What is a distinguished rifleman?
A distinguished rifleman is not necessarily a shooter who is gray around the temples. Someone who is distinguished has earned a distinguished rifleman’s badge from the Civilian Marksmanship Program or their respective branch of military service. Civilians earn points toward the distinguished rifleman badge at special matches called Excellence In Competition (E.I.C.) matches. These tournaments are commonly called “Leg” matches and the points earned toward the distinguished rifleman badge are referred to as “Leg” points. E.I.C. matches are shot with service rifles only and utilize the full-distance 50 shot National Match Course with no sighting shots. The top ten percent of non-distinguished shooters can earn up to ten points credit toward the distinguished badge, depending on how many non-distinguished shooters fire that match. To earn the badge a competitor must get 30 or more points with at least one eight or ten point award.
