NRA Marksmanship 2022
By Cadet Airman Emmy Elliott
Lafayette Parish, LA
On Saturday, February the 26th, Lafayette Composite Squadron Cadets were able to attend an NRA marksmanship event in order to practice their skills in hopes of achieving their 'pro marksman' badge, which is the first achievement in the NRA program. In order to achieve the title of “Pro Marksman”, Cadets needed to achieve one hundred out of two hundred possible points, across five various targets, with a .22LR caliber rifle.
The cadets began the event by attending a rifle safety and knowledge course. The knowledge course, put on by a team of experienced instructors from NOLATAC LLC, contained a well-structured PowerPoint that included anything and everything an individual needs to know about rifles.
This event was a big deal considering it was the first NRA program to take place in Louisiana Wing since the summer of 2015!
According to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Evan Norman, Cadet Commander, “The Cadets of the Lafayette Composite Squadron set the bar high for future events of this caliber.” Between Cadets, both old and new, this event not only taught them more about safety, but it also brought them together in a friendly shooting competition.
All cadets walked away with muddy elbows, grassy boots, a sense of pride in themselves, and a new-found camaraderie and esprit de corps with their fellow Cadets.
This event took place thanks to The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and NOLATAC. In attendance for the event were 15 cadets total, 11 of whom qualified for their “Pro Marksman” badge. This badge is an honor and can be worn on the dress uniform to special events such as the upcoming Wing Conference.
A big congratulations to all the cadets who achieved this honor!
