CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Registration is open for the 2021 National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, hosted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). For those looking to improve their skills, there are several options designed for competitors who already have their own equipment. For new marksman looking to get into the sport and may not have their own equipment, the Rifle Small Arms Firing School is a perfect choice.
Both the CMP-USMC Junior Highpower Clinic and the CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic will be held Friday, July 30, through Sunday, August 1. Both clinics will conclude Sunday morning so participants can attend Squadded Practice. The CMP-USAMU Rifle Small Arms Firing School held Saturday, July 31, through Sunday, August 1.
Specifically for experienced junior competitors, the CMP-USMC Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic offers personal instruction from members of the U.S. Marine Corps Rifle Team. The clinic is open to junior highpower rifle shooters with previous service rifle competition experience and a classification of sharpshooter or higher. Juniors brand new to the sport are required to first attend a Rifle Small Arms Firing School (SAFS). Both the CMP-USMC Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic and SAFS help fulfill the requirements for clubs to apply for the CMP Junior Highpower Support Program. Participants in the clinic receive classroom instruction, dry-fire training, live-fire training (ammo is not provided), a clinic t-shirt, certificate and handout materials. The pizza party will not be held in 2021 due to COVID.
Participants must bring their own rifles, ammunition and shooting equipment. After a day of class and dry-fire instruction, the remainder of the clinic consists of live-fire at 200, 300 and 600 yards. Many juniors attend the clinic year after year to learn something new as well as to have an opportunity to interact with other juniors from across the country. The clinic also provides a good opportunity for juniors to confirm zeroes prior to participating in the 2021 National Matches.
The CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic is taught by members of the CMP Rifle Team and is open to adults and juniors. Participants must bring their own rifle and equipment, but no live ammo, as the clinic consists of classroom instruction and coached dry-fire practice. The format allows competitors to focus on concepts and to be able to hone skills in an environment that promotes conversation and learning.
A live-fire air rifle portion with AiR-15 rifles at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center helps to cement what is learned during the dry-fire coaching centers. Topics covered include the history and importance of the National Matches, range safety, care and use of match equipment, using a data book, zeroes/zeroing, advanced fundamentals, shooting positions, match etiquette, team shooting, wind reading, training techniques and mental management. All participants will receive a clinic t-shirt and a certificate.
Novice shooters and those seeking their first Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) points are encouraged to attend the Rifle Small Arms Firing School (SAFS), Saturday, July 31 – Sunday, August 1. Team members from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit start off the school in the classroom to cover safety, nomenclature, clearing, loading and unloading, shot technique and basic firing positions. Students then head out to the range for hands-on instruction lead by military coaches and master instructors. Intermediate SAFS instruction focuses on teaching and practicing competition techniques.
For those who are unable to attend the clinics at Camp Perry or for those in search of additional training, the CMP Rifle Marksmanship 101 course and the Team CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic are also offered at the CMP Competition Games throughout the country with live fire.
Details and online registration for the 2021 National Matches and clinics may be viewed at https://thecmp.org/competitions/matches/cmp-national-matches/.
For questions about the CMP Advanced Highpower Rifle Clinic, contact Sara Rozanski srozanski@thecmp.org.
Email competitions@thecmp.org for questions about the CMP-USMC Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic, Rifle Small Arms Firing School or the CMP Competition Games clinics.
— By Serena Juchnowski, Outdoor Writer
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
