From what I am aware, all three big SA's have a D1 precision smallbore team but I have not seen a single thread concerning rifle at the academies.
I've shot competitively since the age of 8, starting out with BB-gun and then moving up to Sporter air rifle when I turned 15 (Sporter = gun~ $500; no equipment besides glove). I further honed in on my shooting ability when I joined my school's JROTC marksmanship team. However, we only shoot 3-Position sporter air rifle, not precision. Consequently, I have little experience with precision air rifle or smallbore.
My scores in 3P sit around 545 (3x20), or a 272/273 (3x10). I've achieved national distinction in several postals/matches. This past weekend I went to a state match and talked with a man whose son is attending the USMA. He informed me that the USMA does not even consider sporter scores and thus has no weight on ones application. I was counting on my marksmanship ability to weigh in on my overall application (if that is even possible) but from what it looks like, my chances on going to the AFA to shoot is slim. While my desire to shoot in college is strong, my desire to become an officer is stronger... so my priorities are straight
It should go without saying that the transition from sporter to precision is, for the most part, painless -- scores should only rise. But if it comes down to it, I will immediately start shooting precision (I have the gear and access to rifles) so I can toss it into my application this upcoming fall. But my question is: are my scores even decent enough to be considered as-is? If anyone could give me some insight on what I should be doing, that would be fantastic. My apologies for the lengthy post.
Thanks in advance
Shawn
Class of 2016
I've shot competitively since the age of 8, starting out with BB-gun and then moving up to Sporter air rifle when I turned 15 (Sporter = gun~ $500; no equipment besides glove). I further honed in on my shooting ability when I joined my school's JROTC marksmanship team. However, we only shoot 3-Position sporter air rifle, not precision. Consequently, I have little experience with precision air rifle or smallbore.
My scores in 3P sit around 545 (3x20), or a 272/273 (3x10). I've achieved national distinction in several postals/matches. This past weekend I went to a state match and talked with a man whose son is attending the USMA. He informed me that the USMA does not even consider sporter scores and thus has no weight on ones application. I was counting on my marksmanship ability to weigh in on my overall application (if that is even possible) but from what it looks like, my chances on going to the AFA to shoot is slim. While my desire to shoot in college is strong, my desire to become an officer is stronger... so my priorities are straight
It should go without saying that the transition from sporter to precision is, for the most part, painless -- scores should only rise. But if it comes down to it, I will immediately start shooting precision (I have the gear and access to rifles) so I can toss it into my application this upcoming fall. But my question is: are my scores even decent enough to be considered as-is? If anyone could give me some insight on what I should be doing, that would be fantastic. My apologies for the lengthy post.
Thanks in advance
Shawn
Class of 2016