 |
| On day one of the Marine Corps Junior Highpower Clinic, students spend time in the classroom receiving a refresher on the most important aspect of shooting...safety. More than a few hours are spent in the classroom before heading to the range.
|
“If you see an open chair ahead of you, that should tell you something…move up!” The instructions were given in a tone that commanded obedience.
Walking into the Marine Corps Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic, it was immediately apparent that things will be done only one way throughout the three days of the course…the Marine way. It is also immediately clear from the popularity of this annual junior clinic which starts the National Trophy Rifle Matches week that the young people who attend like doing things the Marine Corps way.
 |
| SSgt Bostick gives the juniors a brief class on the parts and functions of the M-16/AR-15 rifle which they will use on the range. SSGT Bostick was the 2003 National Service Rifle Champion.
|
And why shouldn’t they be done that way? The Marine Corps Rifle Team walked away with nearly every major trophy in the 2003 National Rifle Matches; they were champions in the National Trophy Infantry Team “Rattle Battle” Match, the National Trophy Individual Match, and the prestigious National Trophy Team Match. This level of performance isn’t just a recent occurrence, either…throughout the 101 year history of the National Matches, Marine Corps shooters and teams have won far more than their share of National Trophies. So when it comes to teaching young people the ins and outs of highpower rifle shooting, the Marine Corps’ credentials for doing this are impeccable. Riflery is a foundation of the Marine Corps. From cooks to mechanics to pilots, every Marine must be a rifleman first and must qualify annually to demonstrate that they have mastered those skills.
 |
| MGySgt Roxbburgh welcomed the students to the clinic and let all in attendance know what would and wouldn't be tolerated. Things were to be done the Marine Corps way...something the students took to easily.
|
The Marine Corps Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic is held every year at Camp Perry during the first days of the highpower phase of the National Matches. Organized by the CMP, the Marine Corps Rifle Team supplies the instructors and teaching curriculum that make the clinic a success. Juniors who attend the clinic are expected to have had training in gun safety and basic rifle techniques; they also must have some competition experience. The clinic is structured to help juniors acquire the knowledge base and learn the skills that will help them advance as highpower service rifle competition shooters. Most participating juniors are members of state association junior highpower teams. The clinic provides these shooters with the chance to receive both basic and advanced instruction in highpower rifle techniques.
 |
| This junior highpower shooter practices the methods he has learned in the Marine Corps Junior Highpower Clinic. The Marine Corps is amply suited to teach this course, having nearly swept the National Rifle Matches in 2003 and always ranking among the top teams and competitors in National Match history.
|
The clinic has a great record of success in producing junior champions, some of whom have gone on to win national championships. Recent clinic rosters included virtually all of the juniors who won places on the prestigious Deneke Trophy National Junior Highpower Team or who won other major awards during the National Matches. Leading juniors such as James Fox of Oregon, the overall champion junior highpower shooter in 2002, and John and Julie Cogshall of Connecticut, the 2003 Whistler Boy Trophy winners, were students in this year’s clinic. These young people are proof that what the Marines teach is success.
A total of 160 young people attended this year’s clinic on 31 July, 1 and 2 August at Camp Perry. Their instruction began with a refresher on safety and range procedures. Classes on fundamental rifle marksmanship techniques including the shooting positions and use of the sling followed. Instruction was interspersed with “snapping in” (dry firing to non-Marines) and other practical exercises. Day two began with more classroom time and practical exercises as the young shooters were instructed by the Marine Corps Rifle Team Members in zeroing, effects of weather, and keeping a data book. Day three included both dry firing, and a series of live fire exercises on the ranges while the young shooters continued to receive on the line instruction from the Marines.
 |
| A Marine Corps instructor instructs a student on the finer points of the prone position in highpower rifle shooting. The Marine Corps brings enough instructors each year so that each student receives one on one instruction on the firing line.
|
The Marine instructors for the 2004 clinic were MGySgt Roxburgh (clinic director), SSgt Bostick (2003 National Champion), SSgt Twitchell, Sgt Simonton, Sgt Godwin and Sgt Spicer and MGySgt Eltringham, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Marine Rifle Team. The transformation that took place in the young shooters who attended this year’s Marine Corps Junior Rifle Clinic from the time they walked into the clinic until when they proudly stood in formation to receive their graduation certificates and clinic T-shirts was nothing short of remarkable. They not only learned a great deal about how to shoot and compete better, but in just three fast moving days, the Marines instilled a greater sense of pride and esprit in them concerning their responsibilities as junior shooters and the future generation of rifle champions. Marines are proud of their skills and reputations as riflemen and clearly took great pride in passing this on to the young people in the clinic.
For more information about the CMP Marine Corps Junior Rifle Clinic, and to find out how to sign up to attend in 2005, go to http://www.odcmp.com/NM/JrHPClinic.htm. Also, be sure to bookmark the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com so you can stay abreast of all of the results from the 2004 National Trophy Rifle Matches being held this week at Camp Perry. Scores are being posted on-line while the competition are going on so that they can be available via the internet all over the country!
|
|
|
|
| Once the
students made it outside to the range, more class time was needed before the
actual trigger pulling began. The Marines made it clear to the students that
they represented junior marksmen everywhere and should conduct themselves
with respect and dignity to other competitors, no matter their age or
ability. |
|
After the
camp, juniors took the time to talk to their instructors about what they
have learned. Here MGySgt Roxburgh talks toa junior. "Whether you know
it or not, some of you are the finest shooters to walk onto the firing line
this year," he told the juniors before they were dismissed. |
|
|
| With
the conclusion of the Junior Highpower Clinic, the CMP held a pizza party
for the competitors and instructors. Students were presented with t-shirts
and a certificate of achievement for attending the clinic. It is clear the
Marine Corps sees the value in keeping juniors in the competition
marksmanship sports. |
|
