JROTC Postal Competition Goes High Tech in 2006 - 2006 has been a milestone year for CMP Competitions. One of the key factors in this success was the continued development of CMP’s innovative system called Competition Tracker or “CT” as it is known by the CMP staff. CT is a computer software program that performs a variety of competition management functions, including maintaining a database of competitors, taking on-line entries for matches and providing real-time score updates from events like the National Matches and CMP sanctioned matches around the country.  Now one more feature has been added to Competitor Tracker’s bag-of-tricks, electronic scoring of 10-bull paper air rifle targets.

Reading the Wind (Part 1, Rapid Fire) - By SSG Emil Praslick, USAMU - The term, “Reading the Wind” is misleading. A more apt title might be “The tactical negotiation of varying wind conditions and the limitation of their negative effects on the flight of your bullet.”  In this article we will discuss some tactics and techniques that will enhance your abilities to negotiate the wind and (hopefully) add a few points to your score. This article will be divided into two sections: part one will cover the 200 and 300 yard stages. The second part (forthcoming) will be devoted to the 600 yard stage.

Wanted: Master Instructors for the CMP Camp Riflery Program - Do you believe the shooting sports provide America’s youth with knowledge, skill, discipline, responsibility and a positive self image? Do you have shooting sports knowledge and instructional skills that you would like to pass on to new camp riflery instructors who will introduce those values to more youth? If your answer to these questions is “yes,” then you may be a great candidate to become a Master Instructor to help the CMP train future summer camp rifle marksmanship instructors.

M1s for Vets Project, Our first year - A brief overview - We now approach the anniversary of our first year of the “M1s for Vets” project. What began as an idea to provide one returning veteran with an M1 Garand as a way of showing our support and appreciation for his or her service, has grown into a nationwide project providing rifles to over sixty recipients.

New U. S. Army Junior Air Rifle Postal Announced - Fort Benning, Georgia. The U. S. Army Accessions Command, which includes the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, announces the inauguration of a new national junior air rifle championship that is sponsored by the U. S. Army. The Army is actually taking over the sponsorship of a postal and national championship program that previously was sponsored by the National Guard Bureau. The program begins with a State Championship Postal competition that offers three-position air rifle sporter and precision standing events for school-age junior shooters. The match is open to teams and individuals representing any junior shooting team or club that wishes to enter. The culmination of the 2007 program will be a National Championship competition that will take place at the Army Marksmanship Unit ranges at Fort Benning in August.

2006 Creedmoor Cup Matches - The 2006 Creedmoor Cup Matches took place 8-12 November 2006 at Camp Pendleton, CA. The matches were held in conjunction with the Western CMP Games and were conducted by Creedmoor Sports Inc. of Oceanside, California and the Santa Margarita Gun Club. Match entries were managed by the CMP through its Competition Tracker on-line results system; CMP staff members were at the match to statistical operations and post results on the CMP website.

No-Wind Zero and Marking Your Sights - By SFC Jason St. John, USAMU Service Rifle Team Member - There is no question about it, to consistently hit the X-ring you need accurate elevation and windage zeros. These zeros change as you increase distance, and may possibly change as you gain experience. These changes are apparent in a well kept Data Book. To calculate your zeros, starting points are needed. You can establish starting points for your service rifle sights by marking them to give you a reference point for calculating your zeros.

Western CMP Games Matches - Shooter entries were up at the 3rd Western CMP Games Matches that took place on 4-5 November 2006 at Camp Pendleton, California as over 200 competitors and clinic attendees participated in a full six days of training and competitions. The Western Games competitions, which were conducted by the CMP in cooperation with Creedmoor Sports Inc. and the Santa Margarita Gun Club, benefited from excellent weather and a smooth-running match organization. Competitors had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the camaraderie of CMP Games events, experience the challenges of firing World War I and II battle rifles in a unique series of rifle matches and take part in the gun buying and social activities that are part of these matches.

Friends of Camp Perry - If you live around Port Clinton, Ohio there is a good chance you are familiar with historic Camp Perry, which was established in 1903. Located just five miles west of Port Clinton on Hwy #2, Camp Perry is the home of the Civilian Marksmanship Program which hosts the National Matches along with the NRA and the Ohio National Guard. Camp Perry is also the home to the 200th RED HORSE Squadron and the Camp Perry Training Site Detachment, which manages the Camp and provides support to military and non-military users. The Friends of Camp Perry (FOCP), a non-profit support organization, can now add their name to the list of organizations housed on base year round.