[BullfrogKen]

From the announcement:

Welcome to the 2012 matches. Despite consolidating the matches to 9 days of shooting over one work-week (with a 10th day for weather backup), the format of the match is essentially unchanged (although the Fleet team match is now a “paper” match). This change is due to feedback from shooters and commands regarding time away from their commands. The other obvious change you will see this year is the inclusion of civilian shooters who are not associated with military service. I welcome their expertise and experience in both rifle and pistol, which will be invaluable to teaching our Sailors how to become better marksmen.

Link to register for the Rifle portion through the CMP:

http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/matchInfo.cgi?matchID=8099

You can find the entire program here:
http://www.usnst.org/
On the page click the link for "East Coast" to view cost, the entire list of events and lodging arrangements.


I'm registered to shoot during Fleet week. Legs will be awarded at this event.

[dfugate]

I am to, looking forward to it.

[dfugate]

Oh, just a quick note, limited to 200 shooters and Navy, other branches, and Navy retired have preference.

[BullfrogKen]

Yup. Civilians are last in the order of preference.

However the Fleet match didn't fill to capacity last year. Just under 150 people competed. I had a conversation with the Match Director, Commander Bartel, and he didn't anticipate the military representation to increase much over last year. I got the impression they decided to allow civilians to compete to try to fill the match to capacity, and to glean some experience from the civilian shooting community.


Look forward to seeing you there! Are you staying in a hotel, or the squad bays?

[dfugate]

I am staying at the Ramada, Triagle VA, one exit up, 150 I think. I have a friend who retired from the team, they have let civilians shoot before, at Dam Neck, I think this is the first for Quantico. The Ramada, I think thats the one, is about 80 a night gov. rate. I am staying for the first part, cant afford both weeks, will be heading to butner after that for the CMP games part of the matches, then on to Perry the end of the summer.

[BullfrogKen]

The way I gathered it was civilians entered prior events outside a formal, widely-disseminated announcement.


Regardless, this year they've made the intent to have civilians on the line broadcast. And it's nice to see the hat tip to the skills civilians possess in the announcement.

[dfugate]

Ya, the Navy needs all the help they can get, I spoke to one of the guys on the contact list to verify about wearing eye protection, it said required, but that is only for Active and Reserve, which I was glad to hear, I dont shot as well with it, cant get where I need to on the rifle. By the way, make sure to send your money in, your not registered until they get theirs.

[BullfrogKen]

Good tip.


I'm wondering how they handle the preference. Say 40 civilians sign up, paid in full, which fills it to capacity by mid-March. Then an Army Team gets TDY orders approved and signs April 1st. What will they do? Bump some civilians who already signed up and paid off the roster to accomodate the higher preference active duty Army?


I'm going to see if there's space in the squad bays when I get there. I kinda like that experience at one of these events.

[dfugate]

They will bump, but I dont think the army goes to that one, the AMU anyway, my friend never mentioned them being there. The leg was very low last year, these are all Navy personnel from the fleet.

[BullfrogKen]

That was just a hypothetical.


I'm aware it is mostly Navy personnel; they are directing the matches and make it attractive for Sailors to attend. But Marines certainly do go.


Was just wondering how they handled someone who took vacation and paid his fees would get handled if some military members signed up toward the end of the window. Guessing a refund is in order.

[dfugate]

My friend had to cancel a couple of times, he did not get his money back, but if your bumped through no fualt of your own then you may. If not just consider it a donation to the Navy Marksmanship Team. I mailed mine in about 4 weeks ago or so, I am looking forward to it, it will be my first time up there, they are picky on that base, that is why I am staying off base, one wrong turn with your rifle in the car and you are in for it, especially if you wonder on the other side of the base.

[BullfrogKen]

Anyone besides us two going?

[BullfrogKen]

It was great to meet you, David.


And I totally enjoyed staying in the barracks. The friendships I made staying there literally increased my scores between Sunday and Monday.

[Jon Coppenbarger]

Good luck guys!

Shoot well and have FUN!!!!

[dfugate]

It was fun, good to meet you and all the Navy Personnel. The match caused me to take a hard look at my 600-yard ammo. I am going to start loading it myself. Well its off to the Creedmoor Eastern Games and try and get a few medals there, hopefully the weather will hold out for us, good luck with the rest of the year.