U.S. Civil Affairs Soldiers build NATO partnerships at Estonian shooting competition

HARJU COUNTY, Estonia – Two U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers competed alongside service members from Estonia, the United Kingdom and France during the Estonian Defence Forces Shooting Competition 2026 in Harju County, Estonia, from Oct. 21-22.

Hosted at the Estonian Defence League’s Shooting Sports Range, the competition challenged participants to demonstrate marksmanship, speed and accuracy across multiple events, including pistol and rifle ranges. Soldiers also navigated obstacles, threw simulated grenades and engaged targets from different positions, testing their ability to adapt under pressure.

For the U.S. Soldiers, the event provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with NATO partners while refining individual skills through practical training and friendly competition.

“What motivated me to participate in this competition was the opportunity to work alongside our British, French and Estonian allies,” said Sgt. Ethan Wills, a Soldier assigned to the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion. “That is always a really cool opportunity.”

Throughout the two-day event, Wills and another Civil Affairs Soldier competed alongside two Estonian service members, exchanging experiences and building familiarity beyond their normal training environments. The competition encouraged soldiers to challenge themselves against other trained marksmen while developing the confidence, discipline and precision necessary to perform under pressure.

In particular, competitors developed these skills by completing a timed course that required them to shoot from the top of a ladder, a military vehicle hatch and a unique A-frame obstacle made of two leaning wooden pallets. Participants also threw simulated grenades from an unstable foundation and navigated barriers set up in a maze.

Wills said the event offered valuable opportunities to improve his own abilities while representing the United States. As part of his team, he competed in multiple shooting events and served as its representative for the 300-meter rifle competition.

“It is really special to see everybody and how well we're all trained to defend what we believe in,” Wills said.

The competition demonstrated how shared training opportunities can strengthen both individual readiness and multinational partnerships. By testing their skills alongside NATO partners, the two U.S. Civil Affairs Soldiers gained experience they can carry into future training and operational environments.

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