Every year, the Rifle Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) is conducted at Camp Perry, Ohio, with the help of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).
SAFS is a two-day event, tucked in the schedule in the middle of the high power championships with classroom instruction and range firing for any experience level. It’s a great introduction into competitive shooting because each student works with coaches on the firing line, to put into practice the lessons taught in the classroom.
The USAMU covers fundamental marksmanship techniques like sight alignment, trigger control and three-position shooting. During the multiple breaks offered, the instructors encourage the new students to handle the firearms safely to learn basic operation.
Experienced marksmen are also available for questions, which allows each student to tailor the instruction to their individual skill level. Additionally, competition specifics like scoring and how to operate targets in the pits are part of the curriculum.
Unlike other matches now being fired on electronic targets, the SAFS match is shot on paper targets. If you’ve never shot before, you may not know what’s required to be “in the pits” raising, lowering and displaying the scores. The students are grouped into teams of four. Two of them shoot while the other two go downrange to the pits to learn how to operate the targets.
Students learn how to tell when the target is hit, lower the target, mark the score and send it back up for another shot. The process is slightly different for rapid fire, but there is always someone nearby to ask for help if needed. This is a crucial part of learning to shoot in rifle competitions. Although, with the introduction of electronic targets eliminating the need to have someone in the pits during some competitions, it may not be a requirement for long.
The basics are covered, the USAMU teaches the concepts with the help of experienced coaches and students learn how to operate the pits all on the first day. On the second day, the Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) match is held, putting all their newly learned skills to the test. The top 10 percent of eligible competitors can earn their first four EIC points towards the Distinguished Rifleman Badge.
This year the winner was Pvt. 1st Class Alric Good, USAR. He previously participated in the Rifle SAFS course twice. Good said his goal was to “try my best, see if I could make it this year, and it panned out.” The coach he was working with—a distinguished rifleman himself—helped identify an inconsistency in Good’s prone position.
“He assisted with my prone slow-fire, I was inconsistent with where I was putting my right elbow down,” Good explained. It must’ve helped because he was able to win the competition and the first four EIC points towards the Distinguished Badge with his final score of 383-6X.
The top junior competitor, taking fourth place overall with a score of 380-11X, was Joshua Brown, age 16, from Lake Jackson, Texas. This marked the second time that he completed the class.
Brown explained the difference between last year and this year. “I got a brand-new rifle, my own gear and I started tightening up on my positions.” His coach was helping him with his rapid-fire during practice. “I’m starting to clean those. It’s all coming together.”
In addition, Brown said he’s hoping to work on his standing position more, which should assist him with his goal to “go distinguished.”
Learn more about the Small Arms Firing School at the CMP website.
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