Project Appleseed

After Action Reports! => After Action Reports => Topic started by: TheEditor on June 01, 2013, 12:47:22 AM

Title: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: TheEditor on June 01, 2013, 12:47:22 AM
Midwest Mudfest! 

Powerful storms Thursday and Friday and howling wind and threatening weather Saturday did not keep 34 Americans from learning their Marksmanship and Heritage.  10 instructors on two firing lines made it a bit like two smaller Appleseeds. 

The students were wonderful, as were the instructors. 

If you have thoughts or pics from this shoot, post them here.  Thanks.

TheEditor
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 03, 2013, 01:23:22 AM
Just rolled in from an amazing shoot in Bloomington, Illinois.

An Illinois Crew arrived early Saturday morning @ Darnell's seeing between 2" and 6" of water for and aft of the firing line(s) . This quot (http://saet-60)e surely drove from our heads the notion that this split line Appleseed could not be done -

Quote"And when they were indeed gone, the men and women and children of Lexington came forth from their hiding places and looked upon
the scene. We of today, have never seen our Common as they saw it, its turf torn with horses' hoofs, and clotted here and there with human blood;
with prostrate figures of men, some with faces upward to the sky, others with theirs smothered helplessly in the dust. One might almost think they were asleep.

Such was the fulfilment of their solemn pledge, that they stood ready to sacrifice "everything dear in life, yea and life itself, in support of the common cause."

Water - pshaw:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/8932643592_c6961144d3_c.jpg)


Posterity - Huzzah!   O0

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8932077369_3a9428a6d4_c.jpg)

Update as sleep allows -

Looking forward to others -

mutti
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: John Boch on June 03, 2013, 12:59:55 PM
http://www.gunssavelife.com/?p=7810
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 03, 2013, 04:51:49 PM
Those who arrived were greeted by "Breakfast" - The Nailer's new favorite fowl

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8936553162_685ea2f1ef_c.jpg)

Instructor Corp and Staff off to evaluate what needs to be done:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/8935938517_c08a8bd38b_c.jpg)

Free Sauna and foot bath? Check!

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/8936579114_1b1b4318dd_c.jpg)

Lower Bay Line Assembly? Check!

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/8936006611_35b1cf9e33_c.jpg)

RBKL organization getting 34 Registered in 40 minutes? Check!

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/8935996989_baea2a4594_c.jpg)

Liberty on the Line? Check!

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/8936025837_457c287ee8_c.jpg)

We made our presence known to the Red Coats on Saturday morning:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/8936044043_40ca3d3ebd_c.jpg)

Prone Instruction:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/8936748894_94c112306d_c.jpg)

AK and 1st Strike

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/8936132399_9f38f09d33_z.jpg)

Now that grabbed their attention

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/8936137639_c7058c1959_c.jpg)

Down for some more Instruction

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/8936156727_d622f2cd9a_c.jpg)



Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 03, 2013, 05:03:41 PM
Miss Z after stage 1 with Mamba's Rifle -

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/8936788668_84762b841e_c.jpg)

How about a little more Instruction?

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8936827672_c45fefde0b_c.jpg)

The Editor was like a Bumble Bee - everywhere and busy!

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/8936807958_494648a791_c.jpg)

That is why this was called : "The Editor and Templar's Most Excellent Ride"
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/8936642256_6a427690ff_c.jpg)



At every Appleseed Clinic I see this. One Student, one moment, one Dance. When time stills, slows and no longer becomes imperative for the purpose.

It's a Bubble and Miss O - YOU have got it.


(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/8936926624_661e8056ba_c.jpg)

Mr. W - Saturday Lower Bay Rifleman (thank you for the photo):

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/8937627876_6a73a3aa49_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mamba on June 03, 2013, 05:04:39 PM
....I don't even know where to begin talking about this weekend.  What an absolute privilege it was to work with such a determined, focused, awake and ALIVE group of Americans.  Folks from all walks of life....seasoned shooters to absolute beginners all with teachable attitudes and a thirst to learn about their heritage.  I saw people covered in mud with smiles on their faces and sparks in their eyes right up until the very end of the event...older folks, younger folks....nary a complaint, focused on the mission at hand.  Everyone showed amazing progress over the weekend....and I have to give a shout out to one very special young lady shooting a single shot boltie....in perfect form and cadence with precision that makes me believe I CAN master my own brand-spankin' new boltie...I learned from YOU, my dear.  Thank you. :-)

Uber-kudos to the Instructor crew as well....almost 'to a man' I got to see the crew that was at MY first Appleseed, and to meet and learn from some terrific 'new' folks as well.  Janir...thank you for your patience and grace being peppered with a zillion questions.

Yep; held it in til I left....got in my truck muddy as heck, happy as all get out, and got teary eyed about it all before I got out of the parking lot.  HUZZAH!!!!!!

;)


Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 03, 2013, 05:22:18 PM
Sunday:

Red Coat Check in the a.m.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/8936425285_8eae7a0aa4_b.jpg)

There goes that Bubble again:

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/8936415167_f99b54bce9_c.jpg)

And even when I know it's coming...

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/8936465621_4a1dc16af4_c.jpg)

That Handshake moment chokes me up every time:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8278/8936469737_afd590f658_c.jpg)

The Men who know very well what they are about:

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/8937463138_980eeec757_c.jpg)
---------------

I just like to let all of the Instructors, Students and Darnell's that I'll cherish the memories I took home...

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/8936836567_cc06b64516_c.jpg)




(as well as the 2" of mud in the bottom of my Wringer Washer    :cool2:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/8939607735_196a74e32f_m.jpg)



Thanks!   Mutti

(more photos by RiflesNReins and fiddled with by Mutti: https://secure.flickr.com/photos/22465254@N04/sets/72157633901428078/ (https://secure.flickr.com/photos/22465254@N04/sets/72157633901428078/)  )


Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: RiflesnReins on June 03, 2013, 06:13:51 PM
Thank you Instructors and attendees for making this shoot on of the most memorable ones. I must admit you all performed absolutely awesome in the mud. You all were attentive, adaptive, and a pleasure to work with. I watched throughout the weekend as all of you rapidly improved, becoming more confident with every shot. You all even admirably were patient with me when I had the microphone. Having somebody screech into your ear and make witty comments must have been slightly distracting. I would have to say my favorite moment of all was when Janir came running full throttle down the slippery hill, yelling "The Red Coats are coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". Really fun to bayonet the shooters, and they all seemed to enjoy it.

Instructors thank you all for teaching me, in one way or another. Because every time I think I know  it all, you come in and show me where I can improve. By the way I know SOMEONE has the Instructor group photo. Please post it whomever you are. Mom you look great in a shark floaty, it matches your eyes. AK great job on the first Strike and Janir, thumbs up on the second Strike. Mutti you rocked Samuel Whittemore. Good job on the photos too.

To sum it all up, not rain nor mud or a windy day can stop OUR Illinois Appleseeders! HUZZAH!

Anyone with more photos please Please PLEASE post!

RnR

 
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: AK on June 03, 2013, 09:04:02 PM
It was a fabulous weekend at Darnell's!  Great group of shooters who did indeed show much improvement.  Three new Riflemen forged in the mud. It was very nice to see Mutti and RifleandReins again after 2 years. Enjoyed working with all the instructors.  Its a great team effort.  RifleandReins' Third strike and the wedding protrait that never happened were very moving.  I thought "Wow, this girl has a real talent for storytelling."- which you really do.  Then heard Mutti's Samuel Whittemore story and can see where that talent came from.  Very moving.  Big thanks to GSL for sponsoring this Appleseed. It was great to have the sound system.  Everyone heard every command easily.  It is always great to see American off the couch learning about their heritage and becoming marksmen and Riflemen while having fun together.
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: AK on June 03, 2013, 09:26:35 PM
I only have a few pictures to add.
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: The Nailer on June 03, 2013, 09:53:06 PM
Mud????  I dont remember any mud.  What I remember is 34 Americans gathering together on a beautiful weekend to drink from the firehose and hear about our heritage, stories of great Americans from generations past.  I remember smiles, high fives, handshakes,hugs,new friendships made and old friendships continued.  I remember an Appleseed.
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: John Boch on June 03, 2013, 10:03:12 PM
Quote from: Mamba on June 03, 2013, 05:04:39 PM
....I don't even know where to begin talking about this weekend.  What an absolute privilege it was to work with such a determined, focused, awake and ALIVE group of Americans.  Folks from all walks of life....seasoned shooters to absolute beginners all with teachable attitudes and a thirst to learn about their heritage.  I saw people covered in mud with smiles on their faces and sparks in their eyes right up until the very end of the event...older folks, younger folks....nary a complaint, focused on the mission at hand.  Everyone showed amazing progress over the weekend....and I have to give a shout out to one very special young lady shooting a single shot boltie....in perfect form and cadence with precision that makes me believe I CAN master my own brand-spankin' new boltie...I learned from YOU, my dear.  Thank you. :-)

Uber-kudos to the Instructor crew as well....almost 'to a man' I got to see the crew that was at MY first Appleseed, and to meet and learn from some terrific 'new' folks as well.  Janir...thank you for your patience and grace being peppered with a zillion questions.

Yep; held it in til I left....got in my truck muddy as heck, happy as all get out, and got teary eyed about it all before I got out of the parking lot.  HUZZAH!!!!!!

;)


Gosh, I thought you were an IIT4 by how you acted.  You're gonna make a fine redhat!

John
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: John Boch on June 03, 2013, 10:07:19 PM
OK, RNR, here ya go.

(http://www.gunssavelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/igp.jpg)
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: RiflesnReins on June 03, 2013, 10:57:43 PM
Thank you Templar223! One of the best pictures ever. Because it contains my strange but kinda cool Appleseed family. Some of the most most educated  people ever. I am proud to work with people like you.

RnR
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: imadentist on June 04, 2013, 09:03:30 AM
OK I have to call a breach of etiquette!  It is not fair to post a picture of a REDHAT with a garter belt on his hat and not EXPLAIN!  I am waiting! ;D
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Shooter30-06 on June 04, 2013, 10:50:33 AM
The Midwest Mudfest was a resounding success.  As bad as the conditions were, I think everyone had an even better time laughing about it.  A big thanks needs to go to Guns Save Life for their sponsorship and help with this shoot.  The plywood under the shooting line was particularly nice.   I enjoyed working with Janir and RifleNReins for the first time.  To answer all questions, RifleNReins was personally responsible for all of the unusual photo ops!  Without naming them, all of the Instructors were simply great to work with.  Congratulations to our three new Rifleman.  You persevered in particularly difficult conditions.  I would have to say that this group of shooters were some of the most responsive to instruction that I have ever had the pleasure to work with.  Good history, good shooters, good marksmanship, and nice people to work with makes for a very memorable Appleseed weekend. 
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 04, 2013, 10:57:06 AM
Quote from: imadentist on June 04, 2013, 09:03:30 AM
OK I have to call a breach of etiquette!  It is not fair to post a picture of a REDHAT with a garter belt on his hat and not EXPLAIN!  I am waiting! ;D

Shooter30-06 needed Celery to run the line. RiflesNReins made sure he had some with a headband wrapper and a little flower to match his shoes. It couldn't have been a garter as "The Wedding That Never Was" - never was...

Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: RiflesnReins on June 04, 2013, 11:59:30 AM
Hey it wasn't MY idea for him to wear it! Plus you actually wanted a PINK bow for him, I saved his pride by getting a gray one.  **)

How come you all saw that first? Didn't the bright blue shark jump out as an attention grabber? Mutti made me blow it up on the way to the range...."Faster! FASTER! Only one more mile until we get there!". Does anyone here know how hard it is to give directions while blowing up a floaty?  !@#)

RnR

Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: John Boch on June 04, 2013, 12:26:39 PM
Quote from: imadentist on June 04, 2013, 09:03:30 AM
OK I have to call a breach of etiquette!  It is not fair to post a picture of a REDHAT with a garter belt on his hat and not EXPLAIN!  I am waiting! ;D

The new Southern Illinois coordinator brings charisma, personality and a whole lot of fun to events.  It's leadership like this that makes a strong and successful state program.

John
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: RiflesnReins on June 04, 2013, 12:52:26 PM
Just you wait until you meet Steck and Ratboy!  Steck and Mutti make the BEST team. Both of them are so supportive of one another and they could not make this work without each others skills or the support of the Illinois Instructor Corp. Illinois has the best Instructors around.  O0

I have a feeling that we won't be seeing that headband in the near future......... #)

Do we have any attendees who want to comment on this Appleseed? Come on guys we want to hear what you took away from this shoot!  :(

RnR
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: TheEditor on June 04, 2013, 03:03:12 PM
Janir was a bit later than the rest of the Instructors on Sunday morning; hence he missed the Instructor group photo, and the chance for us to bestow some token of our esteem on him. 

Shooter 30-06, however, made up for it with the garter, oops, I mean celery band. 

And all I've got to say about the floatie is, next time, I want a turn! 

TE
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 04, 2013, 03:33:39 PM
Our Janir was wise to show up late - most likely tipped off. Hmmm. Great guy with a rock solid way of combining D.O.M. (HW) with Known Distance.  :)

While I learned many things on the lower bay, picking up tips in the upper bay while working with Mamba and Janir was important. 

mutti
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: buck230 on June 04, 2013, 03:35:50 PM
The weekend was great, considering the weather!! This was my second Appleseed in the last two years and was every bit as good as my first! Great instruction, and the instructors showed great patience with us shooters!!! I would also like to thank gsl for sponsoring the event and the use of the audio equipment that really helped us on the firing line. The copper colored rifleman patch I received will always be a reminder of the muddy Midwest Appleseed!!
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: Mutti on June 05, 2013, 01:03:32 PM
Blog Post  (http://apinchofhomestead.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/project-appleseed/)from an Attendee
Title: Re: Bloomington, IL June 1 & 2, 2013 - After Action Report
Post by: RBKL on June 05, 2013, 01:19:50 PM
40 minutes  :( - OUCH!! - We're burning daylight !!

What a great weekend.   Cool weather, a minimum amount of rain and more than enough mud to go around.   A lot of new Appleseeders who were not afraid to get down in it.   It was nice to see so many open to learning that getting a little mud on their pant and boots and shirts and mats... didn't get in the way of learning. 

It was good to see some familiar faces instructing and good to meet new ones.  Janir - hope to see you around again.

This was the first time I had been to the Bloomington event and the facilities are great.  Plan to make it back again.

Hope to see some - if not all of the shooters at events in the near future.

RBKL