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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Morehouse, Master Sgt. Leeann Melton and Master Sgt. Wendy Broman, assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing, recieved the Schutzenschnur Badge for demonstrating profeciency in firing German weapons, March 7, 2018 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C. Several other service members were chosen to participate in a specialized training opportunity to work with German soldiers. They learned how to fire a German rifle, pistol and machine gun. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo)

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U.S.Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., adjutant general for South Carolina and State Command Sgt. Maj. Russel A. Vickery present the Schutzenschnur Badge to Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Morehouse, an intellegence specialist assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Operation Group, for demonstrating profeciency in firing German weapons at a ceremony March 7, 2018 at the Adjutant Generals' building in Columbia S.C. Morehouse and several other service members were chosen to participate in a specialized training opportunity to work with German soldiers. They learned how to fire a German rifle, pistol and machine gun. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st. Lt. Tracci Dorgan)

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U.S.Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., adjutant general for South Carolina and State Command Sgt. Maj. Russel A. Vickery present the Schutzenschnur Badge to Master Sgt. Wendy Broman, a financial management specialist assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing, for demonstrating profeciency in firing German weapons at a ceremony March 7, 2018 at the Adjutant Generals' building in Columbia S.C. Broman and several other service members were chosen to participate in a specialized training opportunity to work with German soldiers. They learned how to fire a German rifle, pistol and machine gun. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Tracci Dorgan)

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U.S.Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., adjutant general for South Carolina and State Command Sgt. Maj. Russel A. Vickery present the Schutzenschnur Badge to Master Sgt. Leeann Melton, a paralegal assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing, for demonstrating profeciency in firing German weapons at a ceremony March 7, 2018 at the Adjutant Generals' building in Columbia S.C. Melton and several other service members were chosen to participate in a specialized training opportunity to work with German soldiers. They learned how to fire a German rifle, pistol and machine gun. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Tracci Dorgan)

SCANG members hit their mark and earn German Marksmanship Award

Published March 16, 2018
By Capt. Stephen Hudson
169th Fighter Wing

MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. --

Three National Guard Airmen from the 169^th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard were top shots this month, earning the German Army’s Schutzenschnur marksmanship badge during a shooting competition held March 1-2 at the McCrady Training Site.

During the event each of the Swamp Fox Airmen fired the German G36 Rifle, P8 Pistol and MG3 Machinegun and earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency; officially called the Schutzenschnur. Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Morehouse earned Gold while Master Sgt. Leeann Melton earned Silver and Master Sgt. Wendy Broman walked away with Bronze.

Melton said she was called by Tech. Sgt. Kenvyn Lewis with the 169th Security Forces Squadron about participating.

“I was called roughly 24 hours before the event and asked if I wanted to go shoot some German weapons systems,” Melton said. “Without even knowing what it was I replied immediately with ‘yes’. I am so thankful for my leadership being supportive of the event.”

Melton said she would recommend other Swamp Fox Airmen to participate if given the opportunity.

“It was an amazing experience, which let you feel like you've accomplished something,” said Melton. “I was honored being able to participate in an event that helped to elucidate

German culture and a chance to experience German military life.”

State Command Sgt. Major Russell Vickery presented the Schutzenschnur to the Airmen and Soldiers who earned it in his office March 7.

Vickery said the South Carolina National Guard has developed a strong relationship with the German military and is the only state in the National Guard that offers the chance for Airmen and Soldiers to earn the Schutzenschnur as well as the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

“The Adjutant General’s strategic vision for the South Carolina National Guard has been to foster better international partnerships,” Vickery said.

National Guard Airmen and Soldiers will have a chance to compete for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in November.