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thedrifter
09-23-03, 01:06 PM
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification Number: 200391884013
Story by Compiled by The Boot Staff



MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Sept. 19, 2003) -- Parris Island Marine marksmen have a strong history in the Competition-in-Arms program, winning numerous team and individual awards in Eastern Division Matches and Marine Corps Matches.

The long list of distinguished shooters includes Marines who are currently stationed here, such as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Martin Dankanich, Sgt. Joshua Hughes, and Sgt. Ronald King. Looking back at past years, there are several highlights worth noting.
In the 1979 Eastern Division matches, Chief Warrant Officer Gregory Conners won top honors in the individual rifle match.

That same year, MCRD Parris Island produced the first woman Marine to ever win a medal in an individual Marine Corps Pistol Match.

In 1987, 12 of the 20 members who won the Elliot Trophy in the Eastern Division Matches were selected for the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team. In 1992, Parris Island took home the Edson Trophy. That same year, two team members won the national championship with the pistol team match at Camp Perry, Ohio. In 1995, Parris Island took home the FMF Combat Infantry Trophy in the Marine Corps Matches; Dankanich, a sergeant then, was one of the shooters.

This year's Division and Marine Corps matches were canceled due to the war in Iraq.
However, the team from Parris Island competed in the Dixie Regional Match in Florida, winning all three NRA sanctioned individual leg medals. King became a distinguished pistol shooter at that match. The Depot team also competed in the 2003 All-Navy Rifle and Pistol Matches in Dam Neck, Va. There it won six of 12 leg medals for the rifle matches and six of 12 leg medals for the pistol. The year before, Parris Island won half of the leg medals from these matches including two gold, five silver and five bronze medals.

This past season, the Marine Corps Pistol Team picked up two members for the summer team: Hughes and Cpl. James Ruiz. Ruiz earned a permanent spot on the Marine Corps Pistol team while Hughes distinguished himself with the pistol. Sgt. Ryan Benedict was picked for the Marine Corps Rifle team this past summer. He has an opportunity to compete for the Marine Corps Rifle Team later this year.

This year's rifle and pistol intramurals will be held Oct. 20-Nov. 7. During the match, 16 members will be selected to represent Parris Island in the Eastern Division and Marine Corps matches. The members will practice with the M-16, M9, .45 and .22 caliber pistol at WFTBn. from January through March. Winners of the matches will compete in the inter-service and national competitions at Camp Perry.

Individuals interested in competing for the team can contact Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy Soignet at 228-3695 or 2754, or via e-mail at SoignetTR@mcrdpi.usmc.mil.


Sempers,

Roger
:marine: