AASAM Outline

The purpose of AASAM is to improve Army operational capability through the development of combat marksmanship training.

The aim of AASAM is to conduct a rigorous and challenging, combat focused, skill at arms competition which encompasses current in-service small arms systems, competed at individual and unit levels. The competition is designed to allow for assessment of current in-service small arms system capabilities, equipment and targetry, and training analysis of combat shooting techniques, weapon training doctrine, and small arms practices.

As part of AASAM, the Champion Shot of the Army is contested, which results in the awarding of the Champion Shot of the Army medal. The competition also identifies the best combat marksmen for selection in the Australian Army Combat Shooting Team (AACST), to represent Army at overseas international skill at arms competitions.

Weapons and Entry Conditions

AASAM is the Australian Army's annual service weapons competition. It follows the small arms training continuum (from basic application of fire to advance application of fire) and consists of combat-focused matches, using the following in-service weapons:

F88/F88SA1/F88C Service Rifle with standard 1.5 optic;
F89 Minimi, Light Support Weapon; and
9mm Self Load Pistol

All competitors compete in the Service Rifle matches with selected members of each team contesting LSW and Pistol matches. Remaining team members may fire Pistol matches.

Aggregated individual and team matches in all weapons contribute towards the overall results. Although awards will be presented for individual achievement, the focus is on the team performance overall.

A maximum of 10 members for Brigade Teams and five members for Unit teams are selected to compete in the ten day competition. Whilst all members of a team shoot all Service Rifle matches, the Team Captain and/or Coach nominates the firers whose score will determine the team aggregate prior to firing the competition.

Team matches will also be fired during the competition with these results coupled with the scores from the individual aggregated team matches to determine the winning teams for the Brigade and Unit competition.

AASAM 08 Internationals Photo