MILTON-FREEWATER — Two Eastern Oregon soldiers recently represented the state at a prestigious military sniper competition, demonstrating the capabilities of local National Guard members.

Staff Sgt. Coertlandt Bauer and Sgt. Dakota Hodges, both of the Milton-Freewater-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, competed against elite marksmen from around the world at the 2024 Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championship in Arkansas.

According to a press release from the Oregon Military Department, the local team showcases the diverse talent within Oregon’s eastern communities.

Hodges, who serves as a chief engineer for Amazon Web Services in Hermiston, balances his civilian career with his military role as a sniper team leader. His teammate, Bauer, recently launched the aptly named One Shot Plumbing in Idaho’s Wood River Valley, exemplifying the National Guard’s citizen-soldier concept.

“Being in the Oregon National Guard has been a great opportunity for me to come to training events like this while still being able to own a business and support my community,” Bauer said.

The Milton-Freewater team joined 35 teams from across U.S. military branches and international forces, including groups from the Netherlands, Italy, U.S. Coast Guard, and special operations forces. Competitors faced challenging scenarios in daylight and nighttime conditions, using advanced equipment, including the Mark 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle and night vision devices.

For Hodges, who joined the Guard after serving in the Marine Corps, the competition offered valuable training opportunities.

“What I take out of this is we get to come out here, shoot, meet new people and make great connections with other teams,” Hodges said. “Everything has changed since I went through sniper school six years ago. We’re using different technology and different formulas. Being here, I get to learn that stuff again, update my skills and prepare myself for future endeavors.”

“These championships exemplify what makes the Oregon National Guard the service of choice for Oregonians,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the adjutant general of Oregon. “When our soldiers train in realistic environments and focus on their specialized skills as cohesive teams, they not only become more proficient warriors but also more effective guardians of our communities.”

The competition took place at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, which provides National Guard units with cost-effective access to world-class training opportunities. Participants must meet rigorous qualifications, including expert marksmanship ratings and specific military occupational specialties.

To learn more about the National Guard, visit www.nationalguard.com.