Military
Marksmanship
Association
Formerly
AMUA - Army Marksmanship Unit Association
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Since 1956, Army competitive shooters, gunsmiths, and support personnel assigned to the US Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) have been have been responsible for winning hundreds of individual and team National Championship titles, more than 40 World Championships, and 20 Olympic medals. Such accomplishments are why the US Army Marksmanship Unit is called the "Home of Champions." Unfortunately, when an individual left the unit through military assignment or retirement, they soon lost contact with those who shared their competitive marksmanship interest. The idea of an Army Marksmanship Unit association was not new. Many former members of AMU had voiced this wish to anyone who would lend an ear. It was not until Colonel Lory M. "Mac" Johnson (former USAMU Commander and past Association President) gave his full support to establishing such an association that the idea was realized. Much of the liaison between the Infantry Center at Fort Benning and the fledgling association was coordinated by the USAMU Deputy, Mr. Robert W. Aylward. The Association's initial meeting was March 8, 1994. Approval was granted by the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Infantry Center for the Association to operate as a private organization on Fort Benning. Georgia. At the Association's first Annual Meeting held in January 1995, the membership unanimously elected William B. "Bill" Blankenship, Jr., as our President, Sidney R. Hinds, Jr., Vice President, Leonard R. "Bob" Robinson, Recording Secretary, and Gordon D. "Jack" Horner, Treasurer. Roman Wojciechowski volunteered as the Membership Chairman. Carter Berry came on board as the Public Affairs Chairman. Joseph Watson later assumed the duties of Vice President with the passing of Sid Hinds. At the January 1997 Annual Meeting, Willis L. Powell took over the helm as President while Carter Berry became the Vice President and continued to handle the responsibilities of the Public Affairs Chairman. "Bob" Robinson, Recording Secretary, "Jack" Horner, Treasurer, and Roman Wojciechowski, Membership Chairman continued their service to the Association. Ken Hamill stepped forward to become our Historian. In 1999 "Mac" Johnson and Alger B. "Al" Mullins became the President and Vice President respectively. Ray Burton assumed the duties of Recording Secretary. Without any arm twisting, the rest of the Executive Board ("Jack" Horner, Treasurer, Carter Berry, Public Affairs Chairman and MMA Times Editor, Roman Wojciechowski, Membership Chairman, and Ken Hamill, Historian) remained steadfast to their duties. In June 1999, Laurence K. "Red" Mosely was appointed Recording Secretary and became the Association's Internet Webmaster in December 1999. The new millennium saw a number of change to the Executive Board. At the January 2000 Annual Meeting "Jack" Horner and Roman Wojciechowski bid adieu after each one of them gave six years of dedicated service to the Association. "Mac" Johnson was re-elected President while Phillip F. "Phil" Cannella, Jr., was installed as Vice President, "Red" Mosely as Recording Secretary, and Sam Hunter as Treasurer. Carter Berry and Ken Hamill were reappointed by the President to retain their Chairperson positions while Richard D. Reidue volunteered for and was appointed as the Association's new Membership Chairperson. At the October 2000 General Membership held during the 44th Reunion, the membership unanimously elected the slate of officers presented and they were installed at the January 2001 Annual Meeting. "Phil" Callenlla moved up to be our new president and Richard N. "Rick" Hawkins was instated as Vice President. Carter Berry, Ken Hamill, and Richard D. Reidue were reappointed by the President to retain their Chairmanship positions. The association was incorporated under the laws of the Sate of Georgia on October 19, 2001, as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation. The January 2003 Annual Meeting saw several changes in the association's leadership. "Phil" Callenlla resigned at the end of his term as President for personal reasons, "Rick" Hawkins resigned because of the conflict of interest of him being the USAMU Service Rifle Coach, and Ken Hamill resigned his Historian Chair for personal reasons. Two members stepped forward and were nominated for the office of President and Vice President: Archibald "Arch" V. Arnold III was elected President and Bruce Merideth was elected as Vice President. "Red" Mosely, Recording Secretary, and Sam Hunter, Treasurer, were reelected. Carter Berry and Richard D. Reidue were reappointed by the President to retain their Chairperson positions. The Historian's chair was not filled at the meeting. On March 23, 2004, the Internal Revenue Service recognized the association as a tax exempt Veteran's Organization under IRC section 501(c)(19). Click here to see the composition of our current Executive Board. The Association has since broadened its original membership category recognizing that many Army competitive shooters could not be assigned to USAMU yet contributed to the success of Army marksmanship dominance over the past four and a half decades. We recognized too that many civilian employees of the various marksmanship organizations and civilian supporters of Army marksmanship also contributed to our achievements. And we can not forget the competitors from the other services – we became better because of their tough competition. We invite all of these groups to join our Association and share our common interests. |
