CAMP PERRY, Ohio – On a somewhat warm Northwest Ohio winter weekend, 25 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Garand-Springfield-Military (GSM) Rifle Clinic Master Instructors were certified after a weekend of extensive training Feb. 9-10, 2013 at CMP North.
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Gary Anderson leads a PowerPoint presentation during one of the classroom sessions of the clinic.
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The CMP Master Instructor certification program educates advanced shooters and instructors and certifies them as Master Instructors who are qualified to teach specific marksmanship instructional topics using CMP training material and curricula. Certified instructors have the tools and know-how to teach basic and intermediate rifle marksmanship skills to new and beginning shooters in their communities.
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GSM Instructor-hopefuls participating in the class mingle and glance at rifle prices during break time.
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Each instructor-hopeful was treated to a continental breakfast on the morning of Feb. 9, including such goodies as biscuits and gravy, fruit and bagels and cream cheese. With full stomachs, the attendees then gathered at the CMP airgun range for their day of instruction by Gary Anderson, director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus and senior marksmanship instructor. Next to tables covered with web slings, dummy rounds and M1 Garands, each person stood and was introduced to the class.
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Students were instructed during class on how to properly demonstrate loading rifle ammunition.
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Attendees traveled from surrounding states such as Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and even came from as far as New York and Florida to receive their instructor certificates. Three women attended the clinic – the most ever in one class in GSM Rifle Clinic’s seven-year history.
“I’m here to learn everything I can,” said one of the three females in attendance for the weekend.
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The women attending the clinic prove that men aren’t the only ones who know how to handle a rifle.
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After introductions, the students jumped right into course work. Mr. Anderson led the classroom discussion, touching on such topics as rifles and rifle handling, safety and range procedures, equipment, targets and courses of fire, shot techniques, positions and scoring. He emphasized the value of coaching these items to shooters, and how important it is to be patient enough to instruct everyone, even when it becomes a challenge.
“We’ve been trying to find teaching methods that get us from 0 to 60 the fastest possible way,” he said. “But it’s important to remember that there are no hopeless shooters and lost causes. We’re not going to give up on anybody.”
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The clinic-goers helped each other during hands-on class activities.
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When class let out, attendees were treated to lunch and a tour of the CMP North Store, where they were free to observe and purchase rifles for their own shooting clubs. With their checkbooks away, the students returned to the CMP’s world-class airgun range for more learning and a chance to do some shooting of their own.
The evening brought a more relaxed and playful atmosphere, as the clinic goers visited the Anderson home. They were treated to refreshments and were given the opportunity to gaze upon the collection of outfits and medals worn by Anderson, who is a two time Olympic gold medalist in rifle shooting, has won seven World Championship and 16 National Championship titles during his impressive career.
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Gary Anderson observes during rifle handling.
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After a good night’s sleep, the students were up bright and early Sunday morning for another full day of learning. Because of their hard work and desire to teach the ambitions of CMP to new shooters everywhere, all 25 in attendance are now certified as GSM Master Instructors in their shooting communities.
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The February 2013 GSM Master Instructor Class
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Master Instructor Training Workshops are usually limited to 30 students per class to ensure all attendees receive practical opportunities to work with leaders and practice what they’re taught. General qualifications of attendees include an association with a shooting club or range where there are opportunities to teach Sanctioned Rifle Clinics, someone who is an experienced coach or instructor in marksmanship, experienced in competing in John C. Garand, Springfield or Rimfire Sporter matches at national and club levels and has a desire to teach marksmanship to new shooters.
Other GSM Rifle Master Instructor Clinics to be held this year include: Camp Butner, N.C. – May 3-4, Camp Perry, Ohio – July 26, Anniston, Ala. – Sept. 28-29 and Phoenix, Ariz. – Oct. 11-12. A $50 registration fee is required at all locations. Interested persons can complete an application form and find more information about the clinics by visiting
http://www.thecmp.org/training/gsm.htm. NEXT ARTICLE
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