At this yr’s First Shot Ceremony, the CEO & Chairman of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), Gerald O’Keefe remarked, “[The National Matches] are specified within the legislation, however the legislation doesn’t inform us what to do. It doesn’t inform us how large these occasions ought to be, what matches we should always run, or how lengthy they need to be, however we’re dedicated to creating these matches as large as we are able to get them.”
His phrases echoed throughout the grounds of historic Camp Perry over 120 years after the Nationwide Matches had been cemented into legislation.
He’s proper, in fact.
Apart from specifying that the Nationwide Matches must happen, there’s no steerage on tips on how to carry them out. The matches change all through the years, responding to new firearms, matches and know-how all whereas aiming to advertise marksmanship, competitors and youth packages.
Inside Title 36 of the U.S. Code there may be language specifying “a Small Arms Firing Faculty shall be held in reference to the Nationwide Matches.”
The Small Arms Firing Faculty (SAFS) is the flagship clinic supplied on the Nationwide Matches. In 2025, CMP hosted pistol, smallbore and rifle SAFS clinics, every lead by america Military Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) workforce members.
O’Keefe famous that the CMP and USAMU share a standard intersection in supporting youth capturing, saying, “The (U.S.) Military Marksmanship Unit leads quite a lot of youth occasions all year long, together with Small Arms Firing Colleges and capturing 101 lessons, that convey extra people into the game in a accountable and protected method.”
SAFS is open to anybody who needs to attend. New and seasoned rivals alike be part of to study marksmanship fundamentals and enhance abilities, led by one of the best marksmen & ladies within the nation.
Workers Sgt. Jerrod McGaffic was a part of the USAMU workforce accountable for rifle SAFS this yr, and he acknowledged, “We’ve seen all walks of life, and welcome anybody who’s prepared to come back out right here and provides it a shot.”
He goes on to say that every one firearms and ammunition are supplied, making the occasion accessible and welcoming to newcomers who need to expertise the game in a protected, supportive setting.
This yr marked the primary yr that digital targets have been getting used for the rifle SAFS clinic.
One of many instructors, Grasp Sgt. Kristoffer Good friend, USAR, acknowledged, “The good thing about digital targets is that it permits the scholars to be current out on the road, observing and studying slightly than being within the pits. There’s not a lot marksmanship coaching occurring within the pits.”
Workers Sgt. McGaffic famous that the digital targets permit the scholars to actually give attention to the basics of marksmanship, which is what the clinic is all about.
He stated, “The moment suggestions of the digital targets permits the scholars to regulate rapidly, actually give attention to fundamentals and never fear about pit service or different issues.”
The Small Arms Firing Faculty isn’t the one clinic supplied on the Nationwide Matches. There are upkeep clinics, vary officer programs and junior clinics.
This yr’s Junior Highpower Clinic, led by the Veteran’s Household Brigade, supplied superior instruction and hands-on steerage to younger marksmen and girls.
The Veteran’s Household Brigade (VFB) (https://vfbrigade.com) is a gaggle made up of retired army capturing workforce members from a number of army branches. Throughout the VFB, there are former and present nationwide champions and present U.S. Nationwide Rifle Workforce members.
So, the extent of instruction that the juniors get throughout this clinic is unmatched.
Julia Watson-Carlson spoke concerning the VFB’s expertise, saying, “The neat factor concerning the VFB is the a long time’ value of marksmanship instruction for competitors that they’ve. The talents and the data that they’ve to present again is large.”
The scholars on this clinic are studying from one of the best of one of the best, but it surely’s not simply the juniors who profit.
Watson-Carlson famous that, “Retired veterans not put on the uniform. Educating and giving again offers the veterans a goal as effectively.”
As for the clinic curriculum, the scholars discovered firearm security, positions, diet, marksmanship fundamentals and correct firearms dealing with.
When excessive winds prompted a brief cease-fire on day one of many clinic, the VFB turned the delay right into a educating alternative. The instructors led a dialog on wind studying methods till the vary reopened. Even a storm couldn’t cease the training!
Watson-Carlson additionally talked about that, this yr, they centered on the psychological administration portion, saying, “Our focus this yr was course of over efficiency. Efficiency will finally get there, but when the scholars are writing down their course of, they’ll establish sources of instability with their course of and might goal errors they’re making.”
She was happy with how critically the juniors have been taking this idea and witnessed them utilizing their capturing journals to write down targets, methods, what works, what doesn’t in addition to utilizing all that data to enhance their course of.
Constructing on this yr’s success, the Veterans Household Brigade is already looking forward to subsequent yr’s clinic, desperate to broaden the curriculum and proceed elevating the bar for junior marksmanship.
The Nationwide Matches clinics might have began as a mandate, however they endure due to ardour. Whether or not it’s the U.S. Military Marksmanship Unit, the Veterans Household Brigade or the following technology of juniors on the road, every performs a job in shaping the way forward for marksmanship, one shot, one lesson and one competitor at a time.
Discover out extra concerning the 2026 Nationwide Match Clinics at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/clinics/.
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 help to residents of all backgrounds throughout the nation. Be taught extra concerning the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
