The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-27
STATES MARKSMEN
Preparations for Next Sea-
son at the Sea Girt
Range.
REGULATIONS FOR RIFLE PRACTICE
New Order of Instructions Issued
Benefits of the System.
REGULATIONS FOR RIFLE PRACTICE

Last year was the greatest in the history
of the New Jersey National Guard in the
matter of rifle practice, and, as is shown by
figures from the report of Inspector General
Bird w. Spencer, more sharpshooters and
marksmen were qualified on the Sea G1rt
ranges than ever before. This was due al
most entirely to the adoption of a new plan
whereby a number of old and experienced
officers, including some of the members of
the Governors personal military staff, were
continually at the ranges. Their time was
devoted to the instruction of those who
came to shoot, and while one squad was at
the targets another was being prepared for
action. Their rifles were rigidly inspected,
the sights adjusted and careful instruc-
ton given about windage and other matters.
The result of this was the qualifying OF 595
more men than in 1892, which had the high
est previous record of 9S6. In speaking of
the matter at the close of the season, General
Spencer was enthusiastic over the new ar
rangements, and attributed the success of
the men to the constant presence of compe-
tent officers. "Why'' he said, ssmen were
here this year who had never before handled
a rifle. They were new to the service, but
anxious to familiarize themselves with the
use of the State arms, and, as a result, most
of them qualified. We shall certainly adopt
the same plan, OF even a better one, next
season."
PREPARATIONS FOR NEXT SEASON.
Next season. is not now SO far away, and
action has already been taken looking to
the making of another big list of marksInen
on the ranges at the State camp. A humble
of extracts from the New Jersey Military
Code relating to rifle practice have
been revised n recommended by
General Spencer, adopted by the State
Werts as C~ommander-in- Chief, and IN an
order issued last week by Adjutant General
WIN. S. Stryker, are published for the in
formation and guidance of National Guards
men. The first portion of the order explains
the name of classifying the men on the
ranges. as follows:
ssThird ClasS.-All who fail to report on
the range during the season.
"Second Class Those who report on the
range for practice and shoot at 200 yards
standing and 800 yards kneeling or sitting,
and fail to score 30 out of a possible 10, at
both ranges
First Class.-Those who qualify into this
class are such as score 30, or over, up to Al
in the second class. Practice in this class
is at the same distances as in the second
class.
"Marksmen are such as score AZ or up
wards out of a possible 70 at 200 and 300
Jdluo. 1udlA olilO oSOlll5 ~ Ouo VI q PO"oA
BILE 70 are entitled to practice at 500 and
600 yards for qualification as sharpshooters.
"Sharpshooters are such of the marksmen
who, having become qualified to practice at
500 and 600 yards, score So and upwards at
these ranges out of a possible 20.
EAT the first distance of either class d. e.
200 or 500 yards a score of so per cent. of
the possible is considered as qualifying the
soldier to practice at the longer range. The
number of qualifying shots at each distance
will be T."
AND OF ORGANIZATIONS.
For computing the relative standing of
organizations the members are taken by
classes, says the order, as they are found at
the close of the season and credited accord
ing to the aggregate number of shots fired.
aggregate number of hits md per cent. of
possible score in skirmish and volley firing.
Then the figure of merit is obtained by
adding together the per cent. of skirmish
and volley firing, and final computation is
made as follows, the result showing the in
dividual and general figures of merritt