JROTC Rifle
Participation in MMA's JROTC rifle program cultivates qualities of discipline, control, and character development among cadets. Our rifle team has a long-standing history of success, with recent cadets consistently achieving recognition at events like the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Sectionals and the JROTC Regional and National Competition. Read about some of their recent success below.
MMA Colonels 2025-26 Rifle Schedule
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CPT Joe Balvanz, USA (Ret), JROTC Rifle Head Coach
A retired US Army engineer office , Joseph Balvanz returns to MMA in 2025 to coach the Colonels rifle team for his seventh year. The MMA JROTC Rifle Team has achieved sectional and national level accolades in recent years, thanks to additional assistance from CW4 (Ret) Jason Landrum, Randy Jacobson, and Mike Shoemaker.
Coach Balvanz's experience instructing Basic Rifle and Advanced Rifle Marksmanship in the Army provides the base from which the team forms. On-the-job training in this precision sport assists in meeting the competitive standards MMA upholds.
"I approach the sport like anything in life. You get out what you put in," said Coach Balvanz.
Cadets are expected to learn to compete from within — learning how to harness positive thoughts into a great shot, regardless of discomfort, pain, or the pressure of competing.
Coach Balvanz emphasizes that this cerebral sport benefits the team members far beyond the walls of the MMA rifle range. Colonels rifle team members average high standardized test scores, low discipline infractions and success through MMA graduation and beyond.
CW4 Jason Landrum, USA (Ret), JROTC Rifle Assistant Coach
CW4 (Ret.) Jason Landrum serves as the assistant coach for the MMA JROTC Rifle Team. With a strong background in marksmanship and leadership, he supports the head coach in training cadets in air rifle safety, precision shooting techniques, and competition readiness.
Coach Landrum brings 23 years of experience in military service. As assistant coach, he is dedicated to instilling discipline, focus, and teamwork in every cadet. His role includes mentoring individual cadets, maintaining equipment, planning team travel, and ensuring safe range operations.
MMA Rifle Team News
![MMA Rifle Team Ranks 14th Nationally after Nov. 21, 2025, Pardini Air Nationals Qualifier]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764599954/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mrpyqol8bplvq3fid2fy/27032826714508224771.jpg","width":800}])
Missouri Military Academy’s Colonels rifle team turned in a strong performance at the Pardini Air Nationals qualifier on Nov. 21, 2025, at St. Louis University High School, earning a #11 national ranking out of 58 teams.
![MMA Rifle Teams Earn 2nd and 3rd Place Honors in Season Debut]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763565488/missourimilitaryacademyorg/pbkcyt3fkvgkoarkh34w/54932395010_899af21c25_o1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763565488/missourimilitaryacademyorg/pbkcyt3fkvgkoarkh34w/54932395010_899af21c25_o1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763565488/missourimilitaryacademyorg/pbkcyt3fkvgkoarkh34w/54932395010_899af21c25_o1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763565488/missourimilitaryacademyorg/pbkcyt3fkvgkoarkh34w/54932395010_899af21c25_o1.jpg","width":1200}])
MMA’s Army JROTC rifle team opened the season strong in Webb City, with the veteran team placing 3rd and the rookie team taking 2nd. Several cadets earned top individual rankings, and Coach CPT Joseph Balvanz praised their discipline. The team now prepares for the AMU qualifier on Nov. 21.
![MMA Rifle Team Gears Up for Winter Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763489304/missourimilitaryacademyorg/ooh8b1yxmdockovxdaxz/2025-fall-MMA-rifle-team-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763489304/missourimilitaryacademyorg/ooh8b1yxmdockovxdaxz/2025-fall-MMA-rifle-team-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763489304/missourimilitaryacademyorg/ooh8b1yxmdockovxdaxz/2025-fall-MMA-rifle-team-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763489304/missourimilitaryacademyorg/ooh8b1yxmdockovxdaxz/2025-fall-MMA-rifle-team-1.jpg","width":1200}])
Learn about the 2025-26 MMA Colonels Army JROTC rifle team, with insight from Coach CPT Joe Balvanz, USA (Ret).
![MMA Rifle Team Competes at 2025 Sectionals Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1739992666/missourimilitaryacademyorg/zc2c4taeetrynchecqsa/IMG_8866.jpg","width":2200}])
Three Missouri Military Academy rifle teams competed in the Civilian Marksmanship Program JROTC Regionals Championship, held in Camp Perry, Ohio, from February 12 to 16.
![Rifle Team Achieves Strong Rankings in 2024 JROTC CMP Regionals Qualifier]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736178897/missourimilitaryacademyorg/jqwxiuo3pxg7xju5mgsp/54068925117_2de4f40d4a_c.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736178897/missourimilitaryacademyorg/jqwxiuo3pxg7xju5mgsp/54068925117_2de4f40d4a_c.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736178897/missourimilitaryacademyorg/jqwxiuo3pxg7xju5mgsp/54068925117_2de4f40d4a_c.jpg","width":800}])
The Missouri Military Academy rifle team has successfully completed the 2024 JROTC CMP Regionals Qualifier, earning eligibility for the 2025 JROTC Service Championships, scheduled to take place at Camp Perry, Ohio, from February 13–15, 2025.
![MMA Rifle Team Earn Top Spots at Webb City Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732128660/missourimilitaryacademyorg/kkjjzixbeti5opswmibe/54149520444_537b5e2a23_c.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732128660/missourimilitaryacademyorg/kkjjzixbeti5opswmibe/54149520444_537b5e2a23_c.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732128660/missourimilitaryacademyorg/kkjjzixbeti5opswmibe/54149520444_537b5e2a23_c.jpg","width":800}])
The Missouri Military Academy rifle team delivered a strong performance at the Second Annual Webb City High School AJROTC Turkey Shoot on November 16, 2024. Competing against 40 teams, MMA secured third and eighth places overall.
Visit the Missouri State High School Activities Association web site to view a calendar with MMA athletic events. For any past events, click on the date to view results in the sidebar.