At first glance, the many opportunities and competitive marksmanship programs and their associated requirements may seem daunting. However, CMP is happy to assist you in finding the information you’re looking for. The following Frequently Asked Questions may help you find solutions. If you need further assistance, a member of our staff will be happy to help. Contact us online, call us at 1-888-267-0796 or contact us via email at [email protected]. For sales help, email us at [email protected].
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Q?
I have never fired a rifle or pistol before. How do I get started in competitive shooting?
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A.
The first thing CMP recommends is the Small Arms Firing School course held each year at the National Matches. Conducted by the CMP and the United States Army Marksmanship Unit, new shooters get classroom time with the best instructors in the nation followed by dry-firing practice, a practice match and concluding with an actual competition. In pistol SAFS you’ll learn to safely and successfully fire the M9 or Beretta 9mm service pistol. In rifle SAFS you’ll learn the same skills using an M16/AR15 service rifle. Once complete, you’ll be ready to take the next step to competitive marksmanship.
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I’m a junior shooter but I don’t live anywhere near Camp Perry or Anniston, Alabama. How can I get proper CMP instruction without having to travel across the country?
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The CMP has a State Director in your state who oversees CMP affiliated clubs and will work with you. If your home club isn’t affiliated with CMP, you can request affiliation or using Competition Tracker, you can find other clubs in your state that offer CMP safety training, marksmanship programs and facilities.
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As a veteran match shooter at Camp Perry, my learning curve has seemed to flatten out. What services does CMP provide to help me break out of my slump?
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The CMP in conjunction with our National Match partners offer specialized clinics each year to advanced shooters like you. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit offers an Advanced Small Arms Firing School that assists seasoned shooters with finer points of service rifle shooting. Another is the Team Remington Advanced Highpower Clinic taught by retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant Ken Roxburgh. The clinic will put you through two days plus on shooting position, zeroing, aiming, trigger control, effects of weather, proper range etiquette, slow-fire and rapid-fire techniques and the proper care and maintenance of service rifles.
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How do I become a CMP State Director?
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Interested parties should email Lue Sherman at [email protected] for an Application and Job Description for the CMP State Director position.
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Where can I find the CMP State Director in my state?
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Please visit the State Director web page. All State Directors are listed by the state they represent and their contact information is listed on our web page.
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What is the JMIC program?
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JMIC is an acronym for “JROTC Marksmanship Instructors Course.” All JROTC Instructors must receive this training if they wish to start or take over a JROTC marksmanship program or rifle team.
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When does my JMIC certification expire?
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The certification for attending the JMIC course in an actual class setting is good for FIVE years and taking the online JMIC course is good for THREE years.
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I’ve lost my JMIC or GSM certificate – who do I contact to receive a copy?
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For lost JMIC certificates, contact Sylvia Schoewe at [email protected]
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How do I become a Master Instructor?
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CMP currently offers two Master Instructor certifications, JMIC and GSM. For JMIC Instructors, you must have prior experience as a JMIC certified instructor to be accepted into the course
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What are the days/hours for Open Public Shooting?
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CMP offers Open Public Shooting at both the CMP Marksmanship Center – North in Port Clinton, Ohio, and CMP Marksmanship Center – South in Anniston, Alabama. The Open Public Shooting hours for Ohio are every Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 – 8:00PM. The Open Public Shooting hours for Alabama are every Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00 – 7:00PM. Please visit the CMP Marksmanship Centers web page for more information.
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I have a resource/article for the Coaching Resources page – who do I contact?
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You may forward the resource or article to the CMP Communications Department at [email protected] or contact Christine Elder at (419) 635-2141, ext. 711.
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I’ve always heard that three-position air rifle is an expensive sport to get involved in. What does it cost to shoot 3P Air?
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Three-Position air rifle, commonly referred to as 3-P Air, is the most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports competition for youth of high school age or younger. Two different Three-Position Air Rifle events are available. Precision Air Rifle is modeled after Olympic-style shooting and allows the use of specialized target rifles and equipment. Sporter Air Rifle is designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with a minimum of equipment and expense. Precision and sporter competitions are fired on the same targets and most are shot simultaneously in competition.
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Isn’t airgun shooting the same as shooting soda cans with a BB gun?
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While shooting a BB gun is a good place to start, 3-P Air is like jumping from .22 rimfire sporter to competitive highpower rifle. CMP invites you to come to one of our two state-of-the-art, electronically-scored marksmanship centers or a CMP affiliated club and give sporter air rifle a try. It’s a challenging sport with lots of opportunities to grow and learn both as an individual and in team competition.
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Do I need a shooting coat, pants and boots and lots of gear to shoot Sporter air rifle?
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No. Competitors in sporter air rifle can shoot in a sweatshirt, regular pants and comfortable footwear. Sporter air rifles are characterized by their light weight (5-7 lbs.), low cost (they vary from $180 to $500 in cost), basic target features (adjustable sights, adjustable length stocks, adjustable sling attachments) and suitable accuracy (rifles sold through the CMP sales program must be capable of consistently shooting tens on standard competition targets).
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Can a good shooter in Precision air rifle compete in the Olympics?
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Good won’t get you to the Olympics, but an exceptional shooter might. It takes a considerable amount of talent and practice to qualify for the Olympic Games, but it is possible. Typically new shooters start in the sporter category and move into precision air rifle as they grow. If they are talented and dedicated to their sport, 3-P Air competitors can qualify for college scholarships and even compete in international competitions and the Olympics. It is not uncommon to shoot alongside Olympic medalists at certain CMP 3-P Air events at our Camp Perry and Anniston, Alabama marksmanship centers.
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I want to get involved in CMP competitions, where can I get information on opportunities in my area?
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Click on the highlighted CMP Competitions link above for major CMP games events or locate affiliated clubs or organizations in your area and learn what CMP-related competitions or events they sponsor. Beginning shooters should consider attending the annual Small Arms Firing School for rifle or pistol or register for the annual Rimfire Sporter Match, a competitive and friendly recreational match. The Small Arms Firing Schools are held at the National Matches each summer at Camp Perry and there are three Rimfire Sporter Matches conducted each year at the National Matches and the Eastern CMP Games at Camp Butner, North Carolina and Western CMP Games in Phoenix, Arizona.
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How do I earn a Distinguished Badge?
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To earn the Distinguished Badge you will need to earn a total of 30 EIC credit “leg” points with one “leg” being either an 8 or 10 point leg.
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What are EIC points? How do I earn them?
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EIC points are points earned towards your Distinguished Rifleman or Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. To earn EIC points you need to fire in CMP sanctioned EIC matches and finish in the top ten percent of all eligible non-distinguished shooters.
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Does CMP have a list of Distinguished Shooters?
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The list of Distinguished Shooters can be found on our Competition Tracker website, ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=reportDistinguishedShootersByCriteria.
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How do I find out about affiliated clubs in my area?
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Visit ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=clubSearch for a list of our affiliated clubs by state. If you are unable to find a club in your immediate area, please try your State Association or the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) www.thegca.org, a special affiliate with the CMP.
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I belong to a Veteran’s Organization, does that count as an affiliated club?
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Yes, starting in 2005 Congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations (VFW, American Legion, etc.) are recognized as CMP special affiliates. Any member of these organizations, who wishes to purchase military surplus items from the CMP and fulfills all other requirements, may purchase those items by submitting proof of membership.
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How do I become a member of the CMP?
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At this time there is no direct membership in the CMP. Membership is through one of our affiliated clubs or organizations. There are currently over 1,800 affiliated organizations. All of our shooting events are accessible to anyone regardless of their affiliation or club membership, but to purchase anything from the CMP, an individual must show proof of belonging to an affiliated club or organization. To find a CMP affiliated organization, please visit ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=clubSearch.
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How does one become a candidate for the CMP Board of Directors?
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Send your request and qualifications to [email protected]
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The CMP is a non-profit organization, what does it do with the proceeds from rifle sales?
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CMP uses its sales revenue to fund safety and marksmanship programs across the nation each year. Thanks to our rifle purchasers, thousands of juniors and adults can take advantage of CMP training, clinics and matches. All revenue not needed to fund current operations is deposited into a permanent endowment to fund future programs and operations once all rifles have been sold.
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I would like to designate the CMP as the recipient of my United Way contribution, but don’t see you listed. How do we designate the CMP for the donation?
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In step 3 of the donation form, in the place for Agency name - write "Civilian Marksmanship Program." The address is 1401 Commerce Blvd., Anniston AL 36207.