Coast Guard’s Charlie Petrotto Wins Every New England Travel Games Pistol Award

by
posted on November 27, 2018
petrotto1.jpg

Hopefully, PO1 Charlie Petrotto has a lot of free wall space at his house. He’s going to need it.

At the 2018 New England Travel Games, held by the CMP at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Base in Vermont this past September, the 34-year-old shooter took home seven plaques—winning every single pistol event at the competition.

Pistol competitors at the match saw periodic rain showers, but according to Petrotto, the biggest challenge wasn’t the precipitation, as much as the darkness brought on from the clouds overhead.

Says Petrotto, “Obviously you need to be hard on your front sights and smooth on the trigger, and it was hard to do the first part, so it was hard to get on your sights and stay on your sights—the target was so bright, and your sights were so dark. It was easy to jump to the target. I shot a couple of sevens that way, not paying attention to my sights.”

Coast Guard's Charlie Petrotto
When he’s not competing, Petrotto likes to train others.


Petrotto, a petty officer first class, gunners mate in the Coast Guard, is passionate about marksmanship. Currently stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he studies marksmanship and works with cadets and OCS candidates.

“With that, we get to do a lot of shooting,” said Petrotto.

He came to the Academy already having earned President’s Hundred and Pistol and Rifle Distinguished Badges—which are remarkable achievements. Now, with his fourth consecutive year of reaching the President’s Hundred in pistol at Camp Perry, Petrotto continues to train at the Academy—remaining grateful for the supportive environment that it provides for him.

“It’s really a [great] opportunity,” said Petrotto. “I get to come in early to work, we have a range where I shoot air pistol, free pistol, .45, .22—[all] before we have a cup of coffee and get to work. I’m trying to capitalize on the opportunity while I’m there.”

Becoming a champion

His love for marksmanship and competition began while in A-school in the Coast Guard. One day Petrotto, while perusing an ordinance manual, found pictures of the various Distinguished Badges—becoming fascinated with the concept. After making copies of the pages, he put them in his locker and told himself, “I have to get that.”

As he honed his talents, Petrotto eventually connected with a double-Distinguished marksman who took him under his wing by lending him pistols and rifle gear.

“Of course, I did terrible my first time out,” said Petrotto, laughing. “Ever since then, I’ve been totally hooked.”

In the future, he’d like to move to international shooting, with the hopes of becoming the first triple-Distinguished Coast Guard shooter.

“[It’s] one of those lofty goals, but something to keep my sights on,” he concluded.

Latest

Fiocchibarringer 1
Fiocchibarringer 1

Fiocchi Adds Rachel Barringer To Pro Shooting Team

Fiocchi welcomes top skeet competitor Rachel Barringer to its Pro Shooting Team.

USA Shooting: Athletes Earn Seven Medals At 2023 Parapan American Games

Five U.S. athletes—YanXiao Gong, Marco De La Rosa, Mike Tagliapietra, Stetson Bardfield and Kevin Nguyen—secured seven medals at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Nov. 17-21.

WATCH: NRA Instructor Empowers More Than 4,500 Women—Exposes Biden, Harris and Newsom’s Gun Control Hypocrisy

NRA releases new video with NRA firearms instructor Robin Evans of Chicks With Triggers that highlights the empowerment of women through self-defense training.

New: Barrett MRADELR Rifle

At the 2023 King of 2 Miles competition held at the NRA Whittington Center in September, the team shooting the Barrett MRADELR rifle posted a runner-up finish.

What’s In Your Range Bag, Joe Hendricks?

Learn what High Power Rifle competitor Joe Hendricks keeps in his range bag.

New: Walther Arms PDP Match Steel Frame

Walther’s new PDP Match Steel Frame precision-machined full-size 9 mm pistol makes its debut with MSRP at $1,899.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.