Kent Gooch
Master Sniper Instructor
Articles/Video about Kent:
Relevant Military Education:
USMC/US Navy Schools. Recruit Training, (San Diego, CA); Infantry Training School, (Camp Pendleton, CA); Jungle Environment Survival Training (Republic of Philippines); Scout-Sniper School (3rd Marine Division); Surveillance & Target Acquisition Platoon School, (1st Marine Division); Scout-Sniper Instructor School, (Quantico, VA); Formal School Instructor Course, (Quantico, VA); Staff Non-commissioned Officer Career Course (Honor Graduate), (Quantico, VA); Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School, (Brunswick, ME); Warrant Officer Basic Course, (Quantico, VA); Range Officer School, (Quantico, VA); US Navy Force Protection Fundamentals Training (Yokosuka, Japan) 2002; US Navy Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Course (Yokosuka, Japan) 2002; US Navy Armed Sentry Course (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) 2002; .
US Army/ARNG Schools: Special Forces Special Operations Training Course, (Fort Bragg, NC); TRADOC Level II Range Safety Course, (Quantico, VA); Sniper School (Distinguished Honor Graduate) (Fort Benning, GA), Master Marksman Trainer Course (Honor Graduate), March 1996; Small Arms Instructor Range Operations Course, June 1996; Small Group Instructor Training Course, (Camp Robinson, AR) July 1996; RC Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Phase I (Honor Graduate), December 1996.
Civilian education: Civilian Marksmanship Program Master Instructor, NRA Police Firearms Instructor Course, NRA Law Enforcement Rifle Instructor Course, FBI Observer/Sniper Course, Department of Energy Special Reaction Team III Course, Bill Rogers Institute for Advanced Weaponcraft (Combat Pistol), John Shaw’s Mid-south Institute for Self Defense Shooting (Pistol/Shotgun), Chapman Academy (Pistol, Shotgun/Submachinegun), BSR, Inc, CQB Instructor Course.
Decorations, Awards and Citations: Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Army Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon (second award), Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (w/2 bronze stars), USMC Good conduct Medal (w/2 bronze stars), USMC Rifle Competition in Arms Medal (Silver). US Army Pistol Excellence in Competition Medal (Bronze), 3 Certificates of Commendation (1 USMC, 2 USA), Letters of appreciation from FBI (3) and US State Department.
Significant Experience:
May 2006 – Current
Civilian Marksmanship Program, Camp Perry, Ohio
Camp Riflery Program
Master Instructor
Provides instruction on conduct of life fire rifle training for camp counselors at various youth camps in the country in order for their employers to obtain safety certification for their individual camps. Instruction includes firearms safety, fundamentals of marksmanship, coaching techniques and range operations procedures.
March 2003 – April 2005
Senior Trainer – MPRI/Beamhit, LLC
Responsible for the development and presentation of training in support of Beamhit laser marksmanship training systems. Conduct’s training for units deploying overseas in support of war on terrorism including sniper training and individual small arms.
Nov 2002 – March 2003
Team Leader – Surgical Shooting Incorporated – Yokosuka, Japan
Senior instructor providing Force Protection and Anti-Terrorism training to US Navy units stationed ashore and afloat out of Japan. Courses included boarding party procedures, Shipboard Close Quarters Battle and individual protective measures against terrorism.
Dec 1999 – Nov 2002
President – Gooch Training Consultants
Designed 40 acre shooting facility for Police and Civilian use. Developed and ran Super Sniper Shootout, a multinational police and military sniper competition conducted in Austria in partnership with the Austrian Federal Police and Army (1999, 2000, 2001) Developed and ran Alabama State Police Academy sniper program and served as adjunct SWAT instructor.
Jan 1999-Oct 1999
Storm Mountain Training Center
Elk Garden, West Virginia
Senior Firearms Instructor
Retired off of active duty Oct 1998
1995 – 1998.
National Guard Scout-Sniper Course (NGSSC), Marksmanship Training Unit, Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
Instructor/NCOIC.
Responsible for 5 man training section with National mission of training all Army National Guard snipers. Worked with US Army to develop the National Guard course into a US Army Certified school.
1994-1995.
“D” Co, 1/186, Oregon Army National Guard.
Scout platoon sergeant.
1992-1994.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.
Range Platoon Commander for recruit firearms training.
Responsible for coordinating and supervising the training of over 250 Marine recruits each week. Supervisor of 40 Marine training platoon. Additional duty at Parris Island as Team Captain, Parris Island Shooting Team.
1989-1992.
USMC Security Force, Pacific (MCSF, Pac) School, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.
Officer in Charge, Combat Marksmanship Instructor Section.
Received Navy Achievement Medal for developing course of instruction for combat firearms package in support of Marine Security Force School. Additional duties at MCSF were Team Captain, MCSF Shooting Team and adviser for Designated Marksman Program for Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team.
1989. Selected for Warrant Officer.
1981-1989.
USMC Marksmanship Training Unit in Quantico, VA.
Instructor. Scout-Sniper Instructor School (1981-1986); Combat Assault Training Section, Close Quarters Battle Course (1986-1987) and the Small Arms Weapons Instructor School (1987-1989). Developed course of instruction for Scout sniper school when school was formalized in 1984. Primary course writer for Small Arms Weapons Instructor School.
1977-1981.
1st and 3rd Battalions, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Machine-gunner and Scout-Sniper.
Deployed to Far East three times with 5th Marine Regiment (Okinawa and Philippines).
