At this year’s First Shot Ceremony, the CEO & Chairman of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), Gerald O’Keefe remarked, “[The National Matches] are specified in the law, but the law doesn’t tell us what to do. It doesn’t tell us how big these events should be, what matches we should run, or how long they should be, but we are committed to making these matches as big as we can get them.”
His words echoed across the grounds of historic Camp Perry over 120 years after the National Matches had been cemented into law.
He’s right, of course.
Other than specifying that the National Matches need to take place, there’s no guidance on how to carry them out. The matches change throughout the years, responding to new firearms, matches and technology all while aiming to promote marksmanship, competition and youth programs.
Within Title 36 of the U.S. Code there is language specifying “a Small Arms Firing School shall be held in connection with the National Matches.”
The Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) is the flagship clinic offered at the National Matches. In 2025, CMP hosted pistol, smallbore and rifle SAFS clinics, each lead by the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) team members.
O’Keefe noted that the CMP and USAMU share a common intersection in supporting youth shooting, saying, “The (U.S.) Army Marksmanship Unit leads a variety of youth events throughout the year, including Small Arms Firing Schools and shooting 101 classes, that bring more individuals into the sport in a responsible and safe way.”
SAFS is open to anyone who wants to attend. New and seasoned competitors alike join to learn marksmanship fundamentals and improve skills, led by the best marksmen & women in the nation.
Staff Sgt. Jerrod McGaffic was part of the USAMU team in charge of rifle SAFS this year, and he stated, “We have seen all walks of life, and welcome anyone who is willing to come out here and give it a shot.”
He goes on to say that all firearms and ammunition are provided, making the event accessible and welcoming to newcomers who want to experience the sport in a safe, supportive environment.
This year marked the first year that electronic targets were being used for the rifle SAFS clinic.
One of the instructors, Master Sgt. Kristoffer Friend, USAR, stated, “The benefit of electronic targets is that it allows the students to be present out on the line, observing and learning rather than being in the pits. There’s not much marksmanship training going on in the pits.”
Staff Sgt. McGaffic noted that the electronic targets allow the students to really focus on the fundamentals of marksmanship, which is what the clinic is all about.
He said, “The instant feedback of the electronic targets enables the students to adjust quickly, really focus on fundamentals and not worry about pit service or other things.”
The Small Arms Firing School isn’t the only clinic offered at the National Matches. There are maintenance clinics, range officer courses and junior clinics.
This year’s Junior Highpower Clinic, led by the Veteran’s Family Brigade, offered advanced instruction and hands-on guidance to young marksmen and women.
The Veteran’s Family Brigade (VFB) (https://vfbrigade.com) is a group made up of retired military shooting team members from multiple military branches. Within the VFB, there are former and current national champions and current U.S. National Rifle Team members.
So, the level of instruction that the juniors get during this clinic is unmatched.
Julia Watson-Carlson spoke about the VFB’s experience, saying, “The neat thing about the VFB is the decades’ worth of marksmanship instruction for competition that they have. The skills and the knowledge that they have to give back is huge.”
The students in this clinic are learning from the best of the best, but it’s not just the juniors who benefit.
Watson-Carlson noted that, “Retired veterans no longer wear the uniform. Teaching and giving back gives the veterans a purpose as well.”
As for the clinic curriculum, the students learned firearm safety, positions, nutrition, marksmanship fundamentals and proper firearms handling.
When high winds caused a temporary cease-fire on day one of the clinic, the VFB turned the delay into a teaching opportunity. The instructors led a conversation on wind reading techniques until the range reopened. Even a storm couldn’t stop the learning!
Watson-Carlson also mentioned that, this year, they focused on the mental management portion, saying, “Our focus this year was process over performance. Performance will eventually get there, but if the students are writing down their process, they can identify sources of instability with their process and can target mistakes they are making.”
She was pleased with how seriously the juniors were taking this concept and witnessed them using their shooting journals to write goals, techniques, what works, what doesn’t as well as using all that information to improve their process.
Building on this year’s success, the Veterans Family Brigade is already looking ahead to next year’s clinic, eager to expand the curriculum and continue raising the bar for junior marksmanship.
The National Matches clinics may have started as a mandate, but they endure because of passion. Whether it’s the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, the Veterans Family Brigade or the next generation of juniors on the line, each plays a role in shaping the future of marksmanship, one shot, one lesson and one competitor at a time.
Find out more about the 2026 National Match Clinics at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/clinics/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
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