First Shot Ceremony

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸National Matches▸First Shot Ceremony

ATTEND FIRST SHOT CEREMONY – MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025
(Activities begin at 4:00PM / Ceremony starts at 4:30PM)

Each year the First Shot Ceremony kicks off the National Matches when the guest speaker fires the ceremonial opening shot on the 600-yard Rodriguez Range at the conclusion of remarks. Dignitaries from the CMP, National Guard, all branches of the armed forces and government representatives will be on hand. Public viewing from bleacher seating is open to the public and encouraged. Fanfare including a color guard, a military band, vintage vehicles from Timeless Ts Model T Club and vintage planes from the Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum make for an exciting opening to the Matches.

First Shot Speakers

The First Shot Ceremony is the official “opening ceremony” of the National Matches. Each year an invited special guest makes brief remarks to assembled competitors, match officials, volunteers, state and local military and government leaders. Several hundred people attend the ceremony each year.

After the First Shot Speaker’s remarks, they have the honor of firing the ceremonial “first shot” of the National Matches. The First Shot Ceremony typically takes place on Monday afternoon on Rodriguez Range in front of the main Camp Perry flagpole.

2024 First Shot Speaker

The 2024 First Shot speaker was current U.S. Air Force Academy Rifle Coach, CMP Board member and gold-medalist Launi Meili, who has amassed a career of over 50 years with numerous marksmanship entities, including the last eight with the CMP. Among several accolades, records and hall of fame inductions, she was the first American woman to ever win Olympic gold in smallbore rifle (Barcelona 1992) and remains the only woman to compete in both air rifle and smallbore at two separate Games. Read more about the 2024 First Shot Ceremony on our website.

2023 First Shot Speaker

SFC Brandon Green, USA, Junior Distinguished Badge #1, Distinguished Rifleman Badge and President’s Rifle Trophy National Record Holder.

First Shot Speaker, Sgt. 1^st Class Brandon Green, USA, fired the M70 bolt rifle used by DCM Emeritus and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Gary Anderson, to shoot the National Matches 200-yard standing record in 1971, as well as during the 2014 First Shot Ceremony. SFC Green earned his Junior Air Rifle Distinguished Badge #1 in 2001, Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 2005 and currently holds the President’s Rifle Trophy National Record of 400-20X, set in 2018.

2022 First Shot Speakers

Mr. Jon Bengtson, Treasurer, CMP Board of Directors, and Mr. Harry Sieben Jr., Secretary, CMP Board of Directors

Mr. Jon Bengtson and Mr. Harry Sieben, Jr.

Mr. Harry Sieben, Jr., Secretary,
CMP Board of Directors

Additional photos may be viewed at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p15052467.

2019 FIRST SHOT SPEAKER

Mr. E.C. (Cris) Stone, Vice Chair, CMP Board of Directors & Long-time Competitor and CMP Supporter

2018 FIRST SHOT SPEAKER

Maj. Gen. Clark LeMasters, Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, and the Senior Commander of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal, Mich.