2002 National Matches. After 9/11, many shooters were concerned that the 2002 National Matches could not be held because of increased security restrictions at Camp Perry. We are happy to report that all plans for the Matches are moving ahead as usual and that the Ohio National Guard and Adjutant General have given their full support to fulfilling their security mission with as little disruption of the Matches as possible. A severe windstorm damaged the Camp Perry highpower ranges in March, but repairs are now completed. The NRA sent out national Matches programs and entry cards in May. Many entries are coming in now. Shooters who plan to shoot at Camp Perry this year should check the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Competitions/
CMPCompetitionUpdate_2.htm for Update #2 on 2002 CMP Competition Rules and National Trophy Matches. When you get to Camp Perry this summer, you can expect another great National Matches.
First Shot Ceremony. The traditional opening ceremony of the National Matches is called the First Shot Ceremony. J. B. Hudson, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, will be the 2002 First Shot Speaker and fire the ceremonial shot that will open this year’s Matches. As the AA, Mr. Hudson is responsible to the Secretary of the Army for administrative matters in support of the Headquarters, Department of the Army. He was also instrumental in the formation of the new CMP in 1996. The ceremony will take place at Camp Perry, Ohio on Monday, 8 July at 5:00 PM.
CMP Affiliates. The number of shooting clubs and organizations affiliated with the CMP currently stands at 1566. That’s up nearly eight percent from the end of the last fiscal year on September 30 2001. 212 clubs that were affiliated last year are now delinquent; that means they have not submitted their annual reports or 2002 dues. This number is actually down from previous years. Past practice indicates that most delinquent clubs will still get their reports in. The CMP is in the process of automating its club and affiliate records. Next year any club with internet access will be able to submit annual reports on-line and their club records at CMP will be automatically updated.
Springfield Rifle Orders. The CMP staff continues to work its way through the huge volume of M1903 Springfield rifle orders that were received subsequent to the announcement of the availability of these great rifles last March. If you have an order placed for one of these rifles, please be patient. The entire CMP staff and several temporary employees are working many overtime hours to process all orders received and to ship the rifles as quickly as possible.
Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match at Camp Perry. Entries are now coming in for the new Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match that will take place at Camp Perry on Saturday, 20 July, during the 2002 National Matches. The new match is designed to appeal to gun enthusiasts who own sporter .22s, but who are not now involved in serious competition shooting. Check the CMP web site @http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Competitions/
Competitions.htm for a program with full details. If you are not an active competition shooter, but have always thought you would one day like to shoot at the National Matches, this new match may be your chance.
Springfield/Military Bolt Rifle Match. It is exciting news to report that the new Springfield/Military Bolt Rifle Match that will take place at Camp Perry on Friday, 2 August, is nearly filled even though National Matches entries have only been coming in for about two weeks. If your do not already have your entry in for this match, it is unlikely that additional entry slots will be available by the time you see this notice. Shooters who want information about this match should contact CMP Competitions at competitions@odcmp.com. They can also view or print the CMP information bulletin for the 2002 Garand and Springfield/Military Bolt Rifle Matches at http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Competitions/
Competitions.htm.
Junior Distinguished Badge. The CMP and National Three-Position Air Rifle Council established a new program in 2001 that awards Junior Distinguished Badges to outstanding school-age juniors who produce a series of top ten percent performances in major state, regional and national three-position air rifle competitions. Brandon Green of Bogalusa (LA) High School Army JROTC won the first Junior Distinguished Badge that was presented at a special ceremony in April. Two new Junior Distinguished Badges have now been earned in 2002 junior competitions. The new Distinguished Juniors are Brandon’s teammate Brian Phillips, and Matt Rawlings from Texas. Juniors must earn 30 points to win the badge. A complete list of all juniors with EIC points for this badge can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Programs/
3PAirRiflePoints.pdf
CMP Store at Camp Perry. Response to the new CMP store at Camp Perry has been very strong. Current store hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday. There has been a steady flow of customers through the store every day since it opened. During the National Matches, the Store plans to open on weekends as well. The Store has a good selection of M1 Garand rifles, M1 receivers, Kimber Model 82s, shooting accessories, memorabilia and CMP training materials. There are plans to add many additional items to the inventory.
Russian Running Target Scope. The CMP recently joined with the USA Shooting national running target program to make four-power, twin-post target telescopes made in Russia available to U. S. running target shooters or other gun enthusiasts who would like to own and use one of these unique scopes. These telescopes are especially unique in that they have two aiming posts with four separate adjustment knobs that make elevation and windage corrections for each post. In running target shooting, one post is adjusted to provide leads for left-running targets and one for right-running targets. Russian optical products are famous for their quality. These scopes can now be ordered from CMP Sales for $275.00 each.
2002 Small Arms Firing Schools. The program and entry forms for these popular National Matches schools are posted on the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Competitions/
Competitions.htm. The schools are a great opportunity to receive service pistol and service rifle instruction from outstanding military instructors led by the U. S. Army Service Pistol and Rifle Teams. For one of the great bargains in pistol and rifle marksmanship instruction, sign up to attend either the pistol school on 8-9 July or the rifle school on 28-29 July. Service pistol or rifles and ammunition are provided as part of the $30.00 entry package.
CMP Staff Vacancies. The CMP is still seeking applications for two program-related staff positions that will be filled this summer. One position is for a writer-editor. The second position is for a program coordinator who has extensive experience in marksmanship instruction or competition organization. Applicants for the writer-editor position must have a four-year college degree in journalism, creative writing, English or communications. The successful applicant will be responsible for producing two newsletters and initiating a public relations program. Applicants for both positions should have experience in competitive shooting or youth marksmanship instruction. Qualified individuals who are interested in becoming a member of the CMP staff at Camp Perry, Ohio are invited to submit résumés. Contact Pat Gittinger, CMP Personnel Manager, at pgittinger@odcmp.com.
The 2002 National Matches that are traditionally held at Camp Perry, Ohio will be held again this year even though security restrictions will be greater this year because of the 9/11 emergency.
Joel B. Hudson, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, will be the First Shot Speaker at the 2002 National Matches Opening Ceremony.
2000 Olympic gold medallist Nancy Napolski-Johnson was the First Shot Speaker and fired the ceremonial first shot at the 2001 National Matches.
The top 40% of the rimfire sporter shooters who compete in the 20 July Rimfire Sporter Match at Camp Perry can earn one of these gold, silver or bronze medallions that were created especially for the inaugural year of CMP rimfire sporter rifle competition.
Brandon Green of Bogalusa (LA) High School (right) received Junior Distinguished Badge #1 from CMP Director of Training and Olympic silver medallist Bob Foth in a ceremony at Bogalusa in April 2002.
Four-power Russian target telescopes with twin-post reticules can now be purchased from the CMP at the outstanding price of $275.00 each
