Champion on the Firing Line: Spotlight on Julia Watson Carlson

At ACME Machine, we’re proud to support exceptional marksmen like Master Sgt. Julia Watson Carlson, whose contributions to marksmanship and mentorship are both inspiring and impactful. A former Marine Corps Shooting Team member and Marine Corps Master Sergeant, Julia’s marksmanship journey began early—placing three times at national championships as a junior with the Utah State Association and winning her first competition at age 16 using a borrowed rifle. Driven by determination and supported by the Marine Corps community, she earned her spot on their elite shooting team and was even meritoriously promoted on the range by the Commandant.

Julia’s competitive resume is elite: she became the first woman to capture the National Trophy Individual Match in 1998 and holds a rare double-distinguished badge for rifle and pistol. Her tally includes over 40 national championships, 15 interservice titles, and five international titles—two in Combat Precision against global military competitors. In 1998 she was honored as the Marine Corps Female Athlete of the Year, reaffirming her prominence in the field.

Most recently, we celebrated Julia's victory in the National CMP Mid‑Range Match, where she earned a commanding 596‑35X in the AR‑Tactical Division using her ACME‑built 6.5 Creedmoor AR, showcasing both her unrivaled precision and the reliability of ACME’s rifle system. As a decorated veteran and coach, Julia now serves as a mentor with the Veteran’s Family Brigade, leading clinics and sharing her decades of experience with the next generation of shooters.

Julia reflects, “Success in shooting is measured by the obstacles which can be overcome while working to succeed and not giving up”—a philosophy evident in both her decorated shooting career and dedication to youth training.

ACME Machine + Julia Watson: A Winning Partnership

Having Julia match the precision of our rifles with her elite performances underscores our commitment to producing competition-ready platforms. From the moment she took her first shot with our 6.5 Creedmoor AR, Julia demonstrated both trust in the equipment and faith in the craftsmanship behind it.

We’re honored to have Julia represent both ACME Machine and the Veteran’s Family Brigade at national competitions, continuing to shape and elevate the sport—not just as a champion, but as a mentor, leader, and role model for all aspiring marksmen.

Want to see Julia—in action and on the podium?
Check out our YouTube channel and upcoming blog posts, featuring Julia’s clinics at Camp Perry and Camp Atterbury, and learn how our rifles support excellence in the hands of great champions like her.