2008 Eastern CMP Games Matches—More Entries and Great Shooting - The 2008 edition of the Eastern CMP Games saw a big jump in event entries and, with a break in the weather, some great scores. The first Eastern CMP Games Matches took place in May 2007 at Camp Butner, North Carolina. There were 267 event entries in those matches. This year the final event entry count ended at 398, a significant increase over the first year’s participation.

CMP Awards $100,000 in Scholarships:  2008-2009 CMP ROTC Scholarship Recipients Announced - The primary mission of the Civilian Marksmanship Program is to promote marksmanship programs across the country, with a special emphasis on youth. The CMP provides multiple training opportunities throughout the year for juniors and their coaches including three-position air rifle camps and clinics, JROTC instructor courses and highpower clinics. CMP also supports major junior events like the JROTC Nationals and Junior Olympics. In addition to training and match support, each year CMP makes a substantial financial contribution to junior shooters entering or attending college with the CMP ROTC Scholarship Program. The program awards $1000 scholarships to 100 JROTC and ROTC cadets who plan to participate in both ROTC and compete on a rifle team while in college.

Bushmaster Presents $10,000 for Junior Shooter Support - Bushmaster Firearms of Windham, Maine, recently made a $10,000.00 contribution to the CMP National Matches Junior Highpower Support Fund. A formal check presentation ceremony took place at Camp Butner, North Carolina on 7 May during the Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches that took place at Camp Butner on 3 to 11 May. The check represents the proceeds from a special series of Bushmaster DCM-XR competition rifles that were produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Matches coming to Camp Perry, Ohio.

The 2008 U.S. Army Junior Open Air Rifle Championship - The competitor field is set for the 2008 U.S. Army Open Air Rifle Championship. Over 1,541 shooters sent in targets to the CMP for the Postal stage of the competition, this stage determined the State Champions who then advance to the U.S. Army Open Air Rifle Nationals that will be held at Fort Benning, GA 7-9 August.

Howell Gun Club Holds Second CMP Sanctioned Rimfire Clinic & “Half-Match” - Record numbers of families attended the second CMP Rimfire Sporter Clinic & Half-Match held at the Howell Gun Club (HGC), CMP Affiliate #56164. The event was held on 13 April 2008 in Howell, MI. News of the club’s comprehensive and “novice” friendly shooting clinic is spreading throughout Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio, and contributing to the greater attendance numbers. The events have earned the reputation of being well organized, comprehensive and full of “hands-on” instruction.

2008 National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches Programs Available, On-Line Entry System Open - It’s hard to believe that the time to make plans for another National Matches is already here. The Official Program for the CMP National Trophy and CMP Games Matches that will take place this summer at Camp Perry, Ohio, is now posted on the CMP website and the CMP Competitor Tracker system is now open to receive on-line entries. Competitors who want to secure their places in this year’s matches can now do so.

Air Rifle Tournament at Winterfest 2008 - On 1-3 February 2008 the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, TN was converted into a rifle range for the Boy Scout Explorer and Venture Crews Winterfest 2008. Winterfest is an exciting weekend focusing on competitive events for all Boy Scout Explorer Posts and Venture Crews, and this year the event drew over 2,600 participants. Of those, over 300 took part in an air rifle tournament that was set-up at the request of the Northeast Georgia Boy Scout Council and USA Shooting Manager of Youth and Coach Programs, Bob Foth.

2008 National JROTC Championship - Pool Range at Fort Benning, GA is known as the Home of Champions, a name that usually refers to the Army Marksmanship Unit’s International Rifle Team that calls Pool Range their home. On 27-29 March 2008 the range was home for the 6th annual National JROTC Three-Position Air Rifle Championship. 140 JROTC cadets and 26 Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force JROTC unit teams qualified for the championship. Reaching the National Championship was an outstanding achievement for all athletes and JROTC Units involved, they were all champions in their own right.

2008 Small Arms Firing Schools Enrollment Now Open - One of the best ways for new shooters to learn good pistol and rifle marksmanship skills and get started in service pistol or rifle target competition is to attend the Small Arms Firing Schools at Camp Perry, Ohio during the National Matches. The official program for the 2008 schools is now available and on-line entry in the CMP Competitor Tracker system is now open.

Qualifiers for the JROTC Nationals - 144 JROTC Cadets representing 62 JROTC units in 25 states and one Defense Department high school in Germany qualified for the 2008 National JROTC Air Rifle Championship that will take place on Army Marksmanship Unit facilities at Fort Benning, Georgia on 27-29 March. This year’s qualifiers include, for the first time, Air Force Cadets. The JROTC Nationals now take place in early spring and culminate the shooting seasons for Army, Marine Corps, Navy and now Air Force JROTC Cadets.

2008 CMP Competition Rules Released - Final decisions have now been made on proposals for changes in the CMP rules for service rifle, service pistol and as-issued military rifles. The 12th 2008 Edition of the CMP Competition Rules is now posted on the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf. Printed copies of the 2008 rulebook can also be ordered from the CMP.