Army Operational Shooting Competition

The Army Operational Shooting Competition (AOSC), is the British Army's premier shooting competition. Part of the Central Skill at Arms Meeting (CENTSAAM), it is based at the headquarters of the National Rifle Association (NRA) at Bisley Camp, in Brookwood, Surrey. It also uses Ministry of Defence (MOD) ranges in the vicinity, such as Ash and Pirbright.

History

Competition shooting in the British Army started in 1874 with 'non-central' matches on unit ranges. The 'Army VIII' was formed in the same year, its purpose was to select a team for Inter-Service matches organized by the National Rifle Association (NRA).[1]

The Army Rifle Association (ARA) which was founded in 1893, became the governing body of service shooting. It was formed to encourage interest in service shooting to "promote interest in small arms shooting for service purposes by means of collective competitions, matches being framed to induce practice in methods which le[a]d to increased efficiency on the battlefield".[2] By the 1970s, all three services had established their own competitions and associations, the army's going under the name of 'Regular Army Skill at Arms Meeting' or RASAM, (also known as 'RASAAM' - [Regular Army Skill At Arms Meeting]). As part of constant up-dating, the event's name was changed to the 'Army Operational Shooting Competition' in 2009.

Figure targets were first used in 1908. The electric target range (ETR) came on stream in 1967. A moving target match was introduced in 1974 with two infantry night shooting matches being competed-for initially in 1982. Firing in respirators and a 'march and shoot' competition was introduced in 1986. Casualty recovery and the carrying of 15 kilogrammes of personal equipment was brought in 2009.[3]

Pamphlet No 20

The 'bible' of competition shooting is more formally known as: Infantry Training, Volume IV, Ranges, Pamphlet No. 20, Competition Shooting or 'Pamphlet 20' for short. It includes sections concerning the rules on ammunition, composition of teams, dress and equipment, targets and scoring, penalties, firing positions, timing and many others.

Pamphlet No 20 also gives details of rifle, light support weapon (LSW) and pistol matches, in addition it includes a guide for a Unit Meeting.

Prize categories

Prizes are awarded to teams and individuals. The most prestigious individual prize is the Queen's Medal. The Final Round of Competition for the Queen's Medal Usually takes place in late June or early July each year. The top 100 competitors earn the right to wear the coveted 100 badge on the left fore arm.

Competitors

About 1,000 competitors from all Britain's armed forces, including the Territorial Army (TA) and Army cadets, take part in CENTSAAM. International military personnel also compete.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Pam 20 p 1-1
  2. ↑ Pam 20 p 1-1
  3. 1 2 "[ARCHIVED CONTENT] UK Government Web Archive – The National Archives". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
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