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DECEMBER 2010

CMP State Directors Close 2010 Season with First Two-Day Workshop - ANNISTON, ALABAMA - It was a busy year for the CMP’s State Directors (SD) across the country and many directors representing the majority of the U.S. attended their first ever two-day workshop here in October. The workshop entitled “Getting Back to the Grass Roots” was held at the CMP Marksmanship Center - South on Friday and Saturday, 1 & 2 October. It’s the SDs’ mission to provide leadership, resource and program information, coordination, networking, motivation and publicity for shooting organizations within their states.

Advancing JROTC Cadets and Teams Announced for the 2011 JROTC Service Air Rifle Championships - CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force JROTC rifle teams kicked off their 2010-2011 competition year as they competed in the 2010-2011 JROTC Air Rifle Postal Competitions. For the past eight years, the Civilian Marksmanship Program has overseen the scoring of JROTC 3x10 three-position air rifle postal competitions. These annual postal matches determine which JROTC unit teams and individual cadets advance to compete in their respective service’s JROTC shoulder-to-shoulder Championship.

Davis Tops Precision Class and Howald Sets New Sporter Records at 2010 Gary Anderson Invitational 3x20 - ANNISTON, ALABAMA & CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Connor Davis, 17, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, cruised to victory in the precision air rifle class and Tessa Howald, 17, of Ozark, Missouri, set two new Army Junior ROTC records en route to winning the sporter air rifle class at the 2010 Gary Anderson Invitational 3x20 tournament. The matches were fired concurrently at identical CMP shooting facilities in Alabama and Ohio.

CMP Presents Personalized M1 Carbine to COL James H. Chisman - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – On Thursday, 2 December, Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, made good on the CMP’s plan to present a retirement gift to COL (Ret.) James H. Chisman for his years of service as former Ohio National Guard Fort Ohio Installations and Camp Perry Training Site Commander.

Mike Gingher, former CMP Armorer, Passes at Age 67 - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Former Civilian Marksmanship Program armorer, Michael D. Gingher, 67, of Thorncreek Township, Indiana, died 3 December, 2010 at Glencrest Nursing and Rehab Center in Chicago where he was admitted after an extended illness. Gingher was a CMP armorer, specializing in the service of M1 Garand and AR15 rifles shortly after the privatization of the CMP program in the mid to late 1990s. He was considered an diligent armorer and was instrumental in assessing the quality of Danish M1 rifles and their eventual acquisition by CMP, having traveled to Denmark, according to former fellow workers.

USAMU’s Olson Continues Pursuit of a Marksmanship Dream - Sergeant First Class Josh Olson, a member of the US Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) rifle team, lost his right leg to a rocket propelled grenade attack during a routine patrol in Tal Afar, Iraq in October 2003, but thanks to an engaging rehabilitation program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and a USAMU initiative to retain wounded warriors who demonstrate excellent marksmanship skills, he has resumed his dream of serving his country in ways he hadn’t imagined before.

Zerr and Sylvia Win Overall Aggregate Titles while GySgt Stephens Goes Distinguished at Western Creedmoor Cup Matches - Ronald Zerr, 48, of El Paso, Texas won the match rifle overall aggregate and Joel Sylvia, 40, of Hayward, California was tops in the service rifle aggregate at the Western Creedmoor Cup Matches on 24 October. Marine Corps GySgt Christopher Stephens, 39, earned his Distinguished Rifle Badge, winning eight EIC leg points. Five other shooters garnered leg points including junior Travis Burian, 18, of Surprise, Arizona, who earned an impressive 10-point leg as the high Non-Distinguished shooter in the EIC match.

NOVEMBER 2010

USAMU’s Parker Wins Air Rifle Aggregate and USA Shooting’s Lutz Wins Air Pistol at Second Annual CMP Dixie Double - ANNISTON, ALABAMA – A pair of US Army Marksmanship Unit heavyweights took the top two podium spots in the open category of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s second annual Dixie Double Precision Air Rifle and Air Pistol Event, but University of Kentucky and USA Shooting’s Ashley Jackson, 22, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio wasn’t far off the pace. Despite a calendar crowded with airgun events taking place nationwide and abroad, several of the country’s top air rifle and air pistol shooters brought their talents to the CMP Marksmanship Center and shared their wisdom with junior shooters during the 60-shot-times-two standing event, held Saturday and Sunday, 13 and 14 November.

2010 Dixie Double Event Provides Airgun Shooters Opportunities for Improvement - ANNISTON, ALABAMA – The 2010 Dixie Double Precision Air Rifle and Pistol Event gave junior and veteran shooters alike an opportunity to improve their game in a challenging environment at the 80-firing point CMP Marksmanship Center, 13-14 November. Selina Curren, 14, of Pelham, Alabama picked up a BB gun for the first time a year ago and began shooting competitively with her 4-H club and has shown rapid improvement. At the 2010 Alabama Sports Festival she placed first in the 13 to 15-year-old class BB gun championship, second in the .22 rifle silhouette match and third in three-position .22 rifle match.

CMP Western Games – A Great Place to Vacation, Meet Old Friends and Shoot in a Friendly Atmosphere - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – No matter where you shoot, everyone’s got their own description of their weather. Texans call their seasons drought, flood, blizzard and twister. At Camp Perry they say “if you don’t like the weather, wait ‘til the next relay.” Mark Twain said “climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.” And of course in Arizona you can fry eggs on the hood of your car, but they say “yep it’s hot, but it’s a dry heat.” But in all fairness to the good folks of Arizona, October is a great month to visit and meet up with friends at the shooting range. They say Montana is Big Sky Country, but Arizona has horizons that stretch all four compass points too.

Hilliard Elliott – Pearl Harbor Survivor - Still Going Strong at 89 - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – As members of America’s “Greatest Generation” decline by triple-digit numbers each day, they leave behind a legacy of heroism, leadership and prosperity that is unmatched in our history. One member of that fraternity, Hilliard “Curly” Elliott, of Granada Hills, California continues to defy the effects of aging. In fact, he spent his 89th birthday at the CMP Western Games on 17 October, shooting in rifle matches and hanging out with his shooting buddies at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. It’s something he has done for the past seven years.

Vintage Sniper Test Match a Big Success at Western Games Set to Become Newest CMP Games Match at Camp Perry in 2011 - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Having passed muster at the 2010 CMP Eastern and Western Games, the Vintage Sniper Match has been approved as the newest match and will be sponsored by Hornady Manufacturing at the 2011 CMP National Trophy and CMP Games Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Seven Earn EIC Points in Special M1 Garand Match and Edward Hotz Wins M1 Carbine Match at CMP Western Games - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – By scoring in the top 10 percent of eligible shooters in the Special As-Issued M1 Garand Excellence In Competition (EIC) Match during the 2010 CMP Western Games, seven Non-Distinguished shooters earned four introductory or “leg” points of the 30 required to earn a Distinguished Rifleman Badge, a coveted honor among marksmen.

Whiteside Wins O-Class Title and McKinney Wins T-Class in CMP Western Games Rimfire Sporter Match - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Andy Whiteside, 22, of Tucson, Arizona took top honors in the Open Sights (O-Class) division of the Rimfire Sporter Match and Lee McKinney, 64, of Rio Rico, Arizona won the Telescopic (T-Class) championship and was the High Senior as well in T-Class at the CMP Western Games at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 17 October.

Krupp Wins CMP Western Games John C. Garand Match as Rutherford Wins Springfield and Vintage Matches - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Maury Krupp, 57, of Tucson, Arizona, won the John C. Garand Match, firing an aggregate score of 293-6X. As a result of his first place finish, Krupp took home a CMP Match Winner engraved plaque and a Fancy Grade M1 rifle stock donated by Dupage Trading Company of Chandler, Arizona. Krupp fired a 98-3X in prone slow, a 99-1X in prone rapid and an impressive 96-2X in standing slow-fire.

Shooters Take to the Sun at 2010 CMP Western Games - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – The 2010 CMP Western Games event held 16-19, October was highlighted by four sunny days under a Sonoran Desert sky, made even better with a series of clinics and rifle matches attended by some of the nation’s best shooters and others who simply enjoyed firing their favorite rifles in a competitive format. As with all CMP events, camaraderie amongst the shooters made the seventh annual CMP Western Games matches and clinics a big hit as 458 event entries were registered at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on the northern boundary of Phoenix. Temperatures reached the high 80s during the first two days and dropped a few degrees on days three and four, with no threat of rain.

Rutherford Wins Overall GSM 3-Gun Aggregate at 2010 CMP Western Games - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Glendale “Don” Rutherford captured the Garand-Springfield-Vintage Military rifle three-gun aggregate championship at the 2010 Western CMP Games at Arizona’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility with an overall score of 865-27X. The games concluded Tuesday, 19 October after four days of clinics and a variety of matches. The match was part of the seventh annual event held in conjunction with the Western Creedmoor Cup Matches.

OCTOBER 2010

CMP North Customers Enjoy Appreciation Day and Open House - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – More than 150 M1Garand rifle collectors, shooters and enthusiasts enjoyed free hot dogs, giveaways and more at the CMP North Store Customer Appreciation Day and Open House on Saturday, 2 October. The Open House gave visitors an opportunity to view products and ask questions of CMP staff and armorers while enjoying a little CMP hospitality. It was a great day to visit,” said Mike Conrad, CMP North Store manager. “In addition to Boy Scout troops and clubs, we had a lot of new and repeat individual customers stop in to say “hi” and see what’s in stock.”

Flint River Council determines Webelos Top Gun! - Griffin, GA – August 28, 2010 - The Boy Scouts of America’s Flint River Council held their first annual Webelos Top Gun Competition on Saturday, August 28th at the Ole Mill Range Complex in Griffin, GA. The 4th and 5th grade Webelos Scouts spent the morning session learning BB gun safety, marksmanship techniques, competitive shooting positions, and practicing with the Daisy Avanti 499 Competition BB gun, the most accurate BB gun in the world.

SEPTEMBER 2010

Enthusiastic Junior Range Crew Keeps its Goal on Target - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Pistol and highpower rifle shooters may not realize it, but there’s a dedicated crew of approximately 60 junior target workers who toil from May through mid-August each year, providing virtually all target-related services for competitors during the NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships and CMP National Trophy Matches and Games Events. Employed by the NRA and working in conjunction with the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the Ohio National Guard, the summer range crew supplies most of the labor needed to set up, change and eventually dismantle the pistol and rifle ranges for thousands of shooters.

Gunny R. Lee Ermey Unplugged - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Revered to this day by millions for delivering perhaps the most riveting verbal tirade in war film history as Marine Corps senior drill instructor Sgt Hartman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, retired US Marine GySgt R. Lee Ermey remains a hot commodity in the entertainment industry and a popular highpower rifle competitor at Camp Perry. In addition to his June reprisal as the voice of ‘Sarge’ in Toy Story 3, the 66-year-old Ermey can also be seen daily as a short-fused drill instructor-turned-dispassionate therapist in a witty GEICO insurance television commercial. GEICO liked it so much, they asked him back to record five radio spots. In most of his roles Ermey plays hard-edged authority figures, thanks to his early film work.

CMP Anniston Operations: Series Four - In the final segment of our CMP South series we discuss the future of the rifle sales program and what CMP in Anniston means to southeast US program participants and surplus rifle enthusiasts. ANNISTON, ALABAMA - The future of CMP South remains bright as evidenced by increased attendance at marksmanship events on the programs side and sustained interest in rifle and ammunition purchases on the sales side. The Anniston Marksmanship Center continues to attract a growing spectrum of shooters to matches and clinics ranging from 4-H club beginners to Olympic hopefuls. Like its Camp Perry cousin, the MEGALink-powered, 80-firing point indoor range is among the premier shooting venues worldwide. It's the newest of its kind in the southeastern US.

Buy a Lottery Ticket - One of the most common statements I hear in the few pleasant years I’ve worked in the CMP North Store is “All they have is a bunch of junk”. To me, that’s the most ridiculous statement ever. Both the North and South Stores are packed with treasures. The perspective depends on what you are looking for, a tack driver, a beautiful stock, or a correct grade rifle. It is not unusual to find a ME of -1 or a crisp, sharp WWII cartouche on a rifle nestled among the field and service grade selections on any given day. Countless times, the late George Ball, would sit on his stool, shake his head and wisely remind me, “You can’t get ‘em all”. Many times, I’ve watched excellent pieces walk out the door under someone’s arm and wish I had found it first. And contrary to established belief, we don’t get to scour the gun racks and save the beauties for ourselves. During the National Matches, we are hard pressed to unload the crates from Anniston and restock the gun racks so that customers have an ample selection to browse through.

Freedom Group’s Bushmaster Firearms International Remembers Its Roots by Supporting Shooting Sports - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – As part of the one of the world’s largest group of firearms and ammunition marketers, Bushmaster Firearms still hasn’t grown too big to remain supportive of popular target-shooting activities like the CMP’s National Trophy and Games Matches. Established as a quiet operation 32 years ago in Windham, Maine, the family-oriented company grew steadily over the years and in 2006 caught the eye of Wall Street giant Cerberus Capital Management who purchased the company. Former owner Richard Dyke said at the time that Bushmaster had grown to the point where it needed someone with deeper pockets to manage its potential growth.

Targets Now Available as JROTC Postal Season Opens - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – If you have aspirations of becoming the next individual or team JROTC Service Champion and possibly a National Champion, your preparation period begins now as fellow Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force JROTC Cadets across the country begin preparations to compete in the 2010-2011 Air Rifle Postal Competitions.

2010-2012 Three-Position Air Rifle Rules Now Available - The 2010 – 2012 8th Edition National Standard Three-Position Air Rifle Rules were released in September 2010. The National Three-Position Air Rifle Council, which governs most three-position air rifle shooting in the USA, releases a revised rulebook every two years. Rule changes are based on decisions made by the Council, which held its most recent annual meeting this past June. The 2010-2012 version of the rules includes several rule clarifications that are based on interpretations issued during the last two years. A few changes were also made to bring three-position rules in line with International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) rule changes.

CMP North Store Celebrates Appreciation Day and Open House on 2 October - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Plan to join us at the CMP North store for our Customer Appreciation Day and Open House with complimentary coffee and donuts in the morning and hot dogs and chips in the afternoon on Saturday, 2 October. The store opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

2010 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches Ready for Entries - PHOENIX, ARIZONA – It’s time to think about highpower rifle shooting - “Western Style” at the 2010 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility North of Phoenix, Arizona, on 16-24 October. Registration for the 2010 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Match is now open. The CMP and Creedmoor Sports of Oceanside, California, together with the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association, will host the matches and festivities. Sign up today and plan to be a part of this exciting event!

The Best World Championship Ever - It really was the best ever. The 50th World Shooting Championship that took place in Munich, Germany from 30 July through 10 August was expected to be the biggest and best world championship in the history of shooting. From its grand opening in Munich’s main square in front of its historic city hall to the biggest participation numbers ever for a World Championship to its 107 competition events that produced 27 World Records, it met or exceeded every expectation.

Travis Burian Wins EIC Match to Cap-Off CMP-USMC Junior HP Clinic - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Travis Burian, 18, of Surprise, Arizona earned four introductory “leg” points toward a Distinguished service rifle badge as the 2010 CMP-USMC Junior Highpower Clinic came to a close on Sunday morning, 1 August. Burian earned his first points of the 30 required to become Distinguished in service rifle.

2010 CMP Summer Camps Finish Strong - The CMP Summer Camps had significant growth in 2010 with increased staff and participation numbers. In all, 586 people attended the popular summer program, up from 515 in 2009 and 472 in 2008. Part of this growth was made possible by an increase in staff size from 10 counselors to 12, and the implementation of a more streamlined curriculum that debuted in 2010.

AUGUST 2010

Juniors Display Excellence in 2010 National Matches Air Gun Events - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Junior air gun shooters comprised three of the five and five of the top nine finishers in the 2010 AiR-15 Challenge event held at the CMP Competition Center on Saturday, 7 August including a second place finish by Daniel Hall, 14, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. SSG Tyrel Cooper, USA, and former California Grizzlie junior shooter, placed first in the Top 20 Shoot-off with a score of 196-5. Hall was a point behind at 195-4 and 17-year-old Steven Hahn of Middle Grove, New York, placed third with a score of 194-6 in a center shot tiebreaker over his father, Edward, 45, who shot a 194-5.

Competitors Showcase Historic Rifles While Having Fun Participating in the 2010 CMP Games Matches - The CMP Games events have become a staple at the conclusion of the National Trophy Rifle Matches. The Games are a unique opportunity for competitors, collectors and history enthusiasts to showcase rifles that played pivotal roles in American history. At the CMP Games Matches, it is not glory that people are seeking on the range, but rather a chance to shoot the same rifle that their father, or grandfather carried in WWII, the Korean War and other conflicts. Of course medals are awarded and winners recognized, but the ultimate goal of the CMP Games is fun and friendly competition.

California Grizzlies Sweep All Three Junior Team Matches at 2010 National Trophy Rifle Matches - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The California Grizzlies junior rifle teams put on an impressive display of marksmanship, winning the National Trophy Junior Team Match (NTJT), the Minuteman Trophy and the Junior Infantry Team Trophy at the 2010 Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Trophy Rifle Matches. The two-person California Grizzlies Berger team of Chad Kurgan, 19, of Twain Harte, and Anthony Henderson, 20, of Sonora fired a team score of 967-26X to win the NTJT and set a new National Record. Kurgan fired an aggregate score of 492-19X and Henderson followed with a 475-7X.

Maddalena and Rico Head a Talented Class of Junior Highpower Shooters at the 2010 CMP National Trophy Rifle Matches - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – A pair of 16-year-olds, Sagen Maddalena, of Groveland, California, and Tyler Rico of Tucson, Arizona, led a talented class of junior shooters at the 2010 CMP National Trophy Rifle Matches. Maddalena was the high junior shooter in the President’s Rifle Match, finishing 36th overall with an aggregate score of 291-8X, just four points below the cut-off score for the Top 20 shoot-off. Rico, at 39th, tied her in raw score but trailed by two center-shot Xs.

It’s All in the Family for Three Pennsylvania Steel Eagles Highpower Shooters - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Curt Horomanski, 52, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, says he’s happy to provide shooters for the Steel Eagles junior rifle team. His oldest daughter Chessa, 22, recently graduated from the junior ranks but he still has three daughters shooting with the Steel Eagles and members of the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association. Elyse, 19, Jenna, 16, and Marie, 14 – all point their fingers at dad when asked who’s the driving force behind their participation in service rifle competition.

Sam Houston State University ROTC Rifle Team Makes First Appearance at 2010 National Trophy Rifle Matches - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The Bearkat Battalion Army ROTC rifle team from Sam Houston State University (SHSU) rolled into the 2010 National Trophy Rifle Matches as the only collegiate entry and came away with valuable experience and high expectations for their growing highpower program.

Army Marksmanship Unit Makes a Statement at the 2010 National Matches - The Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) has rolled through the 2010 National Trophy Rifle Matches with almost complete dominance. Shooters from the AMU finished first in the National Trophy Individual Match (NTI), the Hearst Doubles and for the fourth year in a row, the National Trophy Team Match (NTT). The team also reclaimed the top spot in the National Trophy Infantry Team Match (NTIT or “rattle battle”) after a shocking fourth place finish last year behind three civilian teams, including the historic win by the California Grizzlies O’Connell Juniors.

Double Victory for Member of Hearst Doubles Winning Team - The 2010 National Trophy Matches have been pretty good for SGT Tyrel Cooper of the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), he won his first National Trophy Individual (NTI) title on 3 August and doubled his trophy count the next day when paired with SSG Brandon Green for the Hearst Doubles Match. Both have won the NTI, SSG Green in 2006, but neither has been on the winning team for the Hearst Doubles. They have both come close to adding their names to the William Randolph Hearst Trophy, finishing as high as second when paired with different AMU teammates.

SGT Tyrel Cooper Claims National Trophy Individual Title - Last year SGT Tyrel Cooper of the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) had a strong finish in the National Trophy Individual Match, but still fell just short of the overall title. He finished second by two-points to MSG Jack Pardy, USAR, with a 493-18 to Pardy’s 495-18. This year the match was determined by a much smaller margin, but after the last scorecard was entered, SGT Cooper found himself at the top of the leader board. It took x-counts to win the match, as SGT Cooper finished the day with a 595-23, edging out his AMU teammate, SFC Lance Dement, who shot a 495-20 to claim second.

USMC Reservist GySgt Ron Fuchs Tops Anderson to Win Presidents Rifle Match - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – One could argue that Monday’s shoot-off amongst the top 20 finalists in the President’s Rifle Match didn’t make much difference.  After all, the lead of GySgt Ron Fuchs, USMCR, coming out of the first three stages didn’t change at all. Pretty boring stuff – boring that is if you walk a tightrope between skyscrapers for a living. For everyone else, there was a bit more excitement as he maintained a razor-thin lead through the 10-shot final, mirroring a shot-for-shot press by former President’s shoot-off winner SFC Norman Anderson, USAR.  Both shooters finished with a score of 99-4X allowing GySgt Fuchs to carry his 2X lead to victory.

Attendance Swells at SAFS Rifle and Timothy Moore Wins M16 EIC Match - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The CMP-US Army Marksmanship Unit’s Small Arms Firing School for rifle registered 690 basic and advanced students, 548 of which were first-time attendees, according to SFC Emil Praslick III, lead instructor of the 2010 Rifle SAFS.The school, in existence since 1918, teaches civilians to safely and proficiently handle and fire small arms, such as the Army’s M16 service rifle and M9 service pistol. The program is mandated by Federal law to be conducted during the National Matches. The SAFS pistol program was conducted at the outset of the National Matches in July.

Biggest World Shooting Championship Ever - The Football (soccer) World Cup in South Africa dominated world sports news during the past two months, but for shooting sports enthusiasts, another world championship, the World Shooting Championship, is far more important. The 50th World Shooting Championship opened in Munich, Germany on the 30th of July with a festive Opening Ceremony on Munich’s iconic Marienplatz. When the World Championship closes on the 10th of August, 2,460 shooters from 103 countries will have competed for 324 gold, silver and bronze individual and team medals in 54 events. World Championship athletes will also compete for 69 Olympic Games Quotas for the 2012 Games in London. This will be the largest World Shooting Championship ever and all indications are that it will also be the best ever.

Young and Old Alike Enjoy the Challenges of 2010 Rimfire Sporter Match - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Now more than ten times larger in the number of event entries compared to the first Camp Perry Rimfire Sporter Match in 2002, hundreds fledgling and veteran shooters are still finding the “introductory” event an enjoyable challenge. The very first CMP Rimfire Sporter match was held at the Wolf Creek Gun Club in Atlanta, Georgia, in April of that year. Eleven competitors fired in the Atlanta test match and the match winner fired an aggregate score of 550. As it was in 2002, the Rimfire Sporter Match was designed to accommodate a beginning shooter with nothing more than a store-bought .22 caliber rifle bearing no precision competition gear.

New York Juniors Make History - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – A pair of junior shooters from the state of New York made history on 18 July at the 2010 National Trophy Team Pistol Match by being the first junior team from their state to participate in the National Matches at Camp Perry, according to their coaches, Peter Militello and Paul Korn.  “You’re watching history in the making,” echoed Militello, 71, of Orchard Park, and Korn, 42, of Elma. “It happened thanks to the new law in the state of New York,” Militello said. 

Martin Tops Green & Weatherford Clips Wheeless in the 2010 Junior Olympics Air Rifle Championships - ANNISTON, ALABAMA – In a pair of tightly-contested finals in the 2010 National Three-Position Air Rifle Junior Olympics Championships in both precision and sporter classes, Matthew Martin topped Catherine Green and Hannah Weatherford edged Thomas Wheeless to capture national titles in precision and sporter classes, respectively.

Service Campers Test Their Skills at CMP Competition Center - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The CMP Marksmanship Center airgun range was a popular stop on the June junior camp trail, giving cadets an opportunity to fire sporter air rifles on the state-of-the-art electronic range. Two groups paid a visit to the center the week of 20 June as 25 law enforcement “master at arms” cadets from the Columbus, Ohio division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and 85 members of the Air Force Junior ROTC Summer Leadership School fired sporter air rifles at the Marksmanship Center as part of the curriculum of both programs. In each case, cadets were given an opportunity to test their marksmanship skills as part of their overall missions to build individual and team skills and responsibilities in a variety of disciplines.

JULY 2010

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit dominates National Trophy Pistol Matches - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit took top honors once again in the President’s Pistol Trophy Match, National Trophy Individual Pistol Match and National Trophy Team Pistol Match at the 2010 CMP National Trophy Pistol Matches, Sunday, 18 July.

CMP’s Air Gun Events Draw Record Number of National Match Competitors - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – A record number of air gun pistol competitors entered the National Matches Air Gun Events at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Training Center during pistol week, according to Brad Donoho, Program Coordinator. Several shooters participated in the National Match Air Pistol Competition for the first time in the re-entry matches and 60-shot Air Pistol Championship Match at the three-year-old venue.

CMP Relay for Life Team Helps Calhoun County Break $500,000 Donation Mark - The Civilian Marksmanship Program and its volunteer team of participants help set a new regional fundraising record in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Calhoun County, Alabama in May. The Relay was held at Anniston’s Fort McClellan and the CMP’s Marksmanship Center served as the host of the event’s closing ceremonies.

CMP Anniston Operations: Series Three - This article is the third in a series that explains CMP South's process of acquisition, maintenance, grading, testing and distribution of surplus firearms made available for sale through the CMP sales program. - ANNISTON, ALABAMA - Because the CMP mission is so heavily service-oriented, without an income stream from the rifle sales program, there simply would not be enough funding to develop, support and execute the many marksmanship and firearms safety programs CMP carries out each year without charging participants considerable fees.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland Opens the 2010 National Matches - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The presence of the late U.S. Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania was felt throughout the proceedings at the First Shot Ceremony on Monday, 12 July on Rodriguez Range adjoining the Shooters Memorial Plaza. The National Matches include the CMP National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, the Pistol and Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools, CMP Games rifle events and the NRA National Pistol, Smallbore Rifle and Highpower Rifle Championships. The matches are conducted jointly each year by the CMP and the NRA and are hosted by the Ohio National Guard.

Schunemann Earns Intro EIC Leg Points With Victory in First-Ever M9 Match - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – In her first-ever competition with an M9 service pistol, Jennifer Schunemann surprised everyone including herself by winning the 2010 National Matches M9 Excellence-In-Competition Match for non-distinguished pistol shooters on Monday, 13 July. “It’s mind-blowing,” Schunemann said as she reflected on her accomplishment one day later Schunemann, 42, of Winter Haven, Florida, fired a 267-3X score out of a possible 300 with a rack grade Beretta M9 service pistol, issued on the line during the 2010 CMP-US Army Marksmanship Unit Small Arms Firing School for pistol. An accomplished .45 and .22 caliber pistol competitor and NRA basic safety instructor, Schunemann finished third overall and earned her first four “leg” points toward her 30-point Distinguished Pistol Badge.

Veterans and New Shooters Alike Enhance Pistol Skills in 2010 SAFS Course - CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Year in and year out, the CMP-US Army Marksmanship Unit Small Arms Firing School is host to a mix of veteran shooters and newcomers to shooting sports alike. And like years past, the veterans refresh previous lessons learned and pick up a few new tricks while the newcomers walk away with unbridled enthusiasm. The 2010 SAFS for pistol is now in the books and virtually all participants will tell you they all learned something new to take back to the range with them, whether it is their home range in Tennessee or the Camp Perry ranges in the days that follow.

OHIO GOVERNOR TED STRICKLAND TO OPEN 2010 NATIONAL MATCHES - CAMP PERRY, OHIO - The 2010 National Matches will once again feature traditional National Rifle Association Championships and Civilian Marksmanship Program National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches and CMP Games Events plus important training activities and special events like the Pistol and Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools.Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will open this year’s festivities at the First Shot Ceremony here on 12 July at 6:30 p.m. at the Friends of Camp Perry Memorial Plaza, located at the opposite end of the entrance to Camp Perry on Lawrence Road.

2010 Creedmoor Cup - US Army SPC Sherri Gallagher fired a 796-44X aggregate with her Tubb 2000 match rifle chambered in .260 to lead all shooters in the Creedmoor Cup 80-shot match at the 2010 Eastern Creedmoor Cup Matches, hosted by the North Carolina Army National Guard 12-16 May. The Creedmoor Cup course of fire included 20 shots standing slow fire at 200 yards, sitting rapid fire at 200 yards, prone rapid fire at 300 yards and prone slow fire at 600 yards for a possible 800 points. SPC Gallagher posted scores of 198-9X, 200-14X, 200-7X and 198-14X in each phase, respectively.

JUNE 2010

Georgia Teen Coping With Physical Challenge in Precision Air Rifle
CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Kelsey Moral looks like any other teenager, except maybe for the funky multi-colored canvas suit, ear plugs and flat boots. Okay, she looks like any other teenage precision air rifle shooter, and that's just fine with her - in fact that's exactly how she wants it.  The red-haired 16-year-old junior at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia, also enjoys photography, working with her dogs, traveling from state to state to competitions and buzzing her grandparents' lawn on their zero-turn mower.
Unlike most teen shooters, Kelsey is dealing with a physical challenge that's similar to that of an injured athlete who is rehabilitating from ACL surgery. But in her case the pain has always been there, and therapy has always been a way of life.

2010 Summer Camps Kick-Off!
CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The 2010 summer three position air rifle camps are underway and CMP Camp Director Sommer Wood is excited about enhancements to camps taking place here at CMP North and at CMP South in Anniston, Alabama. The camps are designed to teach intermediate and advanced rifle marksmanship skills to junior shooters and their adult leaders. “This is my seventh summer with the camps,” she says. “I started as a counselor after graduating from Clemson University where I shot on the air rifle team. I took over as Assistant Director and Camp Coordinator for four years and then took on the role of Camp Director last year.” Wood said the camps have a pretty big change in format this year – all being full-length camps for high school-aged shooters. Each camp will host 55 to 65 athletes.

MAY 2010

2010 Eastern CMP Games Matches - Impressive Growth Continues New Vintage Sniper Match Tested
The 2010 Eastern CMP Games were the fourth and by far the largest in this relatively young series of Regional CMP Games Matches. Each year, there are two Regional CMP Games, one at Camp Butner, North Carolina in May and one at Phoenix, Arizona in October. The 4th Eastern CMP Games Matches were just concluded at Camp Butner on 8-11 May. They featured another big increase in entries, the testing of a possible new CMP rifle event and lots of excellent marksmanship highlighted by David Thompson’s double win in the Carbine Match and the As-Issued Military Rifle 3-Gun Aggregate. More than 300 CMP Games competitors earned 334 Gold, Silver and Bronze CMP Achievement Medals in five different As-Issued Military Rifle Matches. In addition, 17 of those competitors won EIC credit points that count towards the earning of Distinguished Rifleman or Pistol Badges.
 

Registration Now Open for the 2010 Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship
The CMP is now accepting registration for the 2010 Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship. The clinic will take place 19-25 June at Camp Butner, North Carolina. The Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship offers a full week of clinics, coaching and competition for junior highpower rifle competitors. Juniors attending the clinic will have the opportunity to expand their current level of experience and expertise as well as build friendships and camaraderie within the sport. This event is sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the Junior Marksmanship Support Group with the co-operation and support of the NC National Guard Training Site and the USMC Service Rifle Team.

CMP Anniston Operations: Series Two
This article is the second in a series that explains how, with a little moxie, CMP South's leaders grew a one-person staff into a 65-member team at four Anniston facilities. Because the Civilian Marksmanship Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, it receives no taxpayer dollars or government funding to sustain its operations.CMP relies on a variety of financial resources to carry out its mission but the funding engine that drives CMP programs is the sale of government surplus rifles provided by the US Army. Other funding sources include private donations, participation fees and the sale of accessories and ammunition. By law, all proceeds from these funding sources are used to sustain CMP programs. Any surplus is reinvested in the CMP's permanent endowment fund which will be used to continue its mission after the supply of surplus government rifles is exhausted.

National Match Air Rifle Update
CMP efforts to develop the new National Match Air Rifle (NMAR) shooting discipline continue to advance. The CMP has just revised the NMAR Monthly Match program that it offers at Camp Perry. The CMP introduced a new 30-shot NMAR Sporter-Garand Course that was designed especially for new and recreation-oriented shooters and was first fired during the April Camp Perry Monthly. A special NMAR webpage is now posted on the CMP website to give anyone interested in the new discipline a ready source of updated information. A revised edition of the CMP Guide to National Match Air Rifle with the latest rule changes was recently released and can be downloaded from the CMP website; printed copies can also be requested from the CMP. New NMAR Achievement Pins are now available to match sponsors. The National Matches Air Gun Events Program featuring a month of daily NMAR opportunities during the National Matches has also just been released.

2010 National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches Now Open for Registration
It’s May and that means the 2010 National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches are approaching quickly! What's better yet is our official programs for the CMP National Trophy and CMP Games Matches that will be held this summer at Camp Perry, Ohio, are now posted on the CMP website and our Competition Tracker system is ready to receive on-line entries. Competitors who wish to reserve their places in this year’s matches may do so now.

CMP Anniston Operations: Series One
This article is the first in a series that sheds light on our operations at CMP South in Anniston, Alabama. In this installment, we revisit the roots of the Civilian Marksmanship Program to better understand the purpose, places and people of CMP.   If you're a first-time visitor to northeast Alabama, two things you'll notice about this foothills region of the Appalachian Mountains is the smell of pine, its friendly people and the abundance of rich red clay. One thing you don't readily notice in Anniston is the Civilian Marksmanship Program's operation which employs 65 staff members that provide internal service to the entire organization and externally to thousands of CMP customers and program participants nationwide. In floor space, CMP's Anniston facilities occupy more than 300,000 square feet under roof in four buildings in an industrial park on the city's southeast side.

APRIL 2010

Gary Anderson Tribute Dinner Celebrates 10 Years of Leadership
Gary Anderson, who was appointed Director of Civilian Marksmanship in 1999, announced his retirement in December. He was honored at Anniston, Alabama, on 28 March at a Tribute Dinner one day after the close of the 2010 National Junior ROTC Air Rifle Championship - a program he fostered eight years earlier. While the face of marksmanship and firearms safety at the Civilian Marksmanship Program has changed from a single leader to an empowered team of CMP staffers, one thing is certain - Anderson's legacy and impact on CMP programs will remain forever indelible.  The soft-spoken Nebraskan, with the help of a creative staff, grew a fledgling national civilian marksmanship and firearms safety program into the premier organization of its kind today. The CMP's programs have touched hundreds of coaches and thousands of shooters across the US.  

Cadets shine at National JROTC Air Rifle Championship
ANNISTON, ALABAMA - Several individual and team champions were crowned at the Eighth Annual JROTC National Air Rifle Championship here on 25-27 March, but according to the event's founder, the biggest winner of all was the sport of JROTC marksmanship. Gary Anderson, CMP Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, explained to participants, coaches and guests at the awards banquet that JROTC air rifle marksmanship scores are nearing the same level as junior air rifle shooting disciplines across the country. Anderson established the current JROTC competition format eight years ago and said he has seen scores rise through the 570s and now into the 580s, which puts JROTC shooting on par with the best in junior shooting.

2010 CMP Competition Rules
The 2010 14^th Edition of the CMP Competition Rules for Service Rifle, Service Pistol and As-Issued Military Rifle shooting has just been released. These new rules go into effect immediately and will remain in effect until the 2011 15th edition of the CMP rules is released.   The new rulebook can be downloaded from the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf.  Printed copies of the new rules, which can be purchased from the CMP for $3.00 each, will be furnished to each match sponsor and National Matches competitor.

75 Shooters at National Match Air Rifle Season Opener in Richmond, Virginia
The CMP recently launched a series of National Match Air Rifle “Introductory Matches” to be held at selected ranges around the country.  The purpose of these matches is to introduce shooters in those areas to this exciting new shooting sports discipline.  The first of these matches, the NMAR Season Opener, was completed at the Lakeside Moose Family Center in Richmond, Virginia on 27-28 February.  75 shooters from five states participated in this endeavor to bring NMAR to the Mid-Atlantic region.

MARCH 2010

Nation’s Best Marine Corps and Air Force JROTC Shooters Compete for Invitation to National Championship
CAMP PERRY, OHIO - The best of the nation's Marine Corps and Air Force Junior ROTC shooting teams and individuals braved northern Ohio's snow and cold to compete in the second of three phases of three-position air rifle 26-27 February.  Some cadets left with hopes of winning a title for their JROTC service branch at the National Championship on 25-27 March in Anniston, Alabama.

Top Army JROTC Shooters Compete for Invitation to National Championship
In November 2009 postal targets started pouring into the CMP North Headquarters from 240 Army JROTC units across the United States and U.S. military holdings around the world. With those targets were the hopes of 2,000 cadets trying to advance to the Army JROTC Three-Position Air Rifle Service Championship held in Port Clinton, Ohio, on 18-20 February 2010. This event is part of a three tier championship series to determine the JROTC National Champions. The top shooters from the Army JROTC Championship will join the top qualifiers from the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Championships at CMP South in Anniston, Alabama, on 25-27 March 2010 for the JROTC Three-Position Air Rifle National Championship. This grueling test begins with the postal competition, and of the 2,000 Army cadets who posted scores, only 194 qualified to compete at the Army JROTC Service Championship.
 

Registration Now Open for the 2010 Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches
8 – 16 May 2010, Camp Butner National Guard Training Center, Stem, North Carolina CAMP PERRY, OHIO - The Official Program for the 2010 Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches hosted by the North Carolina Army National Guard at Camp Butner, North Carolina on 8-16 May is now available for online competitor registration and general information at the Civilian Marksmanship Program web site at www.odcmp.com.
 

NJROTC Seniors shine at Navy JROTC Service Air Rifle Championship
CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Steven Frazier, 17, of McDonough, Georgia, a senior shooting for Union Grove High School NJROTC, won the precision air rifle title at the 2010 Navy JROTC Service Championships here Saturday, 13 February at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Center. Yvonne Swiontek, 17, of Beach Park, Illinois, a senior NJROTC shooter from Zion-Benton High School in Zion, IL, captured the sporter class championship. Swiontek also won the Camp Perry Open sporter championship just a few weeks earlier.

FEBRUARY 2010

2010 Air Rifle Camp Registration Opens with a Flurry
On 25 January registration officially opened for the 2010 CMP Summer Air Rifle Camps, and parents and coaches began faxing in forms early that morning to ensure that their athletes had a slot in the camp of their choice. No camps filled on the first day of registration, but all did receive registrations and early indications show that interest in the 2010 Camp season will be strong. Interested applicants are encouraged to send in registrations soon while ample slots are still available.

2010 Camp Counselor Announcement - The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is seeking qualified individuals to fill counselor positions for its Three-Position Air Rifle Summer Camps. This premier program has a long established history of providing the highest quality air rifle instruction in the country for high school athletes. Camp Counselor positions are open to college students who have completed at least one year of college and are members of an NCAA or college club rifle team. Applicants must be available to work and travel from 24 May through 30 July 2010. These are highly competitive positions. Selection will be based on academic performance, shooting experience, coaching and youth leadership experience, and references. A background check is required of all candidates and a mandatory drug test will be required for all Camp Counselors who are selected for hiring.

NEW IN 2010 – SANCTIONED CMP MATCH/CLINIC PROGRAM CHANGES
This year the CMP has implemented several changes to the Sanctioned Match/Clinic program. The first change is the addition of a $5.00 shipping and handling fee. If you are requesting scorecards, certificates and/or catalogs, you will be required to pay the $5.00 shipping and handling fee. If you are not requesting match materials, the shipping and handling fee will be waived.

4th Annual Camp Perry Open -CAMP PERRY, OHIO - In a dramatic final day of the Camp Perry Open, a shoot-off added drama to a Day 2 60-shot match featuring two international rifle greats and three of the sport's top women who were right on their heels. It was all part of the fourth annual event which featured talented adult and junior air pistol and both precision and sporter air rifle shooters from across the nation. This year's event was a sell-out, with waiting lists for competition and a junior clinic. The event was held over a three-day weekend at the Civilian Marksmanship Program's Competitions Center near Port Clinton.

Camp Perry Open Juniors Featured - CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Junior airgun shooters once again had the opportunity to rub elbows and shoot alongside some of the best shooters in the sport at the fourth annual Camp Perry Open, 15-17 January. Members of USA Shooting's National Development Team and the US Army Marksmanship Unit made their presence felt both on the firing line and as ambassadors of the sport before, during and after the three-day competition.

2010 Achievement Medal and Achievement Pin Cut Scores - Cut scores for the popular CMP Achievement Medal and Achievement Pin awards have just been updated for 2010. In the course of a year as many as half of the competitors in CMP-sanctioned As-Issued Military Rifle and Rimfire Sporter Matches will earn awards through this program. Indeed, a key goal of many competitors in these disciplines is to fire a score good enough to earn a Gold, Silver or Bronze Achievement Medal or Pin. Competitors in CMP Games Matches at the National Matches are awarded medals with neck ribbons when they fire scores that exceed Achievement Medal cut scores. Competitors in the Eastern and Western CMP Games Matches also are awarded medals with neck ribbons. Clubs that sponsor As-Issued Military Rifle or Rimfire Sporter Matches can award, Gold, Silver and Bronze Achievement Pins for scores fired in CMP sanctioned matches.

JANUARY 2010

GARY ANDERSON RETIRES AS CMP DIRECTOR - Gary Anderson, who served the CMP as the Director of Civilian Marksmanship for the past ten years, officially retired from that position on the 31st of December, 2009. Anderson, who celebrated his 70th birthday in October, announced his decision to retire at the last meeting of the CMP Board of Directors in October. He also has already shared this announcement with several CMP constituent groups.

NATIONAL MATCH AIR RIFLE, CMP to Conduct NMAR Introductory Matches in 2010—First Match in Richmond, VA, CMP Seeking Additional Host Clubs - In 2010, the CMP is sponsoring a series of matches in different parts of the country to introduce the new National Match Air Rifle (NMAR) shooting sports discipline. The first CMP NMAR Season Opener Match will be at the Lakeside Moose Family Center, Richmond, Virginia on 27-28 February. If you live in the Central Atlantic Coast area and are interested in trying NMAR, check out the program posted at http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/NMAR/NMAR_Intro_Match_Program.pdf. Then go to the match registration site at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/matchInfo.cgi?matchID=5149 to sign up online. NMAR Rules and detailed match procedures are posted on the CMP website at http://odcmp.com/NMAR/Rules.pdf.

SCORING PAPER TARGETS WITH A COMPUTER - Orion Scoring System Now Available - The Orion Scoring System is a new software product that automates the task of scoring paper targets. It is now commercially available from Shooters Technology, LLC, of Fairfax, Virginia for club, team and individual use. Orion has successfully applied modern computer technology to the challenges of conducting competitions with paper targets and it promises to make match sponsors’ work easier and the conduct of matches more interesting. Four years in development, Orion is one of the most accurate electronic scoring systems available anywhere in the world. It is currently available for 10-meter air rifle scoring, but future versions due out in coming months will score National Match Air Rifle, 50-foot smallbore and 10-meter air pistol.

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