The NRA was originally formed in 1871 to promote marksmanship training. Today, marksmanship qualification shooting remains one of NRA’s most popular programs. Although most people associate the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program with Junior Shooting, it is for all age groups. Many people also confuse qualification shooting with formal organized competitive shooting, when in fact qualification shooting is something anyone can do at home, or at any range. You can participate with your children, friends, and family on an informal or formal basis. It is a great reward system when used in a shooting league or club as well. We had great fun with it in our NRA Headquarters Skeet League many years ago. It produced eight new Distinguished Experts over three seasons. It is easy to participate, as it’s honor-based, self-paced, and administered at the local level by a coach, instructor, parent, program leader, or the individual participant.
In a nutshell, the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program is a skill development program that provides challenging goals each time you go to the range. It introduces shooters to basic marksmanship at the Pro-Marksman level, which in each course starts off easily. Once a shooter is hooked and starts developing shooting skills, the scores required to complete each rating become more challenging. You work your way through the rating award levels (Marksman, Marksman 1st Class, Sharpshooter, and Expert), until you reach the pinnacle of the program, the nationally recognized Distinguished Expert. When you have reached the Distinguished Expert award level, your skill will approximate that of a formal “Classified” Sharpshooter in NRA Competitive Shooting.
There are courses to shoot for every discipline – from BB guns to high-power rifles, handguns to shotguns. Each shooting discipline has a colorful patch, and there are certificates, medals, and rockers available for each skill level, recognizing the shooter for their outstanding marksmanship accomplishments. Shooters can display their accomplishments with pride.
Although the program is not restricted to NRA members, NRA members receive headquarters recognition when the Distinguished Expert level is achieved. Speaking of headquarters recognition, there is no need to stop once you achieve Distinguished Expert in one discipline group (Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun). We also recognize Double and Triple Distinguished Experts, for those who qualify at the highest level in one or two additional disciplines.
The goal is to introduce new shooters to our sport and keep them shooting. Each course is tested and proven to develop skills at a realistic but challenging rate. This is a great program for instructors and coaches who enjoy taking new shooters beyond the basics. Just think of the pride and accomplishment you, as an instructor, will feel when your student earns their Distinguished Expert Award. The recipient will remember you for a lifetime. If you are teaching the basic classes, and do not intend to “coach” beyond the class, please explain the benefits of the Marksmanship Qualification Program to your students as outlined the lesson, Continued Opportunities for Skill Development.
The NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program booklet is part of every basic course student packet, so everyone who attends an NRA Basic Course should receive one at no additional charge. For more information on the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, please visit mqp.nra.org.
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