Project Appleseed

After Action Reports! => After Action Reports => Topic started by: Alex on July 09, 2012, 02:03:21 PM

Title: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: Alex on July 09, 2012, 02:03:21 PM
Sioux Falls, SD
Big Sioux Rifle and Pistol Club
July 7-8, 2012

I want to start this AAR by thanking the Big Sioux Rifle and Pistol Club for letting us use their facilities. The range is currently closed except for some special events while they make some safety improvements. Next I would like to thank BuzzG for coming over and giving me a hand, and for having loaner rifles. Lastly I want to thank the great group of students we had. It was a pleasure to meet Mike, Deb, Sheila, Claudia, Mark, Doug, and Brian, and good to see Henry and Grant out there again.

I arrived a little later than I wanted to on Saturday morning, but Buzz was there already helping set up. We were pretty much ready to go when the students arrived. After the first Red Coat of the weekend it showed that there was plenty of room for improvement, which is always a good thing. The morning went very smoothly and a fair amount of improvement was achieved. We took a break for lunch in one of the few shady spots at the range. Buzz and I split the first strike then it was back to the line.

The weather that morning was very nice, but as the afternoon went on the temperature rose steadily. Thankfully Buzz had brought to canopies which gave us some respite from the ever intensifying sun. We continued to work in prone for the first part of the afternoon, but we were able to manage to get through all of the positions and a QD-AQT before the end of the day. We did not have many more people qualify on their Red Coats that afternoon, but the groups were MUCH improved. Because of the heat we had taken a couple more breaks in the shade to hear the last two Strikes of the Match before that final Red Coat Target.

It rained early on Sunday morning and it was still a little overcast when the students arrived. Fortunately for us it had been very dry for weeks so the ground soaked up all of the water. I have been to events there where the firing line was made of muddy clay because of the rain, so we got lucky. Four of our students were there for Saturday only, but we gained two Appleseed veteran, Sunday only students. It was apparent after the first Red Coat Target that we had a serious issue with not following through, so before we started shooting again we did some dry practicing, and holding that trigger back. That little practice cleaned things up quickly. After a quick review of the six steps, NPOA, the Steady Hold Factors for all three positions, Ball and Dummy, and an NPOA drill we started the AQT Grind. Mike shot 222 on that first AQT, and qualified as a Rifleman.

We had lunch in the shade again, and then back out to the line for more AQTs. Just like Sunday the sun came out and the temperature began to rise. After a few AQTs it was time for another break, and time to hear about some Dangerous Old Men. A TV Target was next on the course of fire. Everyone got prizes for that. After the last few AQTs it was time for the final Red Coat Target of the weekend. The first Red Coat Target of the weekend saw only 1/25 targets qualified on. This last one had 12/25 targets qualified on, and everyone qualifying on at least the 100 yard silhouette! Great job everyone! ^:)^

I am never disappointed with Appleseeders anywhere I go, but I truly do enjoy going to the Dakotas. Thanks again to all the attendees for coming out, Buzz for helping and having equipment to make all of our lives easier, and to Big Sioux Rifle and Pistol Club for hosting the event. I know Buzz was taking pictures, so hopefully those will get up on here soon. See you all on the Appleseed Trail.

Alex

Title: Re: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: Alex on July 09, 2012, 02:10:25 PM
I forgot to mention that Minnesota has a new IIT. Mike had been to a couple of other Appleseed events in Minnesota, and is very dedicated and will be great addition to the Minnesota Instructor Corps. After he takes a saw to the stock on Deb's rifle, I bet she will be joining him as a IIT. At least she should O0
Title: Re: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: BuzzG on July 09, 2012, 05:32:46 PM
It was a great weekend to be in Sioux Falls! Thanks to all the shooters for spending your weekend with us.


Getting ready for instruction on Saturday morning.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kVp6D216cUs/T_sZshwkjvI/AAAAAAAADDU/5paxdCVArCc/s640/IMG_0202.JPG)


Alex explains the the Hits Count targets.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_7SYkgdBE20/T_sZsx7xCMI/AAAAAAAAC-M/mNlVN8xitv8/s640/IMG_0203.JPG)


A few got bayoneted on the first time. That was the last time though..

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cb0GRl8D89w/T_sZu5y460I/AAAAAAAADC0/25hu2CLNuGU/s640/IMG_0205.JPG)


Mom, Daughter, and Dad caching some shade. The ladies were new shooters and made huge improvements on the weekend!

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ryzSlieOrHA/T_sZyDlUCaI/AAAAAAAADDY/0RvBIH3Or2c/s640/IMG_0208.JPG)


Some history in the shade.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D2JZZABtNfs/T_saG0Mm16I/AAAAAAAADDc/WTnuMFA6OpU/s640/IMG_0217.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9qaKRf1pAOk/T_saGpVHgnI/AAAAAAAADAI/5zZ3GxN3UO0/s640/IMG_0219.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6US_bhtA5Os/T_saI2RLAzI/AAAAAAAADAw/3EdYC9lgePA/s640/IMG_0222.JPG)


Sheila had never touched a rifle before this weekend. She was a hard-sell when her parents told her about this "fun opportunity" in Sioux Falls. She had a great attitude, and is well on her way to earning a Rifleman patch.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c2tOitUtwUs/T_szlMXRg6I/AAAAAAAADC8/n-_OA3s-p44/s640/IMG_0215.JPG)

Mike earned his Rifleman patch on the first QDAQT on  Sunday. Practice at home works!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-whAy9J8Rw7g/T_saKO3xgiI/AAAAAAAADC4/67e0XHDWf1s/s640/IMG_0224.JPG)


And stepped up and accepted an Orange Hat. Thanks Mike for picking up the bucket!

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t2w48VMQgM4/T_saWPFNnlI/AAAAAAAADDE/ACUxdKPAvyM/s640/IMG_0233.JPG)


A big thanks to the Big Sioux Rifle and Pistol Club for hosting the shoot. We have one more coming up in September. Hope to see you there.

BuzzG
Title: Re: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: JOEMORGAN on July 12, 2012, 08:57:40 AM
Thanks to Alex and Buzz for an enjoyable Sunday. We received some great instruction from them. Despite the afternoon heat all the shooters kept plugging away. I did take the chop saw to Deb's stock and with minimal work have her rifle back together. Looking forward to Marshall on Sunday.

Mike(JOEMORGAN)
Title: Re: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: BuzzG on July 12, 2012, 01:56:19 PM
Welcome to the forums Mike! Thanks for picking up a bucket to help bail.

Buzz

Quote from: JOEMORGAN on July 12, 2012, 08:57:40 AM
Thanks to Alex and Buzz for an enjoyable Sunday. We received some great instruction from them. Despite the afternoon heat all the shooters kept plugging away. I did take the chop saw to Deb's stock and with minimal work have her rifle back together. Looking forward to Marshall on Sunday.

Mike(JOEMORGAN)
Title: Re: Another great event at Sioux Falls, SD July 7-8
Post by: AFTERMATH on July 12, 2012, 10:58:21 PM
Way to go Alex, Buzz and shooters!

Congratulations Mike, I'll put you on the 'list' and we'll see you on the trail!