Submitted by Main (ret.) Bryan Williams, Division Head and Marksmanship Coach, Mariner Excessive Faculty JROTC
In a sport the place milliseconds and millimeters separate champions from contenders, teaching makes all of the distinction—and on the 2025 U.S. Military Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) JROTC Teaching Clinic, that distinction was on full show.
Hosted for the third consecutive 12 months at Mariner Excessive Faculty in Cape Coral, Fla., this elite-level clinic didn’t simply develop coaches—it elevated total packages.
What started as a daring concept from Coach Marybeth Williams and retired USAMU standout SFC George Norton has grown into one of the impactful youth marksmanship improvement initiatives within the nation. Backed by U.S. Military Cadet Command and formed by among the sport’s most achieved athletes and coaches, the clinic has grow to be a proving floor for youth capturing excellence and a beacon for packages hungry to develop.
Olympic-Caliber Teaching for Grassroots Progress
This 12 months’s clinic, held July 30–31, welcomed three of the U.S. Military Marksmanship Unit’s premier instructors:
Employees Sgt. Brandon Muske, a multiple-time nationwide champion and member of the 2022 World Championship crew.
Sgt. Ali Weisz, a 2020 Olympian and NCAA All-American, who continues to be a dominant power on the worldwide stage.
Spc. Molly McGhin, a rising star who earned NCAA titles and a berth on the U.S. Nationwide Crew.
These elite athletes didn’t simply share their resumes—they shared their ardour. Over two days, they delivered hands-on instruction and training methods that prioritized fundamentals, fostered psychological toughness, and promoted pathways for achievement past highschool.
A Platform Constructed for Excellence
Mariner Excessive Faculty, a Florida powerhouse and constant state and nationwide contender, served as the right host. Its state-of-the-art 28-point digital vary system gave each athlete and coach in attendance entry to the identical stage of precision expertise utilized in collegiate and worldwide competitors. The venue embodied the clinic’s aim: convey world-class instruction and assets on to youth packages throughout the nation.
Visitor audio system additional enriched the occasion. Coach Layton Dempster of the U.S. Navy Academy at West Level and Coach Lisa Kelley of Georgia Navy School shared insights on recruiting, collegiate competitors, and the life-changing scholarship alternatives out there by way of Taking pictures Sports activities. Their presence underscored the game’s increasing influence and the rising bridge from JROTC marksmanship to school and past.
Bridging Applications, Constructing Life Abilities
One of the crucial thrilling alternatives emphasised throughout the clinic was the American Legion’s Junior Taking pictures Sports activities Program—a nationally acknowledged initiative that promotes marksmanship and private improvement amongst youth athletes. This system culminates in an all-expenses-paid Nationwide Championship at Hillsdale School in Michigan, the place high performers compete in a high-level setting that calls for focus, independence and self-discipline.
Touring to this prestigious occasion challenges younger marksmen to handle their schedules, gear and efficiency in unfamiliar settings—providing a strong coaching floor not just for competitors, however for all times readiness. These experiences develop the identical core values promoted by JROTC: self-reliance, management and a dedication to excellence.
Main by instance, Cape Coral American Legion Publish 90 has grow to be one of many nation’s mannequin Junior Taking pictures Sports activities packages. Extensively regarded for its management and imaginative and prescient, Publish 90 companions with all 5 Cape Coral highschool capturing groups, providing mentorship, assets and competitors assist. This sort of native collaboration is precisely what the clinic goals to encourage throughout the nation—creating sustainable partnerships that empower youth and elevate packages.
Past the Bullseye: Life Abilities That Final
Whereas the air rifles had been finely tuned and the teaching cutting-edge, the clinic’s deeper purpose was about transformation—of packages and of individuals. Instructors and visitor coaches emphasised how capturing sports activities domesticate important life abilities:
Focus and focus, honed by each sight image and set off press.
Self-control and self-discipline, vital below stress.
Work ethic and teamwork, constructed by way of structured coaching and shared targets.
Excellence, not simply in sport, however in life.
These values resonate far past the vary. For JROTC cadets, they align completely with the management and character improvement on the coronary heart of Cadet Command’s mission.
Outcomes That Communicate Volumes
The clinic’s influence isn’t simply anecdotal—it’s measurable. Traditionally, solely two to 3 Florida Military JROTC packages certified for the Military Service Championship annually. However following the 2024 clinic, 9 packages certified. That exceptional leap is a testomony to the highly effective return on funding this occasion delivers—not simply in coaching, however in outcomes.
This 12 months’s clinic introduced collectively 27 coaches and 22 cadet athletes from 5 completely different states, making a collaborative studying setting that transcended unit traces and state borders. Coaches walked away with greatest practices for rising their groups, gaining neighborhood assist and advocating for assets. Cadets walked away impressed, empowered and higher ready for aggressive alternatives after highschool.
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
This unbelievable occasion wouldn’t have been potential with out the assist and collaboration of a number of key companions. Sixth Brigade of U.S. Military Cadet Command offered the vital funding for each the USAMU instructors and for all Sixth Brigade JROTC coaches to attend—a game-changing funding in teaching improvement.
The American Legion, particularly Cape Coral Publish 90, continues to function a vital accomplice in youth capturing sports activities throughout Southwest Florida. Particular thanks additionally to Zachary Snell, Chief Operations Officer of Scopos, for his skilled presentation and ongoing technical assist of Mariner’s digital goal system.
Lastly, our mentor coaches—Coach Dempster from West Level and Coach Kelley from Georgia Navy School—added great worth with their perception, expertise and imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the game.
Constructing a Stronger Future, One Shot at a Time
Hosted by Main Bryan Williams, Mariner’s Senior Military Teacher, and his spouse Coach Marybeth Williams, the USAMU JROTC Teaching Clinic has grown right into a cornerstone of youth marksmanship improvement. Their management and imaginative and prescient, backed by the professionalism of the U.S. Military Marksmanship Unit and supported by a rising coalition of coaches, faculties and Cadet Command, are altering the trajectory of JROTC capturing packages nationwide.
For Military Cadet Command management, college districts and civilian marksmanship supporters alike, the message is obvious: investing in teaching clinics like this pays off—on the vary and within the lives of America’s youth.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit company that locations its highest precedence on firearms security and marksmanship actions, with a give attention to youth. CMP’s packages encourage private progress and construct life abilities, with such initiatives as its junior coaching and competitors packages, Affiliated Membership program and scholarships offering assist to residents of all backgrounds throughout the nation. Study extra in regards to the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
