Any good programs in or around the Durham/Burlington area? Do you have to participate in an actual match, I wouldn't mind after all someone has to come in last

http://www.northstateshootingclub.com

You can check their schedule for EIC matches.  Camp Butner is just a little northeast of Durham.  

Butner also hosts the Eastern Creedmoor Cup.  Not a surprise to get 10 to 12 legs out of that match.  You can register at http://www.creedmoorsports.com

Might try to make that Creedmore Cup. Any idea which class would be best for a competition noob?

For CMP competition, everyone non-distinguished competes against each other for the top 10%, there are no classes.  For the overall win (used to be medals for the actual 1st, 2nd, 3rd), you're now competing against the entire field.  It's all Service Rifles AR-15/M16, M14/M1A, M1 Garand. . . pick your flavor.  But, again, for noobs it's all about getting in the top 10 percent (get a Leg) to get point toward Distinguished.  At the Creedmoor, this will be only on Sunday, May 10: the Creedmoor EIC.

For the previous days of the Creedmoor Cup (May 7-9), NRA rules are followed.

NRA Highpower classifications are score percentages:

High Master  97.00 and above
Master  94.00 to 96.99
Expert  89.00 to 93.99
Sharpshooter  84.00 to 88.99
Marksman   Below 84.0

And just in case you didn't have a current classification (from the NRA 2014 rule book):

19.2 Unclassified Competitor—
An unclassified competitor is a competitor who does not have a current NRA High Power Rifle classification, either
regular or temporary by Score Record Book (Rule 19.14), nor an “Assigned Classification”(Rule 19.6). Such competitor shall compete in the Master Class.

You also compete in different rifle classes.  The most common are Service Rifle (same as the CMP definition) and Match Rifle.  If you have an AR-15 that does not conform to the rules, you will be put into the Match Rifle class, where your AR and it's 5.56/.223 will be up against a hotrod 6mm such as:

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In any case, and if you are not familiar with it, a lot of NRA highpower information can be found here:

http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/

You will need to make a username to enter the site.

You don't need to participate in a match to fulfil the marksmanship requirement.

The process is outlined very clearly on the CMP website:

Affiliated local clubs include: M1 Collectors Club, GCA, Down East Garand Shooters

This^^^^ GSSF is an affiliated club. $35 for a year membership and $25 to renew. If you pay for two years up front you are also eligible for a discount on a new glock pistol.