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Domestic Stories Return of the WarriorsBy MS Brad Browne, HMCS Montréal and PO2 Martin Cashin
The navy has earned some more bragging rights after this year’s Dominion of Canada Rifle Association’s (DCRA) National Service Conditions Championships with Maritime Forces Atlantic’s (MARLANT) team cleaning up.
The MARLANT Combat Shooting Team (CST) deployed from Halifax to Ottawa’s Connaught Ranges in late July to compete against the elite shooters of Canada’s regular and reserve forces, RCMP, security forces and civilians.
The service rifle competition had its competitors complete individual matches from 100 to 500 metres, while shooting deliberate, snap, rapid, and fire and movement matches.
Master Warrant Officer Mike Gray became the National Champion again … his 4th Queens Medal for Champion Shot. MWO Gray won with an outstanding score of 553/600 in the first 12 matches, and a 178/200 in the Queen’s Medal Stage. The rest of the MARLANT Combat Shooting Team “Chaired” him off the rifle range after completion of the second stage, and he was cheered down the range as he was carried.
“The feeling of being lifted in the chair is incredible,” said MWO Gray. “It's a great feeling, and although it is an individual reward I always felt that I was being carried on the shoulders of my team with their support and assistance throughout the journey.”
The service pistol matches were dominated by the MARLANT CST, with three of the top five competitors being shooters from MARLANT. The top pistol shot in the open class was Captain Pete Savage, with Master Seaman Mike Smith taking the top in the Regular Force class, and the top “Tyro” was won by Private Jason Kennedy (a tyro is a first time competitor.) Other winners included Petty Officer 2nd Class Martin Cashin, and Master Seaman Brad Browne. The MARLANT team won over a dozen awards, including seven individual match wins, 500 meter aggregate, High individual, the Rapid fire aggregate, as well as the Fire and Movement aggregate.
In the DCRA “International Team” match, the Navy placed second against the Army team, with a co-operative effort involving both the MARLANT CST and the National Capital Region CST.
The competition was a spirited event, and the finale of chairing the victors was a continuation of a long tradition. Competing against some of the best military and civilian shooters in the nation, the MARLANT CST placed exceptionally well this year. With a strong core of team members continuing to be involved, the future is bright, and our sights are set on defending our newly gained titles.
The MARLANT CST is comprised of regular and reserve force members from the Halifax area and was the only tri-service team that competed at the competition.
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