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: 45-50 feet long, 3.0-4.0 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
Range
Officer
Station
Ready
Line
Firing Distance = 10 meters
Firing Points
Target Backstops
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




Gymnasium



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
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
300
Yards
Range
Firing
Area
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
http://www.odcmp.com/Coaching/target_stand_plans.htm.
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
CO2 Air Rifles--require CO2 tank, refill adapter, postal
scale and supply of CO2
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.
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
 CO2 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 & CO2 Refill Equipment
CO2 Equipment:
 CO2 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 CO2 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
