Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.

Skip to content

Civilian Marksmanship Program

  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • MeWe
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos
  • Home
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • RETURNING NM SUPPORT TEAM FORM
    • Privacy Policy
    End of Navigation Section
  • About
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Director Emeritus
    • Director of Civilian Marksmanship
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
    End of Navigation Section
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Matches
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Junior Air Rifle Camp Counselors
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • Junior Rifle Camp Counselor Resources
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
    End of Navigation Section
  • Clubs
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU's
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
    End of Navigation Section
  • Compete
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
    • CMP National Records
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
    • CMP League Matches
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
      • CMP Bianchi Cup
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Travel Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • CMP Rifle Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • National Matches
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • CMP Industry Day
    • National Smallbore Matches
    • National Air Gun Matches
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • National Matches Support Team
    • Long Range Matches
    • National Trophy Pistol Matches
    • Awards & Trophies
      • Vintage Sniper Match
      • CMP Game Events Awards
      • Long Range Awards
      • Individual Pistol Awards
      • National Trophies
      • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
      • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
    • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
    • National Matches Air Gun Events
    • National Matches Welcome Center Information
    • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
    • National Matches Spectator Events
    • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
    • National Trophy Rifle Matches
    • Directions to Camp Perry
    • Area Lodging Info
    • CMP National Championship Matches
    • National CMP Games Events
    • National Matches Archive project
    • Commercial Row Information
    End of Navigation Section
  • Education
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Basic Archery Course
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSMM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer's Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE - CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
      • CMP State Director News Submission Form
      • CMP State Director Application
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Training
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
    End of Navigation Section
  • News & Media
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • CMP Podcasts
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
    End of Navigation Section
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Ordering Information
    • CMP Program & Sales Specials
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos - M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • Ranges
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • Anniston, Alabama Lodging
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • 3D Archery Range
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    End of Navigation Section

Marine and Son Compete at National Matches While Boosting Marksmanship Awareness

September 9, 2022

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸Marine and Son Compete at National Matches While Boosting Marksmanship Awareness

This year, MSgt Nick Capko, 38, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, returned to the Camp Perry National Matches after more than a decade from his debut – marking just his second trip to the annual event that’s been a marksmanship tradition in Ohio for over a century.

Nick Capko stands outside with his arm around his teenage son, Caleb.
Caleb (left) and Nick (right) Capko attended the CMP National Matches together in 2022.

His main purpose of returning was the same one that brought him to the grounds of historical Camp Perry in the first place – representing the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of the marksmanship team.

“I wasn’t ready for college, and it was something that I was interested in doing. It was something to get started on my life,” he said of his initial beginnings in the Marines. “That was ultimately why I chose the Marine Corps – the challenge that was laid out for me.”

Nick standing on the firing line during the 2022 National Matches.
Nick has been a Marine for the last 20 years, joining because of the challenges the service offers.

Nick has been a Marine for 20 years. Before that, he had never fired a gun – taking his first shots during boot camp. After checking into a unit that was deployed, leaving him behind, he went on to supplement his time by training others on the range.

“There, someone said to me, ‘Hey, you should get on the Marine Corps Shooting Team,’” he explained.

A few years later, he began his competitive shooting career. He did well enough to eventually be recruited by the Marine Corps Shooting Team in 2010 as one of the summer augments, where he was able to get a taste of the Camp Perry National Matches – a staple event in the marksmanship world since 1907.

Nick aims a pistol downrange during the 2022 National Matches.
Nick first competed at the National Matches in 2010 as a member of the Marine Corps team.

He returned to the Fleet Marine Corps for the next decade but now serves as the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the Marine Corps Shooting Team. Despite the Marine’s bullseye pistol team being out of commission for the last year and a half – Nick’s main objective as a leader is to have the Marine Corps represented at the National Matches each year.

“As long as we can fit it into our budget, we’re going to continue to represent the Marine Corps at interservice and national competitions,” he said.

He began the prospective revival of the service’s bullseye program in 2022 by bringing a team to Camp Perry that consisted of two current Marines on the Pistol Team as well as some former members.

“Making sure we’re represented here is important to me and important to the Marine Corps,” he said. “Honestly, I had a lot of people coming up to me, so it’s important to everybody who comes to Camp Perry to see the Marine Corps here.”

Nick and Caleb standing on the firing line during a National Match competition.
With Caleb the oldest of Nick’s kids and heading off on his own in a few years, Nick decided to bring him to the National Matches.

Also riding along with Nick on the trip was his son, Caleb, 15.

“He’s always shown an interest in shooting,” Nick said. “I figured, let’s get him out here and introduce him to competitive shooting so that he can start to master those fundamentals and have some fun while doing so.”

“I only have a couple of years left with him before he’s moving on to start his own life,” Nick went on. “(Camp Perry’s) a week where it’s just me and him – out here having fun and getting to know each other better.”

Nick and Caleb competing side by side in a pistol match.
“For my first time, it was very special for me – especially with my dad,” Caleb said of the National Matches.

Caleb had never been to the National Matches before and, in fact, had no other competitive shooting experience before heading to Camp Perry.

“I wanted to come for fun because I was kind of tired of being cooped up at home doing nothing,” Caleb joked. “(Camp Perry) was an opportunity to come out and shoot with my dad, so I took it.”

Caleb participating in the pistol Small Arms Firing School.
At home, Caleb enjoys shooting but is also involved in baseball and video gaming.
Caleb as viewed from behind, aiming a pistol downrange during the Small Arms Firing School.
Caleb participated in the pistol Small Arms Firing School during his Camp Perry trip.

Though he sometimes shoots at home using rifles or shotguns, Caleb used his time at Camp Perry to learn more about the sport – taking part in the pistol Small Arms Firing School and other .22 events. He already had a lot of the information on firearms he had learned from his dad, but he also picked up a few new things.

“There were times that we were shooting at the same time on separate ranges, and he didn’t have any issues,” Nick said. “He was able to shoot through the course, but not only that, he shot well and improved.”

The two also stayed in the huts on base, soaking in each part of what makes the National Matches an exceptional event.

“For my first time, it was very special for me – especially with my dad,” Caleb said. “I definitely want to come back.”

Caleb standing on the firing line in between shots during a National Matches pistol competition.
Caleb says no matter what his future holds, he’d like to return to the National Matches.

Though he doesn’t have an idea of what he’d like to do in the future, Caleb said he might want to go to college and join the Marine Corps as an officer. No matter what he chooses, he already has set in his mind that he’ll be returning to Camp Perry, even as an adult.

“With my 60-year-old dad,” he said, poking fun at Nick.

“I’ll still win though!” Nick joked back.

“I’m super proud of him. He did great,” Nick added, genuinely, of Caleb. “I can’t wait to see what he does next year.”

The U.S. Marine Corps at the National Matches:

Over its existence, the U.S. Marine Corps has cultivated a respected reputation as a highly skilled command of marksmen and women. Its marksmanship teams have long been representing the superior standards of the Marines at the National Matches – helping others on the range enhance their own fundamentals during competition and through training courses.

Marines are recognizable figures at Camp Perry in such clinics as the Small Arms Firing School and its own USMC Junior Highpower Clinic – a popular choice among youth athletes. The three-day clinic gives focus to more advanced training, including weather conditions, equipment use and shooting positions, while also implementing live firing on the range at 200, 300 and 600 yards.

Nick instructing an athlete during the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Rifle Camp.
Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps hosts a rifle camp for juniors at the National Matches.

Outside of guiding others, Nick stressed the value of Marines attending the National Matches to gain worthy lessons of their own.

“With the Marine Corps Shooting Team, we have two missions – to represent the Marine Corps, which we do through competition, and the other part is instruction. We’re teaching Marines. But, who teaches us?” he said.

“We learn by coming to these competitions and competing against some of the best in the country – some of the best in the world. We talk with them, we ask them about how they practice, how they train – what are they working on with their trigger grip. And we take that information back and we work on it, and then we’re able to deliver that to the Marine Corps.”

“At matches that are at this high level, you’ve got the best marksmanship minds in the country at a single location. It’d be foolish of us to not come and pick their brains,” Nick added.

Nick standing on the firing line during a pistol event in the 2022 National Matches.
Nick is currently doing his best to assemble a Marine Corps Bullseye team – stressing the importance of their presence at Camp Perry.

In his attempt to build a team ready to compete at notable events, Nick is searching for more than ability in his recruits – he needs the full embodiment of the Marines.

“Having Marines who are specialized in shooting accurately is something that’s going to bring value to the Marine Corps,” Nick said. “Especially with what the Marine Corps is looking for, which is preparing Marines for combat. We want to make sure we’re helping Marines be able to deliver a shot, not just quickly, but accurately.”

He went on, “The residual benefit (of coming to the National Matches) is the public outreach because that’s one of the things that we look for in every Marine that we recruit to the shooting team – their character. We look at character over talent. We’ve got to have the right Marines who leave a favorable impression to the public on who the Marine Corps is and the professionalism that we carry and pride ourselves in.”

Tweet
Share
Pin1
Share
1 Shares

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Mission – Promote marksmanship through firearms training, safety, competitions and youth programs.
Vision – To lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.

If you need assistance accessing any of our content or would like it in an alternative format you can contact us via our contact form, click here.

  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • MeWe
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
  • Clubs
  • Compete
  • National Matches
  • Education
  • News & Media
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
  • Ranges
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program. All rights reserved.
Site by West Edge Collective.