FUNshoot
John M. Buol Jr.
Director, Firearm User Network
I started my shooting career in my High School days, participating in local, unsanctioned Smallbore events.
After graduating Army IET (basic training) I realized that the Army does not know how to train marksmanship and began competing seriously, first starting with USPSA Limited class (iron sight practical pistol) and National Guard-hosted combat matches through college.
After graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Management Computer Systems, along with a certificate in Gunsmithing, a Master classification from USPSA and IDPA, and a few Leg points, I eventually found the Small Arms Training Team and met members of the US Army Reserve Shooting Team.
I joined SATT in 1999 and would spend the next decade, and most of that on active duty, as a full-time small arms instructor. During this time I picked up conventional pistol (NRA bullseye) and conventional rifle (High Power), but my primary discipline was the combat matches hosted by NATO. I managed four big overall wins at All Army (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010) along with a host of trophies for individual and team matches there and at AFSAM (Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting.)
After completing active duty, I was hired as the Editor of American Gunsmith magazine and founded the Firearm User Network to promote organized shooting events.