Fort Moore, Ga. – Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Franks, an instructor/shooter assigned as a service pistol team leader assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), achieved an impressive feat by winning the Interservice Championship of 2024 pistols not once, but twice in a row. His back-to-back wins at the Interservice Pistol Championship are a testament to his talent in one of the most competitive military shooting events in the world. But while Franks’ individual triumph is remarkable, the true spirit of the event lies in its ability to bring together the best shooters from all branches in a demanding, high-stakes competition. The 2024 Interservice Pistol Championship was hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from November 3-9, 2024.

“Holding the 2024 Interservice Pistol Championship in November is a great way to end the season,” Franks said. “It’s a great way to end a busy season and it feels like a culminating event. And the weather is much nicer.”

The Interservice Pistol Championship, held annually, brings together military shooters from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the United States Coast Guard. Each service sends its best shooters to compete in a variety of events that test accuracy, speed and precision. This year is the second time the competition has been held in November and SFC Franks stood out not only for his marksmanship, but also for his consistency in maintaining peak performance across several stages of the competition .

His victory in the 2024 competition marks his second consecutive victory, a remarkable feat that places him among an elite group of snipers who have successfully defended their title. SFC Franks’ dominant performance, particularly in timed events, demonstrated his ability to remain focused and calm under pressure, an essential skill both on the range and in combat situations.

“I was really proud to see that the U.S. Coast Guard came back and brought a post and station team. This is an initiative that we worked on, I met with all the leaders of each team and we created the conditions for them to bring two teams together,” Franks said. “I want to commend the Coast Guard for putting forth the effort and fostering the initiative to revive the sport and bring attention to the culture of marksmanship within the DoD.”

What makes the Interservice Pistol Championship so unique is the participation of all branches of the U.S. military. Unlike many civilian shooting competitions, this event is designed specifically for military personnel. The competition tests shooters in several disciplines, including precision shooting, rapid fire drills and team events.

“It was really great to see the other teams show up, they all really make this a true interservice competition,” Franks said. “The Air Force had a tough time getting to Fort Moore, but they made the effort and I’m grateful.” I am very proud of every DoD entity that showed up. » said Franks.

Each branch of the military takes pride in its shooting programs, and the Interservice Pistol Championship provides a rare opportunity to compare their talents head-to-head. For many, it’s an opportunity to represent their respective departments and show that they are the best at what they do.

“I was very pleased with the performance of the USAMU Service Pistol team. We have guys not only shooting bullseye but in other disciplines as well and being able to compete and do well in this competition while also supporting the event makes me really proud of my team,” Franks said.

While SFC Franks’ back-to-back wins are an example of USAMU’s excellence, USAMU isn’t alone in bringing its A-game to the championship. The Army marksmanship program has long been considered one of the most elite in the military, and its competitors are known for their disciplined approach to marksmanship training.

USAMU shooters often take top honors in multiple categories, and Franks’ victories added to that legacy. However, the other branches always represent a big challenge, and the competition is tough from start to finish.

Franks’ back-to-back victories are a proud moment for the Army, but they also highlight the high level of competition that exists within the U.S. Army as a whole. Each year, the Inter-Services Championship proves that marksmanship is not only about individual achievement, but also about teamwork and professionalism of the army as a whole.

The results of the 2024 Inter-Services Championship are available here: