Hurlburt Field, Florida April 26-27

[Engineer shooting]

19 came for the marksmanship but stayed for the history. Where to start? How many shoots have a cease fire called because of a low flying Predator Drone? Afterwards the drone circled the range several times, the controller must have wondered why so many people were shooting prone on a Sunday.

How many shoots mint a new Shoot Boss, AdobeWallsOfFla and a new Orange Hat, autococker07 at the same time?

Two new riflemen and four requal, I believe we went through the most AQTs of any shoot I've been to short of the boot camp.

Thanks go out to Blackfog, Alchemist and Lucky Lori along with our new Shoot Boss, AdobeWallsOfFla.

Just a reminder to Hurlburt area people the Isaac Davis Range in Tallahassee has Appleseed shoots every month.  

[9mm4545]

Wow, just wow!

[PokeyMike]

Hats off to the excellent instructors and to the HF Rifle Range for hosting this event.

What a great event and excellent organization.  Not only did I improve markedly in my rifleman skills, I also (sadly?) learned so much about the events surrounding April 19, 1775.  As an American I fell a little embarrased I didn't already know the stories of the 3 strikes...

I look forward to more Appleseed events and further honing my rifleman skills.

Cheers!
Mike

[Engineer shooting]

Hats off to the excellent instructors and to the HF Rifle Range for hosting this event.

What a great event and excellent organization.  Not only did I improve markedly in my rifleman skills, I also (sadly?) learned so much about the events surrounding April 19, 1775.  As an American I fell a little embarrased I didn't already know the stories of the 3 strikes...

I look forward to more Appleseed events and further honing my rifleman skills.

Cheers!
Mike

I knew you were going to make the grade, that's why I kept asking you to turn in your AQTs for scoring. Congratulations again!

[AdobeWalls]

Sunday morning, Day 2, I had all the shooters (19) draw their target backers and Redcoat targets, and circle up on me at the target line. The Hurlburt Field Rifle and Pistol Club has bullet traps at each target line, we were at the 100yd line. The bullet trap there is 10ft high, and the post and beam shed covering it is another 3ft higher. I spoke about our determination to increase our marksmanship skills, to earn Rifleman status, and spoke about Captain Daniel Morgan's test, the final test he used to raise the world's first-ever Rifle Company - a big part of our inspiration, and a performance level few can match. Then I drew the shooters' attention to the 5-V crimped galvanized roofing on top of the shed -- this was Engineer Shooting's idea. It was riddled with bullet holes, like a cheese grater. And the face of the beams was also chewed by bullets. Everything was shot up thoroughly. I let them absorb that for a minute, then said, "This is the state of marksmanship today in America. And that's why we are here." 

Other lessons for the shooters: Another instructor had earlier presented a fine version of the confrontation at Lexington Green - a tactical disaster from any point of view, but then all Captain Parker's scouts had been captured, so he had no timely intelligence. Anyway, having dismissed his men a few hours earlier, he sent men without ammunition to the meeting house, where powder and ball were stored. One young militiaman was upstairs when he heard British soldiers forcing in doors, searching for war materials. Heavy shoes climbing the steps was a very bad sign, and the militiaman put the barrel of his musket down into an open keg of rifle powder, intending to deny the British the powder and take as many Redcoats with him as possible. Col. Smith arrived on the Green outside and ordered his drummer to beat assembly. The footsteps stopped, turned around, descended. And after a pause, I told the Appleseed shooters, "Now wasn't he glad he didn't yank his trigger! You see, there are practical applications to mastering your rifle."

Midway through Sunday, these shooters were trying hard and wanted to shoot as many AQTs as they could. So we did, all the Q&D AQTs that came in the shoot box, plus all I had accumulated here and there, and most of the Red AQTs too. Only one fun target to lighten the serious tone. No more traipsing downrange. Prep 2 mags . . . like a machine. Before it got too hot.

The club that hosted us at this venue was really hospitable and welcoming. Nearly every shooter went -- at a minimum -- from amoeba-like 6in groups to tight 1 and 2in groups. Good result, and the kind of refinement those shooters were looking for. Did they get their money's worth from Appleseed? Huzzah!

[Lucky Lori]

It was a great weekend and a great shoot with women,  men, and one determined young girl.  Everyone was excited, motivated and gave their best all weekend long.  Everyone showed up early Sunday morning to get started.  Although only 2 patches were given out much improvement was made by all. Congrats to those who made riflemen.  To everyone who did not . . . DRY FIRE ! Its inexpensive and you can do it at home anytime and it works ! Then come back in October  confident, prepared, and ready to score.
  Congratulations Richard for earning your shoot boss hat  and  Jim for deciding to join our team to become an orange hat.  It was my pleasure to work with everyone.
Lucky  Lori