First Three .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badges Awarded
July 18, 2015
Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸First Three .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badges Awarded
In early 2015, the CMP introduced the new .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badge and EIC match program to encourage even more talented shooters to earn another, or even their very first, prestigious Distinguished Badge. The new EIC program is designed to uniquely challenge competitors who already have their Distinguished Service Pistol Badges, as well as to inspire men, women and juniors who were not previously active in Service Pistol matches to take an interest in competitive pistol shooting.
After only a few months, three talented marksmen have already earned the first .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badges. These gifted individuals were each awarded their badge at the 2015 National Trophy Pistol Match Awards Ceremony on July 12, 2015.
David Lange, 46, Glen Rock, NJ – Badge #1
Officially earned his Distinguished CMP .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badge, May 24, 2015
- He earned his first .22 Rimfire EIC points at the Eastern Games at Fort Butner, NC, on May 2. He received 8 points firing a 279-9x with a total of 68 competitors.
- He then earned a 6 point leg at the Connecticut State Rifle & Pistol Club match in North Haven, CT, on May 16, with a score of 296-13x – winning the match. Lange fired against a total of 12 competitors.
- On May 23, he earned 10 points after winning at the Square Circle Sportsman Club in Gibbsboro, NJ, with a score 295-14x against a total of 38 competitors.
- The final 6 points were earned on May 24 in Vermont at the Burlington Rifle & Pistol Club – score of 294-9x with a total of 8 competitors. He was also the winner of this match.
Mr. Lange earned his Distinguished Service Pistol Badge in 2001. He also won the General Custer Trophy in 2014 as the overall winner of the National Trophy Individual Match at the National Matches. Additionally, he has earned 10 EIC Rifle Points.
SFC Michael Gasser, 32, Army Marksmanship Unit – Badge #2
Officially earned his Distinguished CMP .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badge, June 7, 2015
- Earned his first 8 points at the Gateway Rifle & Pistol Club Match in Jacksonville, FL, on April 17. SFC Gasser won the competition after recording a score of 292-12x.
- His next 8 points came after firing at the Pensacola Rifle & Pistol Club in Molino, FL, on May 2, where he earned another outstanding score of 292-17x to win the match.
- Staying consistent, SFC Gasser won a match at the Nashville Matchmasters event in Columbia, TN, on May 24, with a score of 292-11x for 6 additional EIC points.
- On June 7, he earned his final 8 points at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park Dedication and Inaugural Matches at CMP’s new range in Talladega, AL. SFC Gasser fired a score of 291-12x.
SFC Gasser also earned his Distinguished Service Pistol Badge in 2006.
SFC Patrick Franks, 37, – Badge #3
Officially earned his Distinguished CMP .22 Rimfire Pistol Distinguished Badge, July 7, 2015
- Also earned his first .22 Rimfire EIC Points at the Gateway Rifle & Pistol Club Match in Jacksonville, FL, on April 17. SFC Franks fired a score of 286-11x for 6 points.
- His next 6 points came during the Pensacola Rifle & Pistol Club Match in Molino, FL, on May 2. He recorded a score of 280-8x during the competition.
- On June 7, SFC Franks participated in the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park Dedication and Inaugural Matches in Talladega, AL – firing an impressive score of 294-12x for 8 points.
- His final points were earned during the 2015 National Trophy Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, OH, on July 7, where he fired a score of 287-12x for 10 points. SFC Franks was pinned at the National Match Award Ceremony by his brother, SGT Ryan Franks, who had just earned his Service Pistol Distinguished Badge at Camp Perry the same day Patrick earned his new .22 Badge.
Along with his new badge, SFC Franks was also Distinguished in Service Pistol in 2010 and has earned 12 Rifle EIC points. At this year’s National Matches, Patrick set three new National Records in the National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team (NTT) matches, earning three of his own National Trophies, and was the overall Service Pistol EIC champion. Additionally, his Army Marksmanship Unit was the top overall team in the NTT match.
Congratulations to these individuals, and good luck to others in earning their badges in the future!