Development of a young Marksman

C

Cajun Ken

New member
I have a 14 year old Grandson who is a superb marksman with both handgun and rifle, and loves shooting. I think he has the potential for a career in shooting. Do any of the major firearms manufacturers have programs for developing a young shooter into an asset for their company? Does the NRA? Any suggestions for a pathway to achieve his goal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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We're it me, I'd get him in formal NRA competition: small bore and service rifle. Success there will get him offers from colleges and the various branches of the US armed forces. In reality, scholarships are very few and far between in the shooting sports...but if he has the talent and the 'fire in the belly' to be a winner...it's possible. The cost can be enormous in terms of equipment, ammunition, and travel before any sponsorship is possible...I say this not as a put down but to paint an accurate picture of the realities. Rodfac
 
He'll have to prove himself in competition first, then some sponsorships may be possible.

There are a variety of youth shooting programs offered by the NRA, CMP, and ISSF. The AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) offers clinics geared towards younger people as well. But I don't know of anyone who's sponsoring kids financially. There really isn't much compensation for shooters generally.
 
Get him involved in NRA & CMP shooting sports. Have him attend and compete in HP and GSM matches. All states have a state shooting assn. ( under varying names). Most states have a Whistler Team program where as they send JR Teams to Camp Perry. The kids are picked from the state and local competitions.

My son was picked up this way ( or was until he joined the NG). Anyway they provide support and coaching.

I was ask to coach such a team here in NE Wyoming.

Check the CMP Website, they have great JR programs and provide support to clubs with JR programs.
 
I'll repeat what everyone else has said,,,

He must prove himself in competition before they will even consider him.

One of the success stories like this is Miss Randi Rogers, AKA Holy Terror in SASS.

She started competing at age 11 and won a National Title in SASS several times.

This is what got GLOCK to looking at her.

Your grandson can surely introduce himself to the different gun companies,,,
But he will need to prove himself in competition at some level,,,
Before he can expect any serious offer of sponsorship.

Good luck to you and him in this endeavor.

Aarond
 
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Hey Guys, I appreciate the input but never having been in competition shooting I'm not familiar with most of the acronyms you are using. I'm familiar with NRA and AMTU, but none of the others.
 
Oops, sorry,,, broke my own rule.

SASS stands for Single Action Shooter Society,,,
Cowboy action shooting happens here.

Miss Rogers' grandfather was a very well respected competitor in SASS,,,
He got her started shooting guns when she was eleven years old,,,
She did have a head start with her grandfather training her,,,
But the determination to practice to win was all hers.

I watched her shoot a few cowboy action stages several years back,,,
The young lady was unbelievable in her concentration.

Anyways, as the rumor goes, Glock approached her after she graduated college.

The moral is that a shooter has to show the right stuff (sorry astronauts) Before they will be approached about possible jobs or sponsorship.

Aarond
 
CMP = Civilian Marksmanship Program, http://www.odcmp.com/

ISSF = International Shooting Sports Federation, Shooting USA is the US body - http://shooting.teamusa.org

Another approach could be exhibition shooting. I don't know of any young trick shots. The big names in this field are getting older. So there may be opportunities for a talented young shooter to put an act together and get sponsorship. But he'd have to be very good.
 
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