Got six bucks and love firearms?
If so, you can join the more than 5,500 soldiers and civilians who will be converging on Messel Range in Darmstadt, Germany, on April 25 and 26 for the Monte Kali International Shooting Competition.
Hosted by soldiers from the 8th Finance Battalion and RK Giesel, a German army reserve unit stationed in Fulda, the 25th Monte Kali competition will see military contingents from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, France, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Hungary, as well as hundreds of civilian shooting club members, according to Staff. Sgt. George Drakakis of 8th Finance.
More than 130,000 rounds of ammo will be on hand, waiting to be fired through 9 mm pistols and M16A2, M4, SL-8 and MP5 rifles.
“All participants will be given the opportunity to learn and fire the different weapon systems as well as earn badges and trophies for their marksmanship skills. At the conclusion of the competition, RK Giesel will host an awards ceremony to recognize the individual and team event winners,” according to a statement from 8th Finance.
“Anyone who shows up and pays the fee will be allowed to shoot,” Drakakis said, adding that spouses were welcome and uniforms were not required. Sgt. 1st Class Edward Chisolm, also of the 8th Finance, said that around 60 percent of the expected attendees should be civilians.
All money raised at the event will be donated to either the Fisher House, which helps families of wounded warriors while their loved ones heal, or the Action Cash Foundation, which assists children in Afghanistan.
