Max Michel, Jr.

By anyone’s account, Max Michel, Jr. is one of the best shooters in the world. With three World Speed Shooting Championships (2009, 2007 and 2005), five USPSA National Championships (2009, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004), 2 US Steel National Championships (2009, and 2008), more than 30 USPSA Area Championships, and over 80 Major Championship wins, Max Michel has become a dominant force in the pistol shooting sports. As an international competitor, Michel has represented the United States in the last four International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Shoots and returned home each time with team gold medals. He will again represent the nation in Rhodes, Greece at the 2011 World Shoot and anchor the USA’s Open Division team.

Born on December 15, 1981, Michel was raised in New Orleans, LA. Growing up he enjoyed many sports but it was in 1991 that he discovered his passion for shooting when his father introduced him to the competitive sport of Practical Shooting. In the years that followed, Michel proceeded to shatter most of the records held by the top juniors in the nation. It was at this point that the famed US Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) took notice.

Based at Ft. Benning in Georgia, the USAMU is renowned for taking young shooters and developing them into National and World Champions in a variety of disciplines. Michel’s prominence in the Practical Shooting arena made him a top recruit for the USAMU’s Action Pistol Team and in 1999 he began his career as an Army shooter and trainer.

During his 10 year US Army career, Staff Sergeant Michel’s duties included serving as the Military Coach of the Action Pistol Team. He was also responsible through his training programs for insuring the combat readiness of soldiers fighting the Global War on Terrorism. Utilizing his vast competitive shooting experience, Michel developed one of the most dynamic training programs for today’s soldier and elite warrior.

Today, Michel is involved with several key segments of the SIG SAUER business as well as many of his other partners. In addition to competing in shooting events, such as USPSA and Steel Challenge as the SIG SAUER Team Captain, Max manages SIG SAUER’s involvement in the competitive shooting market. These efforts include working with other shooters, match sponsorships, and co-marketing efforts. Max also works with SIG SAUER Product Managers to further strengthen SIG SAUER’s competitive gun offerings and teaches select shooting courses at the SIG SAUER Academy™ as a member of their prestigious group of highly experienced instructors.