2007 National Matches News - 2007 is an important year in the history of the National Matches. That makes it an important year for shooters to be at Camp Perry. 2007 is significant, first of all, because it marks the 100th anniversary of the National Matches at Camp Perry. With preparations for the 2007 “Camp Perry Centennial” National Matches well underway, this article gives you an update on what you can expect to experience during this year’s “100-years at Camp Perry” celebration.

Muskegon M1 for Vets Match Largest to Date - The Muskegon Pistol and Rifle Club has once again been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support for their second M1 for Vets match. This event, held on Saturday, March 24, 2007, brought out 44 shooters, besting their first record-setting match of 30 shooters in December 2006. Many spectators also came out just to be a part of the fun.

Aurora Sportsmen's Club Members Train College ROTC Cadets in Marksmanship - Since 2004, the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club (ASC) has been conducting firearms safety and marksmanship training for the “Chicago Fire” Battalion Army ROTC cadets, who span eight campuses throughout the Chicago area. This program started after two cadets attended a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) rifle clinic at ASC, where they used the Club’s Bushmaster AR-15 rifles. Realizing the value of their experience, they inquired if dedicated AROTC marksmanship training could be facilitated.

2007 National JROTC Air Rifle National Championship - The culmination of countless hours of training and preparation were rewarded this past weekend for 129 Army, Marine Corp and Navy Cadets as they came together to compete for the 2007 National JROTC Air Rifle Championship. For these athletes, and their coaches and families, this accomplishment is a testament to hard work and a commitment to excellence. Only one team and individual in each division could earn the top crown, but all who competed could be considered champions in their own right.

CMP Releases 2007 Competition Rules  - The 2007 11th Edition of the CMP Competition Rules is posted on the CMP web site. This year’s version is largely unchanged from the 2006 10th edition. The new rules provide a modification to the National Matches’ President’s Rifle Match that will have the top 20 competitors in the traditional 30-shot course of fire shoot an additional 10 shots in a 600-yard final stage to determine the match winner. This change promises a spectacular ending to one of the National Matches’ most important events and it should appeal both to spectators at the match and to Internet viewers.

Sign-up Now for 2007 CMP Three-Position Air Rifle Summer Camps! - It is time to start envisioning you or your team on the winner’s podium, and the time is now to start preparing for that moment! Why not get started with the premier rifle camp in the country, the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Three-Position Air Rifle Summer Camps.

CMP Camp Riflery Program Update - In 2006, the CMP Camp Riflery Program experienced a significant increase in numbers of camp riflery instructors trained and in camps involved in the program. Those numbers promise to go up even more in 2007. The number of Instructor Training Courses (ITCs) completed in 2006 more than doubled over the previous year. With these growing numbers, there is also an increasing awareness among camp professionals of the program and what it offers. In addition, the CMP is making a conscious effort to promote the program to camps located in the western part of the United States.

Developing a Training Plan - By SFC Lance Dement, USAMU Service Rifle Team Member - If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there? Many shooters are happy with going to the range, emptying brass, and having some fun. Others, however, are there to win, and have a plan to do just that. Training plans are like fingerprints, every good shooter has them, and they are all unique to the individual. There are an unlimited number of items that can be included in your training plan; some plans are very detailed and complex, while others are more general.

Record Setting Match Set to Music - The Tri-City Three-Position Air Rifle Invitational hosted by the Pharr – San Juan – Alamo High School JROTC Program on 30-31 March 2007 in San Juan, Texas was a first in many ways. For starters, it was the first sanctioned Air Rifle Tournament to be held in the Rio Grande Valley in recorded memory. Second, the event was a huge draw for a variety of competitors from the surrounding area and San Antonio, a total of 38 competitors to be exact. Third, matches are not often conducted to the pulsating rhythms of a rock concert being held in a nearby gymnasium which became the case for the part of the Tri-City Invitational. The concert was scheduled after the match was already on the books. It was held in a different area of the campus; however it was close enough to be heard (and felt) by the members of what became the championship relay.