The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program (JSSP) – Department of Arizona

Introduction to JSSP Marksmanship Objective: To establish a vibrant American Legion JSSP air rifle marksmanship program throughout the State of Arizona

Why JSSP Marksmanship? Popular, fun, and uniquely challenging Reinforce safety through responsibility Develops life skills—respect, discipline, self-control, emotional control Enhances human performance skills—concentration, goal setting, teamwork An Olympic sport with a military heritage A high school and NCAA college sport, cadets can earn scholarships

Goals and Objectives, 1st Year Inform Posts, SAL, and Auxiliary on JSSP Begin Public Relations with JSSP principals Purchase JSSP equipment for 6 shooters Conduct 3 Coaches and Shooter Clinics Conduct 3 State Championship Meets Sponsor possible American Legion Teams and Shooters at National Championship

Goals and Objectives, 2 to 5 years Build relationships with NRA, CMP, 4H, BSA, USA Shooting, USOC, JROTC, ASRPA, AZ Game and Fish, Private Gun Clubs (e.g. Rio Salado, PRGC), etc Form Statewide Committee of above and hold coordination meetings for support Conduct 3 or more each Air Rifle Coaches and Shooter Clinics annually .

Goals and Objectives, 2 to 5 years Develop over 20 AZ American Legion Teams at the Post Level Conduct 3 State Air Rifle Championship Meets annually Make AZ JSSP a Power House in 3 years

1 2 3 All Sports Have Three Common Components Athletes Sports Equipment Scoring 3

SHOOTING IS A SPORT THAT DEVELOPS THESE ATTRIBUTES CONTROL SHOOTING IS A SPORT THAT DEVELOPS THESE ATTRIBUTES DISCIPLINE CONCENTRATION CONCENTRATION 0.5mm 10-Ring, 10M Distance EXTREME PRECISION

Qualities of Marksmanship Safety—The safest of all youth sports Open to All--Gender, size, speed, etc. do not determine success: Title IX Training, not ability, makes the difference Teaches life skills—discipline, responsibility, rewards of hard work Teaches control, respect for others It’s fun—scoring a ten is a big thrill!

Marksmanship Offers: 1. Safety Instruction 3. Practice Firing & Qualification 2. Marksmanship Instruction 4. Rifle Team Participation

JSSP Competition Opportunities JROTC Competition Program: JROTC Postal Competitions Regional JROTC competitions and leagues National JROTC Championship Open Junior Competitions: High School Rifle Team Competitions Regional and National Junior Competitions CMP, NRA, Jr Olympics, & American Legion Championships

JSSP & JROTC Air Rifle Marksmanship Governed by NRA, CMP, and JROTC Regulations Uses 4.5mm (.177 cal.) target air rifles Firing at 10 meters distance Jr Shooters learn gun safety & basic marksmanship in range firing activities Competition firing in prone, standing, kneeling positions Many High Schools have JROTC Rifle Teams AZ American Legion Posts are setting up Teams

National NRA, American Legion, JROTC and CMP Championships

Minimum Equipment List Item Cost Air Rifle, Crosman Challenger 525.00 Bipod, Air Rifle 20.00 Sling, Daisy 18.00 Spotting Scope, CC12 125.00 Spotting Scope Stand 167.00 Kneeling Roll 18.00 Shooting Mat, Universal 90.00 Shooting Stand, Offhand 99.00 Rifle Case, Plano 24.50

Minimum Equipment List Item Cost Targets, Airgun (100), 12 bull 9.50 Shooting Glasses, Venture 9.50 Shooters Equipment Case, Plano        36.00 Shooters Glove, Deluxe Summer 30.00 Match Pellets, Vogel Merlin 54.00 Sweat Shirt (2) 30.00 Pellet Block 10.00                          Total Cost      $1265.50

Summary Vibrant Post level JSSP Programs will increase American Legion participation and membership Good rapport with principal shooting organizations will elevate AZ JSSP Quality Sporter Class JSSP Equipment & Training will facilitate: + Statewide Clinics & Competition + Sponsor AZ National Champions + Make Arizona a JSSP Powerhouse in 3 years

Start Up Checklist Survey Post/District/Area for interest in JSSP- need 6 prospective shooters and 2 coaches to get a good start Schedule a visit by the AZ Department JSSP Director or Committee member to brief interested members on initial steps, preliminary goals, expectations, and requirements  Recruit youth through Legion membership, affiliations and networks Locate/acquire access to a suitable range area, preferably indoor Identify eligible members to serve as prospective coaches/boosters for teams Encourage interested members to complete Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) complementary/no-cost JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course (JMIC) training online <http://www.thecmp.org>) Training and Tech – JMIC. Request AZ Department JSSP Director to schedule a 5-day coaches/marksmanship  clinic to successfully launch viable JSSP program at Post/District/Area level Encourage coaches/boosters to attend NRA Air Rifle Level 1 training  Schedule participation in postal and shoulders-to-shoulder matches