Overall I think you bring out some good points but I respectfully disagree about rifle teams.
Some of the best combat riflemen this country has ever produced have been forged on the anvil of competitive shooting. Competitive shooting is an invaluable discipline even if the training and competition are not combat specific. The training reinforces the basics of marksmanship and the competition requires disciplined shooting under stress. These are always good things.
Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock is perhaps the best known example of a competitive rifleman who was a stunning success in combat. Here are examples of some others:
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/woodfill.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/lds1952/index.html
May rifle teams flourish long after dog and pony shows are a dim memory!
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