Earn the President's Hundred Tab by placing in the top 100 competitors at the National Trophy Individual (NTI) Rifle or Pistol match at Camp Perry, Ohio. The most exclusive marksmanship tab in the U.S. military.
The Qualification phase encompasses preliminary matches and preparation at Camp Perry during the first week of the National Matches. Competitors from all military branches, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooting organizations arrive to zero rifles, confirm equipment, and compete in warm-up events.
Regional qualifiers and preliminary individual matches build familiarity with the Camp Perry ranges. Wind conditions on Lake Erie are notoriously variable — experienced competitors spend this phase reading wind patterns and building data books specific to the range.
Equipment must meet strict service rifle standards. Iron sights only. No optics. This is the purest form of rifle marksmanship competition in the U.S. military.
The National Trophy Individual match is a 50-round course of fire across four stages at 200, 300, and 600 yards. This is the main event that determines the aggregate scores used for President's Hundred eligibility.
Standing slow fire at 200 yards tests raw marksmanship fundamentals from the offhand position. Rapid seated and rapid prone stages demand speed and consistency under time pressure — competitors start standing, drop to position, and fire within strict time limits.
The 600-yard slow prone stage is where competitions are won or lost. Twenty rounds at maximum distance with iron sights, reading wind that shifts constantly across the Camp Perry range. One bad wind call costs points that cannot be recovered.
The President's Hundred Match is the culminating event that determines which competitors earn the coveted tab. Final match results are combined with aggregate scores to determine the top 100 competitors.
Military members in the top 100 earn the President's Hundred Tab — one of only a handful of permanently authorized tabs in the U.S. Army. Civilian competitors in the top 100 receive the President's Hundred badge but are not authorized the military tab.
The award ceremony takes place on the historic Camp Perry firing line, where competitors have been tested since 1907. Earning the tab places a shooter among the finest marksmen in American military history, a tradition dating back to 1957 when the tab was first authorized.
Winter is the off-season for competitive shooting at Camp Perry. No matches are held. This is the time to build and refine fundamentals through dry-fire practice, position work, and mental rehearsal. Serious competitors use winter to address weaknesses identified during the previous season.
Spring marks the return to live-fire competition. Regional CMP matches, state championships, and interservice qualifiers provide critical match experience. Good weather conditions make spring ideal for confirming zero, testing ammunition lots, and refining position at all distances.
Summer is the competition season. The National Matches at Camp Perry run from July through August. Hot, humid conditions on the Lake Erie shore create challenging mirage and variable crosswinds. Heat management is critical — competitors shoot in direct sun for hours.
Fall is for after-action review and next-year planning. Analyze your data book from the National Matches. Identify which stages cost you points. Assess barrel life and plan equipment replacements. Set training goals for the coming winter dry-fire season.
The National Matches are held annually in July – August at Camp Perry, Ohio. Administered by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMP Games & Clinics | 07 Jul 2026 | 13 Jul 2026 | Summer |
| National Trophy Matches | 14 Jul 2026 | 18 Jul 2026 | Summer |
| President's Hundred Match | 15 Jul 2026 | 15 Jul 2026 | Summer |
| CMP National Rifle Matches | 20 Jul 2026 | 02 Aug 2026 | Summer |
Wind, pressure, and precision at 600 yards with iron sights. The President's Hundred is the ultimate marksmanship proving ground.
Every failure at the President's Hundred has a type. We built a fix for each one.
600-yard wind reading separates the top from the bottom. One wrong call at distance costs you points you'll never recover.
Natural point of aim and consistent hold are everything. If your position shifts between shots, your group opens up and points disappear.
Smooth trigger press at distance with no flinch. Jerking the trigger at 600 yards puts rounds off target by feet, not inches.
Match-grade ammunition selection matters. Lot-to-lot variation in standard ammo will cost you points at 600 yards. Test your lots.
Competition pressure crushes unprepared shooters. The difference between top 100 and top 200 is almost always between the ears.
Compete at local CMP matches first. Showing up to the National Matches without match experience is a recipe for failure.
Key Takeaway: The President's Hundred is decided at 600 yards. Wind reading, position consistency, and mental discipline under competition pressure separate the top 100 from everyone else. Arrive with years of match experience, tested ammunition, and a bulletproof mental game.
The Pinnacle of Military Marksmanship
The President's Hundred Tab represents the absolute pinnacle of military marksmanship. Earned through pure competition — not attendance, not completion of a course, but by outperforming over a thousand of the finest shooters in the nation with iron sights at distances up to 600 yards.
Since 1957, the tab has been awarded to those who stand among the top 100 at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. Every tab holder carries forward a tradition of excellence that stretches back to the earliest days of American military marksmanship — a legacy of precision, discipline, and competitive fire.
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