Soldier becomes second woman to set national high-powered rifle record [guess who was first?]

wtvm.com ^ | 17 Sept 2010 | unattributed

[smokingfrog]

FORT BENNING, Ga. (WTVM) – A U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit soldier becomes the first service member since 1987 to win the National High Power Rifle Championship.

Sgt. Sherri Jo Gallagher set a new national record in the match with a 2396-161x, dropping only four shots during the entire competition. She shot 21 more bulls eyes than anyone else. Competitors included legends of the sport and past champions.

"I wanted to be in the military since I was very young-I was drawn to the challenge and excitement of it," said Gallagher. "I wanted to learn how to be a leader and make a difference in life. Then I had the opportunity to join the USAMU and turn my favorite hobby into my daily life. Nothing could be more fun than that."

She also became the second woman ever to win the championship. Her mother Nancy Tompkins won the honor in 1998.

"We were both competing that year so I didn't get to watch her that much" Gallagher said. "But, she wasn't shooting high-power this year so she was able to watch me shoot. She brought me coffee every day. It was very nice."

Gallagher currently holds 21 national records in rifle.

[smokingfrog]

http://go.usa.gov/x8I

[cranked]

Congrats.

Can, and has she, done such in/on the battlefield being we all know a competition environment is not an actual battlefield environment? Just wondering is all. Well done though.

[RC one]

makes me want to go do some shooting. I need to load up some .308 for my AR10t.

[Halgr]

That’s Fantastic!!!

Semper Fi

[The Comedian]

You *will* open the door for her and you *will* pay for dinner.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[smokingfrog]

Me too!

[Lorianne]

Second half of this History Channel video is about Russian women snipers in WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdLhNomQQS8

[smokingfrog]

Can you imagine the reaction of the jihadis to getting their brains blown-out by a woman?

[EternalVigilance]

Guns are a great equalizer, that's for sure.

[Past Your Eyes]

What a great story! What a GAL!

[MarkL]

Can, and has she, done such in/on the battlefield being we all know a competition environment is not an actual battlefield environment? Just wondering is all. Well done though.

High power matches, or for that matter, most competitive shooting, have very little in common with combat marksmanship, other than the basics. Though someone with increased skill levels will naturally be at an advantage in combat. Still, the level of skill involved at that level of competition takes many years of dedicated training, and very few people will ever reach even a fraction of that skill level.

Mark

[jonascord]

I thought the National High Power Championship was at Camp Perry, in August?

[smokingfrog]

It was.

http://nrablog.com/post/2010/08/14/SGT-Sherri-Gallagher-wins-2010-National-High-Power-Rifle-Championship.aspx

[humblegunner]

Kick ass.
I respect any and all outstanding shooters.

[WhoisAlanGreenspan?]

Cool,
I don't care what she looks like, it's just nice to have a pic.

[B4Ranch]

We are paying for her dinner and I am glad we are.

[jonascord]

If you read the article, there is absolutely NO mention of Camp Perry, Ohio, the NRA, tyhe fact that this competition is open to civilians, the YEARLY gathering of thousands of American crazed gun lovers, or the fact that this little tidbit is about a MONTH old.

I've been out of touch for a while, and I didn't know if the Nationals had been moved to Ft. Benning, or if the Commies had managed to get it canceled as an "anti-government, right-wing, Nazi, racist" gathering.

[USNBandit]

High power matches, or for that matter, most competitive shooting, have very little in common with combat marksmanship, other than the basics.

Yeah, but sometimes the basics really help. Here's a picture of Carlos Hathcock after winning the 1000 yd match at Camp Perry.

[elpadre]

The USAMU - The US Army Marksmanship Unit - is an official unit within the Army comprised of some of the finest shooters in the world and forms the nucleus of the American Olympic Shooting Team. They are not only top competitors but also a credit to the US with their friendliness and character wherever they are - top drawer folks.

[School of Rational Thought]

What is the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit?

While I applaud her markmenship, why is the Army investing in training someone to shoot so well if they aren’t shooting Muslims? Of course, I am assuming she is in a non-combat role.

Shooting targets is nice, but saving her fellow soldiers is probably a more value added role. It is my understanding there is no shortage of people wanting to snipers.