Kodiak, AK AAR May 18-19, 2019

[ItsanSKS]

What a weekend!

Having traveled to the island of Kodiak, Alaska a few days prior to the event, I was introduced to the springtime weather of this remote island.  Rain turned to clouds turned to sunshine, then back to rain without a moments notice- just par for the course, I suppose. 

Come Saturday morning, it appeared that we would have perfect weather to get us started.   Just take a look at the view:


The Redcoat Target is a target designed to evaluate the student's baseline marksmanship capabilities- it is engaged without the benefit of any instruction whatsoever, aside from the requisite safety rules.  It is not uncommon for students to do poorly on the Redcoat- whether due to failing to zero their rifles at 25m, unfamiliarity with their rifle, or myriad other reasons, the typical student can barely engage the 200m silhouette on this target.  This group of students was different, and the instructors found out after the first 13 rounds just how different they were.

More than half of the students were consistently engaging targets with 3/3 hits on silhouettes representing 300 or 400 yard targets.  ONE QUARTER of the line CLEARED the Redcoat target on their first opportunity.  Now, I'll grant that these students came prepared- some had already attended a different Appleseed event, and a few others had received one-on-one coaching from Instructor OldMikey, a fellow resident of Kodiak Island.  Still, being able to clear the redcoat at 10:15am on a Saturday morning is no small feat, and one that they should be proud of.

OldMikey gathered up all the students, and discussed the beginnings of the American Revolution, in a story that we call the "Three Strikes of the Match".  The "First Strike", as it were, tells the story of how Massachusetts Bay Colony responded to the Coercive Acts, all the way to the heroic stand of Lexington's Captain John Parker, standing firm in the face of hundreds of men in red coats. 


Inspired to continue on in the face of adversity, our students knew that there was room for improvement in their marksmanship- the groups weren't as good as they could have been.  Taka222 and OldMikey stepped up to present the first block of instruction, covering what we term the "Six Steps to Firing the Shot".  In the picture below, you can see the tiny little squares that our students would be engaging for the forseeable future-  a 1" square, posted at 25m.  Little more than a postage stamp, and terribly difficult to see, this target will challenge even the most experienced marksman. 

The rest of the day was a flurry of activity, marked by students with an enthusiasm that was not remotely diminished by the weather.  Instruction modules on sling use, steady hold factors for the various field positions, Natural Point of Aim (NPOA), and much, much more, were covered, with consequent improvement to be seen across the board.  I will say this- not only were our students made of some hardy stock, they also brought the most important thing a student can bring to an Appleseed event- A teachable attitude.  This was evidenced by their continued improvement throughout the day.

The Appleseed methodology of instruction prepares students for engaging targets within what is traditionally known as the Rifleman's Quarter Mile; where 500 yards isn't readily available, a 25m target known as the "Appleseed Qualification Target" (AQT) is utilized; this target is based upon the US Army Qualification Target, circa 1942.  The AQT tests a Rifleman's capabilities in Standing, Sitting/Kneeling, and Prone.  In order to pass the test, the student must exhibit uncommon skill with their rifle; they must be able to not only engage multiple targets under time constraints, but also must be able to quickly achieve the field positions and change magazines multiple times.  It is a simple test, but it isn't easy.

Nearing the end of the day on Saturday, our students were afforded a single opportunity to test their skills against the AQT.  Three of our students proved that they knew well what they were about, scoring higher than 210/250 on this target.

Congratulations to Alaska's newest Riflemen,
Karl, with a high score of 236
Velma, with a high score of 248!
Justin, having shot a Rifleman score at last year's event on Kodiak, proved it was no accident with a 225. 

I will leave the telling of Sunday's course of events to my fellow instructors.

Please, if you have any other photos from this event, post them up!


-ItsanSKS

[Tennessee Beast]

That is one fine looking target!

[Oldmikey]

Thanks to all for a great shoot under challenging conditions. Kodiak Island Sportsman's Association,USN NSWTD,Kodiak Fire Department and all the shooters and instructors that persisted through the rain and wind. It's an honor too be a part of this thing. Oldmikey

[fisherdawg]

Outstanding

[FourFans]

Yup,, sounds like Kodiak.  I honestly believe we would gain more Riflemen if we let them shoot the entire AQT,,,, OFFHAND. LOL

[Pete!]

Yup,, sounds like Kodiak.  I honestly believe we would gain more Riflemen if we let them shoot the entire AQT,,,, OFFHAND. LOL

A rifleman score from a standing rapid-fire AQT would be amazing.

[Slowpoke]

Little-known fact about Oldmikey:

With approximately 35 Appleseed events under his belt, this is the second he didn't have to travel in a boat or aircraft to attend.

A true hero of the cause.  A Rifleman among Riflemen whose dedication is a (too-seldom mentioned) example to us all.

Due almost entirely* to the efforts of Oldmikey, there is a handful of Riflemen on Kodiak Island.  Without checking the stats, there is about twice as many as last year.  Before that, there was one, that being Oldmikey.

It is interesting to note that Oldmikey chose a quote by Brigadier General George Rogers Clark for his sig line in his forum posts: "Great things have been affected by a few men well conducted."

Truly there are "a few men (and women) well conducted" on Alaska's largest island.

And a few more who "know very well what they are about" 

*it is truly an honor and pleasure to be among the few that have helped Oldmikey make Riflemen on Kodiak island.