Oh My Goodness – I don't know where to start!
I can only hope that everyone had as much fun and learned as much as I did!
We had such an AMAZING event at the RWVA Home Range. If you have never been able to see the home range, you should! It's a GREAT range!!
All of the shooters showed up ready to prove what they were all about:
We started day one with the Safety Briefing, the Hits Count and the basics, but when the first squares were shot, we immediately realized that these shooters were not new to the Project Appleseed program and were ready for a more accelerated course of fire. Positions and Points of Instruction, and some drills were reviewed and the shooters were given the opportunity to show their shooting skills. On day one, we had four Rifleman scores: David with a 236; Indy scored a 230 (requal), John C a 226 and Doni (requal) 218. We also had a couple of shooters score over 200. We also were privileged to hear the amazing history of the three strikes
On day two after the Safety Briefing and review of positions etc, via TPI, we shot the hits count, squares to confirm zeros and right into AQTs. After reviewing the AQTs we were able to determine the drills that would be helpful to our shooters (ball and dummy, magazine change, transition, NPOA, carding the sights, etc). These drills resulted in more Rifleman scores: David repeated his 236, Indy repeated a Rifleman score and we added eight more Rifleman scores – Yes, I said 8! Kendall scored a 230, John G a 212, Jiwook a 228, Ryan a 232 (twice), Aaron a 221, Brian a 210 (yes, he was rewarded with North Bridge water), Morgan a 218; and Alice with a 215. Some had multiple Rifleman scores, but I am just listing their highest for the day. On day two, instructors who got an opportunity to shoot requalified: Tennessee Beast scored a 244!!; Dan H scored a 220; Bulldog shot a 224, and Evan a 230.
Day three, we split up the shooters; those who had scored Rifleman had the opportunity to head over to the KD range resulting in one KD Rifleman score by D.K, and 6 Morgan Rifleman: Ryan, Brian, and David, Cowtipper, Aaron, and Indy . Those on the 25m range practiced multiple drills, i.e. magazine change, transition, NPOA, etc. and given multiple periods of time to work with the targets, positions, etc of their choice to hone their AQT shooting skills. Only two AQTs were shot, but included several requalifications with increased scores and one new Rifleman (requalification) score by 12-year-old Samuel with a 222!!
Day four, we again split up the shooters. Three more KD rifleman scores were realized: Ryan – 40; Aaron – 42; Cowtipper – 42!!. Gunjunkie and Mrs. Waky held a mini-IBC with the IITs to learn/hone their presentations of the Four Safety Rules, Steps to a Safe Rifle, NPOA and the Prone Position as well as Line Commands and running the line. Manny pulled off his first 25M Rifleman score of 223
On day five, we conducted a pistol clinic simultaneously with the 25M event. We had several who qualified as Pistoleer™™s: John C with a 212, Dan H. requalified with scores 226 and 227; and Val requalified with a 221. Day five and six we continued to run the 25M range. On Thurs 10-year-old Pemberly scored a 211!! For those who did not score, all three shot 196 or higher. I so admire the persistence that these three shooters showed! Janna was shooting adaptive from a chair which was a new position for her and we watched that women persist. Her scores improved from a 129 to a 196! Jim persisted throughout the week. He is SO close to scoring with a 202!! He is one determined man and his Rifleman patch is in his near future. This was Jesus' first time shooting and he ended with a high score of 200! Congratulations on all of the great shooting! We also had instructors get an opportunity to requalify: The Menace, Waky, Mrs. Waky, KOF and Cowtipper.
Day six the IITs spend the day as Line Boss, RSO, briefing points of instruction, introducing targets and instructing on the line. This gave the shooters and instructors the opportunity to shoot and put the IITs to the test, and they did a great job. Shoot Boss got called out for slapping the trigger during a rapid fire AQT by Pemberly. By the way, did I mention, we gave orange hats to 8 new IITs and blue hats to 2 new Applecores – one of which is Pemberly who is ready for an orange hat, but doesn't quite meet the age criteria.
I cannot thank all of the instructors enough. We had instructors from multiple states come together and work as a well-oiled machine. A special thanks to Geek and TheMenace who ran the KD events. Cherie who ran the Pistol portion and Gunjunkie and Mrs. Waky who worked with our IITs in preparation for day six when IITs got the opportunity to put it all to practice.
All shooters and All instructors made progress and/or honed their shooting and/or instructor skills.
Most importantly, everyone was very attentive and asked great questions and made great comments during the history. We heard the three strikes and each instructor had the opportunity to tell a DOM, DD and/or VY story, and our shooters and instructors chose their favorite flag and told us about it. Time also allowed for some extra discussion. The local area has some amazing Revolutionary War history which we got to hear about. We had some great history tellers amongst us.
Also important to note are the life-long friendships that began over the six days of this RBC. I know that I consider each and everyone who attended a friend, and I hope to see you on the Project Appleseed trail again soon!
Thank you to head chef Geek, Devereux and Waky for feeding us. Jay prepared breakfast and lunch every day, plus evening meals and Devereux and Waky each prepared one of the evening meals. We ate well!
We were also honored to have Fred come out almost every day to share with us the history and his vision of the RWVA, the Range and Project Appleseed. All in attendance looked forward to his daily visits and listening intently to his shared inspirational moments.
We celebrated two birthdays during the week; for Samuel's 12th birthday, each shooter shot 12 rounds at the steel and for Evan's birthday, each shooter shot their 13 rounds at the steel. Music to the ears!!
Manny was kind enough to allow shooters to shoot his Springfield 1903 – it was a blast! Thanks Manny!
On Friday, we honored those who gave their lives for Liberty on April 19, 1775 by shooting the Memorial Volley. Thank you, Dan for calling that for us. The volley is always a very special event, but seemed extra special sharing it with the Ramseur 4/25 RBC friends.
Those who took photos, please post.
To all the shooters and instructors involved in this special week at the Ramseur home range: THANK YOU and a big Huzzah! I was able to visit for a short time at the end of the week, and the atmosphere of persistence and learning mixed with fun was obvious immediately. I'm so grateful that this amazing crew of instructors travelled from all over the Southeast and beyond (including Utah!). New orange hat volunteers of all ages were practicing to instruct at their next events. Shooters honed their skills and improved their scores across the board.
This event and the following Known Distance and 25m Rifle Clinics were a great benefit to Project Appleseed in North Carolina and beyond. I can't wait to see all of you again at another Appleseed event soon!
I thoroughly enjoyed my first time at the Ramseur range. :)
I enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. It was nice to meet Fred and listen to the stories he told.
The atmosphere had such a positive vibe, much persistence and many new orange hats. You know you're having a great RBC when you have to go pick up more orange hats because most students are scoring and willing to become volunteers. Jayshoneybunny and I were priviledged to be the ones to keep track of scores and tell the shoot boss who the new riflemen/women were.
I am proud to have been a part of this exciting event and have a small part in teaching the shooters and the new orange hats.
Mrs Waky
Sounds like an awesome event! O0
This was an awesome RBC. The collection of fine instructors and engaged students made for a memorable 20/250 anniversary Patriots Day at the Home Range.
Here are a few more pictures. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCdhsV