Arrozal poses with award being handed to him, shaking hands.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Israel Sanchez, U.S. Army National Guard

Ohio Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Roumel Arrozal (right) accepts the second place plaque for the Individual Pistol Aggregate category during the Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Matches from Col. Andy Bussell, commander of the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, May 21, 2021, at Camp Butner in Hampton, N.C. Arrozal was also recently recognized with the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, the highest individual award authorized by the U.S. government for excellence in sanctioned pistol marksmanship competitions.

Hot Shot: Soldier earns Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge

Story by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (11/18/21)

Headshot of Arrozal.

“It’s really not so much about the award, it’s the experience of being a part of the (marksmanship) team for Ohio,” Arrozal said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunities that the Army has given me.”

Ohio Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Roumel Arrozal was recognized during a recent ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory for earning the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, the highest individual award authorized by the U.S. government to recognize excellence in sanctioned pistol marksmanship competitions.

With this designation, Arrozal, a member of Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio, is one of the top marksmen in the Ohio Army National Guard and only the second current member to earn the badge. Among the competitions Arrozal has participated in was the 2021 Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Matches held last May at Camp Butner, North Carolina. He took second place in the Individual Pistol Aggregate category.

“It’s really not so much about the award, it’s the experience of being a part of the (marksmanship) team for Ohio,” Arrozal said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunities that the Army has given me.”

The Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge was created by the U.S. War Department in 1891 (following the creation of the Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 1884) to recognize and reward members of the U.S. Army for excellence in competition with the service pistol. Other branches of the armed forces subsequently adopted similar programs about the same timeframe and in 1926 civilians were authorized to participate in the program, according to the Civilian Marksmanship Program website.

To be eligible, one must finish in the top 10% of sanctioned marksmanship matches at state, regional or national competitions. Since its inception, the badge has been awarded to less than 1,800 individuals, a number that is less than 1% of all those who have served in the Army.

“The Army gave me the first steps and I wanted to improve and be better, and the EIC (Excellence in Competition) program helped me,” Arrozal said. “This program is how you can practice and develop your marksmanship within the competition level, and at the same time is something you bring back to your unit.”

Stuckman with wife and 2 sons.

Photo by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Chambliss (left), Ohio Army National Guard state command sergeant major, shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Roumel Arrozal, a member of Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio, after Arrozal was awarded the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge during an Oct. 22. 2021, ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Distinguished Badges for pistol and rifle are the highest individual awards authorized by the U.S. government for excellence in sanctioned marksmanship competitions.