West Point
Combat Weapons
Team

WHAT WE DO

In the rapidly evolving security environment of the twenty-first century, emphasis must be placed on adaptive and innovative training that prepares soldiers to aggressive/ly address the myriad of possibilities they may face in modern combat. The United States, in the last several years, has engaged in warfare ranging from low intensity conflict operations to theater level combat. Throughout these operations soldiers have found themselves engaged more often than not in urban environments, and these urban insurgencies are likely to proliferate as the War on Terrorism continues.


The Combat Weapons Team is a collegiate, competitive team that trains cadets to combine the tactics, techniques and protocols of military units, domestic police forces, government agencies, and civilian security services to create a comprehensive foundation of skills in urban warfare and promote creative solutions to the problems involved in close quarters battle.

MISSION

The mission of the USMA Combat Weapons Team is to train its members in the use of military small arms (Rifle, Machinegun, Pistol and Shotgun) and tactics in order to prepare them for leadership and instructor positions in the United States Military and the Corps of Cadets. The program exposes cadets to various military, other government agency (OGA), and civilian law enforcement techniques, tactics and procedures in order to familiarize cadets with organizations with which they will operate in the future. The program also prepares cadets for International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) competitions, United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) competitions and the annual Smith and Wesson sponsored Joint Service Academy Combat Weapons Competition (JSACWC) Competition against Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

THE TEAM

HISTORY

1993, DMI took ownership of the USMA Pistol Team when it became a competitive club. Duties of the Pistol team included the mission to train cadets to shoot M-9 pistols during the military intersession. From 1993 – 1996, the pistol team trained about 600 cadets to fire the M-9 over each military intersession.


In 1996 two cadets who were interested in becoming more proficient with the M-9 began to shoot on a weekly basis with LTC(R) Dustin Saunders (AOG member since 1992 and Pistol Team OIC from August of 1993 – present). By 1997 they sparked interest in a few other cadets, and with the influence and help of LTC(R) Saunders, created a new club: the Combat Pistol Team. Due to LTC(R) Saunders responsibilities with the Pistol Team, the Combat Pistol Team found an OIC from DMI.


As the team evolved it gained three key personnel that changed its direction to a more complete combat oriented training team: MSG Jose Gordon and civilian instructors Craig Jackson, and Joe Seuk. Coach Gary Salman joined the crew in 2006. With the expansion of training, activity, and weaponry of the team, the name was changed to the Combat Weapons Team (CWT). CWT began training with personnel from US Army Special Operations, Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, and private training organizations.


The team has continued to evolve with help from many very important and influential military and civilian volunteers. It has changed its vision to achieve a more dynamic and adapted training environment. The cadets of the CWT would like to sincerely thank all of those, past and present, who have contributed to our continued evolution and success in learning and mastering the most crucial skills of the present day warrior.

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