Lock and Load
Team Boar's Head Continues Winning Streak
Denise Ray
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
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That's the explanation Sgt. 1st First Class Eric Leid had for the fourth consecutive first place win for the NGCSU-ROTC Combat Shooting Team at the Fort Benning Rifle Championships Jan. 29.
Team Boar's Head (Cadet Michael Smolucha, Cadet Kevin Bernhardt, Cadet Sean-Paul Adams, Cadet Zachary Guyton) beat some of the toughest competitors to date, including teams from Sniper School, Military Police S.W.A.T. teams, and sniper sections from 3rd Infantry Division.
In addition to the team's win, Smolucha won the award for top cadet.
"North Georgia cadets consistently shoot well at the Fort Benning rifle and pistol matches because of the training, direction, and mentoring provided by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Leid," Smolucha said.
The match format is a new course of fire developed by the Army Marksmanship Unit to more closely simulate situations encountered in combat.
Shooters engage targets at various distances, firing 10 rounds with a magazine change.
Competitors fire from prone, kneeling and standing positions with a time limit of two minutes at 400 yards decreasing every yard line finally with two seconds at the 25-yard line.
North Georgia has had a rifle/shooting team since 1879.
Col. Billy Wells (ret.) authorized the military service rifle team in 2003.
Looking for a "culminating event," Leid approached Lt. Col. David Liwanag, commander of the Army Marksmanship Unit, for suggestions.
In 2005 Georgia and Alabama ROTC Cadets were given the go-ahead to participate in the Benning matches.
Bringing his vast military experience to the team, Leid has been joined by J.P. O'Connor, coach of several Junior Olympic shooting athletes since 2007.
Together they train the Cadets in marksmanship skills that will be passed on as they commission and go on to lead units.
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