The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) would like to introduce our new Training and Education Manager, Hank Gray!
Gray has been involved in competitive marksmanship for nearly 40 years, most recently as competitor and instructor for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and Team USA. With international experience around the world, he has been involved in both Olympic and Paralympic-style competition – serving as rifle coach at the 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Over the years, Gray has won several National titles and medals in rifle competitions, including the National Rifle Association’s Conventional Prone Champion title in 2017. He also served as assistant coach for Team USA at the 2018 World Championships in Changwon, Korea, where six medals and one 2020 Olympic quota was earned for the United States.
Gray has conducted countless marksmanship clinics over his career and has been involved with Smallbore and Service Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools. Those who have visited the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, may recognize Gray – either as fellow competitor on the firing line, coach behind it or from his larger-than-life depiction in the famous wall mural of the air range.
With his genuine demeanor and willingness to advance the sport of marksmanship wherever possible, he developed a working relationship with CMP staff members, even helping to shape the resurgence of the Smallbore Rifle Program in recent years.
“I’ve known most of the long-time employees of the CMP, either since before they even started working with the CMP or shortly after they got hired on,” he said. “When Christie Sewell (CMP Chief Programs Officer) and Jerry O’Keefe (CMP CEO) approached me with the idea of joining the team last January during the Camp Perry Open, it quickly turned into an opportunity I couldn’t pass up … the position seemed like the perfect fit.”
As the Training and Education Manager, Gray is excited to tackle some of the items State Directors have asked for consistently, including a coach education system.
“I’m looking to get that started as soon as possible in the junior air rifle and air pistol programs and then begin to expand into our other disciplines as well,” he said.
“Finding additional ways to enhance our ability to promote excellence in marksmanship and firearms safety remain at the top of my list as I settle in and search for innovative partnerships and ideas,” he added.
Growing up in Belgrade, Mont., Gray began his journey in marksmanship by learning the basics within a local BB gun program and while hunting with his dad. He eventually advanced into air rifle, smallbore and running target competitions.
After attending college in Colorado Springs to be near the Olympic Training Center (and graduating with a biochemistry degree), he joined the Army in 2003 and became a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
Gray reached the rank of Sgt. 1st Class before retiring from the USAMU in August 2025 after 22 years as a competitor, working in operations and finally as a coach/administrator for the International Rifle team.
During his Army years, he also earned a Master of Science degree in sport and exercise science and numerous awards like the Bronze Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and Accessions Support Brigade Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. He even served his country in Afghanistan in 2010 to support marksmanship training for the Afghan National Army and NATO forces.
Once he decided to join the CMP team, Gray and his wife, Nathalia Tobar Prado (Team USA pistol shooter and current national record holder) moved from Ft. Benning, Ga., to Anniston, Ala., to begin his work out of the CMP South location.
“During the Camp Perry Open, when the possibility to work for the CMP was presented, Nathalia ended up shooting a personal best the first day and then shot another one on Day 2 enroute to breaking the national record by an amazing six points – in fact, she was at or above world record pace for most of the match,” Gray explained. “After nearly 20 years of traveling to Camp Perry with some pretty big successes, I can definitively say January 2025 was absolutely the most successful trip I’ve ever had up there!”
Now, with his new chapter just beginning, Gray is ready to continue his own celebrated legacy and expertise within the marksmanship community.
“The CMP is an exciting place to work and truly has an amazing staff,” he said. “We’ve got a few new projects brewing that will even further build upon the legacy of the organization as the ‘Home of Marksmanship.’”
“Stay tuned, and I look forward to seeing you out on the firing line!”
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
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