Recruiting Group, Air Force Reserve Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 2 Comments »

Studies and Analysis Squadron Unveils One-Stop Website for Enlisted Promotion Study Materials

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) —

For many years, Airmen have had to search multiple websites and resources to find the necessary material for their enlisted promotion studies. This could be anything from learning what they need to study or finding audio files to help them prepare for the tests. However, all of this is now a thing of the past thanks to the Studies and Analysis Squadron at Air Education and Training Command.

Members of the SAS have worked hard during recent months to create one comprehensive website where Airmen can access all their enlisted promotion study materials in one place – The Air Force Enlisted Promotion Study Guides website.

The site hosts electronic versions of AF Handbook 1, including both publication files as well as audio files; study guides tailored specifically towards those testing for staff sergeant or technical sergeant; plus, the Enlisted Promotions References & Requirements Catalog, which provides additional information on everything related to promotions within individual career fields.

The new resource makes it easier for Airmen preparing for an upcoming promotion test – no more having to hunt down different pieces from various places. Now, Airmen can quickly locate everything they need on one convenient page, just a few clicks away – making studying much simpler.

“The science of adult learning tells us that this learning occurs differently across populations and individuals. So, it’s important that we provide a variety of options for Airmen to learn,” said Lt. Col. Marcus McNabb, SAS commander. “This is an important first step in that direction and provides an audio resource, in addition to the traditional written resource.”

“Coupled with the plan to transition the test administration to an electronic medium in 2024, this modernization of testing resources and administration aims to reduce the administrative burden of testing Airmen and allows them to focus on the important aspects regarding Air Force and job-specific knowledge,” he said. “Ultimately, these efforts will ensure the Air Force promotion system continues to evolve to ensure we continue to promote the highest performing Airmen and meet the demand for quality Airmen to assure our nation’s defense.”

Studies and Analysis Squadron, Air Education and Training Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Studies and Analysis Squadron Unveils One-Stop Website for Enlisted Promotion Study Materials

Air Force Releases 102nd Uniform Board Results for Airmen, Guardians

Monday, March 27th, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. approved several initiatives submitted to the November 2022 Air Force Uniform Board for implementation in Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel. Authorized changes are effective April 1.

As separate services, the Air Force and Space Force host independent uniform boards; however, the results of one service’s uniform board may be adopted by either service. As a result, some of the changes approved by the Air Force’s 102nd Uniform Board were adopted by the Space Force. These specific changes have been identified within DAFGM 36-2903.

Airmen and Guardians submitted change requests through the Guardians and Airmen Innovation Network online.

The summary of approved changes are:

Child Development Centers (CDCs):
This authorizes installation commanders to designate CDCs as a no-hat, no-salute zone. Additionally, in areas not designated, salutes are not required when either person is carrying children.

Authorizes the wear of cold weather headband:
This expands the current cold weather accessories to add a headband in addition to scarves, earmuffs, watch cap and gloves.

Authorizes wear of a total of four badges on the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform above the USAF tape.
This expands the current regulation, which allows a maximum of two badges to four.

Authorizes the wear of additional headgear for the Flight Duty Uniform (FDU):
This expands the current regulation to add an OCP patrol cap and tactical OCP cap in addition to the flight cap.

Authorizes a “small logo” on purses and handbags:
The logo must not exceed one inch in diameter. USSF only: When wearing civilian attire or in uniform, while carrying a backpack by hand, there are no color or logo restrictions.

Authorizes olive drab green authorized backpack color:
This expands the current regulation to allow olive drab green in addition to black, brown, gray and dark blue, as an authorized color for backpacks to wear with any uniform combination.

Authorizes any size logo on gym bags:
This removes the word ‘small’ from the DAFI, allowing any size logo on gym bags.

Authorizes the wear of parkas by characteristics:
This expands the current regulation to allow cold-weather parkas to be commercially purchased, with certain exceptions. Parkas must be OCP pattern or Coyote Brown and have name tapes, service tape, rank and patches worn in the same authorized configuration.

Authorizes Friday morale shirts with logo on the front and back:
This expands the current morale shirt regulation by allowing logos to be worn at a larger diameter on the back of the shirt in addition to having a logo on the left side of the chest not to exceed five inches in diameter. Regardless of the logo, the shirt must be Coyote Brown.

Authorizes the wear of “heritage-like” morale patches on the FDU:
This removes the verbiage from the DAFI limiting current or past official organizational emblem or any variation for the FDU, like the OCPs and two-piece Flight Duty Uniform.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Clothing, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Air Force Releases 102nd Uniform Board Results for Airmen, Guardians

Army Field Manual 3-98 Reconnaissance and Security Operations

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

In January, the US Army updated their Cavalry doctrine with a new version of FM 3-98 Reconnaissance and Security Operations.

Download it here.

Posted in Army, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Army Field Manual 3-98 Reconnaissance and Security Operations

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Recognized for Top Honors During Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony

Monday, March 20th, 2023

ATLANTA –

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Maria Henderson, assigned to the 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, recognized as the valedictorian and earned the “top shot” title in her Atlanta police academy class during an Atlanta Police Department private swearing-in ceremony on the Atlanta Metropolitan State College campus.

Henderson, the first female recruit in APD history to earn both titles for best performance, hopes to be an inspiration for other recruits, particularly women, and encourages others to consider a life of service.

“I wanted to become a police officer to help people,” Henderson said. “When I would see police officers in my community, I could always see myself doing that job. I knew it would be something that would really fulfill me, give me purpose… to go out and help the community and touch lives every day.”

She, along with 20 of her peers from Atlanta Police Academy Class 276, were issued their badges following the ceremony and will now begin six weeks of field training working alongside experienced partners in the force, and a formal graduation ceremony will be held in the spring.

Henderson, who has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years, is no stranger to rigorous training. She credits her success at the academy in large part to her military experience and the discipline she learned from being a Soldier.

“I’m incredibly honored,” said Henderson. “I’ve always wanted to serve, and this is incredibly fulfilling for me.”

She added that she is proud to now serve both her local community and her country.

The Atlanta Police Academy program tests recruits both mentally and physically during 900 classroom hours and 12 weeks of fieldwork prior to graduation.

City of Atlanta Police Department Recruit Unit Supervisor Sgt. Courtney Murphy praised Henderson’s talent and work ethic.

“She is determined, she always wants to achieve and be the best at everything,” said Murphy. “She is very nice; she is very kind– and she is a leader among the recruits in her class.”

Murphy said Henderson’s military training paid off at the academy.

“It’s definitely a good foundation to have when you are coming into a paramilitary environment like the police academy,” Murphy said. “It gave her an outlook a lot of other recruits didn’t have. She understood our structure, our ranking… and she understood what we needed her to do often before we told her.”

“She is a really hard worker. She stays late, she comes early… she keeps everybody together,” Murphy added. “She is amazing.”

Murphy, a female officer herself, said being a woman on the force would be a challenging but a worthwhile opportunity.

“You always feel like you have to prove yourself more, you have to show that you can do the job,” said Murphy. “I have no doubt Henderson will move up.

“I am very confident in her abilities,” Murphy added. “I hope that she always remembers her foundations— and the women that came before her.”

Henderson will soon be out in the community serving as what she called part of a “new generation of police officers.”

“Now that I am a sworn police officer I would like to go out in my community and help change people’s perspectives,” explained Henderson. “We are people, too, and we really do want to be the change we want to see out there. That is what I want to put out into the world.”

-By SSG Elizabeth Bryson 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Posted in Army, LE, Profession of Arms | 3 Comments »