Legged Out Today

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   My three year quest has come to a conclusion today.
At the CMP Talladega D-Day Matches in 2021, I unexpectedly earned my first 6 “Leg Points” with the M1 Garand in my first Excellence in Competition (EIC) Match. That started a journey to earn the remaining 24 points needed for the Distinguished Rifleman (DR) Award. This award can only be obtained shooting the Service Rifle (currently the M16/AR-15, M14/M1A or M1 Garand).  Little did I know that would take three years with a lot of dedication and focus. 
The DR badge is a unique award for Excellence in Competition and dates back to 1884 in the US Army. The program is now administered by the Civilian Marksmanship Program.  Points are awarded for placing in the top 10% of shooters in special EIC matches following this specific course of fire: 

   10 shots standing slow fire at 200 yards 
   10 shots sitting rapid fire at 200 yards
   10 shots prone rapid fire at 300 yards
   20 shots prone slow fire at 600 yards 

NO SIGHTER SHOTS ALLOWED

It’s been a journey, and at times it felt like I would never make it.  Some have done this in just three EIC matches, many have never gotten the 30 points needed which must include one “Hard Leg” win of 8 or 10 points which is only given out when there are more than 36 Non-Distinguished shooters and you finish first or second place.  Doesn’t sound all that tough until you try doing it. 

We must compete with the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) and USMC Shooting Team professionals who are assigned to this role full time.  We don’t have the benefit of being issued equipment and ammunition to practice and compete with. Those guys and gals are good, very good, and tough to keep up with. 

It’s particularly difficult for those of us who “try too hard”.  Invariably, stress and nerves got the better of me. Sometimes in the standing position, my knees would literally shake.  If you had the attitude “I don’t give a flying ****) you had the advantage. 

I’m just glad it’s done and now so I can go back to shooting the “wood guns”, that is the M1, No. 4 and 1903 A3. 

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britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Legged Out Today Posted: December 07 2024 at 5:22pm
	My three year quest has come to a conclusion today. At the CMP Talladega D-Day Matches in 2021, I unexpectedly earned my first 6 “Leg Points” with the M1 Garand in my first Excellence in Competition (EIC) Match. That started a journey to earn the remaining 24 points needed for the Distinguished Rifleman (DR) Award. This award can only be obtained shooting the Service Rifle (currently the M16/AR-15, M14/M1A or M1 Garand). Little did I know that would take three years with a lot of dedication and focus. The DR badge is a unique award for Excellence in Competition and dates back to 1884 in the US Army. The program is now administered by the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Points are awarded for placing in the top 10% of shooters in special EIC matches following this specific course of fire: 10 shots standing slow fire at 200 yards 10 shots sitting rapid fire at 200 yards 10 shots prone rapid fire at 300 yards 20 shots prone slow fire at 600 yards NO SIGHTER SHOTS ALLOWED It’s been a journey, and at times it felt like I would never make it. Some have done this in just three EIC matches, many have never gotten the 30 points needed which must include one “Hard Leg” win of 8 or 10 points which is only given out when there are more than 36 Non-Distinguished shooters and you finish first or second place. Doesn’t sound all that tough until you try doing it. We must compete with the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) and USMC Shooting Team professionals who are assigned to this role full time. We don’t have the benefit of being issued equipment and ammunition to practice and compete with. Those guys and gals are good, very good, and tough to keep up with. It’s particularly difficult for those of us who “try too hard”. Invariably, stress and nerves got the better of me. Sometimes in the standing position, my knees would literally shake. If you had the attitude “I don’t give a flying ****) you had the advantage. I’m just glad it’s done and now so I can go back to shooting the “wood guns”, that is the M1, No. 4 and 1903 A3.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 07 2024 at 10:29pm
	it seems to me you did well , i gewt where your coming from , i appreciate them as well , but i wont part with my MIAI nor my ARs , or any of my handguns --- just not giving up an inch at this point

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 3:12am
	Congratulations on your DR badge Geoff. That is a well earned achievement!
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 4:57am
	Thanks Shaun, it’s been my primary shooting sport focus for the last 3 years. Took me thousands of rounds of dedicated one day a week practice. I fired in lots of matches too during that period. We are limited by shooting a maximum of 5 EIC matches in a year, no limits on any of the other high power service rifle matches. Mike, I’ll continue to shoot the AR in competition, but will back off the grueling tempo. The reloading hours I’ve spent to do this was mind numbing. I used to enjoy it, but it became a necessary chore. I know a guy who got out of shooting right after he became distinguished. I bought a lot of his reloading supplies. He figured there was no where else to go, no challenge left. I don’t intend to do that, but want to turn my focus back to the vintage service rifles and the Vintage Sniper Rifle matches shooting the No. 4 T. Want to give those guys with the Springfield 03A1 a run for their money. Besides, the T is just a cool rifle and fun to shoot.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 8:28am
	I think winning a competition with your Dad's No4T would be fantastic achievement! We know you have the ability!
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 10:18am
	Congratulations! Well earned I say.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Online Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 11:08am
	Your Dad would be proud!
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 3:24pm
	Congratulations - well deserved.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

Doco Overboard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 26 2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Doco Overboard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 08 2024 at 3:26pm
	That's a heck of an accomplishment. Way to go and congratulations!

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 09 2024 at 7:31am
	Thanks for the kind compliments guys. I hope to encourage others to take up this sport. It's never too late to do this, I know several guys in their 80's who are still shooting matches, and some are still posting very good scores. A few years back, the CMP introduced a new Distinguished Markman award, where shooters are allowed to use adaptive positions based on physical disabilities. So there is hope for us all! Since 1884 there has been some 2700 civilian shooters who have become Distinguished Rifleman (DR). Initially, the DR program was open only to the US Army, then opened up to civilians in 1926. Not a heck of a lot when you consider how many competitors historically have gone to the Nationals at Camp Perry every year; thousands. National Matches participation peaked around 1990, and has been going down ever since. This year there were 757 entries in the National Trophy Service Rifle Match.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 09 2024 at 4:30pm
	[QUOTE=britrifles]Thanks Shaun, it’s been my primary shooting sport focus for the last 3 years. Took me thousands of rounds of dedicated one day a week practice. I fired in lots of matches too during that period. We are limited by shooting a maximum of 5 EIC matches in a year, no limits on any of the other high power service rifle matches. Mike, I’ll continue to shoot the AR in competition, but will back off the grueling tempo. The reloading hours I’ve spent to do this was mind numbing. I used to enjoy it, but it became a necessary chore. I know a guy who got out of shooting right after he became distinguished. I bought a lot of his reloading supplies. He figured there was no where else to go, no challenge left. I don’t intend to do that, but want to turn my focus back to the vintage service rifles and the Vintage Sniper Rifle matches shooting the No. 4 T. Want to give those guys with the Springfield 03A1 a run for their money. Besides, the T is just a cool rifle and fun to shoot. OK , now i feel better , i thought ypou were going to give up that part of the match

Irish Blonde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 27 2024 Location: IL Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Blonde Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 17 2025 at 6:54am
	You're a machine! How's the last year treated you?