The Appleseed program continued during the hot Georgia summer by using the Georgia Mountain Shooting Assoc. clubhouse at Toccoa for an Instructor Boot Camp. Although the turnout was not as high as we had wished, that allowed for intense instructor-student interaction and a chance to get to know each other better and foster closer relationships. We used the Program of Instruction first developed by Junior Birdman, Son of Martha, and PHenry, somewhat modified to reflect the current Instructor Manual and standard practices.
Aftet the Welcome and introductions, we covered General Guidelines first (Simplicity and Precision, brevity and clarity, and so forth), then Safety Rules, Safe Rifle, and Line Commands. We then got into the teaching of the first leg of the tripod of rifle marksmanship, Sling Use and Steady Hold Factors prone. We broke into groups and each student got to demonstrate both as instructor and model. Then the second leg of the tripod, Natural Point of Aim, after which we again broke into groups with each student demonstrating both as instructor and then model. Then the third leg of the tripod, the Six Steps, with a demonstration by each student afterward. We examined Rifleman's Cadence, then Steady Hold Factors Sitting, then Standing. After each of these, the students demonstrated both as instructor and as model.
We emphasized how to tell the Story of April 19, 1775, devoting considerable time to the subject. Then a bit of review to conclude the day. On the second day, after some more review, we covered Ammunition Malfunctions, also including all the other malfunctions including the dreaded AR "brass over bolt" malfunction and how to diagnose and clear it. Each student got an opportunity to clear each of the malfunctions. We then covered Inches-Minus-Clicks and each student got to present I-M-C to an instructor. Instructing on the Line and Troubleshooting on the Line, both at the firing line and at the target line, were covered next. We broke into small groups and did the Line Error Cards exercise with each instructor demonstrating several errors simultaneously. The students were instructed on the ins and outs of setting up and working an admin table, after which we concluded with a mock Appleseed, with each student getting to act both as Line Boss and as Range Safety Officer.
Deepest thanks to Minnesotarabit and Archangel762 for driving such a great distance to join us, to Aleka, for your most enthusiastic response to our need for additional help at upcoming Appleseed events, and to Lancer, who attended in spite of a very heavy work load. And to V, who gave the best module on ammunition malfunctions this instructor has ever seen, and to Jambo, who likewise gave the best and most impassioned presentation this instructor has ever seen, on how to tell the Story of April 19, 1775. A hearty well done and blessings to all. And may Liberty increase forever!
Thank you so much DrJohn, Jambo, V and others for the wonderful IBC event at your beautiful Toccoa GA range. We really got a lot out of the weekend. Before going DrJohn and company were highly recommended by RamboGranny and 9mm4545, and everything they said was very true plus some. We all agree, though, that ya'll are some of the most devious, best play actors for scouting the line we have ever seen!
Thank you so much for giving your weekends, providing such focus and enflaming passion for this amazing program and desperately needed cause.
AS is truly blessed to have people like you all teaching.