Talented individual shooters from across the United States meet rigorous tryout qualification standards to join a larger body known as the United States National Rifle Team (USNRT).  

The primary goals of the USNRT are the refinement of individual skills of both shooters and coaches and the development of seamless, precise teams.  The athletes of the U.S. National Rifle Team represent America in national and International Competitions, in both the Fullbore and Long Range disciplines.  Fullbore matches are shot from 300, 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards  while long range matches are shot from 800, 900, and 1000 yards.  Both disciplines are firing in the prone position using iron-sighted rifles supported only by a sling.  See here for more information on the major competitions.

The USNRT members train and function as a competitor base from which the U.S. Fullbore Team (USFBT) is selected for the Target Rifle World Long Range Championships (TR WLRC). The primary team is the Palma team, named for the longstanding Palma Match. The Young Eagles are a junior team with team competitions for under 25, under 21, and under 19.  The Veterans team is comprised of athletes ages 60 and older. Finally, the Goodwill team members demonstrate long-term commitment to the sport. These four component teams are collectively known as the U.S. Fullbore Team.

Operationally, the whole United States Fullbore Team work together and train together as a single unit so that every member of the combined United States Fullbore Team is, in a perfect world, fully prepared to fill a slot on Palma team if
called upon by the Palma Captain to do so. The leaders of the USFBT (USFBTL) are the Palma team captain, the Veterans team captain, and the Manager of the Under 25, Under 21 and/or Under 19 teams – collectively known as the Young Eagles team Manager.  These leaders are appointed by the National Rifle Association.