Schuetzenschnur:  Dragons Compete for German Badge

Thanks to the KFOR Online Homepage, Official Web Site of the Kosovo Force at
http://nato.int/kfor/chronicle/2002/chronicle_07/19.htm
 

Scan your lanes..
By Sgt. Jamie Brown
131st MPAD
Alabama Army National Guard

FERIZAJ/UROSEVAC, Kosovo- Seventy-four American soldiers braved cold, wet weather and fired unfamiliar weapons on March 24 at the Falcon 1 and Falcon 2 ranges here, in an attempt to earn the coveted Schuetzenschnur.

The Schuetzenschnur is a German marksmanship badge, and one of the few foreign badges that U.S. soldiers are allowed to wear on their uniforms.

While the American soldiers attempted to earn the Schuetzenschnur, 42 of their German counterparts attempted to earn American rifle marksmanship badges.  The day's events were coordinated by 1st Sergeant George Bealonis, HHC TFF, a task that he said was a challenge.

"Beginning last October, I tried to do co-ordination with the German LNO, and we've been trying to work this issue out, so that we could have the U.S. soldiers get the opportunity to earn their Schuetzenschnur," he said.  "The problem is that with the new incoming and outgoing, there was a little bit of trouble at the beginning, but we finally got linked up.  I'm basically the man that's trying to run everything, and I've done all the co-ordination.  And then, of course, the other units that are involved also receive slots, like 1-30th, 10th LTF, Task Force Dragon and 504th MPs.  They give us a total of 50 slots.  I'm managing the 50 slots along with their LNOs, and then they all bring the soldiers to me, and we coordinate the buses and then we go out and shoot."

The soldiers who participated in the event enjoyed the opportunity to try something different.  "We're going for the Schuetzenschnur badge, which is a European marksmanship badge," said Spc. James Sanford, grenadier, B Co. 2-14 Inf. (Camp Monteith).  "You can either get a bronze, silver or gold, depending on how you shoot.  It's shooting a rifle and a 9mm pistol.  I personally wanted to do it to try out the German's weapons.  I find it interesting.  I wanted to see how they shot compared to our weapons.  I think that they shoot very well, just as good as our weapons."

Sanford wasn't the only soldier who appreciated the German weapons.  "I like their weapons systems," said Staff Sgt. Blake Robison, squad leader, B Co. 2-14 Inf. (Camp Monteith).  "We don't get enough opportunities to cross-train with our allies, and this was a good opportunity for us.  It felt like a toy.  It had no kick.  It's real light and it's easy to zero in on the target.  I'd recommend for other soldiers to do this if they got the opportunity."

"Basically we're firing their rifle and their pistol," said Staff Sgt. Todd Russell, squad leader, B Co. 2-14 Inf. (Camp Monteith).  "I think it's going real well.  Any time we can work with a foreign military, it's a good thing for our soldiers.  I personally like their rifle.  I haven't fired with a pistol yet.  It's lighter, it doesn't have any recoil, and it almost feels like a toy.  I like their aim sight as well."

Trying out new weapons, however, was not the only motivation for these soldiers.  They also relished the chance at getting the prestigious gold medal.  "When I was a private, my squad leader had the cord and the medal for it, and I always wanted one, so that's why I'm out here today," said Sgt. Joshua Schmidt, team leader, B Co. 1-30, (Camp Monteith).

And 33 American soldiers did just that, earning the gold medal.  Twenty-four soldiers went home with the silver medal and 17 with the bronze.  Bealonis was pleased with the outcome.  "I think overall both sides did very well," he said. "It's amazing to pick up a weapon that you do not get to zero.  You take it for the sights that are on it, and you try to go out there and qualify and shoot.  A lot of it on both sides of the house, it falls back on the basic fundamentals.  If you have the basic fundamentals down, you'll do well while you're out there."

This day was just the beginning, with several other qualifications planned.  "We actually have three other ranges scheduled," said Bealonis.  "One is going to be April 3, which is going to be in MNB South and then the other one is May 7, which may be a difficult one to attend, due to the fact that we're doing transition at that time.  What I'm trying to do is build a rapport up, so when my counterparts get here, I can pass the buck to them, and they can continue on."

Today, however, Bealonis was happy that soldiers have gotten a chance to participate in a unique cross-cultural event.

"I try to gear a lot of the younger soldiers, the specialists and below, to go get the Schuetzenschnur, because A, it looks on their uniform, and B it gives them a little bit of cultural experience on how the Germans shoot," Bealonis said.  "And they actually meet the Germans while they're out there on the range.  We've always had good rapport with the Germans, so it actually gives them a different perspective, and they also meet a different culture.  You can only do this in Europe, and most of these soldiers will never get a chance to do this again."

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