President Theodore Roosevelt brought moral clarity and public enthusiasm to the growing marksmanship movement. A Rough Rider and staunch nationalist, Roosevelt believed that rifle shooting was not just a military skill, but a way to cultivate character and civic virtue in boys and men alike.
“Every boy should be trained to shoot,” Roosevelt once declared. “It is part of good citizenship, and helps make better soldiers, if they are ever needed.”
Under Roosevelt’s leadership, the DCM flourished. Government surplus rifles were distributed to schools and organizations, and shooting became part of youth development programs like Boy Scouts and military prep schools. Shooting wasn’t just about hitting targets—it was about building discipline, self-control, and patriotism.
Roosevelt’s efforts helped push rifle shooting into the cultural mainstream. Competitive shooting grew in popularity, with local, state, and national matches attracting both civilians and soldiers. The military itself adopted more rigorous marksmanship standards, and by World War I, the U.S. entered the conflict with a generation of better-trained shooters than it had in 1898.
In 1878, prior to the DCM’s creation, the U.S. military had already taken a cue from Britain’s National Rifle Association by establishing the President’s Match—a competitive rifle event inspired by the UK’s prestigious Queen’s Prize. The top 100 shooters from this match would earn a place in the President’s Hundred, receiving national recognition and a certificate signed by the Commander-in-Chief.
This blend of military tradition, civic involvement, and personal achievement laid the foundation for what would become one of the most respected marksmanship communities in the world.
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