Chugiak, AK June 23/24 - AAR

[ItsanSKS]

Over the course of this past weekend, as many as 30 fine American patriots came out to visit the Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park, host of the third Alaskan Appleseed. 

The weather for this event couldn't have been any better, with Saturday's temps ranging from mid-50's in the morning to high 70's throughout the afternoon.  Sunshine was in abundance, a welcome relief considering the amount of rain that we've gotten over the last week. 

We instructors are used to seeing a variety of rifles on the line, but I'd have to say that this event reigns supreme as to the diversity of shooting irons employed by our students- from single-shot bolt action .22's, Ruger 10/22's, AR-15's, there was even an old Mauser in .308! 

Even better than bringing interesting rifles, our students each brought the most important thing- a teachable attitude.  Soaking up the instruction like a sponge, our students made remarkable improvement throughout the weekend. 

Saturday started with the ubiquitous Hits Count! target, which served to illustrate to our students what their current skill level was.  Though we had numerous people who self-selected as a 3 or 4 out of 5 in skill level, the Hits Count! target showed that they still had some serious obstacles to overcome- few people were able to consistently hit at 200yds, let alone make consistent hits at 3 or 400... 

With their performance on the Hits Count! target serving as a not-so-subtle indication of what they were capable of on their own, our students were now ready to begin their journey towards becoming Riflemen (and Riflewomen!). 

The instruction began in earnest, starting with the steady hold factors of the prone position, and how to use both the Hasty sling and Loop Sling to support it.  Almost immediately, groups on paper began to coalesce.  But wait! There's more!

The next topic of instruction was the six steps to firing a shot - A simple, but effective task list for executing a perfect shot, every time.  Added to the six steps instruction was an introduction to Natural Point of Aim, or NPOA.  While our students were still getting used to the aches and pains associated with stretching out into a proper prone position, we then told them they were supposed to RELAX.  The looks of incredulity gave way to beaming smiles when they saw the improvement in their group size.

As the hours passed by, the instruction never stopped;  group instruction on Riflemans Cadence, Seated and Standing positions, transitions (or as I prefer to call it, Rifleman's Calisthenics) one-on-one instruction on proper trigger squeeze, breath control, creating a stable position, and a host of other topics finally culminated in the Appleseed Qualification Test, or AQT. 

The AQT is our student's final exam- putting their marksmanship ability up against reduced-sized silhouettes ranging from a lone one-hundred yard silhouette to FOUR (4) 400 yard silhouettes, scoring Expert on the AQT is no easy feat- it requires not only mastery of the physical skills we teach, but it also requires the mental fortitude to get into a bubble, and leave the 'time monkey' in the dust. 

While many of our students showed dramatic improvement, none had, as of yet, mastered the skills we were teaching.   Perhaps Sunday would reveal Riflemen?

Stay tuned for "The Rest of The Story"!

-ItsanSKS

In the meantime, please feel free to give your own account of this wonderful event!  Share pictures too, if you have them!

[alkeford]

  Its good to here your doing well in the great white north. You havnt missed a beat. The Student's have gotten a truly excellent teacher,there gain our loss. I am possitive with the level of instruction they are receiving,Rifleman will come out of the wood work.

  Thank you for your service

[TruTenacity]

Good report.

Just a note letting folks know Alaska now has a Facebook page.  I'm certain as Alaska grows so will their page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Appleseed-Alaska/342986245770712

[panhead]

howdy

Good to hear you are up and running in God's country! We miss you here in tropical storm Debby, and wish you the best.

Alaska instructors have gained a fine mentor. The structure you and PHenry set up for us here is phenominal, due to your vision and BOTG.

Awaiting part 2 of the story...and remember

[fisherdawg]

Eric,
This weekend was outstanding.  Thank you and all the IIT's for the fantastic instruction.  David and Danny had a great time and will be back with me in August.  I learned many things that will contribute to much more consistent shooting.  These include using a much smaller target for dry fire, the 'couch stretch' for sitting position flexibility, the NPOA drill, improved (correct) use of the sling -- i.e. elbow at 90 degrees, the importance of index, transitions drills, how to adjust my shooting glasses so they don't fog,  to name a few.
I'll keep spreading the word and handing out tri-folds.  Many thanks to you, Josh H., Jason C., Jacob, PackerFan, and Bill.
Best regards,
Wally Thomas, aka

fisherdawg

[asminuteman]

GeeeeZZZ Eric!

transplant you for a month, and you own the place!
Good to hear the shoot went well....

I shall never forget Alaska.....and those folks I meet.....you left an imprint upon me
Josh+Brit & family.....Tom....AND MORE

two words (Fish ) Huh Eric! *hands on hips*
Cameron and I still laugh on road trips about that

-k

be well all