Russ & Vickie Evans
HUBBARD, OHIO
State Director Info
Background
- 24+ years of coaching the Vienna Cougars Jr. Rifle Team and supporting local junior shooting clubs.
- 24+ years of running Smallbore and Air Rifle NRA Regionals, Sectionals, and State Championships.
- 24+ Years of working at and Managing National Matches Junior Camp, Camp Perry, OH.
Awards
Thank You!
CMP’s Junior Rifle Club for Youth of All Skill Levels to Open in September
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
CAMP PERRY, Ohio – This fall, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is set to host another session of its fun and informative Junior Rifle Club – a weekly group that introduces firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, air rifle competition experience and life skills through fun instruction on the range!
Training is held within the innovative indoor electronic air range of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, located on Camp Perry in Port Clinton. The 10-week Fall Session will begin Tuesday, Sept. 17, with a “Meet & Greet” informational meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10, for those interested in learning more firsthand.
No prior experience is necessary to join. Participants in the club will not only learn about the sport of marksmanship but also character building proficiencies like discipline, self-control, goal setting and more – all with an emphasis on safety.
Each training session is led by former NCAA Division I rifle athletes, including CMP Junior Rifle Camps manager Ryan Hinson, who was an athlete at Morehead State University, along with CMP program coordinator Alana Kelly, who was previously a member at the University of Mississippi.
The Junior Rifle Club at Camp Perry will be conducted every Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. There is no initial cost to join the club, with equipment provided by the CMP in introductory weeks.
If you’d like to become involved in the Junior Rifle Club or have questions and are unable to attend the Meet & Greet, please contact CMP’s Ryan Hinson at rhinson@thecmp.org or call 419-635-2141 ext. 751. You may also attend to CMP’s Open Public time slots, hosted every Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Find more details and registration information on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/junior-rifle-club/.
Additional Open Marksmanship Times. The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside the range doors, the facility features two Laser Shot simulators with hundreds of virtual courses to enjoy, along with authentic Olympic and other memorabilia from the career of celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson. The center also includes a retail center for equipment and memorabilia needs.
The CMP Competition Center is also available for local groups to hold meetings or conferences. For questions, please call Catherine at (419) 635-2141, ext. 704. Learn more about the CMP’s air gun competition centers at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
Athletes invited to Gary Anderson Invitational in December
By Jennifer Green, CMP Contributor
The Gary Anderson Invitational will once again unite hundreds of junior athletes from around the nation in a competition that celebrates the discipline, consistency, strength and determination inherent in achieving greatness in the sport of air rifle.
The competition will take place in two locations to increase the number of competitors that can participate. The Civilian Marksmanship Program sponsors the event and provides the following facilities and dates for the event:
- Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center, Anniston, AL: December 7 & 8, 2024
- Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, Port Clinton, OH: December 7, 2024
It is quite an honor to shoot in both the event and competition center named for the celebrated marksman, Olympian and beloved friend of CMP and the air rifle community.
Mr. Anderson will be in attendance to watch the young athletes carry on his prestigious legacy to the next generation of great athletes. It is definitely something to look forward to if you attend the Ohio competition.
The competition will offer a 3×20 event for both precision and sporter air rifle. Following each competition relay, there will be a 10 shot final for all participants to shoot. The results of those 10 shots are added to the original scores to determine a winner.
The winning precision team will be awarded the Gary Anderson Trophy with the team name and score engraved into a trophy plate. The winning precision and sporter teams receive $500.00 checks, the second place teams will receive $300.00 and the third place teams will receive $200.00 as well as medals for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team.
Individuals will receive medals based on cut scores upon leaving the match and the top 3 individuals in sporter and precision receive engraved plaques and medals.
You won’t want to miss this one! For more information about the Gary Anderson Invitational, including a link to registration, visit https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/gary-anderson-invitational-air-rifle-championship/.
CMP Partners with Lake Erie Arms for Weekly Bullseye League
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
MILAN, Ohio – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce a new Bullseye Pistol League, held in partnership with Lake Erie Arms!
The eight-week league will meet every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 17, 2024, at Lake Erie Arms – a 94,000-square-foot indoor public complex that houses multiple 25-yard and 100-yard ranges, an indoor clay house, virtual simulator, sales as well as a café and upscale member club. The facility is located just a short drive from CMP’s Port Clinton headquarters.
“The CMP is grateful for this opportunity to expand our outreach with Lake Erie Arms and to continue supporting marksmanship opportunities throughout the year,” said Christie Sewell, CMP Chief Programs Officer.
“I’ve personally used the indoor ranges at Lake Erie Arms in the past and have been very impressed with the helpful staff as well as the outstanding accommodations,” she went on. “We’re more than happy to encourage others to explore this local facility for themselves through this enjoyable event.”
The weekly co-ed Bullseye League will be conducted in a single-person format, challenging participants on target accuracy. Both beginner and advanced levels will be offered, with a standard course of fire at 25 yards with .22LR or .45ACP pistols. Pistols are also available for rent!
CMP’s Pistol Manager, Jim Henderson, will be present during the league and will offer a Beginner’s Class on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. for anyone new to the sport or those with questions on how to improve his or her marksmanship skills.
To add to the fun, the CMP will award Gift Certificates ($100, $75 and $50) to the top three overall league participants and a $100 CMP Gift Certificate to the top beginner.
Learn more and register for this friendly recreational league at https://www.learms.net/cmp-bullseye-league. More information on Bullseye Pistol can be found on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-pistol-program/. Discover all Lake Erie Arms has to offer at https://www.learms.net/!
Other CMP Offerings: Each summer, the CMP hosts the month-long National Rifle and Pistol Matches on the outdoor ranges of the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Port Clinton for participants of all experience levels. Camp Perry is also home to CMP’s Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which houses an 80-point indoor electronic air gun range and Laser Shot simulators, as well as Petrarca Range, an outdoor electronic range – both open weekly to the public. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/.
CMP Monthly Air Gun Match Competitions Resume in September
By Jennifer Green, CMP Contributor
After the busy National Matches this summer, the Monthly Match Air Gun Program is slated to return to CMP’s Competition Centers in Camp Perry, Ohio, and Anniston, Ala., with new fall dates.
The Monthly Matches are open to anyone and offer a variety of events to compete in, including a 3×20 Junior/Adult Precision and Sporter Air Rifle Competition, a beginner 3×10 Air Rifle Competition and 60 Shot Standing Air Rifle and Air Pistol competition.
There are six Monthly Matches during the year. Three dates remain for 2024:
- September 14
- October 12
- November 16
The competitions are held in Ohio and Alabama at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s state-of- the-art Competition Centers. Each range features 80 electronic targets which offers the chance for CMP to run many of the competitions simultaneously.
The Monthly Match League offers awards and prize money to the top competitors who participate in at least four of the six matches. The lowest two scores are dropped and the top four scores are combined to determine the overall winners. Prize money will depend on the number of entries.
For more information on the Monthly Matches and registration info, visit https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/monthly-air-rifle-and-air-pistol-matches/. Questions can be directed to Catherine Green at cgreen@thecmp.org or 419-635-2141 ext 704 (Ohio) and JT Schnering at jschnering@thecmp.org or 256-835-8455 ext 415 (Alabama).
About CMP Competition Centers:
The Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Alabama includes the CMP South Store, which is fully stocked with equipment and memorabilia needs. The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio features cases of authentic Olympic and other memorabilia from the career of celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson, for observers to enjoy.
Each of CMP’s indoor air gun facilities holds an 80-point range, equipped with innovative electronic targets. The venues regularly host local, state and national competitions as well as Open Marksmanship, which allows visitors ages 8 and up with any experience level to test out air rifles or air pistols with the guidance of qualified CMP staff members.
To learn more, visit https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
Test Your Competitive Strength During the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Writer
CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Are you a pistol competitor looking for an exciting challenge of skill and endurance? Sign up for the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown, a pistol event hosted by the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association (ORPA) that combines matches from some of the leading marksmanship entities in the state – all through the month of July.
This three-match aggregate includes Ohio’s top Pistol 2700 matches:
- the Cardinal 4-Gun Match at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, July 7-10
- the Canton-McKinley Regional Match at the Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club in Canton, July 12-14
- the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) National Matches at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site in Port Clinton, July 14-21
Pistol 2700 aggregate events combine scores using three different firearm types: .22 caliber, Centerfire and .45 caliber. Slow-fire is held at 50 yards, with timed-fire and rapid-fire conducted at 25 yards. Each stage will include 20 record shots.
Last year, junior Ethan Clark, 19, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was the first-ever winner of the Ohio Triple Crown – claiming the Sharpshooter class at all three events. Though the event had already been held two times before, no winner had been named until 2023 – evidence to the difficulty of the campaign.
Outside of the overall winner, the competitor who has the highest overall aggregate of the three combined 2700 scores but did not win all three matches will be named the High Aggregate Winner. Competitors may also earn the highest aggregate score in their individual classes: High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman.
Find more information on each location and sign up for the matches:
Cardinal Center Pistol Range – https://www.thecardinalcenter.com/
Register – https://www.redfeatheroutfitters.com/4-gun-showdown-2024/
Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/
Register – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/2023-regional/
CMP’s National Pistol Matches (Info and Registration) – https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-trophy-pistol-games-matches/
For questions or additional information, contact Jim Henderson, CMP Pistol Manager, at jhenderson@thecmp.org.
CMP Offering Special Indoor March Madness Competition at Camp Perry
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
Looking for an entertaining night out with friends, family or maybe even a unique challenge for yourself? Check out the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) March Madness event, set for Thursday, March 28, at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center!
Open to ages 10 and up, this fun match will be an elimination, bracket-style competition where participants go head-to-head. The highest-scoring individual will move on to the next round until only one remains. The top three competitors will earn a gift card to local businesses!
Entry fee is $15 and this will include pellets for the match and the rifle rental. Competition begins at 6 p.m., with participants encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m. Though the range welcomes the public Monday-Thursday, 9-3 and each Tuesday night, 5-8, March Madness is a special Thursday evening competition and will be the ONLY event taking place on that date.
We hope to see you there! The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is located at 1000 Lawrence Rd., Building 5042, Port Clinton, Ohio, 43452. Learn more about the range by visiting the CMP website at http://thecmp.org/air/cmp-competition-centers/.
About the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center:
The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center features an 80-point indoor electronic air gun range that regularly hold local, state and national events. The climate-controlled facility is open to the public each Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and all week long by appointment, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Whether an expert marksman or someone who’s never tried the sport before, we have a spot for you on the firing line. Individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome to fire upon the advanced target system for practice or fun. Sporter class air rifles are free to rent with entry fee, while National Match Air Rifles (NMAR) are available to rent for a reasonable additional fee. And don’t forget to try the firearm simulators, also housed within the facility!
Visitors to the range must complete a one-time CMP Eligibility Affidavit and a Liability Waiver as well as attend a short safety briefing before reaching the firing line. Children under the age of 18 must have a parental consent form signed. CMP staff members are always onsite to answer questions and to ensure a safe environment for all.
Shirley, Welter Claim Wins at 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
A total of 330 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 1-2 to compete in the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational – one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) most anticipated youth events of the year. Individuals from around the country participated in the three-position match, with Gary Anderson himself even in attendance to witness the budding talent on the firing line.
In sporter, Bethany Shirley, 17, of Monroe, GA, acquired a commanding lead with a score of 660.6 for the overall win – nearly 20 points over Brooklyn Zeigler, 16, of Gray, TN, who earned a score of 642.9 for second. Rounding out the top three was Brayden Rich, 16, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, with a score of 641.5.
Leading the precision class was Natalie Welter,14, of Parker, PA, with an overall score of 699.7. Following closely in second was Carley Seabrooke, 17, of Helena, AL, with an aggregate score of 698.3, as Jack Ogoreuc, 16, Grove City, PA, found a score of 697.4 for third.
Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.
Leading teams of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational:
Precision:
- American Legion Post 295 – 2348-156X
- East Coweta – 2325-138X
- Camden County High School Team A – 2323-131X
Sporter:
- Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2174-55X
- Daniel Boone High School Sporter 1 – 2149-69X
- Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2140-54X
The Gary Anderson Invitational is held within the 80-point electronic air gun ranges at both the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Ala. The junior sporter and precision air rifle competition includes kneeling, prone and standing positions for qualification scores as well as a 10-shot final fired by all athletes on the line. Winners are determined from scores at both locations.
Find a complete list of results of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational on the CMP’s website at https://ct.thecmp.org/GAI23Results.
View and download free event photos from both locations at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f260916458.
About Gary Anderson:
Mr. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds seven world championships, six world records and 16 national championships. He has won more Olympic and world championship three-position titles than any other American in history. In 1999, Anderson began a 10-year reign as Director of Civilian Marksmanship and retired in December 2009.
Today, Anderson serves as DCM Emeritus and remains a mentor for new and experienced, old and young shooters around the country through his articles and classes. Anderson’s advice is regularly featured in CMP’s junior magazine, On The Mark, and throughout the year during the clinics he leads at CMP events. In 2014, the CMP North Competition Center was renamed the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, in honor of his years of dedication to the sport.
CMP Installs New Megalink Air Gun Targets at Ohio, Alabama Ranges
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce the installation of new electronic air gun targets at its indoor air gun ranges in Ohio and Alabama!
All 80 firing points at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the 80 points at the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Ala., will now be equipped with Megalink 3D-Score targets. Installation on targets at Camp Perry was completed in November, while assembly is in progress in Anniston.
The Megalink targets boast some of the latest technological advancements in accuracy, including crossfire recognition and pellet speed measurement, using optical detection – all under the blanket of Megalink’s reputation of dependable, world-class products that are used by several of today’s leading national and international entities.
“We chose to go back to Megalink targets so that we may once again partner events with USA Shooting, with the possibility of also accommodating the NCAA and beyond,” said Dana Lynd, CMP’s Deputy Chief Programs Officer. “These targets are ISSF (International Sport Shooting Federation) approved and have a witness strip, allowing us to host more elite competitions in our facilities that require a specific level of precision technology.”
With the latest installation of Megalink targets, the CMP is already scheduled to hold the 2023 USA Shooting Winter Airgun Championships at Camp Perry in December as well as Part 3 of the Olympic Trials in Anniston in January 2024.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming these talented athletes to our facilities as we broaden our scope in the air gun community, and we look forward to creating partnerships with groups who share the same mission,” Lynd added.
The CMP is currently in discussions for the fate of the previous line of Kongsberg Target System (KTS) air gun targets, with 100 set to be stored out west for CMP Junior Camps and three-position competitions. The CMP’s line of outdoor KTS electronic targets will continue to be used at travel events, Alabama’s Talladega Marksmanship Park as well as at Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range.
The CMP Competition Centers are open for public use every Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m. EST in Ohio and 4-7 p.m. CST in Alabama. The ranges are also open by appointment during the week, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Ohio and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Alabama. Individuals may bring their own equipment or may rent from the CMP. Learn more about the CMP’s Competition Centers at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
Local Couple Finds Shared Hobby Through CMP’s Air Gun Center
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
You might say that Tom and Joan Kerbel met by “accident” – that is, a car accident.
One fateful day, Tom got into a wreck so bad that it, unfortunately, destroyed his lunch – so, he was forced to walk into the local Subway to have another sandwich made. There, the employee, Joan, was happy to make him another. The two ultimately hit it off, marking the beginning of a lasting relationship.
Fast forward eight years into their marriage and the two have sparked a new type of love affair that has strengthened their bond even more – air gun competition at Camp Perry.
Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, is headquarters to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) – a national organization dedicated to firearm safety and competition for all. The base also holds the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which is home to an indoor, 80-point electronic air gun range that has facilitated local, regional and national events for over a decade, including Olympic trials.
Outside of competition, the air gun range hosts Open Public timeslots each week, where anyone of any skill level is welcome to give air rifle or air pistol a try – even if they don’t own an air gun of their own. It’s a great place to gather with friends and family or simply to try something new.
“We like it because it’s something we can do together,” Tom said. “We enjoy it.”
Joan, a native of nearby Gibsonburg all her life, was aware of Camp Perry and had seen the activity around the National Matches each summer (an event held at Camp Perry since 1907), but never knew what it was about.
“I just knew it was some sort of shooting – I didn’t know it was people from all over the world, which is amazing,” she said.
Tom, also from the area, remembers shooting .22 rifles at Camp Perry when he was younger – even thinking back to the famous Mess Hall that was destroyed by a tornado in the late 1990s. He got away from visiting Camp Perry for a while then came back around six years ago when he was invited by a group of friends to try out the air gun range.
Though he had always shot for fun at sportsman’s clubs, he didn’t know what to expect with air gun. He was quickly entranced and soon encouraged Joan – who wasn’t too keen on the idea of shooting – to join him at the range.
“I thought to myself, ‘Great, now I have to sit and watch him shoot,’” she admitted. “I didn’t want to go.”
Her thoughts changed as she walked up to the main entrance of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, saying she was immediately impressed by the facility.
“We were surprised at how big and beautiful the building is,” Joan said. “When you walk in the door, the people are so helpful and so cheerful.”
Once in the range, Tom got Joan on the firing line with an air rifle, though she was nervous. Thankfully, her worries were alleviated with the help of CMP’s employees who happily assisted her during her first dive into marksmanship.
“There were people there to help us, and that felt really good,” she said. “The people at Camp Perry came over and showed me how to set everything up and how to handle the air rifle and how to absolutely be safe.”
“And I was instantly hooked,” she went on. “I just loved it.”
CMP’s trained staff, like former Division I NCAA rifle athletes Ryan Hinson (CMP junior rifle camp coordinator) and Catherine Green (North Range coordinator) have supported Joan along the way and are always at the range to help others interested in the sport. Joan also received help from CMP’s Jackie Slosnerick, who regularly competes in air pistol.
“They were very comforting,” she said of the CMP staff members. “They’re so willing to help you.”
The staff gave her tips on how to improve her shots and made the entire process easier on the newcomer.
“The people are so nice – I can’t stress that enough,” she said. “The cost isn’t bad to try it out, to rent the gun and buy pellets. It’s just a fun day.”
Joan admits she likes the lightweight air guns because it’s less compression on the ears, with no kickback as with other firearms. Tom and Joan also like the controlled temperature of the range – avoiding the elements of the outdoors.
Tom and Joan visit the air gun range every Tuesday and Thursday during the day and compete in CMP matches when they can. Since their start, they’ve now grown to participate in other marksmanship disciplines, with Joan recently moving on to the outdoor .22 rifle and .22 pistol. Tom also shoots silhouettes, long range and black powder events in his spare time and even won five air gun trophies during the 2023 National Matches.
“It was just a good year,” Tom said with a smile.
Tom and Joan became so involved with air gun that they even trained to become range officers – individuals who ensure safety on the range during events. It was while serving as a range officer during one of CMP’s competitions that Joan took notice of air pistol and became intrigued.
“I thought, ‘I’d like to try that,’” she said. “So, the next time we went to the air range, I tried air pistol, and BAM – I was hooked again.”
Joan has goals of her own in the sport – starting small by trying to reach an overall score of 400 and earning a bronze medal at the upcoming 2024 National Matches. Until then, she and Tom will continue their weekly dates at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, doing what they love.
“We feel blessed to have this facility so close to our residence. So many people can’t do this,” Joan said. “We’ve also met so many wonderful people through shooting. It’s amazing.”
Learn more about CMP’s Competition Centers, including open hours and other frequently asked questions, by visiting https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
Ohio Local Bryan Scott Earns Nationally Recognized Marksmanship Badge
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
Bryan Scott, 55, of Clyde, Ohio, has reached an accomplishment many set out to achieve but never attain – earning a Distinguished Rifleman Badge. It came unexpectedly through a hobby that started as a mere suggestion and blossomed into a persistent passion.
Distinguished Badges are the highest individual awards authorized by the U. S. Government for excellence in marksmanship competition. Badges, offered in a number of disciplines, are presented by the CMP after an individual receives at least 30 Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) “leg” points at qualifying matches. It’s a symbol of consistent skill on the range and is a merit that is looked upon with great reverence in the marksmanship world.
Bryan first became involved in marksmanship as an adult through shotgun trap and skeet while in the Air Force at the Tyndall Air Force Base range in Florida. He had always liked firearms and shooting, so he decided to give it a try, just to pass the time.
“I became hooked and within a year was shooting some good scores,” he said. “My best scores were a pair of 98 out of 100 clays in registered matches in both trap and skeet.”
He soon moved on to Germany and a new base for three years where, unfortunately, they were without a recreational shooting range. As quickly as it began, his shotgun career had ended.
It wasn’t until 2012 when a coworker told him about the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Small Arms Firing School held during the annual National Matches at Camp Perry that he got back into the sport.
“Being a resident of the local area all my life, I knew that Camp Perry held the National Matches, but other than that, I really had no idea what they entailed or how to enter or even if it was open to novice shooters,” he admitted. “I did [SAFS] for a couple years but didn’t really get involved in competitive shooting other than that.”
The Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) courses for rifle and pistol have been staple events at the National Matches since 1918, educating over 1,000 pistol and rifle participants each year. Formulated for those of any age, especially those new to marksmanship, the school is led by members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and other qualified civilian and military professionals. SAFS utilizes both classroom and live-fire training that covers basic instruction as well as a scope of competition skills, with an EIC match held at the conclusion of the course.
Knowing the benefits of SAFS, Bryan decided to introduce his oldest son to the course after he had enlisted in the Marines in 2015, in the hopes of preparing him for basic training. The positive experience during that trip motivated Bryan to sign up for other National Matches competitions, like the popular .22 caliber Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match.
“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I wanted to shoot more matches, so I purchased a Rock River NM rifle at Perry in 2017.”
Though now equipped with a service rifle suitable for the many prestigious events of the National Matches, Bryan found himself stuck.
“I still knew nothing about the Distinguished Rifleman Badge and really didn’t even know where to go to shoot matches,” he said.
He decided to dive into the unknown and became a member of the nearby Sandusky County Sportsman’s Club, where member Jesse Bragg held a monthly service rifle match. It was there that Bryan met other local marksmen who told him about the Toledo Area High Power Rifle League that got together twice a month for competition, from September to March. Bryan became a regular in the League and started to build his comfort and abilities with service rifle.
At Camp Perry that next summer, he showcased his hard work by earning his first four leg points in the SAFS EIC match and followed them up by earning 10 more a few days later in the National Trophy Individual match.
Despite reaching 14 points so quickly, it took two years to earn his next points. The following year, in June of 2023, his final three points to finish the journey to his Distinguished Rifleman Badge came from the place where it all started – Camp Perry.
But just because he was finally Distinguished didn’t mean his marksmanship adventures ended. Bryan continues to compete in 30 to 35 matches a year through the Toledo League and competes in monthly matches at the Lima SABRES range. He even makes the hour drive to the Ashland Lake Gun Club’s highpower matches as often as possible, along with the two-hour drive to the Alliance Rifle Club in Malvern to take part in its fall match. If that wasn’t enough, he goes even farther to the Miami Rifle and Pistol Club near Batavia in Southern Ohio – a three-and-a-half-hour excursion.
Clearly, competitive shooting can be a big commitment. Whether its the hours in the car to spend hours on the range or the years of dedication to reach the highest honors the sport can give, Bryan doesn’t mind. For him, it’s not the accolades that keep him coming back for more – it’s the people.
“The best part of shooting is the camaraderie of the other shooters,” he said. “And, of course, I just like competing.”
Find a Local Club: If you’d like to try competing on your own, you can find CMP Affiliated Clubs local to you by visiting the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/clubs/search-clubs/.
About the Distinguished Badge Program:
To earn a Distinguished Badge, a competitor must earn 30 Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) points or more in a qualifying competition. Individuals earn the 6, 8 or 10 “leg” points based on score and a percentage of match participation, with at least one “hard” leg, worth 8 or 10 points. Currently, the CMP administers Distinguished Badges for:
- Service Rifle
- Service Pistol
- .22 Rimfire Pistol
- Junior Air Rifle
- International Shooter
- Smallbore Rifle
- Distinguished Marksman Badge
- Distinguished Air Rifle and Air Pistol
- Distinguished Service Revolver Badge
For others interested in learning more about the Distinguished Badge Program or how to earn one (or several!), find all the info on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/competitions/distinguishedbadges/.
CMP Competition Centers Hold Special Range Events
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
CAMP PERRY, Ohio; ANNISTON, Ala. – To encourage new visitors to stop by and to provide regular guests with even more exciting opportunities, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has created special events within its state-of-the-art indoor air gun ranges to close out 2023.
The CMP’s electronic target air gun ranges are found within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Alabama. The climate-controlled facilities host Open Public timeslots every week, where individuals of all ages and experience levels are welcome to fire upon the advanced target system for practice or entertainment.
Each Competition Center is open to the public all year long – by appointment Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Camp Perry and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Anniston. The ranges are also open every Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Camp Perry and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Anniston, with no appointment needed.
The special events are set during the Tuesday evening range times at both ranges and include:
- November 14, BOTH LOCATIONS – Turkey Shoot: Match will start at 6 p.m. in Ohio and 5 p.m. in Alabama. Course of fire will be sighters for practice, followed by single shots for record. The highest value shot taken will receive a point. First person to collect 10 points gets a whole turkey, while the next two to earn 10 points get pies!
Air guns utilize compressed air or CO2 to propel lead pellets downrange. The lightweight air pistols and air rifles produce little sound and no kickback – making them perfect introductory firearms. The CMP encourages those individuals who have never fired an air gun before to tour the ranges and to try the worldwide sport performed at the college level and beyond, including the Olympic stage.
As always, CMP staff members will be onsite to answer questions and to ensure a safe environment for all.
Don’t own an air gun? The CMP offers several air guns to rent for use at our ranges. Participants must supply their own pellets or may purchase them at the range. Individuals who own personal air guns may use them, as long as they are under 600 fps. All personal air guns will be inspected by our range staff before they can be used. The CMP also encourages those with disabilities to attend, with spring stands and other equipment available for use.
Outside of these special 2023 events, juniors in Ohio are able to take part in the Junior Rifle Club – open to all beginning youth who show an interest in air rifle! The club is led by former Division I NCAA rifle athletes, with only the cost of pellets needed to participate (available at the range). Equipment is provided by the CMP.
To learn more about the CMP Competition Centers, visit http://thecmp.org/air/cmp-competition-centers/. We hope you’ll join us!