To recognize those who consistently score well in the John C. Garand Match with M1 rifles as issued in designated Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) competitions, the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) has designed a new Program GCA Master Marksman.
“The GCA is grateful to enjoy a cooperative partnership with the CMP, whose administrative efforts are essential to making this new award a reality,” the GCA said in a statement.
The GCA Master Marksman program is scheduled to begin in January 2023. Like the CMP-established Distinguished Badge Program, the new addition will work on an Achievement Award point system, based on performance in designated CMP events.
Points will be awarded based on cutoff scores and will be presented as gold (10 points), silver (8 points), and bronze (6 points) levels. Competitors must achieve a total of 40 points overall, with one gold and one additional gold or silver required. All other points can be bronze or higher.
The first points to be awarded will be at the 2023 Western Games, which will be held in Phoenix in March.
Annual events currently featuring GCA points competitions include:
- CMP Western Games (Arizona) – March 10-19, 2023
- CMP Eastern Games (North Carolina) – April 28-May 7, 2023
- CMP D-Day (Alabama) – June 6-11, 2023
- CMP National Matches (Ohio) – July 2023
- CMP New England Games (Vermont) – September 16-24, 2023
- CMP Talladega 600 (Alabama) – November 2023
To participate, a competitor must be a current member of the GCA. People can even join on game day through the GCA website to be considered valid members.
Only M1 Garands may be used as issued. The Rules of Competition for the John C. Garand Match (Course A: 30 rounds) will be followed as defined in the CMP Games Rifle and Pistol Competition Rules. Those who shoot in re-entry events will only be able to use their highest score as points.
Outside of the Master Marksman program, the GCA will continue to donate generous funds to the winners of John C. Garand Matches, as well as the semi-automatic category of Vintage Team Sniper Matches at major CMP competitions, regardless of GCA membership.
Questions about the new program? Contact CMP’s Christina Roguski at 419-635-2141 ext. 714 or [email protected].
About the GCA: Since its inception in 1986, the GCA and its members have worked diligently to expand awareness of the M1 Garand, preserve its history, and encourage and assist others in collecting the historic rifle. The GCA has also worked closely with the CMP since 2000 in classifying M1 Garand rifles and promoting competitive and recreational firearms safety. Learn more about the organization at https://thegca.org/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearms safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of marksmanship competition for United States citizens. To learn more about the CMP and its programs, log on to www.TheCMP.org.