Winterseed? Only on Sunday morning. We enjoyed great weather Saturday and most of Sunday, but Sunday morning was cold, wet, and blowing. The first AQT Sunday qualified and Nick got the Winterseed patch for his efforts. We did not get shut out though, we made five other Rifleman this weekend!
Lemme see what my notes have to say...
Saturday started off a bit slow, we had some work to do with positions and we took the time to make certain everyone was getting the lesson correctly. While it slowed us down a bit following the course of fire it paid off in the improvement we saw by Saturday afternoon. A great bunch of shooters, who were willing to learn, willing to try new things, and open to instruction. The groups tightened up, and IMC was completed, groups moved into the black just in time to get through the positions and transitions. SPQR did a fantastic demo AQT scoring 215 and nailing his re-qualification under the watchful eyes of 14 shooters.
The first and only AQT on Saturday rewarded us with a new Rifleman, well done Nick. We saw several hopeful scores and knew then that the extra time required to fine tune the shooters would be paid back with Rifleman on Sunday.
Sunday's weather was supposed to be a slight chance of light rain early and temps climbing to nearly 60. It was not. Sunday dawned cold, wet, and wind blowing hard enough to worry about losing our mats and pop-ups. We took our safety briefing in the barn and then threw on the rain gear. A Redcoat to get started and then right to squares to get everyone loosened up, check rifles, and do IMC again. We saw wonderful squares, shooters "getting" IMC, and decided to go for AQTs as early as we could.
Then we saw the problem, fussing shots, changing positions, likely due mostly to the weather and the wind. So I threw my secret weapon at them. I gave SPQR the line and told him to give me some 15 minute AQTS. He stepped up and we started the AQT grind. Scores started immediately rising, one new rifleman, one new re-qual, two new rifleman, another re-qual, three more new rifleman! Amazing what happens when shooters start to find the Rifleman's Bubble.
Six Rifleman for the weekend!
Mike was so close as was Kayla, I wish they could have shot another AQT or two, they would have made it I am sure. Jamie got her SHF down and the scores showed it was working, I am sure we will see her again. Corbin locked in all together after his last Appleseed and brought it home with a 210, I love the young shooters. Oreo again nailed a stack of fine targets searching for the next Rifleman score to match his other. He has the skill and when he finds his bubble he will be a force to be reckoned with on the line. Doug, Chuck, POC, Lucas, Malea, Jeremy all showed great shooting.
SPQR - 215
Nick - 211, 220
Malea - 220 (irons), 220 (scope)
Patrick - 225
Chuck - 220
Doug - 227
Corbin - 210
We finished up the day with a bit of known distance shooting, learning that what we teach at 25 yards, works at any range. We did the KD lesson, shot a greencoat at 100 yards, then did our IMC and had everyone on steel instantly.
I love it when a plan comes together.
My thanks to everyone who stuck it out through the weather Sunday morning, came with an open mind, and shared a weekend with us. A huge thank you to the Bedford Contingent for the support they provided. The range, the meals, the spot on advice and encouragement to the shooters, and the warm pant's-melting fire to break the chill.
Some history, learning what it means to be an American, discovering that we still have a country where people want to "exercise the character and dignity of a free people" is what keeps me going. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.
Pictures coming soon.
Yellowhousejake
Lemme see what my notes have to say...
Saturday started off a bit slow, we had some work to do with positions and we took the time to make certain everyone was getting the lesson correctly. While it slowed us down a bit following the course of fire it paid off in the improvement we saw by Saturday afternoon. A great bunch of shooters, who were willing to learn, willing to try new things, and open to instruction. The groups tightened up, and IMC was completed, groups moved into the black just in time to get through the positions and transitions. SPQR did a fantastic demo AQT scoring 215 and nailing his re-qualification under the watchful eyes of 14 shooters.
The first and only AQT on Saturday rewarded us with a new Rifleman, well done Nick. We saw several hopeful scores and knew then that the extra time required to fine tune the shooters would be paid back with Rifleman on Sunday.
Sunday's weather was supposed to be a slight chance of light rain early and temps climbing to nearly 60. It was not. Sunday dawned cold, wet, and wind blowing hard enough to worry about losing our mats and pop-ups. We took our safety briefing in the barn and then threw on the rain gear. A Redcoat to get started and then right to squares to get everyone loosened up, check rifles, and do IMC again. We saw wonderful squares, shooters "getting" IMC, and decided to go for AQTs as early as we could.
Then we saw the problem, fussing shots, changing positions, likely due mostly to the weather and the wind. So I threw my secret weapon at them. I gave SPQR the line and told him to give me some 15 minute AQTS. He stepped up and we started the AQT grind. Scores started immediately rising, one new rifleman, one new re-qual, two new rifleman, another re-qual, three more new rifleman! Amazing what happens when shooters start to find the Rifleman's Bubble.
Six Rifleman for the weekend!
Mike was so close as was Kayla, I wish they could have shot another AQT or two, they would have made it I am sure. Jamie got her SHF down and the scores showed it was working, I am sure we will see her again. Corbin locked in all together after his last Appleseed and brought it home with a 210, I love the young shooters. Oreo again nailed a stack of fine targets searching for the next Rifleman score to match his other. He has the skill and when he finds his bubble he will be a force to be reckoned with on the line. Doug, Chuck, POC, Lucas, Malea, Jeremy all showed great shooting.
SPQR - 215
Nick - 211, 220
Malea - 220 (irons), 220 (scope)
Patrick - 225
Chuck - 220
Doug - 227
Corbin - 210
We finished up the day with a bit of known distance shooting, learning that what we teach at 25 yards, works at any range. We did the KD lesson, shot a greencoat at 100 yards, then did our IMC and had everyone on steel instantly.
I love it when a plan comes together.
My thanks to everyone who stuck it out through the weather Sunday morning, came with an open mind, and shared a weekend with us. A huge thank you to the Bedford Contingent for the support they provided. The range, the meals, the spot on advice and encouragement to the shooters, and the warm pant's-melting fire to break the chill.
Some history, learning what it means to be an American, discovering that we still have a country where people want to "exercise the character and dignity of a free people" is what keeps me going. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.
Pictures coming soon.
Yellowhousejake
I love that despite that preconceived notion that you brought that ever important teachable attitude and were willing to change out that notion as the weekend progressed. Welcome to the ranks of Riflemen, 22lr. 
