Photo By Maj. Cory Johnson | Maj. Ian Swisher, Executive Officer for the 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, finished...... read more read more
Story by Pfc. Israel Fernandez
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, competed in the Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition here May 9-11.
Pennsylvania is one of 13 states which awards the Governor's Twenty tab to their top marksmen. The Governor's Twenty tab is permanently awarded to the top 20 marksman in Pennsylvania and worn on the upper-left sleeve of the uniform.
Soldiers who are proficient in both rifle and pistol are chosen at the company level to compete and need to be proficient with both weapon systems. The competition consists of firing an M17 pistol and M4 carbine.
Five Soldiers with the 56th SBCT participated in this competition; 2nd Lt. Edward Hay, Sgt. Jack Banducci, Sgt. Brennen Koji, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Brick, and Maj. Ian Swisher, who is a five-time competitor.
"The Governor's Twenty is a very unique and important match within the state. Not only are there bragging rights that come with shooting well and making the list, but also, it's the first layer of competition above unit level," said Swisher. "The reason I keep shooting is because it's just so much fun. Competing with your peers, regardless of rank, you're always going to learn something new. The environment is enriching, and everyone is inviting."
Hay says he looks forward to improving his score and becoming a better technical shooter.
“It was a great opportunity for me as a junior officer to present my technical and tactical skills," Hay said.
Bricks described training with Swisher as invaluable.
“I was lucky enough to make the cut and can't wait to come back next year and try again," Bricks said.
Maj Swisher has been competing in the Governors twenty for several years, He has also had the distinction of competing and being awarded the President’s Hundred and Chief’s 50, both national level competitions. For this year’s Governor’s Twenty, Swisher finished first place, and set a new match record by 24 points.
“Let’s not forget these competitions are training events, if we’re not improving and sharing our best practices across the force, we’re not meeting the objective of this match,” Swisher said. “We’re all here to be our best and make those around us better too.”
The Governor’s Twenty is held every year at Fort Indiantown Gap in the spring and organized and run by the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Marksmanship Training Unit.
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2024 12:17 |
| Story ID: | 471880 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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