STARTING A JROTC MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course, Section III

Starting a JROTC Marksmanship Program Section Objective: To examine the personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies needed to establish a successful JROTC air rifle marksmanship program

Components of a JROTC Marksmanship Program  Leadership—it all starts here  School--JROTC Unit Partnership  Air Rifle Range—a place to shoot  Equipment—air rifles, slings, mats, etc.  Expendable Supplies—pellets and targets  Marksmanship curriculum & resources  Instruction, practice and competition activities

LEADERSHIP  To Become a Marksmanship Instructor  The only prerequisite—interest and commitment  Required Training  JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course (JMIC)  Marksmanship Instructor Development  Learn from doing—instruct cadets  Participate in JROTC postal matches  Learn from other JROTC instructors through competitions  Advanced Training  NRA/USAS/CMP Coach Training Course (2-day course, offered through NRA)  National Coaches Conference (sponsored by USA Shooting)  CMP Junior Air Rifle Camps  U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit Rifle Clinics

School-JROTC Unit Partnership  Step 1--School approves marksmanship program  Step 2--MOU (req. for Army/Navy) covering:  Range location, use, access, maintenance  Rifles used  Safety rules  Cadet training  Rifle security  Step 3--Keep school officials informed about marksmanship program

Set Up an Air Rifle Range Fundamental Requirements: Space: feet long, feet of width per firing point Safety Barrier: Controlled entrance/exit on three sides of the range Access: Available on temporary or permanent basis for range use

Air Rifle Range Layout Firing Line Firing Distance = 10 meters Firing Points Target Backstops Range Officer Station Ready Line Safety Barrier

Possible Range Locations  Permanent Air Rifle Range (Preferred)  Temporary Ranges:  Gymnasium  Utility Room  Classroom  Shop  Dressing Rooms  Auditorium/auditorium stage  Off Campus Locations—NG armory, etc.  Outdoor Locations--Safe if impact area is secure

Range Planning Issues  Perimeter security—prevent access from outside, signs for possible entry points  Stray pellet containment--cover windows with any material that stops pellet exit  Access, hours available  Size, number of firing points available  Storage for target holders, equipment, gas  Ease of set up, take down and cleaning  Distance/travel required Gymnasium

Outdoor Air Rifle Ranges  Range space requirements are the same indoors or ourdoors  Safety fan area: pellets can travel 300 yards  Protection from wind, rain and sun is recommended Safety Fan Range Firing Area 300 Yards

Outdoor Range Requirements  300 yard range impact area (area within safety fan) must be identified  Outdoor ranges can be used if one of the following means of control is established:  Observers (2, may be cadets) have visual control of impact area and have commo with RO  Impact area is restricted and signed  Range has a baffle/berm/backstop combination that can contain all pellets fired  If not, an indoor range location must be sought

Air Rifle Range Backstops  Backstop Requirements:  100% pellet capture  Steel--14 gauge steel minimum  In emergency—6-8 inches of loosely packed paper in cardboard boxes or acoustical tiles w/carpet backing  Target Holders:  Ease of hanging targets  Must support proper target locations: 20/31.5/55 in. Target backstop plans for two types of backstops are available at

Standardized Backstops

AIR RIFLES FOR JROTC MARKSMANSHIP Daisy M853--Pneumatic, standard issue air rifle since 1980s to JROTC units Daisy Avanti XS-40-- Compressed air, purchased by units for rifle team use Daisy M888--CO2, purchased by units for rifle team use Daisy M853CM--Pneumatic, issued to MCJROTC and AFJROTC units (starting in 2006) Daisy M887--CO2, issued to Army JROTC units (starting in 2009) Crosman Challenger 2009S— purchased by units for rifle team use.

Air Rifle Considerations  Sporter Class Air Rifles--recommended for basic marksmanship instruction  Daisy M853 Pneumatic Air Rifles--  Very accurate, suitable for basic marksmanship in supported & standing positions  Difficult to charge in prone & kneeling positions  CA (compressed air) Air Rifles--require scuba tank and supply of compressed air  CO 2 Air Rifles--require CO 2 tank, refill adapter, postal scale and supply of CO 2  Precision Air Rifles--recommended for advanced use by rifle teams only

Precision Air Rifles Precision air rifles are used by many JROTC units for rifle team competition activities. Successful use of precision air rifles requires the acquisition of shooting jackets and shooting trousers. Precision air rifles are used by many JROTC units for rifle team competition activities. Successful use of precision air rifles requires the acquisition of shooting jackets and shooting trousers.

Minimum Equipment  Rifles:  As-issued by Cadet Commands  Slings—supplied with Daisy air rifles  Gloves  Minimum: Leather work glove  Purchase Shooting Glove: $20-40  Shooting Mats (1 per firing pt.)  Minimum: 2.5’ x 6’ carpet strips or closed cell sleeping bag mats  Purchase: $50-75 each  Kneeling Rolls (1 per firing pt.)  Minimum: Home-made  Purchase: $20-30 Equipment needed to get started is low cost and readily available

Advanced Equipment  Rifles  CO 2 or compressed air sporters  Spotting Scopes  Cost: $75 - $200 or more  Use for rifle team members  Spotting Scope Stands  Adjustable for three positions  Cost: $100 or more  Shooting Stands  Cost: $100

Air & CO 2 Refill Equipment CO 2 Equipment:  CO 2 Tank  50 pound, with dip or siphon tube)  20 pound, with dip tube  10 pound (for travel only)  Fill Station  Connects air rifle cylinder to CO 2 tank  Postal Scale  Gloves  Wrenches Compressed Air Equipment:  Scuba Tank  3 tank system is best  Tank must have DIN valve or K valve with yoke  Cylinder Adapter  Connects air rifle cylinder to scuba tank  Different air rifles require different adapters

Expendable Supplies  Targets:  BMC targets (for basic instruction)  10-bull targets (for advanced instruction, rifle team activities)  Pellets:  Use 4.5mm (.177 cal) lead, flat-nosed pellets only  Some pellets marketed by Daisy and Crosman may be satisfactory for training  Pellets manufactured by H&N, Vogel, RWS are satisfactory for training and competition

Personal & Safety Equipment  Clothing  Sweatshirt (1 or 2) or shirt  No shooting jacket permitted  Eye Protection  Air rifle risk minimal  Required on NJROTC ranges  Clear/polycarbonate recommended  Personal eyeglasses should be worn  Hearing Protection  Not necessary for air rifle  Enhances concentration

Instructional Materials  JMIC, Sections 2, 5, 7, 8, 9  JROTC Curriculum Material  Army—Air Rifle Safety & Marksmanship, LET Unit 7  USMC—Core Student Text  Navy--Marksmanship Text  Resources:  Junior Shooter’s Guide to Air Rifle Safety  CMP Rifle Instruction Guide  Shooters Guide to Position Air Rifle  Coaching Young Rifle Shooters

Unit Marksmanship Inspections  Required for Army JROTC only  Review Inspection Instructions (Resources)  Complete inspection requirements  Prepare Cadet Marksmanship Roster  Assemble documents  Request inspection through Brigades