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
![Cadets recognized during the 2025–2026 JROTC Awards Assembly pose with Academy President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret.).]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778251520/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mky4foirr0liwfenevxh/260429JROTCAwardsAssemblyLoJackson-92.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778251520/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mky4foirr0liwfenevxh/260429JROTCAwardsAssemblyLoJackson-92.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778251520/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mky4foirr0liwfenevxh/260429JROTCAwardsAssemblyLoJackson-92.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778251520/missourimilitaryacademyorg/mky4foirr0liwfenevxh/260429JROTCAwardsAssemblyLoJackson-92.jpg","width":1200}])
Missouri Military Academy recognized cadets for their accomplishments during the JROTC Sports Assembly on April 29, 2026. The evening honored achievements across Raiders, Fusileers Drill Team, Rifle Team and AMCUS competitions, while also recognizing outstanding leadership, teamwork and dedication through annual JROTC awards and special honors.
![Missouri Military Academy JROTC Rifle Team at Camp Perry, Ohio.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771866269/missourimilitaryacademyorg/xiwchhufrwfdpgcceeax/260210RifleTeamandPortraitsLoJackson-24.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771866269/missourimilitaryacademyorg/xiwchhufrwfdpgcceeax/260210RifleTeamandPortraitsLoJackson-24.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771866269/missourimilitaryacademyorg/xiwchhufrwfdpgcceeax/260210RifleTeamandPortraitsLoJackson-24.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771866269/missourimilitaryacademyorg/xiwchhufrwfdpgcceeax/260210RifleTeamandPortraitsLoJackson-24.jpg","width":1200}])
Missouri Military Academy’s JROTC Rifle Team competed at the JROTC rifle team sectionals at Camp Perry, Ohio, Feb. 12–14, 2026. The rookie team earned second overall, the veteran team placed third, and the hybrid team finished 12th in a field of 36 teams. MMA narrowly missed qualifying for the national championship by 15 points and concluded the season with strong Army-wide rankings across all divisions.
![MMA cadet Federico Cordero takes aim in the Ozark Tiger Rifle Classic competition.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769191598/missourimilitaryacademyorg/v6b7qjl981123xainpyq/260117RifleatOzarkHighSchoolLoSenty-19_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769191598/missourimilitaryacademyorg/v6b7qjl981123xainpyq/260117RifleatOzarkHighSchoolLoSenty-19_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769191598/missourimilitaryacademyorg/v6b7qjl981123xainpyq/260117RifleatOzarkHighSchoolLoSenty-19_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769191598/missourimilitaryacademyorg/v6b7qjl981123xainpyq/260117RifleatOzarkHighSchoolLoSenty-19_1.jpg","width":1200}])
Missouri Military Academy’s rifle team earned 1st and 3rd place overall at the 2026 Ozark Tiger Rifle Classic, competing against 31 teams and led by standout performances from both veteran and rookie cadets.
![Cadets lying prone on the range aiming rifles during team shooting practice.]([{"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.
![Group of Missouri Military Academy rifle team cadets and coaches standing in front of an MMA bus before departing for competition.]([{"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.
![Fall 2025 Missouri Military Academy rifle team stands as a group in front of bus]([{"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).
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.