W. Va. Code R. § 141-58-8

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 45, November 8, 2024

Section 141-58-8 - MATCHES AND AWARDS

In order to stimulate interest in small arms firing, to develop team spirit, competitive attitudes, and esprit in the West Virginia National Guard, the following competitions and awards are authorized and established:

a.Outdoor Rifle & Pistol Matches are to stimulate interest of the soldier/airman in expertise with service weapons (rifle, pistol, & LMG). The composite (bullseye) shooting program is entirely separate and will not be addressed in this regulation. Composite programs and awards are addressed in the state annual marksmanship training plan, NGB PAM 350-6, and FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6 w/Cl. State team members are encouraged to work with their unit combat teams, and when state team members are not needed for the state level competition, they are encouraged to participate with their unit's combat teams.

b.Courses of Fire for unit marksmanship programs are taken from current Army Individual Weapons Qualification Courses, either in whole or part. References for unit marksmanship programs are NGB Pam 350-7 and FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6 w/Cl. All courses of fire require the wearing of combat gear, firing issue grade weapons, and firing standard grade ammunition. One course of fire in all three competitions (rifle, pistol, & LMG) requires the team members to display their physical fitness by completing a two (2) mile run in 25 minutes while wearing; helmet, load bearing equipment (LBE), and carrying their weapon(s).

c.Responsibility. The SMC has been charged with responsibility to conduct all state level competitions per WVMR 350-20. The commander is responsible for conduct of the combat program from Individual Weapons Qualification (IWQ) through preparation for the state matches. Example: The CO provides his shooters with; weapons, ammunition, targets, range, time, and instructions prior to attending the state level match. The CO assists the shooters attending the state match by providing them transportation, weapons, and if appropriate - split training for the MUTA-5. Should the unit's team be selected to participate at higher levels of marksmanship competition (Winston P. Wilson (WPW) Matches, Army Area Championships, or All Army), the CO is responsible for providing additional support by; requesting orders, TRs, transportation, etc..

d. Matches conducted prior to the WVNG Small Arms Championships:

1).Individual Weapons Qualification, Each unit in WVARNG must conduct IWQ annually. Chapter IT, NGB Pam 350-7 informs how IWQ may be conducted, both to satisfy an ARTEP requirement and also as competition. Awards include qualification badges plus "Top Gun" and "Progress" marksmanship awards from Unit Marksmanship Support Center (UMSC). A supply of U.S. Army Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman badges should be maintained in unit's supply so appropriate badge may be presented without undue delay. Para 2-10 NGB Pam 350-7 lists several trophies which a unit may be entitled for excellence in Annual Qualification firing.

2).Battalion Championship Competition. How a battalion determines who will represent them at the state small arms firing is left to the organization's discretion; however a battalion competition between teams from units within each command is recommended by WV-TAG and NGB. Should this not be possible, the battalion witnessing officer should obtain Qualification Results Bulletins (QRB) from each unit in the command and field his team accordingly. Sufficient team depth should be provided, in case some personnel fail to attend the matches at Camp Dawson. Awards for the battalion level competition will be the responsibility of the organizational commander.

3).Battalion Postal Competition. Shoulder-to-shoulder competition is always desired over postal competitions whenever feasible, but this sometimes is not possible. Emphasis on soldier's skills and ARTEP missions has left little training time for marksmanship, therefore WVSARTS will conduct a year-round battalion postal match for any battalion which desires such a service. The rules are as follows:

a). Only precision combat courses, per FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6 will be scored for both service rifle and service pistol . The four stage (100yd through 400 yard) precision rifle course and the nine stage (45 shots) Army qualification course for pistol will be used. Scores only, not fired targets, are to be forwarded to: TAG-WV, ATTN: DCSPORT - Marksmanship Coordinator, 1701 Coonskin Drive, Charleston, WV 25311.

b). No limit to the number of competitors or number of courses fired, although each firing session must be validated by the UMC (para. 7). Reduced range courses and/or sub-caliber scores will be accepted and annotated as appropriate.

c). The Commander or Battalion Witnessing Officer will be furnished a match bulletin from WVSARTS within thirty days after they make it known the bulletin is required.

e.State Small Arms Competitions. TAG-WV appoints SMC as match director of the state small arms matches. The state teams including members of the 130th and 167th TAG (WVANG) teams, are to operate both the pistol and rifle ranges and administer the program under the direction of the SMC using this regulation and TAG-WV memorandum as guidelines. The match program will provide competition for both individual and teams in both service rifle and service pistol competition. Notwithstanding modifications required because of range, ammunition, or other limiting factors, the proposed program will include, but not be limited to:

Individual Rifle Competition

1).James H. Francis Trophy. Awarded to the high scoring individual rifle competitor at the match. Members of the WVNG State Teams (including members of 130th & 167th TAG teams) who have previously won the trophy and have received support (weapons, ammunition, travel, per diem, etc.) during the previous 12 months are ineligible to compete in this match. Awards - Trophy to top five (5) scoring individuals (open) plus the top five (5) scoring new (novice) shooters.

2).Excellence in Competition (EIC) Rifle Match. Conducted concurrently with the Francis Trophy Match, is only open to those individuals who hold no points toward the distinguished rifleman badge. Awards - Trophy to top three (3) individuals in the match. Four (4) points toward the thirty needed for "distinguished" to the top ten percent (10%) of entered contestants. The Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) of the U.S. Army presents these individuals the bronze "leg" badge which replaces the qualification badge normally worn on the class "A" uniform.

3).Distinguished Patches. A distinguished patch will be awarded to the ten highest scoring individual firers. The winners of these badges of distinction will be known as "THE GOVERNOR'S TEN".

Team Rifle Competition

4).Davis Cup Match. An annual match to determine the top six (6) man company size unit team in WVNG. Winning team receives possesion of the Davis Cup for one year along with a permanent trophy. Members of the first, second and third place teams receive individual awards.

5).Army Infantry Trophy Match. Preceded by a two (2) mile run, this match tests a battalion team's ability to shoot well while under a state of physical duress. Multiple silhouettes are engaged at the same distances fired in the individual competition. Details of the match conditions are found in FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6 w/Cl. Awards - Trophies will be presented to the members (including captain & coach) of the winner and second place teams. Winning team gains possession of the rotating trophy for one year.

6).Combined Rifle Team Championship. An aggregate match, which determines the top battalion rifle team in WVNG. Score will be derived by adding one-half (1/2) of the team's score in the Army Infantry Trophy Match plus the score fired by the same six (6) team members in the Davis Cup Match. Should a team member not fire with a unit team in the Davis Cup Match, that member's score in the Francis Trophy will be used to determine their team score. The top two (2) teams will represent WVNG at the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region IE championships, if conducted. The winning team will be invited to attend the annual Winston P. Wilson matches (NG Championships) at Camp Robinson, Ark, the following September.

Individual Pistol Competition

7).NG Association of WV Trophy. A composite (bullseye) match that is fired in three (3) stages. Each stage requires the use of a different weapon. Twenty-two (.22) cal, center-fire, and .45 pistols are fired one hand, without combat gear, with time limits of: (slow fire) 10 shots in 10 minutes, (timed fire) 5 shots in 20 seconds twice and (rapid fire) 5 shots in 10 seconds twice. Awards - trophy to winner of each weapon plus trophy of aggregate (total) winner. Aggregate winner gains possession of the NG Assn. of WV Trophy for one year. Awards to the top five (5) shooters (open) and also the five (5) top new (novice) shooters. Members of the state team (including 130th & 167th team members) are not eligible if they have previously won the WVNG Association trophy .

8).Individual Combat Pistol Championship. A combat pistol match which consists of Tables and Phases of the Army Pistol Qualification Course. May be an abbreviated course of 30 shots and 300 points or the full Combat Pistol Course of 90 shots or 900 points. Award - Trophy to the high scoring shooter.

9).Excellence in Competition (EIC) Pistol Match. This match may be conducted concurrently with individual Combat Pistol Match, and is only open to those individuals who hold no points toward the distinguished pistol shot badge. Course of fire is the prone, duel and 10 sec. rapid from Army IWQ course. Awards - Trophy to top three (3) individuals in the match. Four (4) points toward the thirty needed for "distinguished" to the top ten percent (10%) of entered contestants. The Division of Civilian Marksmanship of the U.S. Army presents these individuals the bronze "leg" badge which replaces the qualification badge worn on the class "A" uniform.

10.Distinguished Patches. A distinguished patch will be awarded to the ten highest scoring individual scorers. The winners of these badges of distinction will be known as "THE GOVERNOR'S TEN"

PISTOL TEAM COMPETITION

11.Ash Trophy. A four man team match with the course of fire being the same as the ETC individual match. Awards - individual members of the top two (2) teams receive trophies. The winning team keeps the "Ash" trophy for a period of one year plus is awarded a permanent trophy.

12.General George S. Patton Jr. Combat Pistol Match. Similar to the Infantry Trophy Match (TTM) for rifle, the "Patton" match requires the competitors to complete a physical fitness requirement prior to firing the course. Details of the course of fire and scoring is found in Change 1 to FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6. Awards - Members of the two high scoring teams (including captain and coach) receive trophies. Winning team gains possession of the rotating trophy for one year.

13.Combined Pistol Team Championship. An aggregate match which combines the total team scores from the Ash Trophy with the scores from the Patton Match. The top two (2) teams will represent WVNG at the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region H championships, if conducted. The winning team will be invited to attend the annual Winston P. Wilson matches (NG Championships) at Camp Robinson, Ark.

f.Indoor Rifle and Pistol Matches and Awards.

1)Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) Annual Tournaments. With four (4) gallery (.22) courses of fire for the combat or bullseye rifleman and combat or bullseye pistol shooters, these tournaments enjoy a very high level of participation and popularity. Details and rules are published annually by UMSC in four brochures and delivered to each unit in WVARNG and WVANG.

a)CNGB smllbare Rifle Tournament. A 50 foot bullseye course fired with an issue or equivalent target rifle at prcne, sitting, kneeling, and standing positions at tine NRA A-17 target (11 bulls per page). Awards are presented to tire state winning team and individual. State winning teem fired another pistol match in the MAC II match, against the other states' winners in MAC. The MAC winner advances to the shoulder to shoulder match against all other MAC's winners at Nashville, IN.

b)CNGB Combat Rifle Tournament. A 50 foot combat rifle tournament which fires the reduced Precrision combat Rifle Course similar to that fired at all levels of combat rifle competition (including WVNG State Championship). Firing the issue M-16 with the .22 adaptors at the targets (NGB Forms 145-1 thru 145-4), this course of fire is an approved course for ARNG annual IWQ. Awards, advancement to MAC, and national level is the same as Smallbore Rifle above.

c).CNGB Smallbore Pistol Tournament. A 50 foot bullseye (NRA Gallery) course fired at three stages: slow fire - 10 shots in 10 minutes, timed fire - 5 shots in 20 seconds twice, and rapid fire - 5 shots in 10 seconds twice. Awards for this tournament are similar to the rifle tournaments.

d).CNGB Combat Pistol Tournament. A 50 foot combat pistol tournament fired over the Army Pistol Qualification course at the NGB Form 145-9 (target). This course, like the combat rifle course is an approved course for annual IWQ. The awards program for this tournament is no different than the other three CNGB matches.

2).The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) Annual Rifle Tournament/Governor's Trophy Match. State and National level awards are presented by Chief, NGB, as outlined in paragraph 2-3, NGB Pam 350-6.

3).The West Virginia Adjutant General's Trophy Match. The Adjutant General's Trophy will be presented to the winning team in the West Virginia National Guard's Adutant General's Trophy Match. The revolving trophy is inscribed with the name of the winning team plus the three highest individual firers also receive awards.

4).First US Army Smallbore Rifle and Pistol Match. The Commander, First US Army, will present awards to the First, Second, and Third place teams and the First through Tenth place individuals in the First Army Area. References for this match are found in FORSCOM/TRADOC Supp 1 to AR 350-6.

5).Adjutant General's Airgun Matches. Matches for both rifle and pistol, these matches are postal from UMSC, Nashville and are conducted concurrently with the CNGB matches. Programs are delivered to each unit with the CNGB programs and entry forms.

W. Va. Code R. § 141-58-8