In this post, I would like to share my experience participating in the 8th Annual Memorial 3 Gun Competition and raise awareness of the Memorial Valor Foundation [1] and its impressive work, including in German-speaking countries. I ask for your understanding if I have not covered every aspect. This was my fifth consecutive year participating in this event.
In general, you must secure your spot in the competition in April of the year the event is held through a pre-announced online registration process. This year (2025), spots were once again snapped up not in a matter of minutes, but in seconds. This time, I was fortunate enough to avoid that mental stress, as I had received an invitation to pre-register, which I naturally accepted with gratitude.
This year, the competition took place from October 10–12, once again at the Gryphon Group’s training grounds [2]. On October 9, participants could register on-site and check out the various shooting exercises (known as “stages”).
Each stage is dedicated to one of ten selected fallen or deceased comrades. This selection is made every year according to an established procedure. The stages all have a poster which honors the respective comrade. Before the completion of each stage, the life and work of the comrade is commemorated and a minute of silence is observed. Each participant signs the stage poster. In this way, the commemoration is also personalized and each participant is reminded of what the competition is for.
This is followed by the stage briefing (introduction to the exercise) and the exercise is completed by the participants one after the other according to the principle of hits per time. The participants are organized in so-called squads and thus go through the competition together. This procedure is similar to IPSC shooting.
The stages are extremely challenging. They usually require the use of the pistol, rifle and shotgun. However, each participant can decide for himself how to complete the stage. There are guidelines as to which weapons may be used and which targets may be shot at. There is a time limit on all stages, which can be generous or extremely tight, depending on the abilities and preferences of the participants.
The highlights of this year’s stages once again included shooting from a former commercial aircraft, from a towed trailer, at several moving targets at long range, a number of additional targets at greater distances, the ever-popular spinners (for rifles, pistols, and shotguns), shooting from extremely unstable positions, and—once again a particular challenge for me—the shotgun-only stage.
This year, the weather conditions added an extra challenge. It was my first time experiencing North Carolina in October with heavy rain and wind. I vividly remember a plate rack within rifle range that I could practically only shoot at by ear, since the rain was coming down in torrents right from the front and I couldn’t see a thing.
My squad this year was once again a diverse group. The participants ranged from first-time 3-Gun competitors to professional shooters. As always, everyone in the squad supported one another wholeheartedly and shared their experiences.
I myself found myself somewhat better at the complex shooting exercises than at last year's participation. I was able to make my own stage plans and implement them. Of course, not all stage plans worked. Nevertheless, I am very satisfied with the way things went for me. I was able to take away many new elements for myself, as well as for training and practice.
To all RO’s – You’ve done an outstanding job, always friendly, helpful, and extremely professional, no matter what the situation! Every year, I’m more and more impressed by your work!
The most important lesson I learned during my time in North Carolina, however, was once again the sense of belonging to a large family that stands for certain values, upholds them, and, when necessary, defends them resolutely. Everyone supports one another unconditionally. The many volunteers—all members of special forces, former special forces personnel, members of law enforcement agencies, and even sport shooters—demonstrated this once again in a most impressive way.
In addition to the official stages, which are the competition, there are so-called side stages. These are mostly carried out by supporting companies. Associated clubs also offer side stages. Tickets can be bought for these. On all Side Stages there is something to win. The proceeds of the side stages are donated to the families of the comrades who are commemorated this year.
The Side Stages are complemented by a raffle to participate in the Little Bird Stage.
The so-called ceremony on late Sunday afternoon is much more than a pure award ceremony. Much more important part is the so-called memorial. The relatives and friends of the comrades, who are remembered this year, come on stage and tell about their loved ones, whom they have lost. This is ten times a very touching moment. All the families also expressed their gratitude for the support they received from the Foundation and that the days they spent at the event helped them a little.
This will be followed by the award ceremony in all classes of the competition and for the side stages. The supporters of the Foundation and the competition will be honored once again.
The Memorial Valor Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by members of the U.S. Special Forces to honor their fallen or injured comrades and to support their families. In direct connection with the U.S. culture of dynamic large-caliber shooting sports, an annual 3-Gun Match brings together the civilian shooting community, soldiers, and sponsors and donors.
In addition, the families of the respective Honories will be invited to personally experience the support of the members of the armed forces, as well as the sport shooters.
Funds are raised through a wide variety of initiatives (not just through the competition) to help implement projects for the families in need. A request to our readers: please consider supporting the organization. All the necessary information can be found at [1].
At this point I would like to quote the foundation:
Our mission is to remember, honor, and memorialize fallen Special Operations soldiers through the world of competitive shooting. We want the families to know they are not alone during and after this tragic time. During our competition, we share stories and remember who these heroes were and the life they led. Every person who competes walks away with a sense of who each of these men were. All proceeds for our events go directly to the families of the fallen soldiers we are honoring at the event. We will never forget and not let anyone else forget, the ultimate sacrifice these brave men made for this country.
I am very grateful to Erik, Bryce, Jordan and all the others for being part of this family of special people who give everything for their country so that others can live safely. The Memorial Ceremony, in particular, once again touched me deeply and made me realize once again what the event stands for. At this point I am also proud to have described my support to the families affected.
I will continue to support this form of remembrance and support for families as best I can.
Of course, I would be happy if I could draw the attention of other sponsors through my contribution.
Perhaps it will even be possible to establish a similar form of remembrance in Germany one day.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to extend a very special thank you to Robert, who once again supported me wholeheartedly in every way during this event! I hope I can grow even more with each future participation! Thank you, Robert—I’ll never forget this, and I hope to have the chance one day to give something back to you!
[1] https://www.memorialvalor.com/, Abruf 15.05.2026
[2] https://www.ravenadvisory.com/, retrieval 28.10.2022
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