Sniper turned training manager targets improved unit effectiveness

Photo By Master Sgt. William Hopper | Master Sgt. Brandon Herber, a member of the 122nd Security Forces Squadron from the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., explains proper tactics to a squad of Airmen during an ambush exercise, July 29, 2015, at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Mich. Airmen from the 122nd Fighter Wing were training at the CRTC as part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. William Hopper)  

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

10.04.2015

Story by Senior Airman Justin Andras 

122nd Fighter Wing

FORT WAYNE. Ind. - Becoming a skilled marksman involves the culmination of numerous skills, including personal discipline, patience and a keen attention to detail. Becoming an effective manager is quite similar in that it requires a similar set of skills. Master Sgt. Brandon Herber, 122nd Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron Unit Training Manager and skilled sniper credits his effectiveness as a training manager to his skills on the battlefield and in various competitions.

“When I go to a particular school or training experience, as the training manager, I like to pass that experience and training on to other troops because if I don’t do that, then I’m failing at my job,” said Herber, a rare Air Force participant in the International Sniper Competition, September 27, 2011 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Coming into the competition, Herber brought with him a rare combination of experience, having previously completed the USAF Close Precision Engagement Course, U.S. Army Pathfinder School, and the U.S. Army Sniper School.

“I doubt you will find anyone who has been to the Air Force and Army sniper courses and the International Sniper Competition and gained the level of knowledge I have,” said Herber who expressed that the difficulty of the competition set him up for success. “I want to take that knowledge forward and employ it the best I can.“

The competition, hailed as the pinnacle of sniper competitions, tested participants in various techniques including multiple stress shoots, timed night shoots engaging targets out to 600 meters, unknown distance shoots and an event where participants dragged a weighted sled 200 meters down a dirt road to simulate a battlefield casualty all while having very few hours of sleep. By no means was the competition easy, as it not only required sharp skills on the part of the shooter, but also his spotter who was responsible for supplying the shooter with guidance on dialing in the accuracy of their scope, one who many credit for the success or failure of the sniper themselves.

“One of the hardest parts was showing up and having the intestinal fortitude to stay awake,” said Herber who described his opinion of the most critical element he learned in regards to the competition as a whole.

Having been through three deployments, serving as an instructor for various military and civilian courses and the completion of the sniper competition and training courses have allowed Herber to bring back a vast level of knowledge to the 122nd SFS and build up the quality and effectiveness of the squadron.

“In my opinion, training will make or break a unit and by having good hands-on ballistic training, you’re going to increase unit moral and member confidence in themselves doing their job,” said Herber.

Herber’s long-term goal is to modernize and update the Air National Guard’s inventory of equipment, techniques, tactics, and procedures currently used to ensure members are provided with thorough and efficient training required to be competent in their roles in the Security Forces Squadron.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2015
• Date Posted: 10.04.2015 08:57
• Story ID: 178016
• Location: FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, US