Fact Sheets

The United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) was established 1 March 1956 at the direction of President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the U.S. Army.
 
Since 1956, members of the USAMU have gained worldwide respect by winning hundreds of individual and team national titles, more than 40 World Championships, and 22 Olympic medals.
 
The USAMU enhances combat readiness through the unit's provision of technical and advisory assistance in the development of military match-type small arms, equipment and ammunition. Upon request, USAMU will coordinate and conduct rifle and pistol marksmanship train-the-trainer clinics for U.S. military units throughout the world.
 
Additionally, the unit has the responsibility to promote the U.S. Army by heightening public trust and confidence in Army Marksmanship. These efforts are accomplished through active public information awareness programs, which assist the U.S. Army Accessions Command's increasing requirement for top quality new recruits. The basis for these efforts focuses on the accomplishments and capabilities of USAMU shooters and technicians. USAMU soldiers also serve to enhance the public trust and confidence in the Army's lethality with small arms.
 
USAMU is composed of six competitive shooting sections utilizing world class facilities for both training and competition. Facilities consist of 260 acres with 7 ranges and 18 buildings. Service Rifle, Service Pistol, Action Shooting, International Rifle, International Pistol, and Shotgun comprise the shooting sections and are renowned as the "best in the world". Of these teams, only International Rifle, International Pistol, and Shotgun are Olympic sports. Support is provided to these Soldier-athletes through the Custom Firearms Shop and the support branches of supply, operations and administration.
 
The unit makes or customizes its own small arms and much of its own ammunition through the Custom Firearms Shop. The Custom Firearms Shop, made up of gunsmiths, machinists, range technicians and ammunition loaders, could be called the "backbone" of the unit. Here, gunsmiths build top-quality competitive-grade rifles and pistols for our competitive teams. The custom Firearm Shop's research and development efforts have led not only to enhanced accuracy and reliability of our competitive weapon systems and ammunition, but have intensified the combat effectiveness of the entire Army.
 
The extraordinary combined efforts of the assigned soldiers and civilians of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit are why we have come to be known as ... "The Home of Champions".
 
Mission
Raise the standard of marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness through the Army by sharing knowledge gained from competing and winning in national and international competitions, research and development and advanced training programs while enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort through an active public information and public relations program.