The Oregon National Guard has taken a major step toward professionalizing its sniper team selection process with the successful launch of the inaugural Oregon State Sniper Qualifier, held September 46 at the Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center and Boardman Training Area. This groundbreaking event was designed not only to fairly identify Oregons top sniper teams but also to prepare them for the prestigious Winston P. Wilson Sniper Competition, a gateway to the International Sniper Competition. Organizers see this as the start of an enduring tradition that will elevate the states marksmanship capabilities and strengthen its representation on the national stage. The three-day competition featured nine demanding stages built to replicate the pressures and complexity of real-world sniper operations. Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Graham, course manager for the Infantry Training Course at the 249th Regional Training Institute (RTI), emphasized that this was more than a marksmanship test. Its more traditional sniper-style training and stages you would expect at the next level, Graham explained. Teams faced physical and mental challenges that forced them to think critically, communicate effectively, and make rapid decisions under stress. One signature event required competitors to conduct a 300-meter movement in full combat gear, identify unknown targets, engage a target array, move to elevated positions, and return to the start point all under an unforgiving 18-minute time limit. Failure to complete the course within the time standard resulted in a zero score for that stage, reinforcing the importance of efficiency and discipline under pressure. Beyond physical exertion, competitors had to manage stress-induced breathing, maintain focus under time constraints, and make accurate judgments with limited information skills that directly mirror battlefield realities. Additional stages tested long-range precision shooting, rapid target engagement, range estimation, and team coordination, with scenarios designed to mimic complex operational environments. A major innovation was the integration of Impact Scoring, a mobile app commonly used in civilian precision rifle matches. The app allowed for real-time score tracking, streamlined communication, and digital distribution of match documents, eliminating the need for manual scorecards. Its adoption was a breakthrough that connected the military competition to best practices from the civilian shooting world. The technologys success caught the attention of other competitive shooting communities, including three-gun and pistol competitors, who expressed interest in participating in future events. Pulling the competition together required significant coordination in a short window. The RTI cadre had just three months to plan and execute the event following approval earlier in the summer. Creative use of the Boardman machine gun range and collaboration with the Oregon Training Center allowed the team to work within Standard Training Zone parameters while still delivering a high-quality event. Many of the instructors involved were Bravo 4 sniper-qualified and had competed at national-level sniper matches, ensuring that participants were being evaluated against elite standards and receiving mentorship that could improve their performance at higher-level competitions. Looking ahead, organizers intend to expand the program in 2026 by opening additional training areas, introducing multiple competition classes, and inviting teams from surrounding states, Special Forces units, and regional law enforcement agencies. This expansion would transform the event into a hub for precision marksmanship excellence in the Pacific Northwest, fostering collaboration between military and civilian communities.