American Legion Junior Shooting
AMERICAN LEGION JUNIOR SHOOTING
2025 COMPETITION UPDATE
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 3P Air Rifle New York State Match.
February 15th and 16th, 2025, at James Harvey Spire Cicero Post 787. Times TBD.
This competition is open to Sporter or Precision shooters and is the qualifying event for the National Competition in June or July 2025. The CMP match is open to any Junior or Home-Schooled Students, but the American Legion part is only for people who are registered with the Legion.
The following communities have Junior Shooting programs and participate; Mexico, Camden, Leroy, Wyoming, Hopewell Jct., Alexandria Bay, Baldwinsville, Batavia, Middletown, Maritime, and Central Square.
Teams or individuals must register with Tom Green who’s email is below and for further information, email msgt8511@hotmail.com.
Click here for the Competitor Information Sheet.
Click here for latest 2024 2025 Schedule.
The 2024 American Legion 3-Position Junior Air Rifle Championship was last held on July 17-20, 2024, at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale,Mich. The winners in both the Precision and Sporter category each received a $5,000 college scholarship provided in part by The American Legion and The Sons of The American Legion. Our two winners received an expense paid trip to New Orleans where they were honored as part of the Youth Champions Delegation during the 2024 American Legion National Convention, held on Aug. 23-29.
A $1,000 college scholarship was awarded to the second-place finishers in both the Sporter and Precision categories. This scholarship is generously provided by The American Legion Auxiliary.
About Junior Shooting
The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program is a gun safety education and marksmanship program that encompasses the basic elements of safety, education, enjoyment and competition. Shooters use the .177 caliber air rifle. Both males and females can participate, through Legion sponsorship; disabled youth are encouraged to join, as competitive shooting is a sport that creates an equal playing field for all competitors. Contact your local Legion post, Sons of The American Legion squadron or Auxiliary unit for information about affiliating as a club or individual.
Air Rifle Competition
The annual 3-Position Junior Air Rifle National Championship is a tournament that begins with postal matches. State and/or regional champions are determined and advance to a qualification round (also a postal match) to determine the athletes who will earn expense-paid trips to compete in the national championship. The national championship is a shoulder-to-shoulder match held each July at the USA Shooting range facilities at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Onondaga County has a very active Junior Shooting Program. The yearly competition is held at the James Harvey Spire American Legion Post 787 in Cicero, NY. Mr. Lawrence Behling of Baldwinsville Post 113 is the Chairman of the New York State Junior Shooting Sports Program.
The Junior Shooting Program, a testament to its success, has produced many Olympic medal recipients. These accomplished individuals, some of whom you can hear from in the videos on this page, are proof of the program’s effectiveness. Moreover, our local youths are preparing for the Olympics, a clear indication of the program’s potential to shape future champions, instilling pride and Americanism in the community.
Can I do this?
Anyone under 18 (or high school seniors no older than 20) can participate. Physical ability and size are no match for mental toughness and discipline in this co-ed skill sport.
How do i start!
Drop us a message below, talk to our people and you’re on your way!
Interested?
For more information or to locate a program closest to you, contact:
Mr. Lawrence Behling
Chairman, New York State, Junior Shooting Sports Program
or, reach out to the Syracuse and Onondaga County American Legion througth our Contact Us form on the top menu.
Local Junior Shooting Photographs
Photographs courtesy of County Historian Jerome Orton.
