GCA – CMP Master Marksman Program Update
April 9, 2024
Published by the Garand Collector’s Association, GCA Journal – Winter 2023
It has now been a year since the GCA and CMP (in a joint partnership) announced the creation of the “Master Marksman Program”. This program was created to motivate GCA members to participate in CMP matches, and to acknowledge those who consistently score well with As-Issued M1 Rifles at designated Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) competitions.
Similar to the CMP’s established Distinguished Badge Program, the new Master Marksman Program works on an Achievement Award point system, based on performance at designated CMP events. Points are awarded based on cut scores and presented at gold (10 pts), silver (8 pts) and bronze (6 pts) levels. Competitors must reach a total of 40 points overall, with one gold and one additional gold or silver required. All other points may be bronze or greater.
To participate, a competitor must be a current member of the GCA. Individuals may even join the day of the match through the GCA website to be considered a valid member.
Only As-Issued M1 Garands may be used. Competition Rules for the John C. Garand Match (Course A: 30 rounds) will be followed as defined in the CMP Games Rifle and Pistol Competition Rulebook. Those who fire in re-entry events will only be able to use their highest score as points. Visit https://thegca.org/about-mma/ for additional information.
We are excited to announce that in 2023, 16 GCA members were awarded the Master Marksman Award. Those who have achieved the award are listed in the table below.
Below are the annual events featuring GCA Master Marksman point competitions:
- 2024 Eastern Games (North Carolina) April 26 – May 5, 2024
- 2024 Talladega D-Day Matches (Alabama) June 6-9, 2024
- 2024 National John C. Garand Match (Ohio) August 1-4, 2024
- 2024 New England Games (Vermont) September 23-29, 2024
- 2024 Western Games (Arizona) October 7-13, 2024
- 2024 Talladega 600 (Alabama) November 8-14, 2024
You can find the match programs, schedule of events and registration information by visiting https://thecmp.org/cmp-travel-games/.
Questions on the Master Marksman Program? Contact CMP’s Christina Roguski at 419-635-2141, ext. 714 or [email protected].
The GCA is proud to continue our partnership with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The CMP is a federally chartered 510(c)(3) corporation dedicated to leading the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.
In the 1964 National Matches I registered for the third time as an ROTC shooter on the 3rd Army ROTC High Power Rifle Team from Ft. Benning GA. The Sergeant at the desk handled me my new registration card that read “MASTER”. I was 21 years old and asked him what MASTER meant because I was formally rated as EXPERT. He smiled and says “Well Sonny your scores last year moved you up to MASTER and you will have to shoot better this year if you want to take home more silver spoons.” Well I can’t recall how many silver spoons I brought home but I do remember shooting 249/250 in the Randolf Hearst Individual Rifle Match , setting a new National Match Record in 1964 that is still unbroken to this day June 12, 2025. So glad to see your name Christine again after all these years.
Howard,
Thanks for sharing your experience at Camp Perry! Very neat to hear the history and stories that have happened during the National Matches.
Thanks,
Christine
My issued Garand is one of the .308 variety. Is this one legal to shoot at CMP Master Marksman competition?
Greg,
We recently had a rule change to allow the .308 variety!
RIFLE RULES CHANGE! After review by the CMP Rules Committee, the following CMP Games Rifle and Pistol Competition Rules Rule G4.2.2 e) has been edited to: As-issued M1 Garands must be chambered for the .30-06 or the 7.62mm NATO (.308) cartridge.
This change will allow CMP MOD 1 7.62mm NATO M1 Garands to be used in As-Issued Military Rifle Matches – including the upcoming Talladega 600 in November! Prices have been reduced on the 7.62 NATO VERSION OF THE M1 GARAND – visit https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/#7.62NATOM1Garand for more details.
Thanks,
Christine
Will the talladega spring classic be included in 2025?
Mark
The GCA will review this match for 2025. The 2024 match was spread out over the course of the week on Tue, Wed and Thur versus the weekend. The cookout and awards were scheduled on Saturday. That did not align to the concentrated weekend events that other matches do. As such, we elected to not request it be included for 2024.
Where can we see if we got points for shooting one of these matches? I got a bronze last year at camp perry
Dan,
You can log into your CT account at https://ct.thecmp.org and view your account/profile, then select the Competitions/EIC tab and find the EIC points section. Your points will be listed under the Garand Collectors Association.
Christine