Vernon
Harrison grew up hard and fast in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of Virginia. Raised by his grandfather,
a former U.S. Army rifle instructor who defended
his country throughout World War II, young Vernon
was rigorously trained in the Army's rifle marksmanship
method.
"Vern"
began shooting at age six. By the time he was large
enough to hold it steady, his firearm was a 1903
Springfield topped with a Unertl 8x scope.
As a teenager, Vern honed his tracking, fieldcraft
and shooting skills in the mountains and countryside.
Putting food on the table and earning the respect
of his grandfather was his sole reward.
In 1970, the nineteen year-old was called to service
in the controversial Vietnam conflict raging in
Southeast Asia.
Already a skilled hunter, tracker and backcountry
survivalist, the 101st Airborne Division identified
Vernon's value almost immediately. He was assigned
to the Army's first Vietnam-era sniper training
program, an "on the job training" assignment
that consisted of two weeks preparation for life
in the jungle � hunting the enemy.
Throughout
fourteen life-changing months in Vietnam, Vern served
his country with distinction. He was twice wounded
in battle and briefly captured.
The skills Vern and many other soldiers developed
and applied, saved countless American and allied
lives during this brutal conflict.
After discharge from the U.S. Army, Vern, like many
Vietnam veterans, struggled with reintegration into
a society that had no apparent understanding of
the price paid by the soldiers who served in Vietnam.
Rather than turning his conflicts inward, he refocused
his efforts on training others in the valuable skills
of the precision rifleman.
Since the mid-1970's Vernon Harrison has trained
both civilian and law enforcement shooters, including
federal agents with the FBI, DEA, state and local
police organizations.
As the first president of the IBS 1000-yard Benchrest
Club in Quantico, Virginia, Vern authored that organization's
rule book and competed nationally for top ranking
among the nation's best riflemen. During his tenure
with the Virginia Benchrest Club, he set numerous
long range records � including world records that
held until just recently.
After a debilitating workplace accident in 2001,
Vern was left partially disabled. Determined to
continue competing and training, he now limits his
match schedule to include only F-T/R class prone
matches at 600 yards and 1000 yards.
Vern's training schedule for civilian and law enforcement
shooters is brisk and often physically challenging.
Yet � his determination to train America one
rifleman at a time, remains undeterred.
Precision long range rifle training is his lifelong
passion and still his number one priority.
