Personnel of low skill are fond of circulating the myth that competition has no value to real world use and that it is focused on competition-only equipment and technique.

Wrong. Examples of Service Conditions matches currently held throughout NATO, the Commonwealth, and other allied countries have been conducted for decades. Prior to this, shooting matches featured Skirmisher Matches dating back to the late 1800s. See the history of Bisley for examples. There are civilian versions of these matches in most countries where civilians can own centerfire rifles similar to those issued to military personnel. See DCRA (Dominion of Canada Rifle Association) main site (also here) and NZSRA (New Zealand Service Rifle Association) main site (also here)and SACRA (South African Combat Rifle Association) for examples.