647th SFS hosts marksmen during joint-service ‘Excellence in Competition’ event

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Stoltz
  • Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs
Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coastguardsmen all had the chance to earn some bragging rights as the 647th Security Forces Squadron hosted the EIC, or Excellence in Competition pistol event, 29-31 March, at the 647th SFS Combat Arms Firing Range.

The event, which was open to service members of all five branches, allowed would-be marksmen to test their abilities while using the Air Force standard-issue Beretta M9. Prior to the beginning of the competition, Combat Arms Instructors provided a lesson in the M9, including lessons in nomenclature and how to safely use the firearm during the EIC.

The competition was comprised of various firing positions, including: single-handed, dual-handed, double-action and single-action. The participants were given a total of 40 shots – 10 for practice, and 30 for scoring. Depending on how well the participants fare, they could earn a max potential score of 300.

“The one-handed double-action firing is usually where we see the largest disparity of scores between marksmen,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Locke, 647th SFS Combat Arms Instructor and EIC judge. “We love hosting these competitions, and it is always fun to see who comes out on top, especially when it’s the Air Force.”

Locke is able to boast again, if not for a little while, as six of the ten top-performers were Airmen. Additionally, two Marines and two Coastguardsmen placed in the top ten. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Atkins and Senior Master Sgt. Clifford Ramson tied for the competition’s top spot.

“The EIC was a great opportunity to participate in a core skill and our AF CATM instructors make it a great shoot due to their professionalism,” said CMSgt. Atkins. “It was nice to get out with my fellow service members and fire off some rounds; it's been a while since I've had the opportunity.”

Although Atkins claims he has not had a chance to use a firearm in quite some time, his performance indicated otherwise, as he scored a 283 out of 300 points. Atkins later admitted his time-removed from using a firearm may have been exaggerated.

“It's an honor to place in the EIC,” he said. “I owe it to numerous hours of nerf-gun competitions with my three-year-old and I'm just glad he didn't make it out (to the competition) last week.”

According to the Combat Arms Instructors, the next competition is slated for July or August. This time, however, the competition will have service members test their skills using the M4 rifle.

Luckily for Atkins, and for his fellow marksmen, the competition is still only open to service members, and his son will not be able to participate.

Staff Sgt. Locke said the Combat Arms Instructors host three-to-four competitions each year, and each event alternates between pistols and rifles. For more information about the EIC, or to inquire about participation, contact SSgt. Locke or the USAF Combat Arms Firing Range at (808) 655-5086.