On Target! Awesome Marksmanship Awards for Montana Soldiers

Some military sharpshooters representing Montana recently set their sights on some fierce, intense competition.

And while the teams did not come out on top, they did not disappoint. Plus, there were some individual first-place finishers certainly worthy of recognition.

The Montana National Guard tells us that 15 teams from eight states gathered this past weekend at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center in Wyoming for the 2025 Marksmanship Advisory Council (MAC) Region VI Championship. The event brought together top shooters from the Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North
Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming National Guards to compete in a series of precision and tactical shooting events.

Montana fielded two teams in the competition, with Alpha Team delivering a standout
performance. Composed of Tech. Sgt. Daniel Johnson (120th Airlift Wing), Sgt. 1st Class Sawyer Slavinsky (495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion), Capt. Paul Weber (D Company, 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion), and Master Sgt. Patrick Schultz (120th Airlift Wing), Alpha Team finished third overall. They also earned second place in the “Team Covering Fire” event and third place in “Team Know Your Limits,” marking Montana’s best team finish in recent years.

Montana’s Bravo Team included Tech. Sgt. Zach Temple (120th Airlift Wing), Staff Sgt. Dennis Garcia (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-163rd Cavalry Regiment), Sgt. 1st Class Casey Illies (Training Headquarters), and Sgt. 1st Class Derek Harding (83rd Civil Support Team).

The MAC Region VI Championship tests competitors in a variety of courses of fire designed to challenge marksmanship, speed, and tactical decision-making. Montana’s strong showing reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to excellence in combat readiness and marksmanship training.

Congratulations to all our competitors and more importantly, thank you for serving in the Montana National Guard!