Friends,
It would appear my time in Appleseed is coming to an extended hiatus, if not indeed an end.
In six weeks, I start orientation at the University of Idaho. I will be in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit there. I will be a Marine-Option midshipmen. After four years of school, and attending Officer Candidate School and The Basic School the summers of my junior and senior years, I will hopefully graduate college with a Bachelor's degree (unknown what field as of yet) and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. I will then owe at least four years active duty, and I believe I may choose to do quite a bit more then that.
During this time, I will obviously be far to busy to be active in Appleseed as much as I have been in times past. I hope to occasionally be able to instruct, but that is doubtful.
I wanted to write this post for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, to inform ya'll what I'm headed off to do with my life.
But more importantly, to thank you.
Every instructor I have worked with in the program has helped me out in some way. Whether it was reminding me to keep myself humble and not be so cocky all the time, or not to say "uh" so much when I tell history, or to always remember to keep it simple and precise, every single IIT, Red Hat, Green Hat, and on up has taught me more then a few valuable lessons, not just for instructing in our program, but for life.
And I will always be grateful for that.
Allow me to personally thank a few instructors that went the extra mile to help me out and help me become a better instructor, a better shooter, and, I hope, a better man.
Hawkhavn, you were the shoot boss at the first shoot I was at nearly four years ago now. You ran a great event, told what is still the best history I've ever heard, and went above and beyond to help everyone on both sides of the line. Working with you since, I've discovered that is merely par for the course for ya.
Earl, thanks for being... Earl. One of the best role models and mentors I've ever had. You are the reason I became an instructor. I really don't have any more words there.
The whole Redneck Clan: Reformed Redneck, TruTenacity, Western Rose, Evenstar, and Still Learnin. You all are an inspiration. I know you are on hiatus, but ya'll have done more for the program around these parts then everybody else put together. It's been an incredible honor working with you folks. You've been great friends and mentors, and I hope that now I'm down near the Redneck Manor I'll get see you folks a bit more often.
Last but decidedly not least, RiflesnReins, thank you for reminding me why I Appleseed not too long ago. It helped me remember who I am.
Guess I've said all I have to say on that!
Rest assured that I will continue to live the way of the rifleman, as Appleseeders have taught and showed me to.
If you'd like to keep in touch with me, PM me for my personal email and the name I use on Facebook.
Thank you, everyone. For everything you've done for me, and vastly more importantly, for AMERICA.
Roland, over and out.
(P.S. Post #500... Seems appropriate)
Thank you for your Service, past & future. O0
Congratulations on your plans, Roland. You have a very bright future.
It has been a pleasure and an honor knowing you and working with you on promotions in northern Idaho. You are leaving a big hole.
Best wishes,
ShadowMan
Roland,
Thank you for your past and future service to Appleseed, and your future service to our country. You will make a fine Marine. Show 'em how to shoot when you get there! Huzzah!
Keep the faith sir - u never know. Lots of ways to Appleseed on and off the firing line. You are a Rifleman Instructor and if u desire it, that will never change. Even if u never work another event, does that mean you are done passing on the tradition? I bet not. O0
God bless and keep you from harm sir.
In Liberty,
PHenry
From one (former) Middie to another, good luck and Godspeed. Keep your head down; never finish first and never finish last; when in doubt, add a "Sir" (but never to a Gunny); and keep your shoes shined.
Dan
Dirk,
Well done, Do well.
Hope to get an update every once and a while.
Roland,
Kind words and I will try to live up to them.
Once a Rifleman, always a Rifleman. You know in your heart where we have come from, now you will have the chance to take part in steering us to where we are going. Some of the finest men I have known were Marine Corps Officers. You have not chosen an easy or popular path to tread, but good men have been walking it for more than 200 years.
Drop in here once in a while and keep us posted on the happenings at college and beyond.
Bravo Zulu from the Midwest Navy,
Hawkhavn
p.s. Here is a blog from a Hoosier Rifleman who is in Flight School right now:
http://caleb-marinepilot.blogspot.com/
There is a lot of good info and observations in there that you may profit from.
Here is his tag line: "Everything the Marines taught me about rifle marksmanship, I had already learned from the Appleseed Project. Find an event near you!"
Thank you Roland!
I don't think you can leave Appleseed.
In fact, it sounds like you'll be planting seeds from the Halls of Montezuma to the Seas of Tripoli.
Huzza!
Roland,
Congrats and thank you for your service to AS and putting up with my son last year! Good luck in your endeavors and I look forward to hearing about you in the future. PM me if you'd like Andrew's address. He craves mail.
Eb
Thank you for your service to AS and future service to the Corps, and best of luck! If you find yourself out East, and need bail money ;D or assistance, look me up. BeSwift
Thank you for the kind words, everyone! I really appreciate it.
And to those of you I have not yet met, may our paths cross someday!
It was a privilege working with you in May. You are squared-away and I'm glad I got the chance to meet you before you set off on your journeys. I hope our paths cross again.
Good luck in all you do- those life lessons are the best :) Be safe and THANK YOU!! Hope to see you again sometime- we have lots to see over here in MT ;)
Denise
Sorry I'm late to this!
Dirk, you will be missed. Thank you for all the work you've put into changing the course of our Country by working to change their hearts and mindsets. I truly hope that our trails cross someday.
Until then, Stay the Course.
"...A Rifleman is not born but is cast in the Rifleman's mold by other Riflemen. These are mentors of great character, who encourage him to accept the honor, sacrifice and duty to defend those things most dear to patriots. A Rifleman learns that not all battles require a rifle, but he is to be ready on a moments notice should one be required. ..."
-Big Papa
Dirk,
I've not been on the forum for at least a month and what is the first post I see? This one. I had no idea you were stepping away on a hiatus.
I still remember one of your presentations given at Medical Lake when you connected the offenses endured by our founders to the Bill of Rights. Very well done. So much so that I tailored one of my history presentations to mirror yours.
Once you're in our neck of the woods let us know how to contact you. We'll gladly give you some fellowship and a home cooked meal.
Sincerely,
TT
Dirk,
Thank you. Not only for your future service to this Nation, your dedication to Appleseed but also your Friendship. I have not known you for as long as others here have, from your first 'seed to the coveted Red Hat. In the time that I have been given the chance to work with you, I know you are a self-sacrificing, determined and a brilliant Instructor. Appleseed will miss you, for you are leaving some mighty big shoes to fill. I wish you luck and I know you can do just about anything if you truly put your mind to it.
It has been a Honor to work with you my friend. Know that you are welcome at any Appleseed, anywhere in the country, including the "flat" state of Illinois. Whether you chose to come as an Instructor, Shooter or Observer. Let me thank you for being a role model, mentor and best friend.
You are a Man amongst us and you truly know very well what you are about.
Best wishes,
RnR
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I leave to go down for orientation in about three hours. It will officially start tomorrow morning, 20130819, at 0800.
I believe I'll use this thread to post brief updates of my journey through college on occasion, if ya'll are interested. I'll try to post something this weekend about how orientation went.
Roland
God speed sir.
Just realized I hadn't officially updated this thread.
I am officially a Midshipman in the Marine Corps Reserve!
It all started to sink in last Tuesday, around the time of the words "So help me God".
I will be proud to serve my country directly.
Thank you all for your support.
Roland
Keep yer head down sir and God Bless. O0
^ what he said. We will be here when you get back O0
What an outstanding support group. Keep us posted!
Well,
I've finished my first semester out with NROTC at University of Idaho. I made out with a 3.8 semester GPA, and have apparently done well enough in the unit that they decided to make me a fire team leader for next semester. (It's either reward or punishment to get promoted, so I'm choosin' to take this one as a reward ;) )
I remain committed to my course, and my goal!
And it looks like I may be back on the line instructing in Kellogg, ID January 11-12 (if said shoot don't get canceled due to lack of preregs, hint hint).
Keep your powder dry, and I'll see ya'll eventually.
Dirk/Roland
Quote from: Roland on December 24, 2013, 07:04:43 PM
Well,
I've finished my first semester out with NROTC at University of Idaho. I made out with a 3.8 semester GPA, and have apparently done well enough in the unit that they decided to make me a fire team leader for next semester. (It's either reward or punishment to get promoted, so I'm choosin' to take this one as a reward ;) )
I remain committed to my course, and my goal!
And it looks like I may be back on the line instructing in Kellogg, ID January 11-12 (if said shoot don't get canceled due to lack of preregs, hint hint).
Keep your powder dry, and I'll see ya'll eventually.
Dirk/Roland
Roland,
I didn't know you were at UI. My middle daughter is in grad school at UI. Congrats on your GPA and your promotion!
UL
Congrats! Don't let lack of pre regs deter you. Worst case bring some buddies of yours or your soldiers and learn them something!