One of the CMP’s most popular award programs allows shooters in sanctioned CMP Games competitions to earn gold, silver and bronze Achievement Medals or Pins. CMP Games events are recreation-oriented shooting competitions that include the John C. Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military Rifle, M1 Carbine and Rimfire Sporter Matches. CMP Achievement Medals and Pins are awarded to all shooters who equal or exceed established Achievement Medal Scores. Score levels for these awards are established with the intent of enabling approximately 40% of all competitors to receive awards. New Achievement Medal Scores for 2007 have now been established and are shown in the chart.

A fundamental principle of this award program is have bronze medal scores high enough that shooting that score represents a significant accomplishment for shooters who are not experienced competitive shooters, yet low enough that attaining this score can be a realistic goal for almost any new or inexperienced shooter who is willing to put some effort into practice and preparation. The silver and gold medal scores recognize higher levels of achievement, but they also are intended to challenge shooters who win bronze awards to come back “next year” or in the “next match” to try to earn a silver or gold medal.

The 40 percent cut score level is determined by using scores fired by all competitors in the previous year’s National and Regional CMP Games Matches. If there were unusual circumstances that year such as high winds or extreme heat or if the 40 percent score varies significantly from previous years, the final number may be adjusted. Once the bronze “cut-score” is established, the silver medal score is set by determining the 50th percentile score among that group. The gold medal score is set by identifying the top one-third of that group. This 1/6, 1/3, ½ distribution scheme for the top 40 percent of all competitors is modeled after the Distinguished Badge program where gold, silver and bronze awards also are distributed among the top ten percent of eligible competitors on a 1/6, 1/3, ½ formula.

Gold, silver and bronze medal cut scores for each event are established on an annual basis. Shooters in the National John C. Garand, Springfield Rifle, Vintage Military Rifle, M1 Carbine and Rimfire Sporter Matches now receive large gold, silver or bronze medals with neck ribbons at the conclusion of each match based on scores that they fire in that year’s match. Shooters in the Western and Eastern Regional CMP Games matches also win large gold, silver and bronze medals with neck ribbons based on these scores. Shooters who participate in Garand, Springfield, Military Rifle, Carbine and Rimfire Sporter matches that are conducted by local clubs and sanctioned by the CMP can earn gold, silver and bronze pins if the local club that sponsors the match elects to use the award pin program.

Achievement Award Pins are available to be awarded to shooters who compete in club-level CMP-sanctioned Garand, Springfield, Military Rifle, Carbine and Rimfire Sporter Matches. Sponsors of CMP-sanctioned matches may purchase gold, silver and bronze achievement pins at a cost of $1.00 each to award to competitors in their matches who attain award-level scores. Achievement Pins are to be awarded using the same award-level scores that are used in the National and Regional CMP Games Matches (see chart above for 2007 scores). When CMP-affiliated clubs apply to the CMP to sanction their matches, they can order an inventory of pins for their matches (see the CMP-Sanctioned Match and Clinic Application Form and Instructions that are posted at http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Sanction.htm).

As the CMP Achievement Medal and Pin Award Program continues to grow in popularity, the CMP will continue to seek ways to improve and expand it. Within the next few weeks, the CMP expects to release new award scores to be used to present Achievement Pins to shooters in Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military Rifle Matches fired over the 50-shot John C. Garand Course B.