Matt in TN

I am honored to share that Trevor, Jay, and I presented a check for $39,424.40 to the Special Forces Association, Chpt 38 tonight at their 63rd annual Reunion Dinner, where we spoke to a group of around 200 current and former 5SFG soldiers, including 7 original MACV-SOG members and the Unit Command team. THANK YOU for helping to make this happen for eight straight years and more than $150,000.00 donated in total.

Our two photographers (Lisa and Jimmy) did a great job of splitting up on the course to get as many people as possible - so if you don't see yourself in Lisa's pics, there's a good chance you're in Jimmy's. As always, feel free to use the pictures however you like, but please credit the photographer if you do. Commercial use must get permission first. Links are below: Lisa's Pictures: Friday (Staff/VIP Day): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320185819 Saturday (5k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320201458 Sunday (10k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320235909/ Jimmy's Pictures: Saturday (5k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320212031/ Sunday (10k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320228608/

This years official match video is up! It's impossible to fit 3 days of this mental, physical, and dare I say spiritual experience into a 6 minute promotional video, but hopefully this gives JUST A TASTE of what it was like to be there. Share it with your family and friends to show them a small glimpse of what you did last weekend. Share it to give the sponsors some additional love and attention. But most importantly, share it to help remember the ten people we honored this year. Continue to say their names out loud and speak their stories any chance you get. https://youtu.be/ZCWe5V9F4Dk?si=8efUYkYFfU52mZ65

We've had SEVERAL people ask about buying extra match shirts - but we only printed a single shirt for every competitor, so there are no extras. HOWEVER: Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC printed up a ton of shirts specially for the match with the Twin Towers on one sleeve and the 5th Group V on the other - in many different colors and sizes (both men's and women's). You can buy them directly on his website, shipping is free, and 100% of the proceeds goes to SFA. So while you can't get extra "official" match shirts, you can still get a very cool match-related shirt, support SFA, and support a title sponsor. You might as well check out the rest of his website while you're there and order some gun parts too. Win - win - win. Order now at Apparel, Stickers and Patches (3dcartstores.com)

Scores are up! 5k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/71779139-eeb3-41f4-b02d-50ed8e4e6b43 10k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/7bbf6852-a5ad-4716-98f5-0fbaa508e274 Pictures usually take a week to process and publish. Video is coming too in hopefully the same time. Final accounting and the announced net donation will be announced as soon as all the numbers are confirmed. Thank you so much for helping to make this happen for the eighth year in a row!

I am excited to welcome back Jeremy Swofford of Red's Dinner Bell with his food truck to feed all the hungry competitors again this year. See his menu below for the regular stuff, and there is a very good chance he'll be doing another fundraising dinner at least one night there - more details to come! https://imgur.com/Vu2twvz

Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC is hosting a "SHOOT FOR GOLD" side match onsite. For $20 you can enter to do a target shooting course with a provided air pistol. The prize will be either a cerokoted gold S&W M&P or a gold Aero rifle - not sure yet if "winning" will be based off the highest score, a random draw, or whoever looks as cool as this guy. That will 100% be up to Pete to decide!

I am thrilled (and again, not surprised) to share that Samson Manufacturing has come back again for the eighth year in a row as a sponsor. Not only that, but this match likely would never have started without the advice, help, and caring of Bryan Ray and Brian Vaught. Not only did they welcome me at my first major 3-gun match at Rockcastle, but as I got to know them better and shared this crazy idea of Run N Gun they walked me through how to make it a reality, introduced me to all the people I needed to know to make it happen, and helped me understand how to make it a win-win-win situation for everyone instead of just showing up asking for favors. For these reasons alone, I will always buy Samson first if they make whatever I'm looking for. But they make some pretty cool stuff too! Check them out at https://www.samson-mfg.com/

If Mother Nature will cooperate (meaning no surprise monsoons), the land nav skills test for this year will be a simple terrain-following exercise. A portion of the course will not be marked at all, and you will find a sign signaling the start of the exercise that says "Follow the river for 0.8 miles until you see the red tape." I don't care if you walk down the bank, wade down the middle of the river, or switch banks 100 times because the other bank "looks easier." You analyze the terrain on the fly and find the best path through. Do NOT lose sight of the river at any time, or you risk getting lost and/or missing the exit point. Watch closely for that red tape that marks the stop point, and you'll see signs and yellow tape guiding you back on the marked path after that.

I am excited to share that Dead Zero Shooting Park has generously donated and built a hot shower setup for campers and competitors this year, one of our members has secured a water buffalo to feed it, and another volunteer is bringing a decon trailer with a shower as well. The main target for these is for the SF guys to have a quick wash after their run before they start playing with their families - so please keep your showers quick and give them priority if you see them coming. However, there should be plenty of water and propane for other to use them too as long as we don't abuse it. There is no charge for showers, but if you want to make an extra donation to SFA to offset the cost of this benefit and increase our donation it would be most appreciated!

I am thrilled to announce that not only is FN America signed on as a sponsor and making a generous donation to SFA for the match, but they are also sending two competitors to run with us. AND A MK48 MACHINEGUN AND A TECH TO KEEP IT RUNNING ALL WEEKEND!!!! This will be a stage gun on a 10k Stage - fittingly the stage honoring MA2 Michael Monsoor, who carried a Mk48 as his primary overseas. Every 10k competitor will get a 10rd belt of ammo to start the stage with, and then they'll have to shoot the rest of the stage with a 308 beltfed sized grin on their face. What do you get for running twice as far and paying more for the 10k? MOAR!!!! https://fnamerica.com/

One stage this year will honor Medal Of Honor Recipient MA2 Michael Monsoor. Even though Mike was a SEAL, he was part of SOTF-W (the battalion level command), under CJSOTF-AP (the Group level command) which was run by 5th SFG leadership when he was killed. Because he fell under 5th SFG Command when he was killed we honor him. There's a great Jocko podcast with Mike's father George you should listen to here: and his father George also wrote a book about his son's life that's definitely worth the read: Amazon.com: Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor: 9780785290599: Monsoor, George, Rea, Rose M.: Books

ROUND COUNT: The post everyone has been waiting for! As always, this is the MINIMUM required hit count. I highly suggest carrying at least twice this amount to account for all the missing you'll do. For example, I'll be carrying 200 rds of rifle and 192 rds of pistol on my 10k run, and I know exactly what's coming. 5k: 54 pistol, 45 rifle 10k: 92 pistol, 97 rifle Yes, these are higher than they've been for awhile now, but they are NOT the highest they've ever been. I have a spreadsheet.

I am pleased to announce RnG Tactics is coming back bigger than ever as a sponsor again this year. Scott Berger (owner) is a Run N Gunner from way back who saw a need and started making equipment specifically tailored for RNG - but that also works great in other places! Be sure to check his website out at: https://rngtactics.com/

Once again, we are working with 5SFG(A)'s Cognitive Performance Specialist to help us give competitors just a TASTE of the mental challenges and impressive intellect if takes to be a Special Forces soldier. This year he has come up with a very challenging Battle Tracking Drill that will give you a very challenging mental test while you push your physical limits, that is also very real-world applicable to SF and does NOT require any special tech (like a cell phone or camera). As always, you can fail at or ignore every single mental challenge and still finish the match. However - you will have a significant advantage if you do well at the mental challenges while performing well at running and shooting. PURPOSE: Add a realistic cognitive aspect to the Legion Run and Gun. Battle tracking is the concept of a leader maintaining situation awareness of the location and activity of all elements involved in the operation. Once the operation is planned, each respective element will be organized by task. As they complete those tasks, they will communicate their status and location with a Headquarters element. The Headquarters element will track each elements progress and location. Doing so allows them to know how the operation is going, flex individual elements to assist other individual elements, and prepare mobility packages to get them off the target area. TASK: You will receive a map with a Task Organization. The Task Organization will provide you with a breakdown of each individual element involved with the operation. For Operation Serpent Strike, there will be three Strike Forces: Green, Red, and Blue. Each Strike Force will consist of two teams broken into three cells each. Therefore you will have 18 individual elements to track. Using the map provided, you will find a way to note the progression of the operation and the location of each cell as you move through the course of fire. CONDITIONS: As a leader in the operation, you will receive information updates as you complete the course of fire. You should have a plan to protect your map from the elements during the course of fire. You should expect to find these information updates: Posted along the route and/or in the stages (so pay attention to your surroundings), or from RO’s directly so listen carefully the entire time. You may be asked to confirm the location/status of any cell or clarify which cell performed which task at any time during the course of fire. STANDARDS: As the leader of the operation, you will be accountable for the location and activity of all cells at all times. Failure to do so will result in your day becoming more difficult. Being able to track all of your elements throughout will make your day less difficult by improving your score throughout the course of fire. Overwhelmed yet? Remember this is but a SMALL taste of all these guys have to keep up with on a mission. We aren't even getting into comms plans, air traffic control, medevac plans, languages, local customs and politics, and a myriad of other things. The shooting and running is really the "easy part" of a day in the life of an SF guy.

One stage this year will honor SGT Daniel W. Winegeart, who was killed Oct. 17, 2006 from injuries sustained when his Light Medium Tactical Vehicle drove off an overpass in Baghdad. Sergeant Daniel Weston Winegeart, 23, of Honey Island died on October 17, 2006 while on maneuvers in Baghdad, Iraq. Daniel was born on November 18, 1982 to David Wayne and Terri Sue (Tucker) Winegeart in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Daniel lived in Honey Island since 1990 and was a 2002 graduate of Kountze High School. Shortly after high school Daniel enlisted in the United States Army. Upon completing basic training, Daniel was chosen as the only person out of the 287 in his group for Special Forces Training. In the Army Daniel served as an electronics specialist and was currently serving his third deployment to Iraq. Daniel served as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group. In his military career, Daniel received the following awards: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He also received the parachutist and expert rifle badges. Daniel had a great love for the outdoors. He had a great passion for bow hunting and was looking forward to the upcoming deer season. Upon entering the Army, Daniel’s life changed. He became a man. He was proud to be in the military and proud to serve his country and his fellow man. He had become part of a new “family” by being a part of the Special Forces.

Just a reminder that, for the first time ever, we will have organized "Family Fun Days" on Saturday and Sunday while the main event is happening. The idea is that the 5th Group guys already spend so much time away from their families, we are trying to make it as easy as possible for them to bring their families along and spend the day BOTH playing with their wives and kids as well as kicking ass on our course. But this is NOT just open to SF families - civilians are welcome and encouraged to bring their families too. I'm thrilled to share we have a professional Large Event Planner that has taken the reins for this and already have several volunteers - but this is still very much in progress and morphing into the final vision. But to help you understand the general idea and what/who to bring, here's the initial vision and schedule (below) from the honcho: We believe in the power of educating the next generation on the "why" behind our actions. That's why we've planned some awesome family activities that not only engage the kids but also teach them important lessons about our values and traditions. Let's make learning fun and meaningful for the ones we love most! Kids can NOT simply be abandoned with our group (way too much liability with that!), but need to always have at least one parent/guardian with them at all times. However, there will be "extra hands" with volunteers who can help parents wrangle multiple kids or just generally give parents a break while they still supervise. If you'd like to help in any way, please message me your contact details and I'll get you with the organizer. And even if you don't sign up to formally volunteer, please don't hesitate to jump in and help make sure the kids (and parents!) have a fun time while they're there.

One stage this year will honor SFC Brett Walden. What the below (and most of the internet) doesn't tell you is that he was one of the original "horse soldiers" in Afghanistan, in addition to all of his many other achievements. Sgt. 1st Class Brett E. Walden was killed in action on August 5, 2005 near Rabi’ah, Iraq, while serving with ODA 535, C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Walden, 40, was a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to ODA 535, C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Walden, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. enlisted as an infantryman in February 1987. He served as an infantryman in Hawaii from 1987 to 1992. He then served with 2nd Brigade, 327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky. until 1997. After a year with 1st Brigade, 505th Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C., Walden attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in October 2000. He arrived at Fort Campbell November 20, 2000 and was assigned as a weapons sergeant with C Co, 1/5th SFG (A). While serving with C Co, 1/5th SFG (A), he spent one tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and had recently begun his fourth tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Walden’s schools include the Basic Airborne Course, the Air Assault Course, the Ranger Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Russian Language Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Military Free Fall Course and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 bronze loops, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab. His posthumous awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is survived by his wife, Autumn and daughter, Alexandria both of Dover, Pa.

Reminder for those who didn't read the fine print: A full refund will be given if you withdraw/cancel (via Practiscore) 30 days or more before the match. This means get it done before 7/31/24 at 11:59pm if you want a full refund. A 50% refund will be given if you withdraw/cancel 14 days before the match. This means get it done before 8/16 at 11:59pm if you want a 50% refund. Zero refund will be given any closer than 14 days before match day. If you choose to generously donate your match fee to SFA38 regardless of when you withdraw, it is of course allowed and most appreciated - just write this in on the withdrawal request.. We literally have more people on the waitlist now than we do approved for the match, so there are PLENTY of people just hoping you'll withdraw so they can have your slot. If you know you can't come, please withdraw ASAFP so they can have time to make travel plans.

One stage this year will honor CPT Benjamin Tiffner, who was killed on November 7, 2007 by an IED while conducting a ground convoy in Baghdad, Iraq. I had the honor of carrying CPT Tiffner's dog tag the first year we carried dog tags on the course. Upon graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in April 2006, he was assigned to 5th SFG(A). He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula. This was his second deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism. “It is an honor and a privilege to be here (Iraq)”, he told his mother just before he died. A few hours from his death in Iraq, Tiffner had a final request for his parents. He wanted them to pray for the men who served under him. Family friend Randy Curry says he’ll never forget Tiffner’s smile and his leadership abilities that were evident from a very young age. “He would do anything they would ask him to do and he would do it with every bit of his energy and effort. He really enjoyed training and working hard,” Curry said. One of Captain Tiffner’s instructors at West Point years ago wrote a message about him in an internet Guest Book Monday: “To the family and friends of CPT Tiffner, my condolences to you. I was shocked to hear of Ben’s passing this morning. Though it has been many years since Ben was assigned to me as a plebe at West Point, I will always remember his uncommon qualities. He was honest, hardworking, loyal, good humored, and a fine friend. I will never forget Ben.” Ben was born in Ohio but spent much of his childhood in the Philippines where his parents served as missionaries.

I am excited to welcome back Bachstein Consulting, LLC as an obstacle sponsor this year. Bachstein Consulting is focused on developing products for all shooters, including civilian, military, and law enforcement professionals. The majority of their experience is based on designing and testing products for professional use that exceed the highest performance standards. Their expertise has been developed through working with the US Army, NATO, SAAMI, and other agencies. They have advanced the development of some of the most innovative and reliable firearms systems in the world, products that have gone to battle in the hands of the most elite military units. Not only that, but they are bringing 4 runners to compete alongside us this year! https://bachsteinconsulting.com/

I am thankful to report that we are working with The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone this year, which is a partnership between Centerstone and Cohen Veterans Network, a philanthropic organization that serves veterans and their families through a nationwide system of mental health clinics. The Cohen Clinic has some really impressive treatment options for veterans and their families, and we are doing our best to make it easier for those who are most deserving of it to get the help they need. If you need help, or if you even THINK you might need help, please reach out to them. You are not alone, and there are so many resources out there for you if you are struggling. https://centerstone.org/locations/tennessee/

One stage this year will honor SSG Ayman A. Taha, who was killed in an explosion December 30, 2005 while preparing to dispose of enemy munitions discovered near Balad, Iraq. Taha was born in Sudan and entered the Army in August 2002 under the 18X program. This program allows selected individuals to enlist directly for Special Forces Training as a result of preexisting unique skills. He was an Arabic speaker (he actually spoke 5 languages). He received his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of California at Berkley. He then studied at UMass, where he earned his master’s degree in economics in 2002. With the exception of writing his thesis, Taha was near completion of his PhD in economics at the University. Taha was a devout Muslim who strongly believed in the message of Islam, which focuses on believing in God and performing good deeds. “He strongly agreed that what they were doing is good and that they were helping people in the Middle East,” Ayman’s father told the Washington Post. While serving, Taha received several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Two Device, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Parachutists Badge and the Special Forces Tab. Posthumously, he has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, The Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge, according to the United States Army Special Operation Command News Service. Taha is survived by his wife Geraldine and his daughter Sommer of Clarksville, Tenn.; his parents, Abdel-Rahman and Amal Taha of Vienna, Va.; and his sisters, Rabah and Lubna, also of Clarksville, Tenn.

I am happy to announce Nightforce Optics is returning this year as a sponsor. If you need a super tough high quality optic, be sure to check them out at https://www.nightforceoptics.com/

One stage this year will honor SSG Aaron N. Holleyman. Aaron was an 18D (Medical Sergeant) from Glasgow, MT, and was killed when his vehicle hit an IED in Khutayiah, Iraq on August 30, 2004. Holleyman's father said his son had suffered some hearing loss during an earlier incident and would not have been required to go back to Iraq but had volunteered. He had just returned to Iraq in July after being stateside for treatment of injuries received earlier in Iraq. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service. “He had two close calls last year,” Sylvia Carpenter (grandmother) said. In 2003, Holleyman was in a vehicle accident in Iraq and saved the life of one of the soldiers. He also was injured in a separate accident, she said. “Aaron loved what he was doing. It really was close to his heart,” she said. “He felt proud to be doing what he was doing. From the way everything has happened and his attitude, he’s just our hero.” According to the memorial service booklet that told Holleyman’s life story, he participated in more than 100 combat missions in western Iraq. On one occasion, he was wounded along with two other soldiers, but he treated his injured comrades before himself, the pamphlet said. Staff Sgt. Joe Briscoe, who was injured while in Iraq and lost part of his right arm during a rocket-propelled grenade attack, talked about meeting Holleyman on Oct. 31, 2003: “I was on a stretcher, and I looked up and saw Aaron,” Briscoe said during the memorial service. “He assured me everything was going to be OK. You wouldn’t believe what that meant to me.” Briscoe said when he was taken on a medevac helicopter, Holleyman “never left my side and stayed with me the whole time. He always had a smile and respect for a fellow team member.” Holleyman was the father of three children, ages 5, 3 and 1. https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-staff-sgt-aaron-n-holleyman/330983