Altus Air Force Base News

 

Service members compete for EIC badge at rifle shooting competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Service members participated in a rifle Elementary Level Excellence in Competition match hosted by the 97th Security Forces Squadron Sept. 20 at the base Combat Arms firing range.

"It was awesome, I loved it," said Maj. Rebb Jones, 97th Air Mobility Wing chief executive. "I never want to pass up a chance to shoot. It was an opportunity to get out of the office. Obviously the work we do in the office is important, but at the same time it is nice to let off some steam and there is no better way than to put some metal down range."

During the competition each service member fired 60 rounds of 5.56mm frangible ball ammunition at 25 meter reduced targets using the M-16A2 service rifle.

"I did O.K.," Jones said. "I knew I was shooting to the right all day. Me being a perfectionist I was hoping to do a little bit better. But at the same time I can't complain because I was not pushing paper work, I was pushing lead."

The EIC was held to give local service members the opportunity to compete individually for points towards an EIC badge, which may be worn on service dress uniforms. Only the top 10 percent of the shooters are eligible for the award.

"I would be stoked - absolutely stoked," Jones said. "I don't expect to get it, but that would be an honor for sure."

The service members that finished in the top 10 percent out of the 42 competitors and earned a Bronze EIC Rifle Badge are, Master Sgt. Erick A. Rawding, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection craftsman, Master Sgt. Jeremy E. Leesmann, 97th SFS first sergeant, Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Treadwell, 97th SFS NCO in charge of the Armory, and Staff Sgt. Micah C. Wilson, 97th SFS Combat Arms instructor.

The 97th SFS is planning on having more matches in the future according to Tech. Sgt. Robert N. Willoughby III, 97th SFS NCO in charge of Combat Arms.