Project Appleseed

Thank you to the members of PMSC for hosting us on their wonderful facilities.

We had 13 Americans come out to learn more about their Heritage and Marksmanship skills.  There was one new Rifleman and a cleaned Redcoat target for the weekend!

Everyone had great attitudes and a good time was had by all.

Pics to follow when I get to a computer.

It was my first Appleseed.  It was one heck of a lot tougher than I thought.  Congratulations to Doc for earning his Rifleman patch!

I would like to expound on my earlier post.  I have always wanted to go to an Appleseed.  As I sat through the Appleseed presentation when I joined the club something about the pitch seemed to be a kind of challenge, maybe a slight (or not so slight!) jab.  I had heard a lot of good and a lot of bad things said about the events, yup danged interweb...  So I decided to go and even told my wife if I didn't care for it I would pack my crap up and be home by noon as there is no need to waste expensive ammunition.  Well after a strange and rocky start, (nothing to do with the training plan or the instructors)  We were on the line and being evaluated.  I am a firearms instructor in a few different disciplines and it was interesting to watch the instructors work.  I was afraid this was going to be a wastefully high round count, para military, false confidence building, commando fairytale type class.  Nothing could have been farther from the truth.  First of all, the range was run super safe.  The instructors were absolutely excellent.  All three were very knowledgeable and personable, they really cared about getting the principals of marksmen to sink in.  They observed each student and gave one on one instruction as needed and noted the improvements made.  I was personally surprised to find my rifle skills were really being challenged.  Whenever we were in a rest period, one of the three instructors, or our volunteer, would be holding a history lesson that was both interesting and instructional.  They made excellent use of every moment and every round and kept the class focused.  I have fired many more rounds in other classes and learned a whole lot less.  I took a very accurate rifle (match prepped AR-15) and plenty of hand loaded ammunition.  The rifle ran perfectly with the exception of one operator induced malfunction.  I turned out to be the part that needed the tuning!  The instructors had a way of really motivating you to want that patch and handshake!  As I got to talk with the other students I found out this was not every ones first Appleseed.  I learned that this was not an easy standard to live up to, and that patch meant hard work, focus and dedication.  No one shoots Rifleman scores by accident.  To sum it up, my skills were weighed and measured and were found to be lacking.  I am now looking forward to my next Appleseed with anticipation and determination. Many thanks to the instructors who ran this class, I am sure they were more exhausted than the students at the end of the weekend, They really gave us their best. 

I agree. Great shoot. I've been telling everybody I know so we can get a bigger group next time! 

Pics

Looks like a nice range!   

That's a gorgeous KD line you had there. If I'm in that part of PA I'll have to try to make it to this range.

Stand,
  Great pics!  Tonedef and EZ3, It is the finest range in the area.  Let me know if your going to be in the area as you will need a member to get in, its all key carded for security.  I personally think an AS should be required for member ship!  I almost said "Rifleman" required for membership...but that would leave me out! (At this time!)  But that will change!

Quote from: DrPrepper on May 28, 2014, 12:01:53 PM
I agree. Great shoot. I've been telling everybody I know so we can get a bigger group next time!

Doc,
  Great write up, next time try for a little brevity,  You know, just hit the high points!   

I let my rifle do my talking.

To do a larger group the member will have to lobby for a bigger range.  The line was about maxed out last time and there can be no intermediate range targets on the KD range due to the way the backstops are.

I'm all for more shoots there!

Quote from: DrPrepper on June 20, 2014, 04:27:39 PM
I let my rifle do my talking.

Indeed, Well played Sir!