This year the Marine Corps Championships are scheduled to run from 28 March to 07 April, with the Awards Ceremony currently slated to take place on 04 April 2023.

Registration is NLT 27 March, with live-fire training days beginning on 28 March 2023.

Hosting Commander:  CG, Training Command, Quantico

Hosting Unit:  WTBn, MCB Quantico

Each year the Marine Corps Championship Matches are the culmination of the training opportunities and competitions held strictly within the ranks of the Marine Corps itself as part of the Marine Corps’ Competition-In-Arms Program (CIAP).

All of the training and competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team. 

Some Marine Corps Championship competitors will go on to represent the Marine Corps at Interservice and National competitions, while ALL Marines who have participated in the Competition-In-Arms Program will go on to take their knowledge and newly-acquired skills back to their home units with the ability to disseminate and share the skills honed during the training and live-fire sessions provided to all participating Marines at each of the five Regional Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) held each year during the months leading up to the Marine Corps Championships.

Semper Fidelis!

The MCMC East is the fifth of five scheduled regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) The MCMC East training and competition is scheduled to take place from 06 March – 17 March 2023. The live-fire training days are scheduled to be conducted from 06 March – 16 March, while the Awards ceremony is slated for 17 March 2023. Registration is no later than 05 March 2023. The hosting unit is WTBn, MCB Camp Lejeune.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

Remember:

Our Reunion is coming up — scheduled for 01 April, and to be held in Virginia.  Please make your plans to attend, and remember to RSVP Danny at: b12daniel@aol.com

For details about the Reunion, please see the posting below which is dated 05 February and entitled: “ROAD TRIP!!!”

We would love to have members contribute their recollections and stories for us all to enjoy reading in the upcoming edition of “the Badge” newsletter. Please contribute by sending your story to Danny at:  b12daniel@aol.com

In hopes that the following will spark ideas for contributions, here is one for the books:

One summer’s day in 1979 at the rifle range in Quantico, a SNCO who was a member of the Summer Rifle Team walked over to the Armorer’s Van, wearing his “skunk coat” and carrying his M-14. Arriving at the back of the van, he looked up into the van and mischievously told the Match Armorer that he needed “…a trigger-finger adjustment!” The SNCO then proceeded to extend his trigger finger, stretching it straight and laying it flat on the van floor, all the while looking up at the Armorer who by then was walking over to a bench to retrieve his rawhide mallet. Now, the SNCO figured that the Armorer would swing the mallet, hitting just off to one side of the trigger finger, while the Armorer – who had bent over so as to get in a good swing with the rawhide mallet — figured that the shooter would quickly pull away the trigger finger at the last moment, but…

…I heard that there was blood splatter to clean up.

MCMC West is the fourth of five, scheduled, regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) MCMC West training and competition is scheduled to take place from 13 February – 24 February 2023. The live-fire training days are scheduled to be conducted from 13 February to 23 February, while the Awards ceremony is slated for 24 February 2023. Registration is no later than 12 February 2023. The hosting unit is the Marksmanship Training Branch, Marine Corps Installations West.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

The 2023 Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association Reunion/Cookout

BACKGROUND:  

Since 2013 members of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters’ Association (MCDSA) have been gathering at the Marine Corps Match (MCM) site (mostly at Stone Bay, Camp Lejeune, NC).  Sometime prior to that first Reunion/Cookout, the late Capt. Frank E. Hensel USMC (Ret.) suggested to Capt. David A. Luke USMC (Ret.) that it would be a good idea for the Association to meet during the MCM to make the Association better known to the MCM competitors.  Over the years the Competition-in-Arms Program (CIAP) has gone through several changes to the conduct of the matches, courses of fire, and schedule…not to mention different locations.  Also, it is no longer referred to as the MCM.  It is now called the Marine Corps Marksmanship Championships (MCMC).  There are still matches conducted at the old familiar locations each year, but now the MCMC finale is being conducted at Weapons Training Battalion (WTBN), Quantico, VA.

The Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition schedule has been posted, and the Marine Corps Marksmanship Championships (MCMC) this year will be held from 28 March thru 7 April 2023.  Therefore, our annual Reunion/Cookout this year will be on Saturday, 1 April 2023 from 1200 – 1700 and will be hosted by CWO3 Randy Allen USMC (Ret.) at his home near Lake Anna.

COOKOUT LOCATION:

Randy purchased a large tract of land and a beautiful mansion that once served as a Union Hospital during the Civil War.  He’s also hosted many gatherings at his place, so he is no stranger to putting on a great shindig.  Robin and I plan to be there several days in advance, and will be there early on Saturday morning to help set up.  As in the past, if anyone else would like to help out with preparations (setting up coolers, tents, tables and chairs, etc.), please contact me directly.  The menu this year will include Pecan Smoked Brisket, Boston Butts, and Chicken with Corn on the Cob, Slaw, and Baked Beans as sides prepared by JW Johnson.  Vince Sulik will also be cooking lots of Catfish for us to enjoy as well.  I recently spoke to Col Willis, and he stated that he plans on making this Reunion/Cookout.

Cost:  The cost of the Cookout this year will be $25.00 per person and includes all food and drinks.  There will also be a Silent Auction, a 50/50, and several other raffles throughout the afternoon.  If by chance you have any items that you would like to donate for the auction, please bring them.  We’ve auctioned many different items – paintings, shooting gear, gun belts and holsters, ammunition, wood carvings. plaques and clothes…you name it.  All proceeds will go directly toward the funding and operating costs of the MCDSA.  The second edition of “The Red Book – The History of Marine Corps Competitive Marksmanship” has been a big success.  The first edition was printed in 1961 and covered the period from 1901 – 1959.  As I’m sure you are aware, the second edition covers from 1960 to 2010.  Both editions will be available at the Reunion/Cookout, along with our fraternal items for sale.  The next big publication our association is gearing up for is a “Coffee Table” picture and story book of our association members.  This was the brainchild of Capt Don R. “Dumpy” Bartlett. USMC (Ret.).  We have to capture our marksmanship heritage over the years, and just as our members responded to the call for support for the Red Book project, I’m sure we’ll get the same for this one.  Also, if you would like to contribute an article for the upcoming Badge Newsletter, please forward to Ms. Carole Ellison at caroleellison5@msn.com as soon as possible.  We would like to have the next Badge available at the Reunion/Cookout.

LODGING IN THE AREA:

1. Best Value Inn, Dumfries: 703-221-1115
2. Candlewood Suites, Dumfries: 571-659-9987
3. Comfort Inn, Dumfries: 703-445-8070
4. Comfort Inn, Stafford: 540-659-8999
5. Country Inn, Stafford: 540-659-4330
6. Courtyard Marriott – Stafford-Quantico: 703-221-6293
7. Crossroads Inn (aboard MCB Quantico): 703-630-4444 or 800-962-0662
8.   Best Western Aquia, Stafford: 540-659-0022
9. Hampton Inn, Stafford: 540-657-0999 or 1-800-HAMPTON
10. Hampton Inn, Dumfries: 703-441-9900 or 1-800-HAMPTON
11. Holiday Inn, Dumfries: 703-441-9001
12. Ramada Inn, Quantico/Triangle: 703-221-1181
13. Sleep Inn, Dumfries: 703-445-0900 or 1-800-SLEEP INN
14. Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Stafford: 540-522-4810
15. Staybridge Suites, Stafford: 540-720-2111
16. Towne Place Suites, Stafford (Marriott): 540-657-1990
17. Quality Inn, Dumfries: 703-221-1141 or 1-800-4-CHOICE

Note: From I-95:  Dumfries (Exit 152), Triangle (Exit 150),

National Museum of the Marine Corps (Exit 150),

MCBQ (Exits 150 & 148), Stafford/Garrisonville (Exit 143)

SPECIAL NOTE: Members that will be arriving by plane, check flights carefully.  Richmond International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Reagan National Airport are three options.

IMPORTANT!  Please RSVP (with guests and children) to Danny Burke, via email: b12daniel@aol.com or text to 540-287-3833 by 24 March 2023, so we can properly plan food, drinks, and entertainment.  Of course, no one will be turned away if you cannot RSVP till the last minute.

Semper Fidelis!

Danny Burke, MGySgt USMC (Ret.)

President, MCDSA

b12daniel@aol.com

540-287-3833

PICTURES:  If you have any old photos from your time on the team, please bring them.  We are organizing an historical photo data base.  We will have a photo scanner.  All photos will be scanned and returned to the owners (please identify them).  If you would like to scan your own photos and bring them to the reunion, we can copy them.  Semper Fidelis!  Joe Moreno.

The MCMC Pacific is the third of the five scheduled regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) The MCMC Pacific competition is scheduled to take place 23 January – 03 February 2023, with the live-fire training days scheduled for 23 January – 02 February, and the Awards ceremony slated for 03 February 2023. Registration is no later than 22 January 2023. The hosting unit is the Pu’uloa Range Training Facility.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

To all members:

As we approach the end of 2022, some may think back to days and years gone by, and in a fit of nostalgia be moved to pull out a box of pictures and news clippings so as to reminisce. If you find that you have photos or newspaper clippings which you would like to share with members of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association, please know that we would love to have scanned copies to post on our PhotoBucket account for members to enjoy for years to come.

Just email to: jo.mcdsa@gmail.com

(Please note that we do not have any photos of our 2012, 2015, or 2019 Reunions.)

Happy New Year, and

Semper Fi!

-Jo

The December Board of Governors (BOG) meeting has been rescheduled and will now be held 07 January 2023. Details for our 2023 Reunion (currently scheduled for 01 April 2023) will be discussed and solidified at the January meeting, after which the specifics concerning our 2023 Reunion will be disseminated to MCDSA members via email. If any members have concerns or questions that they want addressed at the January meeting, please contact MCDSA President Danny Burke. Also, remember that contact information for members of the Board can be found by clicking on “Board of Governors” in the drop-down menu found under the “About Us” tab at the top of your web page.

The MCMC Far East is the second of the five scheduled regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) The Far East competition is scheduled to take place 05 – 16 December 2022, with live-fire training days scheduled 05 – 15 December, and the Awards ceremony slated for 16 December 2022. Registration is no later than (NLT) 04 December 2022, with the hosting unit being the Formal Marksmanship Training Center, Marine Corps Installations (MCI) Pacific aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off