Aerial photos Courtesy of Ed Tyler.

Talladega Marksmanship Park construction underway; a Civilian Marksmanship Program project - By Joe Songer - AL.com - TALLADEGA, Alabama - Construction is underway on the Talladega Marksmanship Park, a project of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The $20 million state of the art shooting range is to open March of 2015. Construction Crews are using heavy equipment to move 600,000 cubic yards of dirt to create the state of the art shooting facility on 500 acres not far for the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega County. Read the complete article.

The art of war - World War II weapon is 'Cadillac of rifles' - By Alex Green, The Sandusky Register - It's more than just a weapon. It's a work of art, and an icon of America's military might and history. It quite literally helped change the world, giving the Allies a distinct advantage over their enemies in World War II. Mention the M1 Garand rifle to Steve Cooper and Mike Conrad, and their eyes will light up. This is partly because sales of the M1 Garand drive their Civilian Marksmanship Program at Camp Perry, but it's also because the two men are simply smitten by the gun's brilliant design. Read the complete article. 

Hernando youth have strong showing at 4-H rifle competition - By Heather Francis, Hernando Today correspondent - The Hernando Sportsman's Club in Brooksville hosted the annual Florida 4-H State Rifle Competition on Saturday, where more than 40 youth came from throughout the state to test their marksmanship skill and precision. Spring Hill resident, Victor Hili, 13, and a seventh-grader at John D. Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Science, won his first rifle competition, taking four first place awards in four different rifle competition categories.  Read the complete article. 

A Clinic on the Fundamentals - By Brian Zins, from the Official Journal of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, February 2014 - Let me start by stating that some of what you're about to read may sound contradictory to a lot of articles that have been written and lessons that have been taught in the past. Some of this may say the thing in the end, just a different route to get there. By no way am I suggesting they are incorrect, I am merely giving my approach to learning bulls-eye and what I do as a shooter. Topics include Trigger Control, Types of trigger squeeze and Proper Grip. Read the complete article.

Whatsover - You've Heard of Teddy Roosevelt, but what about Tackhole Lee? By Hoyt Harwell, Senior Living, February 2014 - Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas K. "Tackhole" Lee of Alabama never knew each other but they had something in common, in a reverse sort of way. Birmingham's Lee got that nickname because he could put a bullet in a space no larger than a tack hole. Roosevelt, conversely, was concerned that so many of his Rough Riders couldn't shoot well enough to hit the broad side of a bar. That concern led to major developments in Alabama's Calhoun and Talladega counties. Read the complete article.

CMP Regional Championships kick off this weekend at Camp Perry.

Three relays of shooters will fill the CMP Gary Anderson Competition Center in hopes of qualifying for the CMP National 3P Championship held in June at Camp Perry. Live target images and results are available on the CMP website starting tomorrow at 8AM EST. Visit

The 2014 CMP Games - Oklahoma will take place 9-13 April at the Oklahoma City Gun Club. The CMP Games - Oklahoma will feature clinics, SAFS/M16 match, EIC Rifle Match, GSMM Four Gun Aggregate, Vintage Sniper Match, CMP As-Issued 1911 Pistol Match, Military & Police Service Pistol Match, EIC Pistol match, and several other events! Registration is now open at http://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&match=10814.   

CMP SMALL ARMS FIRING SCHOOL & M16 MATCH: This course is recommended for all new shooters and anyone that would like to learn gun safety and sound target shooting skills, regardless of previous experience. In this course you will learn about safety, positions, how to load and clear the rifle, how to loop a sling and prepare for practice firing. Rifle SAFS students are required to use the Rock River AR-15 commercial rifles issued by the school. Personal rifles are not permitted. Ammunition will be issued for use during practice fire and the M16 EIC Match. Coaches will be available to assist students during practice and the M16 match. Junior competitors must be at least 12 years old. For more information, contact the CMP at (419) 635-2141, ext. 1114 or email croguski@thecmp.org.

 9 April 2014 - CMP Games - Oklahoma
 2 May 2014 - Eastern CMP Games, Camp Butner, North Carolina
 10 October 2014 - Western CMP Games, Phoenix, Arizona   

ON THE MARK Instructional Articles - Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship-Emeritus, is a regular contributor to ON THE MARK. He served as DCM for 10 years and remains an effective advocate for firearms safety training and rifle practice. Gary's primary role at CMP has been to develop and sustain successful youth shooting programs at both regional and national levels. To view the articles Mr. Anderson has written throughout the ON THE MARK series, visit http://thecmp.org/Comm/Gary_OTM.htm.

2014 CMP Junior Rifle Camps are filling up fast!

2014 Interservice Rifle Championship Matches - The 53nd Interservice Rifle Championship offers service rifle competitions for teams and individuals representing the Armed Services, Active, Reserve and National Guard, to include ROTC and Service Academies of the United States. This event will take place 5-13 July and is hosted by the Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, VA. Visit http://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&match=11105 to register online or download the match program.

CMP Plans Review of Pistol Rules-Comments Requested. The CMP Rules Committee plans to conduct a detailed review of the CMP Service Pistol Rules and pistol programs in 2014 with an objective of finding ways to increase pistol marksmanship participation and modernize the program. Every year the CMP receives recommendations to include other pistols in its definition of "service pistols" as well as calls to adopt new courses of fire. The CMP has appointed a special task force that includes Rules Committee members and several representatives of pistol shooting constituencies. They will examine past and new recommendations as well as the current situation where the often very expensive pistols needed to compete in EIC and National Trophy Matches can only be used in those matches. The CMP is absolutely committed to preserving and enhancing the Distinguished Pistol program, but it is also committed to finding ways to grow participation in EIC and CMP pistol matches. The CMP is concerned that currently participation is not growing and that the numbers of women and juniors who shoot these matches is much too low. The CMP is asking for input from anyone who has comments or ideas that might further these objectives. Please send your comments via email to Competitions@thecmp.org. Comments should be sent not later than 11 April 2014.

Affiliate your club with the CMP.  We look forward to working with you to assist your club in reaching its goals and in reaching the mission and vision of the CMP - to promote marksmanship training and firearms safety for all qualified U.S. citizens with a special emphasis on youth. Visit http://www.thecmp.org/Clubs/Affiliate.htm for more information or contact the CMP Affiliate Relations Department at 419-635-2141, Ext. 1182 or email clubs@thecmp.org.