Other equipment related lessons that you might learn include realizing that your deployment pack is too heavy, or worse yet, missing essential items. You get to compare notes with the other shooters and formulate equipment lists for future deployments. Getting to discuss equipment with other professionals that are under similar working conditions as you, and putting your grubby little hands on it is better than reading test reports any day. You meet shooters from every walk of life and every type of agency. There are usually representatives from several of the three-letter federal agencies, along with state and local departmental shooters.
Some competitions are limited to police and military only while others allow top-notch civilians.
Either way, you get to talk with different professionals and see different perspectives. For the working sniper, a competitive format lets you get together and discuss departmental policies and training strategies with people from around the country. It's not everyday that you can discuss live call-outs or military missions and what others might have learned. Reading about these things in books and magazines is helpful. Talking with others that have been through similar situations is another thing all together.