Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
Nothing new to us Appleseeders. When attendance was obviously below minimum for a full 6-day RBC, we developed a plan that would allow three IITs to still get most of what they needed from this event. While it would not have worked with truly "green" attendees, who had never been to an event, it worked very well for the three instructors in training who braved beautiful weather, gourmet food, and the luxurious RCR venue.
We began by arriving Tuesday evening. Well, that is me and the mouse in my pocket. You see all the others got there earlier in the day and did all of the work setting up the target lines - both the 25M and 500 yard. The lowly shoot boss came straggling in around dark, just in time for dinner comprised of Mrs. Baden's very yummie turkey chili!
Wednesday at 0700 we mustered for breakfast in the lodge and shortly thereafter, got to work. We headed out to the 25M line for the First Strike, line commands and safety rules, then the traditional Redcoat and some squares to get the shooters zeroed. Once that was accomplished, we went into teaching the teachers - much like day 6 at a full RBC. It were a long day, with much learned and it went well owing to the caliber of the students and the instructors who actually worked. You know me - I just sit and point now and agin, working hard at looking like I am awake. ^-^
Thursday AM was all about advanced marksmanship and we went over the four elements in detail: Target Detection, Vertical, Horizontal, and Taking the Shot (the easy peasy part). After lunch, we headed out to the 500 yard range, otherwise knowed as "Slash Pine Range". We began at 100 yards on 4 minute squares and then went into a full distance AQT from 100 to 400 yards. Next we proved (see, there's that "we" thing agin - I didn't do squat - the shooters did it all) that what I say at the beginning of every event is true - that a Rifleman can consistently engage targets out to 500 yards, the Traditional Rifleman's Quarter Mile! Huzaah!
Friday was all day on the KD line, working up DOPE on different rifles and banging away at steel targets courtesy of Parramore Foundry and Machine Works owned by our own Willorith - many thanks Brian! These are cut to match the 4 & 5 rings on the Army "D" target and man are they great for instant hit notification at full distance!
Evenings around the campfire. Rifle clinics in the gazebo. History after dinner in the lodge, with our gracious host Chris Baden doting on us and serving desert. Did I mention shooting steel sils at 500 yards?
Sat Am rolled around all too soon, and the students plied their newly sharpened skills on the 6 students who came for the weekend event. My hat is off to all ya'll: Airplane Joe, NukeofHazard, and Sherpa
And to the staff of seasoned instructors, without whom, well heck, without whom nothing would have got done, as yours truly is lazy and old and slow as the Florida days are lovely this time of year. O0
For thems who was considering this event and "choked" - best look out for next year and sign up early. While the shoot boss may be marginal, this venue and the Florida cadre who work it are tops! As Chris Baden, the host says, come for the fun, stay for the calories! ;D :~ :~ :~
In Liberty,
PHenry
Sigh. I am over here on the left coast and from your description am sorry I missed it. Keep doing it right over there! I am sure I will get to an RBC sometime over here and I can only hope its close to as good as that sounded!
How come it seems that these RBC things seem to end too soon? This RBC (lite) was excellent and unlike last time, the weather was great. The facility is top notch and the learning never stops. When I first started with Appleseed I had heard about Rifleman Boot Camps and just the sound of "Boot Camp" was a bit of a turn-off. I had no idea. Imagine concentrated, extra strength rifleman knowledge liberally applied for days at a time and you will get the idea. Wide ranging discussions after dinner in front of a lovely camp fire provide a perfect ending for each day and forge bonds among friends that will last for a lifetime. I can't wait until next time...
Quote from: 9mm4545 on October 18, 2011, 08:43:51 PM
How come it seems that these RBC things seem to end too soon? This RBC (lite) was excellent and unlike last time, the weather was great. The facility is top notch and the learning never stops. When I first started with Appleseed I had heard about Rifleman Boot Camps and just the sound of "Boot Camp" was a bit of a turn-off. I had no idea. Imagine concentrated, extra strength rifleman knowledge liberally applied for days at a time and you will get the idea. Wide ranging discussions after dinner in front of a lovely camp fire provide a perfect ending for each day and forge bonds among friends that will last for a lifetime. I can't wait until next time...
Sounds like a good restaurant. You walk in and item after item on the menu sounds like the most amazing thing ever created. I will take two of those, 3 of those, oh and 2 of those... O0 My first AS was in July and I have managed to miss all of them in the area so far. GRRRRR :slap:
Ditto to all previous comments. I can honestly say that not only I learned a lot, but I left with plenty undigested information that will take days to incorporate into my knowledge data base. The facilities were top-notch! What else can I say? Sign me up for the next one!!!
Boot camp is not just for the guys. Obviously I am still thinking about that awesome experience days after the event.
Rocky Creek will delight all genders so ladies, don't miss it next year.
Not mentioning any names but a couple of instructors bagged full distance scores of 230 & 241, improving over the previous year.
Being around all these fabulous AS people at one time is most assuredly food for the soul.
230 & 241 That would be a "family affair" between Rambo Granny and her handsome man, 9mm4545. O0
she outshoot him again? O0