SPC Michael Andersen ARNG of Mason City, IA shot a 383-7X in the M16 EIC Match to set a new match record. This was Andersen’s first trip to Camp Perry and he plans to return next year.

It was a day of firsts for many of the competitors at the M16 EIC Match, which was designed to introduce new shooters to EIC rifle matches. Only shooters who have not earned any EIC points towards a Distinguished Badge are eligible for the four introductory leg points available in this match.

519 competitors participated in this year’s event, a record number in M16 EIC Match’s brief three year history. SPC Michael Andersen ARNG set a match record with his score of 383-7X. This broke the previous record of 379-2X established last year by Anthony Graziano of Frackville, PA. SPC Andersen of Mason City, Iowa has participated in combat shooting competitions through the Iowa National Guard, but this was his first competitive experience with bulls-eye target shooting. He made his first trip to Camp Perry this year with a friend from the National Guard. “I just came here to learn, and this was the first match of this type I have ever shot. Next year I hope to return and shoot for the whole week,” said SPC Andersen.

A member of the Navy Rifle Shooting Team coaches a student on the firing line during the Rifle Small Arms Firing School.

The cut-off for EIC points for the M16 EIC Match was 348-7X. For complete results from this match or other National Matches visit http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=1409. To view pictures, visit http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/06/Rifle_SAFS_M16/index.htm