Diconza of USMC Rifle Team Breaks 31-year-old National Record

by
posted on November 9, 2016
diconza-1.jpg

Above: Sgt. Antonio Diconza (l.) receiving his high shooter award at the National Trophy Rifle Matches Awards Ceremony. Shaking his hand is Col. Pete Farnum, commanding officer of the Weapons Training Battalion, Training Command, Quantico, VA.

Earlier this year at Camp Perry, Sgt. Antonio DiConza of the U.S. Marine Corps Rifle Team broke a 31-year-old record at the National Matches, scoring 500-15X at the National Trophy Rifle Team Match, beating the previous record set in 1985 by Donald Manning by a single point.

Sgt. Diconza said about his record-breaking performance:

“It’s still a weird feeling to think about it, kind of unreal. An NRA official I’ve known for a long time asked me, ‘How does this feel?’ I told him it’s like winning the lotto, except this takes skill instead of luck. To be that consistent for such a difficult course of fire, and not letting the match monkey get on my back and rattle me is something I will always be proud of.”

Extremely humble, yet confident in his abilities, Diconza added, “It’s not like I’m better than anybody else. That day was just my day.”

Before joining the Marines, Diconza had never shot a gun, save a few opportunities in his youth with BB guns. His first opportunity to shoot was at boot camp. After his first deployment, while still a tyro, he was sent to the Pacific Division Match in Hawaii. This was his first match, which he went on to win—also setting a range record in the process. After that initial match in Hawaii, Diconza was a serious high power rifle competitor. “Before that match, I did not even know that competitive shooting existed,” Diconza told me. “After the Pacific Division Match, I was hooked.”

Diconza’s first summer shooting season was in 2011. In 2013, he reenlisted in the Corps specifically to be a permanent member of the shooting team. Since then, he has worked to hone his shooting skills, especially becoming more proficient in ballistics, as well as being able to instruct other Marines in marksmanship. While with the rifle team, he has competed at the National Matches, Interservice Matches, and other matches held by civilians for a total of five years, four of those as a permanent member of the team.

With much enthusiasm, Diconza gives full credit to the Marines and the rifle team for his success on the firing line.

“The USMC shooting team has the mission of attending matches and gaining fundamental marksmanship knowledge from competition. Then we bring that information back to the USMC as a whole, so that all are more proficient with a firearm. It’s an honor for me to be a part of it.”

Diconza wants more USMC personnel, as well as those planning to join in the future, to know about the benefits of competitive shooting for honing their skills. Additionally, the camaraderie and friendly competition at matches helps increase marksmanship skills.

Says Diconza: “Every Marine needs to know about competition and division matches. The knowledge available will help benefit you, and the USMC as a whole. My team and my coach, SSGT Altendorf, helped me out tremendously. Additionally, CPL Freddie Church kept me on my toes from the beginning of this season to the end.”

In the command structure of the Marine Corps, the USMC Training Command (TRNGCMD) owns the shooting teams and Weapons Training Battalion. The Command General of TRNGCMD is Gen. Jason Bohm, who also oversees all military occupational specialty (MOS) schools across the country—and also the Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA.

The 241st USMC Birthday is this Thursday, November 10.

Latest

2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1
2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

XS Sights Expands DXT2 Pro Series, R3D 2.0 Lineup For SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory And FN Pistols

XS Sights adds models to the DXT2 Pro Series and R3D 2.0 lineups that will fit SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and FN pistols.

Modern Technology Implemented To Surmount Logistical Hurdles: 1958 National Matches

The more than 4,000 shooters at the 1958 NRA National Matches were greeted by advanced technology used to speed up administrative tasks during the most populous period in National Match history.

Looking Back At The 2009 NRA National High Power Championship

With a single X-shot determining the winner of a 300-yard shoot-off and a surprise at the awards ceremony, the 2009 NRA High Power Rifle matches held everyone’s attention right to the end.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.