Project Appleseed

This is a placeholder for the AAR as I gather my thoughts and pictures.

In the meanwhile if you have anything to add, "Speak up!"

-Peter

Thanks to Mr. Pete, Ducky, L0ck, and the other Pete for a great weekend. I'm so glad I decided to show up. We has three Riflemen this weekend! Special thanks to the "other" Pete for working with me to get some of my minor glitches under control. That made all the difference in getting me pass the 210 mark.

I expected 110 degrees on a hot dirt frying pan...What we got at Sunland (Angeles shooting range) was a warmish breezy day.  Even without cover (Sat) it was very nice.

Eight showed up (2 walk-ons) to the Angeles range in Sunland, CA.  Iraiz brought son and nephew (Ira and Jorge) while Dad held down the fort...next time he'll swap places.  Cameron (Team America...Yeah!) continued his journey with us this weekend.  For him it all started 3 years ago in Nevada with Kool-aid as his SB.  Cameron was supposed to be a Sat only walk-on supporting his friend Jason, but he ended up coming both days as the draw of that Rifleman's score was too much to resist.  Johnny and Ray showed up not sure what to expect but brought that learning attitude as well as a great outlook on life (they were up for anything).  Returning shooter Tom came out for another shot at that elusive patch.

I was expecting to do the shoot by myself but Ducky showed up and really clicked with the shooters.  Morning Redcoats were good but there was tons of room for improvement. 

Saturday	AM	PM
400	1	0
300	2	3
200	0	1
100	2	1
Bonus	2	1
Cleared	0	0

Iraiz showed up shooting great groups but had trouble as we broke her down on Saturday (only to build her up the Appleseed way on Sunday).  Ira and Jorge were suffering through equipment issues (cadet sized bolt action with one mag and a tactical 22 with difficult sight adjustments).  Saturday was a struggle for everybody except for Johnny who has only been shooting rifles for the last 6 months.  Before coming to class he practiced prone in his living room (with wife and dog laughing at him).  That take life by the horns attitude served him well and he busted out a 225 on the 2nd AQT of the day.  Instructor gratefuldog walked on with his son to help out which was much appreciated.

Sunday Redcoats were a rocky start for the whipped cream (of the crop) and everybody came back with renewed energy. 

Sunday	AM	PM
400	0	3
300	1	0
200	2	0
100	3	2
Bonus	2	5
Cleared	0	1

Instructors Ducky, L0ck3 and gratefuldog brought their experience to the mix.  Everybody, especially Ira and Jorge came back with good groups in the morning warm-up.  I had two loaner LTRs that they used and those boys could shoot!  Tom who was in the 180s the previous day saw scores ramp up.  Cameron was a back in fine form and it showed.  Jason struggled a bit until we settled his position (and he got intimate with his sling).  In the end he was banging out nickle sized groups with his AR.  Ray saw consistent improvement and he had some skillz!  Picking up my M1 for the first time he was able to smack some steel at 300+ yards.  Not one to rest on his laurels, Johnny came back on Sunday scoring well while learning and absorbing like a sponge!  Ms Iraiz started putting everything together and had great groups.  She suffered through blistered elbows and fatigue but shot every course and did everything she was asked without complaint.  She even took the time to correct Ira and Jorge when they could do thing better.  When I gave everybody a chance to shoot my CMP Garand she stepped up.  First two rounds, then she asked for 8 more!  Iraiz was a model of persistence and I wish we had more people (men and women) that had half of her attitude.

gratefuldog came through with shade and "reactive targets".  Both brought some needed relief from the grind.  I have to call the red team the winners since all their golf balls crossed the line first...even though that one stubborn ball wouldn't die or go away!  One of the Shooter's AQTs had a big yellow golf ball imprint on their 4th stage.  I like playing golf at the range...

Sunday Redcoats were improved, but more than that I love getting to meet some of the greatest people in the world...Oh yeah
Cameron smashed out a 226 for a patch as well as
Tom whose persistence gave him a 211.

This was an amazing group in many ways.  Three riflemen out of 8 students, with 2 more knocking at the door.  More than that everybody had great attitudes.

To all the shooters, you own every single improvement.  I think Johnny and Jason said that they improved because we were great teachers.  Nope.

If you think of us as a TV playing the Appleseed channel we were just streaming information at you.  What you did with that information, learning and employing it was all up to you.  In the end, the holes on paper, you own that.

Cameron, I forgot to catch up to you about your suggestions so feel free to contact me.  That goes for everybody.  If you have any questions (ROCs, equipment, anything) or suggestions you can email me at:  MrPete@AppleseedCalifornia.org

Use those ROCs and continue your journey folks!  I hope I see you all again on (or off) the Appleseed trail.

-Peter

Below is a link to all the pictures but I included a select few below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111314322473481263746/SunlandAug2021st2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Great results ! 3 new Rifleman from 8 attendee's
Welcome new Rifleman 

Good event California 

MrPete, Ducky, L0ck3, the other Pete:
Thank you guys so much. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your skills. Thank you for sharing our history. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you FOR MY FRICKIN' PATCH!!!

Those AQT's are pretty much the only thing in my life right now that aren't up for debate or subject to anyones opinion.

You guys told us early on the first day that "targets don't lie". Hear, hear.

At the end of the day when I started banging away on that far steel with MrPete's Garand, I think he looked just as surprised as I did. I think his words were, "you actually hit it".

To all the instructors and other mates in the class... all you guys showed me how, so i kinda feel like "we" hit it. I cannot wait for more and I plan on bringing a crew.

That was all just absolutely awesome.

- GoneJohnny

Just checked the CA riflemen list. We are 415, 416, & 417 if I'm reading it right.