Also in 2010, Sherri was named the U.S. Army Soldier of the Year, the first female soldier to be so honored. This award is given to the top soldier at the U.S. Army’s Annual Best Warrior competition.

SGT Gallagher is currently a proud member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. In that role, she gets to do fun stuff like this…

SGT Sherri Jo Gallagher

In 2010, SGT Sherri Jo Gallagher became the first U.S. military shooter since 1987 to win the Nat’l High Power Rifle Championship. She was only the second woman ever to win — the first being her mother, Nancy Tompkins.

Sherri’s family is legendary in U.S. shooting competition. She spent her childhood summers touring shooting competitions with her parents, Mid and Nancy, both competitive shooters. Sherri’s sister Michelle Gallagher is also a top-level long-range shooter, with many titles to her credit. “My family is always there for me — we are really close,” Gallagher said. “I am who I am today because of my family. We have so much fun and live life that way.”

Will Sherri’s aerial assignment with the Golden Knights limit Sherri’s participation in competitive shooting matches, such as the National High Power Championship at Camp Perry? We’re waiting for an answer to that question from Sherri herself. We do know that Sherri is far too talented to leave the shooting sports behind, but, in the months ahead she may be spending more time under a golden canopy than on the firing line. We congratulate Sherri on her selection as a Golden Knight. We wish her safe flights and success in her new endeavor.