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Reader Comments:
Ms. Elder,
I was thrilled when I read the “Short History of the Distinguished Shooter Program.” As the first Navy female Distinguished Pistol Shot, I am humbled to see my name among so many others who have made the grade. Many thanks to Mr. Hap Rocketto for compiling what has to be the best single list of distinguished shooters from all levels.
Respectfully,
LCDR Barbara Gies
Hello, I am excited to read your newsletter's that you generate. They are good sources of information and I am more and more motivated each time to
continue working on my shooting skill's after being in the Marine corps for twenty years. I have been exposed to lot's of range shooting with rifles. I really
like that feeling of being on the rifle range @ dawn preparing for a good day of accurate shooting. The fact that you continue to teach theses skill's with
so much enthusiasm is absolutely outstanding.
Bryan C.
NICE ARTICLE ON LEG MATCHS!
GLS
More, more from SSG Praslick. A good coach is worth his/her weight in gold. Keep it up. I need all the help I can get.
CSM (ret) R. Thomas D.
Command Sergeant Major (retired)
"Once a soldier, always a soldier"
I think you “on line” newspaper is great!
Keep up the good work.
Gary K.
I think it's is GREAT keep it up!
Thank you very much!
PS
I sure miss going to Perry
Conrad S.
Very informative. Reminders and tips for better shooting are always helpful. We tend to forget lessons learned and sometimes need to be hit on the head with a 2X4.
LEStahl
Good stories, would love to see training info. on smallbore.
Jim E.
Alta, Calif.
I thought the article about the Reading R&P Club was great. I have the pleasure of shooting matches at their club several times a year and you can't fine a better group of people and sportsmen.
Keep up the great work....
Richard S.
I ENJOY THE CMP EMAIL INFORMATION LETTER. THANK YOU
JODI
As always, a great job! Thanks for your efforts.
Best,
Linda
Kudo’s on a great way of getting interesting stories out to the public on my favorite rifle, the infamous M1 Garand. It never ceases to amaze me about how CMP continues to “think out of the box”. As a retired US Marine…and a self-acknowledged “Garand Expert”, I’m humbled by all that I yet do not know about the M1. Your publication is both humbling to this ol Jarhead and informative.
I learn something new with each issue.
Semper Fidelis
Major Bill D., USMC Ret
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Thinking Your Way to Success
By SSG Emil Praslick, USAMU Service Rifle Team
Coach
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SSG Emil Praslick (r.) instructs another shooter in a service rifle clinic during the 2005 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches.
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Why does it seem that the same small group of shooters wins the majority of the matches? Within the Army Marksmanship Unit’s Service Rifle Team, the same effect applies. On a team filled with uncommonly talented shooters, the same two or three are consistently at the top of the final results bulletin. What is the difference among shooters who are technically equal? Confidence. A confident shooter is free to execute his shots without the fear of failure, i.e. shooting a poor shot. Negative thoughts (can’t, won’t be able to,
etc.) will destroy a skilled performance. The mind’s focus will not be on executing the task, but on projecting fear and self-doubt. Fear is the enemy, confidence is the cure.
How does a shooter on the eve of an important match (the President’s or NTI, for example) attain the confidence needed to perform up to his potential? A pre-competition mental plan can assist in acquiring that positive mental state. The plan can be broken down into a few phases.
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Build a feeling of preparedness. Developing and executing a plan to organize your equipment and pre-match routine will aid you in feeling prepared on match day.
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Avoid negative and stressful thoughts. Focusing on “winning” the match or shooting for a specific score (like making the “cut” or making the President’s 100) can cause undue stress. Good shooters focus on aspects that are within their control: their sight picture, their sight alignment, their position. Each shot should be treated as an individual event.
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Train stage-specific tasks during your practice sessions. Instead of shooting matches or practice matches only, include some drills that focus on your problem areas. Training in this manner will assist your level of confidence.
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As part of your pre-match routine, imagine yourself shooting perfect
shots. Visualize getting into the perfect position, acquiring a perfect sight picture, and perfect trigger control.
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Let a feeling of calm and well-being wash over you. Spend a few minutes alone thinking positive thoughts. Many shooters use their favorite music to help build the mood.
Once you develop your pre-competition mental plan, stick with it. Through your training you will develop the physical skills to shoot higher scores. The confidence you will need to apply them in match conditions will grow as you develop into a complete shooter; both physically and mentally.
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The USAMU Service Rifle Team is also answering your
questions pertaining to Service Rifle Shooting including topics such as
Equipment and Ammunition, Shooting Positions and Shooting Techniques and
Tactics. Go to http://www.odcmp.com/usamu/shooting_tips.htm
to view the latest questions and answers. If you have a question you
would like to ask, email USAMU@odcmp.com.
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