Project Appleseed

After Action Reports! => After Action Reports => Topic started by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 12:56:50 AM

Title: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 12:56:50 AM
Thank you to Racine County Line Rifle Club for hosting another Appleseed event the weekend of Sept 7-8.

Twelve new patriots had the opportunity to learn marksmanship skills, history, and heritage on Saturday (9/7).

The Instructor Team comprised of the following individuals:
Nick - (TriggerNick)
Ralph - (Beck "Gunner")
Patrick - (Janir)
Rich - (DrRichP)
Kyle

We had a nice mix of male, female, and youth shooters on the line.  Adult shooters ranged in age from 38-69 years old while Youth shooters ranged in age from 8-13 years old. All shooters brought great attitudes and willingness to learn marksmanship skills, history, and heritage information.

We also had returning shooters like Clint, Andrew, and Hugh, and families like the Farley's and Bruner's which made coaching and instructing move faster.

Shooters started off the morning with safety rules and safe rifle requirements and quickly progressed through Red Coat baseline target and Squares where they learned Steady Hold Factors, Six Steps to Firing a Shot, and NPOA for various shoot positions. Most shooters used variant 22 LR rifles while some shooters let loose on their Garands.

During lunch, shooters affirmed they were having a good time while learning great shooting skills. Weather cooperated from morning through early lunch hour.  General History information and First Strike was covered during lunch break.

After lunch, Standing and Seated position were demonstrated and 100 yard target for Standing shoot was completed before inclement weather disrupted shooting activities. 

During the period of lightning, rain, and stronger winds the group huddled in the range shack to listen to Strikes 2 & 3 and several Dangerous Old Men/Daughter's of Liberty stories.  Kids and Adults maintained interest during history lesson and stories, albeit, the time was lengthy due to consecutive time spent while waiting for inclement weather to break.

Unfortunately, we had to end the event early (just after 3 pm) due to continued rain and lightning.  Beck "Gunner" provided the Benediction and wrap-up messages while TriggerNick (Designated Shoot Boss) also reiterated key themes and messages from Strikes 1-3 that were thought provoking.

All-in-all, participants appeared to have had a great time shooting and learning and seem anxious to return on Sunday. 

Key point to note - no safety issues/sweeps even though we had young shooters on the line; adults also paid great attention to rifle safety and no sweeps occurred.

My appreciation goes out to fellow instructors for helping me manage a safe and successful event and for supporting me today as I complete SBIT requirements.  I anticipate Sunday will be focused on AQTs and lots of shooting unless we get hit with inclement weather once again.

See additional posts for pictures taken today.
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 01:00:10 AM
see pics from Saturday event.
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 01:03:17 AM
More Pics from Saturday shoot.
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 01:15:25 AM
Shooters your journey as patriots has begun as you pursue "Rifleman" status. 

Our Appleseed team is here to help guide you through your journey.

Keep the faith, maintain your perseverance as you strive to be active citizens. 

Tell your friends about our program - we continue to grow because of your help in spreading the message.

Thanks for coming today and for giving up your Saturday to be with us, we really appreciate your support and look forward to your participation in additional Appleseed events.

Beck "Gunner"


Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Reckless Rick on September 08, 2013, 09:46:24 AM
Great aar and good job staying away from the lightning
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Gunner on September 08, 2013, 11:44:49 PM
Listed below is the Sunday AAR from today's activities.

All shooters who signed up for Saturday and Sunday program returned on Sunday plus we picked up two additional female shooters as walk-ons for Sunday only. Beck "Gunner" reinforced Safety Rules and Safe Rifle requirements to begin the event.

We started off the morning with a Red Coat base line and completed one sheet of Squares to ensure shooters would be ready for AQTs today.  We did a quick refresher on Steady Hold Factors, Six Steps to Firing, and NPOA on Sunday morning.  DrRichP, instructed and commented on key elements while Chewie graciously demonstrated positions.

An AQT sighter and trial AQT was completed by lunch to prepare for AQTs after lunch. All shooters showed progress on Red Coat, Squares, and Trial AQT so instructors knew we would have the opportunity to produce some Rifleman by the end of the day.

At lunch, Beck "Gunner" covered Know Distance (KD) key elements such as Target Identification and Detection, Ballistic Arc, 25-200 cross-overs, and 3-3-3-4 come up rules; iron sights adjustments, basic scope and Mil-dot scopes differences, and Wind Doping compensation.  Beck used examples and visuals to reinforce key points.

AQTs were run all afternoon and all shooters including youth showed progress in scores with many achieving scores in the 190s to low 200s.  Special recognition goes out to our youth shooters Josie, Livy, and Jesse for being returning shooters and showing continued progress and determination in their marksmanship skills.

Congratulations to our new Rifleman:
- Bob B - scores of 211 and 212
- David F "Laredo" - score of 223; Congratulations on accepting Orange hat.
- John K - score of 220; Congratulations on accepting Orange hat.

Special Recognition to Clint K - Blue Hat, for once again demonstrating perseverance of being a Rifleman by re-qualifying with scores of 217 and 218 today.

The last Red Coat of the day reflected the progress the shooter team had made from Saturday through Sunday with 5 new patriots joining Daniel Morgan's Sharpshooter team!

We concluded activities at 4.30 pm with Patrick (Janir) handing out AS brochures/literature with the key message to help spread the word of our program and to help us expand participation and the building of a nation of Rifleman. 

Beck "Gunner" provided key messages in the closing Benediction and thanked shooters for their attendance, perseverance, and their willingness to learn and implement their new skills.  Beck "Gunner" reiterated the importance of being an active citizen and the value of the 4 boxes (Soap Box, Jury Box, Voting Box, Cartridge Box). 

On behalf of the instructor team, I thank all shooters who participated this weekend, it was great to meet all of you and to develop new friendships with each of you.  Your efforts and participation are recognized and appreciated.  You have begun your journey as a patriot, stay the course and keep the determination. I hope we will see you again at upcoming AS events and hope you will bring a friend or relative to the next event.

Lastly, I thank my fellow instructors for helping me run a successful and safe event this weekend. Your efforts contributed to the success of the event. Your friendship, knowledge, and contributions to the AS program is highly appreciated.  You keep me motivated in wanting to give back to the community and being an active citizen/patriot.

Beck "Gunner"

Pics from 9-8-13 will be posted shortly.







Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Laredo on September 09, 2013, 05:05:36 PM
Wow - what a great weekend!  The weather proved ornery - but heck... if it were easy, what would be the point of doing it?!

I cannot believe I earned the rifleman patch!  I have not felt that sense of accomplishment in a long time.  It took 4 Appleseed's, but thank goodness it did.  Think of all the fun I would have missed had I earned it in one.

Thanks to all the instructors for their time.  Your work is appreciated!  Dr Rich, I owe you a couple cleanings!!!!! 

I cant wait till the next one! 

Here are a couple of pics of the girls. 
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: DrRichP on September 12, 2013, 04:36:08 AM
This was a great weekend with a crowded line. My gratitude to all the attendees for showing up and making this all worth it. I look forward to seeing you all again!

Congratulations to David, John and Bob for scoring Rifleman. It's no easy accomplishment as we all know. Most excellent!

I would be remiss if I didn't make a couple of honorable mentions. Fourteen year old Jess shot 206, 12 year old Livy shot 199, while 9 year old Josie shot 171. Jess also cleared her redcoat and Livy missed clearing it by 1 flyer. Outstanding ladies!!  O0

Special thanks from me go to Jess, Livy, Josie, Trista, and Delaney for allowing me to work with them.

John  (http://brightsparc) and David (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=21207), welcome aboard. We're going to have a lot of fun.

Now to my team... I once again got to work with arguably the best group of instructors in Appleseed (Triggernick (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=7984), Janir (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=10872), Beck (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=18517), Gummer (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=18620), and Chewie (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=15503)). What can I say? Your support allows me to do what I love to do... be in the dirt and work with the kids. Thank you!

Recently someone in my old haunt of Myakka, FL (where I attended my first Appleseed) wrote a thank you far more eloquent than I think I ever could. It bears repeating here.

Just One More Thank You (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=37505.msg271524#msg271524)
So allow me to give this Thank You business 1 more shot. Appleseed instructors, those I've trained under, those I will train under and those I'll never meet. I am humbled, I am honored, and I am most indebted to your sacrifice and service. For giving up weekend after weekend, Thank you. For putting your money and time on the line so that you may ignite the brushfires of Liberty in the hearts of the modern American, Thank You. For making the same sacrifices for 2 attendees as you do for 30, Thank You. As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens another, and I find you to be some of the hardest forged that I have had the privilege to meet. You are a noble lot!

Now, I would have loved to post some cool pictures, but I didn't take any... So I'll re-post the additional pictures someone else took. ;D
Title: Re: AAR Racine, WI Sept 7-8 2013
Post by: Trig on September 23, 2013, 12:35:52 PM
Excellent shoot!  Welcome Laredo and and John!  Thanks for stepping up!!  I look forward to working with you guys!   O0     See ya on the trail!   :--- :--- :--- :---