What a fun day! As always, BIG thank you to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Frank Reynolds for allowing us to use their range. Last year, we had to cancel an event which left an empty spot on the calendar. Rather than leave it empty, I decided to have an Instructor Improvement Day, which could just as easily be called an Instructor Appreciation Day. And that may really be the better name for it. Anyway, the cadre liked it so much that we decided to make it an annual event. This would be the Second Annual Instructor Appreciation Day.
Just like every Project Appleseed event, we began by framing the day. The Shoot Boss shared an abbreviated version of the 3 Strikes as the Colonists would have heard them via the Bloody Butchery Poster and the Instructors had a discussion on it and some of the differences and additions that came out later as time went on. Next, we jumped right into the Safety Briefing for Pistol and went over the 4 Safety Rules and Safe Pistol. We then went to our vehicles and retrieved our Pistols.
Once we made the Pistols Safe we went over Ammunition Difficulties and Line Commands. We proceeded to shoot our first target of the day, the Hits Count Target. Huzzah to Axeman for clearing the target. Well done sir! O0 After that, it was time for review. We went over Grip, Stance/SHF, 6 Steps of Firing the Shot, NPOA, and Trigger Recapture. Then we shot a Tombstone target to bring it all together. Then did a Talking Targets Review. Then we shot another tombstone. We then did some Malfunction Drills on Tombstones with Tap, Rack, Bang and then Mag Changes/Rip, Rack, Reload combined Drill. We switched things up and brought out the 20 Dot Target. Then we did a demo on Controlled Pairs and Double Taps and then one on Target Transitions, before practicing Controlled Pairs and Target Transitions combined on the 20 Dot Target to simulate Stage 2. First untimed and then timed. Next, we went over One Handed Shooting before spending a good amount of time practicing it. Finally, we hung PQTs, took a much deserved break, and then got to work. We were able to get in 3 PQTs before breaking for Lunch just after 12. Before going inside, we put the Pistols away and then moved the barrels out of the way to prepare for the afternoon.
At Lunch, shooters and Instructors scored targets as they ate. For entertainment Stockbreaker shared a really great piece that he had found on some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Overmountain shared a piece on the Star Spangled Banner and the Battle at Fort McHenry, and then the Shoot Boss finished up with a piece on Dr. Joseph Warren. The scores being totaled, Axeman showed us he knew what he was about as he re-qualified in Pistol... 3 TIMES IN A ROW! 228, 228, and then a 231! :bow: Before we moved on, there was one more special presentation. Upacreek had a birthday! :birthday: We all joined in singing her Happy Birthday and shared a Cookie Cake together. Happy Birthday Carol, I hope you had a great one!
With stomachs full and hopped up on cookie cake we switched gears and got ready for Rifle shooting. First of course was another Safety Briefing. We went over the 4 Safety Rules again and Safe Rifle before retrieving our rifles and heading to the line. Before shooting we went over Ammunition Difficulties for Rifle and did another review of Line Commands. Our first target of the afternoon was the Redcoat target. While scores were respectable, it was evident that many needed to do some sighters. SO... we did a bunch of sighters. After everyone was really zeroed in, we honed our skills further with a Ball and Dummy Drill. The sun was really heating things up so, we took a much deserved break.
Feeling refreshed, it was AQT time! We shot the first AQT from the bottom up since our slings were set to prone. Next we shot a Hasty AQT, also called a Rapid Fire AQT. This was very popular as we don't usually get to do these at the normal 25m events. Nobody ever has enough magazines. Anyway, after that, we shot our last AQT of the day. Next, we went into the A/C and the students/Instructors totaled targets while the Shoot Boss related the tale of Ephraim Brank and the Battle of New Orleans. When all the scoring was done, there were quite a few re-qualifiers! .416_Rigby shot a 212 despite having 3 malfunctions on Stage 2. Stockbreaker got a 215. Mechanic shot a 217, followed by a 236. Kelly shot a 218 and a 221. Axeman shot a 236, 237, and a 240 earning him Distinguished! Upacreek answered back with a 239 and a 243 earning her Distinguished! Then she borrowed someone else's rifle unfamiliar to her with Irons and shot a 219! :bow:
To close out the day, we had a friendly competition. Somewhat similar to the Hasty AQT, but with a twist. We shot it on the Redcoat target using 4 magazines of 5 each and a time limit of 4 minutes (I was very generous with time. You're welcome! ;) ). The Shooters began Standing and shot their first round in the Shingle and the last 4 in the 100yard Silhouette. Then ejected the magazine, transitioned to Kneeling, inserted a new magazine and shot the 200 yard silhouette, 5 times. Then they ejected the magazine and transitioned to a different seated position and shot the 300 yard silhouette, five times. Then they ejected the magazine and shot the 400 yard silhouette, 5 times. Each round counted 4 points each. 100 total. Oh and one more catch! Everyone had to shift down 3 spots and shoot using someone else's rifle. :cool2: Axeman wone the competition with a score of 72! He was awarded a Project Appleseed Data on Personal Equipment Book.
Well done everyone! And thank you again for coming out my friends. I can't wait for the next one.
In Liberty,
Roswell