Good company, good venue, good learning, and good food. Welcome to New Mexico.
At ABQ 2-23, seven Appleseeders of varying hat colors gathered to sharpen their instructional swords and work together as a team. Several of these folks had never met, but by Sunday afternoon were all what Appleseeders inevitably become - a family. Sometimes crazy and dysfunctional, but still a family.
My deepest thanks to desert_diver, Gila, nmmi9100, Long Rifle, Pballer2oo7, ApprenticeCarpenter, and Joe Bauers for the time and effort they expended to make this IBC one for the books. Thanks also to Maximum Ordinate, who led from the front and helped this little dSB find her wings a bit.
We presented the POI to the class to standard, and then the Small Group leads took charge and guided their groups through the process.
Saturday's Instructor dinner was a treat. It seems that Food Truck Fever hasn't made its way to Alabama, and MaxOrd was skeptical. Then the food happened, and all the skepticism washed away ;) That, sir, is what Mexican food is supposed to taste like.
I'm having a bit of a disagreement with my phone at the moment, so I'll be posting the group and graduation photos first.
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Back Row: Long Rifle, Joe Bauers, Pballer2oo7, desert_diver, nmmi9100
Front Row: Gila, ApprenticeCarpenter, Maximum Ordinate, Mrs. Smith
Graduation Day came, and Boot Camp Rockers were awarded.
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As a bonus, NM gained itself three new honorary New Mexico cadre members.
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Joe Bauers, from Lubbock, TX
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ApprenticeCarpenter, also from Lubbock, TX
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Pballer2oo7, from Norman, OK
Gentlemen, we salute you.
More to come, if I haven't used my phone for target practice before then. :wb:
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Pballer2oo7, ApprenticeCarpenter, and nmmi9100 working on the Sling POI, Prone, and Seated.
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Safety Briefing, Six Steps, and Prone, with desert_diver, Long Rifle, Gila, and Joe Bauers
the Saturday instructor dinner was held at El Bronco, an old-school Mexican restaurant on Old Coors Road, Albuquerque (2-23!)
It seems on Saturday nights they close the kitchen indoors and operate out of the food truck out front. They were kind enough to let us eat in the dining room, though, so we were comfortable.
Food trucks are a huge thing out west.
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After some Sunday morning bribery, it was time to get back to work
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Pballer2oo7, Joe Bauers, and Long Rifle rocking out Standing, Talking Targets, and IMC.
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Not to be outdone, desert_diver, ApprenticeCarpenter, and Gila polish their presentations in the classroom
(https://i.imgur.com/APCQTJi.jpg)
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BONUS! Joe Bauers awesome wife Amanda joined us to hang out, watch, and learn, on Sunday. She's very near to that Rifleman's score, and eager to take an orange hat of her own.
Confident in that outcome, MaxOrd and I gave her some additional incentive. Put it where you can see it every day, we told her. You can't wear it yet, but girl, when you earn that score, you'll be ready to put it on.
Amanda, we're looking forward to the day when that hat becomes TRULY yours. Riflemen persist. Huzzah!
(https://i.imgur.com/P0dHMSm.jpg)
Following graduation and cleanup, Maximum Ordinate took a few minutes to share some wisdom and encouragement with the team. We are worthy, he reminded us, of the faith and trust placed in us by the Founding Generation. Our being there was proof of that. Our dedication to the Mission set it in stone.
(https://i.imgur.com/BSKhpRe.jpg)
So long, Albuquerque (2-23!) Until we meet again.