Winchester Endows Marksmanship Program
Winchester Ammunition has pledged $500,000 to permanently endow the NRA’s Marksmanship Qualification Program. The gift allows Winchester to become the exclusive, permanent sponsor of the program, which will now be formally known as the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. The original NRA Marksmanship Qualification program is based on the Winchester Junior Rifle Corps, started by Winchester in 1918. Winchester transferred this program to the NRA in 1926, where it was merged with its existing youth training offerings.
The Marksmanship Qualification Program provides attractive pins, patches, and certificates to participants as they achieve progressively higher shooting standards. More than 200,000 such awards were distributed in 2006 alone, and 1,700 shooters reached the program’s highest level, “Distinguished Expert.” Although originally designed for youngsters, the program has grown to include beginning adult shooters and hunters as well. To learn more about the program, Click HERE to view the program summary, or call the NRA Qualification Coordinator at (703) 267-1505.
