Myakka,Fl 1-18&19,2014 (MGAR)

[Sly223]

Ahhh, What a great weekend and we did celebrate '70's style,1770's that is!
I think I kept everyone in tune with the mind set of the folks on the line, in tune to what our ancestors must have been experiencing! Life then was tough,
We quickly set the pace, sat started on time and kept a great pace for a sat.Myself DwightC and Baldeagle hit the several that braved the cold(I know it was Fl cold) but it is realavent,20 mile per hour sustained winds of no value to 30 mph gusts all day.We hit them hard and often teaching them with the firehose of Marksmanship and reinforcing everything along the way!
No saftey issues.
Sunday was faster and better! We shot five Aqt's and a two fun shoots and Ball and Dummy Then KD(Which was the worst presentation ever for me) I hit 2:30 syndrom very hard due to no lunch dumb move! My toungue babbled some poor info. I then spent 20 minutes at least it seamed to try and unconfuse the students.
Bald Eagle Took the Orange Hat and Scored a 210 while RSO!
DwightC did the Same with a 215, showing that the cadre walks the walk.
I also shot one and thought I scored about a 223 no one scored it so my wife did when the target backer came out of the back of the SUV.She smiled and I think that means I did hit the 223 again!
We had a Navy Man that knew well what he was about(Mike) I had a problem calling him by a different name at the past few events and finally got his name right and he blew up the AQT with a 226! Huzzahh!
aLL STUDENTS SHOWED INCREDIBLE mARKSMANSHIP IMPROVEMENT AND an intrest in our historical haritage!
Thank you all for your help and Grit!
BaldEagle Passed his written IIT0 with a 100% and is a solid prescence on the line, through his actions and passion for the program I will Highly recommend his promotion to IIT0 officially on line.
Dwight C also has a burning passion, for History and reaching people He passed his IIT3 at the last event,and distingushed himself on line;However got nervouse on the IMC presentation and went a little long to impress me with his knowledge!
This time it was precission and accuracy(Does that loose affect when spelled wrong,oh well), and very well received by the students and therefore DwightC was promoted on the spot after the presentation, and in keeping with tradition lost focus made a minor saftey issue and had to get a wake up call. Then all was right with the world!
Again I thank my Brothers in Liberty!
I now hope every one will chime in on what all they did and or did not like!

[308LIBERTY]

Sadly, I did not actually shoot a 215 this time. (In fact I forgot my rifles at home on Sunday and had to borrow one, doh!) But that will have to be remedied again very soon and I will keep at it until I actually can pick up a borrowed rifle with any type of sights and consistently shoot score. Mike, however, shot score I believe 2-3 times on Sunday showing consistency and Ken added another patch to his collection. I saw some incredible improvement in everyone and I believe we had at least 2 other shooters nearly double their scores over the weekend. Huzzah! I also think that Myakka tends to bring out people who really possess grit and tenacity. It may be a long drive to the middle-of-nowhere and maybe not as plush as some ranges in the state, but the people who show up, show up to work and work hard. Here are some pics:

[Navy Goat]

Boy, where to begin.  Well, at the very least, I'll try not to pooch my comments between typing them up and posting them.  No doubt I'm going to go on too long too.  Bald Eagle has first hand experience here.  He's been on the receiving end of some of my "snoozer" emails back from when we worked together.

Safety - always the number one priority, period.  As Sly says, no incidents which is a great thing.  I also think he made a comment along the lines of "I always feel safest at an Applessed event."  Compared to some of the other ranges I've been to (both civilian and military) I agree.  In addition to the protocols making things safe, it seems (at least for me,) that it just gets instilled better at Appleseed events too.

Sure, DwightC might have had a minor brain fade, but I did as well.  (Noticed parts of me hanging over the firing line during a seated stage.)  But in both cases, each of us caught ourselves right away.  I think that says something good.

Another big positive for me.  Yes, DwightC was working to getting promoted to IIT3 and Bald Eagle was working as an IIT0 for the first time.  What I think was really awesome - if you didn't know that was in play, you wouldn't have known it was in play.  Whatever extra pressure Sly, DwightC and Bald Eagle may have had going on didn't distract them at all from the core fundamentals.  I think that's another example of grit and determination.

And Huzzah to DwightC and Bald Eagle on their promotions/performance!

Weather was definitely, well, interesting.  Not Northern cold, but certainly Florida cold.  The fact that the hose to the camper froze solid over Saturday night gives just a bit of an example of that!  So the cold plus the wind made for an interesting weekend.  And as DwightC says, Myakka may not be the most glamorous range in the state, but it sure will test your determination and skill.

The history lessons were fantastic (again!)  This was only my 2nd event so I'm not at all up on the ins and outs of the Appleseed program.  I know there's probably some "core" material that always has to get covered.  Which DwightC and Sly certainly did.

But, it's also clear that they're both passionate Revolutionary War historians and that makes things really cool.  Besides covering the core stuff, both added some extra details based on their studies and personal interest that really helped to round out the picture.  Even better (since my first event was just a month ago and still fresh in my head,) they didn't tell the same "extra" stories either.  That alone is going to keep bringing me back.

As for my performance, well, based on my 1st event last month, didn't really expect to do much better this time.  But then a funny thing happened.  Eh, that's not really a fair statement.  Here's my personal take for what it's worth - shooting skill is a lot like any other sport.  You can have the best equipment on the planet, and you can take lots of lessons.  But if you don't have an open mind, internalize and adopt the lessons, practice, and find/fix any shortcomings in your equipment, you won't get better.

Well, I knew going in that I wasn't a great marksman.  But I had a desire to get better.  Sure, I've gotten a little training from the military and go to the range with my Dad when we can.  Not the same thing as Appleseed training.  Flat out the best lessons I've gotten.  Period.

Plus Appleseed teaches "practical" shooting from a sling.  Again, not at all the same as what I've gotten from the military, or at the range where a bench is always available.  And like my forefathers, I got up close and intimate with my rifle last month.  Learned what it could (and couldn't) do and worked hard to fix those shortcomings before this event.

And I practiced as best I could.  The ranges I go to don't really allow for sling shooting, but that's OK.  I still "slung up" at home just to get used to it and work towards finding my NPOA more consistently.  Added some dry firing in too and learned the "feel" of my trigger.

Put together, that's when things started happening.  I had an idea that things might be a bit different this time when shooting at that little black square on the grid paper.  Nice tight groups and going where I'm calling them.  Then I cleared my Red Coat Sunday morning.  But still, that might just be luck, right? 

Apparently not after turning in the score that Sly noted.  Comfortable in all the positions, slide right in to Rifleman's cadence, etc.  I like to think I did the smart thing after that since that AQT got in my head a little bit.  And I was flagging some too.  (Oh, BTW, careful what you ask for - we mentioned wanting to shoot more AQT's on Sunday.  Boy did we ever!)  So I sat the next AQT out.  Then Sly did his KD lesson.  (No worries on the uncooperative tounge - I still got a lot out of it!)  Nice long break, clear head, let's go.  Naturally I got a stovepipe (the only one of the day) on Stage 2 of the next AQT.  Now I'm all out of sorts again.  Settle a little, recover a bit, and then shoot a 207 and a 215.

End of the day, everything came together and for me, showed that an open mind, practice and knowledge of my gear are all critical items.  What's next for me?

Well, I could stay complacent and keep bringing my Ruger 10/22 to events.  But I like a challenge.  So going forward, going to push my skills and break out the center fire rifle with iron sights going forward.

In closing (finally!)  Just like my 1st event, I had a great time overall.  Continued to learn some American History, spent the weekend with like minded individuals, and got to hang out camping with two of my friends. 

I'm already talking up the program to friends and co-workers.  So not only will I be back again, I'm going to do my best to bring along someone new too!

[ItsanSKS]

Chewie37-

Thanks for the review of your experience at the Project Appleseed event at Manatee Gun and Archery Club.  Having worked with Sly223, first as an uncooperative shooter, then as an IIT, and working with him all the way through to becoming a Shoot Boss, your description of him as being a highly enthusiastic and passionate instructor hits the nail right on the head. 

Congratulations on achieving a Rifleman score with your 10/22!  Doing so is simple; not easy, but simple- achieve a solid position, acquire Natural Point of Aim, and execute the Six Steps of Firing the Shot.  It is the consistency part that proves difficult- consistently building a solid position; consistently acquiring Natural Point of Aim, and consistently executing the six steps; doing all three of these things in a consistent manner, every time, is what separates Riflemen from rifle owners.   

Well, I could stay complacent and keep bringing my Ruger 10/22 to events.  But I like a challenge.  So going forward, going to push my skills and break out the center fire rifle with iron sights going forward.

Please do!  Nothing will confirm a firm grasp on the Steady Hold Factors like the recoil and report of a center fire rifle.  There may be some tweaks needed to your position (and the recoil will let you know), but the fundamentals remain the same.  Begin your odyssey with healthy doses of dry-fire practice with your chosen center fire rifle.  Each rifle will fit individual shooters a little differently, and thus each new rifle brings a new learning opportunity. 

So not only will I be back again, I'm going to do my best to bring along someone new too!

Outstanding!  If every student brought only ONE MORE person with them to their next event, we would double the size of this program overnight; instead of reaching tens of thousands this year, we could reach HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, THIS YEAR alone; and perhaps MILLIONS next year.  Audacious?  Certainly, but not impossible.  Wouldn't you like to see millions of Americans with a better understanding of the ideals of Liberty, and the sacrifices that have been made in its name?  Wouldn't you agree that a Nation of Rifleman would be a better nation to live in, than that in which we currently reside?  The difference is you.  And people like you.  Getting off the couch, getting involved.  Spreading the message. 

Thanks again chewie,

Wear that patch with pride!

-ItsanSKS

Boy, where to begin.  Well, at the very least, I'll try not to pooch my comments between typing them up and posting them.  No doubt I'm going to go on too long too.  Bald Eagle has first hand experience here.  He's been on the receiving end of some of my "snoozer" emails back from when we worked together.

Safety - always the number one priority, period.  As Sly says, no incidents which is a great thing.  I also think he made a comment along the lines of "I always feel safest at an Applessed event."  Compared to some of the other ranges I've been to (both civilian and military) I agree.  In addition to the protocols making things safe, it seems (at least for me,) that it just gets instilled better at Appleseed events too.

Sure, DwightC might have had a minor brain fade, but I did as well.  (Noticed parts of me hanging over the firing line during a seated stage.)  But in both cases, each of us caught ourselves right away.  I think that says something good.

Another big positive for me.  Yes, DwightC was working to getting promoted to IIT3 and Bald Eagle was working as an IIT0 for the first time.  What I think was really awesome - if you didn't know that was in play, you wouldn't have known it was in play.  Whatever extra pressure Sly, DwightC and Bald Eagle may have had going on didn't distract them at all from the core fundamentals.  I think that's another example of grit and determination.

And Huzzah to DwightC and Bald Eagle on their promotions/performance!

Weather was definitely, well, interesting.  Not Northern cold, but certainly Florida cold.  The fact that the hose to the camper froze solid over Saturday night gives just a bit of an example of that!  So the cold plus the wind made for an interesting weekend.  And as DwightC says, Myakka may not be the most glamorous range in the state, but it sure will test your determination and skill.

The history lessons were fantastic (again!)  This was only my 2nd event so I'm not at all up on the ins and outs of the Appleseed program.  I know there's probably some "core" material that always has to get covered.  Which DwightC and Sly certainly did.

But, it's also clear that they're both passionate Revolutionary War historians and that makes things really cool.  Besides covering the core stuff, both added some extra details based on their studies and personal interest that really helped to round out the picture.  Even better (since my first event was just a month ago and still fresh in my head,) they didn't tell the same "extra" stories either.  That alone is going to keep bringing me back.

As for my performance, well, based on my 1st event last month, didn't really expect to do much better this time.  But then a funny thing happened.  Eh, that's not really a fair statement.  Here's my personal take for what it's worth - shooting skill is a lot like any other sport.  You can have the best equipment on the planet, and you can take lots of lessons.  But if you don't have an open mind, internalize and adopt the lessons, practice, and find/fix any shortcomings in your equipment, you won't get better.

Well, I knew going in that I wasn't a great marksman.  But I had a desire to get better.  Sure, I've gotten a little training from the military and go to the range with my Dad when we can.  Not the same thing as Appleseed training.  Flat out the best lessons I've gotten.  Period.

Plus Appleseed teaches "practical" shooting from a sling.  Again, not at all the same as what I've gotten from the military, or at the range where a bench is always available.  And like my forefathers, I got up close and intimate with my rifle last month.  Learned what it could (and couldn't) do and worked hard to fix those shortcomings before this event.

And I practiced as best I could.  The ranges I go to don't really allow for sling shooting, but that's OK.  I still "slung up" at home just to get used to it and work towards finding my NPOA more consistently.  Added some dry firing in too and learned the "feel" of my trigger.

Put together, that's when things started happening.  I had an idea that things might be a bit different this time when shooting at that little black square on the grid paper.  Nice tight groups and going where I'm calling them.  Then I cleared my Red Coat Sunday morning.  But still, that might just be luck, right? 

Apparently not after turning in the score that Sly noted.  Comfortable in all the positions, slide right in to Rifleman's cadence, etc.  I like to think I did the smart thing after that since that AQT got in my head a little bit.  And I was flagging some too.  (Oh, BTW, careful what you ask for - we mentioned wanting to shoot more AQT's on Sunday.  Boy did we ever!)  So I sat the next AQT out.  Then Sly did his KD lesson.  (No worries on the uncooperative tounge - I still got a lot out of it!)  Nice long break, clear head, let's go.  Naturally I got a stovepipe (the only one of the day) on Stage 2 of the next AQT.  Now I'm all out of sorts again.  Settle a little, recover a bit, and then shoot a 207 and a 215.

End of the day, everything came together and for me, showed that an open mind, practice and knowledge of my gear are all critical items.  What's next for me?

Well, I could stay complacent and keep bringing my Ruger 10/22 to events.  But I like a challenge.  So going forward, going to push my skills and break out the center fire rifle with iron sights going forward.

In closing (finally!)  Just like my 1st event, I had a great time overall.  Continued to learn some American History, spent the weekend with like minded individuals, and got to hang out camping with two of my friends. 

I'm already talking up the program to friends and co-workers.  So not only will I be back again, I'm going to do my best to bring along someone new too!

[BaldEagle]

Greetings all Huzzah is right!  What a great weekend! And what a great way to spend some time getting to know my fellow Americans and neighbors while learning about the events and traditions that won our freedom during the Beginning of the Revolutionary War that we still enjoy to this day.

Having begun the IIT path I was a bit nervous but fell into the groove with the excellent tutelage and mentoring of Sly and DwightC, a sincere thank you to you both. Not only did you have your normal functions to perform you were helping the newbie. As an IIT0 I am prepared for the journey for advancement through its paces and am honored to be able to be affiliated with such an organization.

This group was a preverbal sponge soaking up the instruction being offered with the open mind and teachable attitude. Even like Gary with his brand new SS take down 10/22 (boy what a nice looking rifle) was having light strikes against the primers making for a frustrating situation especially with how well he was shooting, knowing there would be other opportunities to obtain the Rifleman status he continued to soak in those principals. Wayne was experiencing some feed issues and even though not all of his rounds were getting down range his scores kept climbing. Oscar is knocking on the door and did so being fatigued from braving the Florida cold with his Boy Scout troop the night previous with ice on the tents and frozen fire buckets! Rich was there Saturday honing his skills and even broke out the centerfire Sunday morning shooting along side Brian and his .223 (dueling .223s) before they had to leave. Sly even brought out the M1 and did a live fire Rifleman's cadence. Mike what can I say HUZZAH! Well done. What a great post by the way.

Again thank you all and I look forward to the next one.

[BaldEagle]

Just realized after I reread my post spell check got me. It should have been Oliver not Oscar  Doh!