FORT BARFOOT, Va. –
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took top honors at the 2025 Virginia National Guard Adjutant General’s Marksmanship Match, held May 16 - 18, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The competition was hosted by the Marksmanship Training Unit, part of the Fort Barfoot-based 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute.
Sgt. Brandon Loftis, assigned to the 116th IBCT, was named overall champion in the individual combined arms competition. Loftis’ team, all assigned to the 116th’s Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, also took first place in the combined arms team competition. That team included Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zane Chapman, Sgt. Joshua Cary and Spc. Noah Butcher.
Capt. Victor Perry, assigned to the Christiansburg-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th IBCT, took second place in the individual competition. Spc. Duncan Hart, assigned to the Lexington-based Bravo Company, 1-116th, took third.
Bravo Company, 1-116th took second in the team competition, and Charlie Company, 1-116th took third.
Overall, approximately 50 Virginia Army and Air National Guard shooters competed in the match. Sgt. Jesse Gilliam had the best overall pistol score, and Hart had the best rifle score.
“This competition is designed to test your marksmanship skills against your fellow Soldiers, while building esprit de corps amongst your peers and improve overall organization morale,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tony Hancock. “There are no greater formats in which to evaluate your professional ability with small arms than competitive events like the TAG Match, and higher levels of marksmanship competitions such as regionals and nationals to represent and showcase your skills and represent your unit and state.”
Several shooters also received their Governor’s Twenty tab, a program which identifies the top 20 rifle and pistol shooters in the state. The tab is a state award that Soldiers can wear on their left shoulder. Perry and Abbott both earned their tab in both rifle and pistol.
The shooting encountered by competitors at the state match is vastly different than what they typically encounter during an annual individual weapons qualification. Not only do shooters fire from multiple weapons systems, but, depending on the match, shooters face the challenge of engaging targets under tight limits, from positions including and beyond the prone, kneeling and standing positions, and engage targets from near and far distances.
Overall, the goal is a more lethal force.
“The MTU’s goal is for each participant to leave this match having validated perishable marksmanship skills and trade craft capabilities, while enforcing the lessons learned with fellow service members to ensure the success of future military operations,” said Hancock.
More photos form the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCeLVz