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Pendleton Snipers Receive Congressional Award
(December 18, 2009) |
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| MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (12/15/2009) — Two
Camp Pendleton sniper teams received special congressional
recognition after crushing snipers from around world in two
recent Army sponsored competitions.
Representatives from California's 49th congressional
district delivered Congressional Recognition Awards to the
five School of Infantry West Marines, on behalf of San Diego
congressional representative and Army veteran Darrell Issa,
at Camp Pendleton's Marine Corps Combat Training graduation,
Dec 8. |
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| MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-(Left to right) Congressional Representative Ryan D. Peters, sniper team members Sgt. Grant L. Royal and Sgt. Josh W. Huskey, sniper team coach Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Sullivan, sniper team members Sgt. Jose R. Lucero and Sgt. Daniel S. Gilland, and Congressional Representative Don McKinney, proudly stand together after Congressional Recognition Awards were presented to Camp Pendleton's Scout Sniper School West teams on behalf of Congressman Darrell E. Issa, 49th California Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives, at Camp Pendleton's Marine Corps Combat Training graduation, Dec 8,
2009. |
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"The fact is, what you guys do every day is outstanding," said Don McKinney,
representing congressman Darrell E. Issa, 49th California Congressional
District, U.S. House of Representatives. "I have spent a lot of time out in the
community, and all of us appreciate the commitment and the daily sacrifices you
make to defend our nation."
The scout sniper teams and coach received the award as guests of honor while
attending India Company's MCT graduation of 291 Marines and have a combined
total of 38 years of military service with 15 combat tours.
"We went to the competition representing more than Scout Sniper School West or
the Marine Corps, we went for the Marines overseas fighting the war today," said
Sgt. Grant L. Royal, scout sniper instructor, SOI West, Camp Pendleton. "We only
get better from the lessons they learn fighting the enemy. This victory is for
them," he added.
Royal and his teammate, Sgt. Josh W. Huskey, were service class and overall
winners at the ninth annual U.S Army International Sniper Competition at Fort
Benning, Ga., held Oct. 14-22. In addition to two-man teams from every U.S.
military branch and the FBI, Britain, Ireland, and Spain's military were among
the 32 contenders.
"We knew going in that we were the best," said Royal. "Our victory shows
everyone else that we are the real deal and we mean business."
Fellow Scout Sniper School West team, Sgt. Daniel S. Gilland and Sgt. Jose R.
Lucero, brought back another victory weeks later after taking 1st at the second
annual Inter-Service Sniper Sustainment Exercise at Fort Chaffee, Ark., Nov.
7-13. The Pendleton snipers took first from the very same Army Special Forces
team that their fellow Marines beat out for a competition title a month earlier.
"After hearing about how the first competition went from our coach, we knew we
were going to see some serious competitors," said Lucero." The Air Force was
impressive and the Army had some great teams out there."
Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Sullivan coached both teams from Camp Pendleton's Scout
Sniper School West.
"The recognition is fantastic, but we didn't do anything out of the ordinary,"
said Royal. "We already knew we were going into an Army competition to face
different branches, countries and services." All we did was show up, carry
ourselves professionally and do our job, like Marines do," added Royal. | |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Daniel Boothe
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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