Palm Bay, FL (PMRPC) - April 21-22, 2018

[Guntuckian]

An inspiring weekend with an excellent group of 17 patriotic shooters over the weekend, not counting Instructors who also took turns at some serious trigger-time, too, rotating in and out of the line.  The new extended awning at Port Malabar Rifle & Pistol Club, extending all the way along the concrete firing line, is absolutely great at keeping everyone in the shade.  There is no longer any "exposed in the sun baking" of shooters on this newly covered firing line!

After our Safety Briefing, and introductions, our Saturday morning Red Coat followed, with 15 shooters present, which showed we had 3 shooters effective at 100 yards, 2 effective at 200 yards, 2 effective at 300 yards, and 2 shooters that were effective at 400 yards.  We also had 6 shooters who showed themselves capable of passing Morgan's Shingle Shot test.

TheMenace (Dennis) then regaled us with the story of the First Strike, and the fire-hose of marksmanship instruction then immediately commenced.  We jumped immediately into sling usage in the standing and prone positions, with the Hasty-Hasty in standing, and the Hasty, and Loop sling usages in prone, and the prone Steady Hold Factors. This was followed by introducing the 6 Six Steps of Firing a Shot. A block of NPOA instruction with a snazzy new green laser rifle came next.  This proved very visible in daylight!  Sighter squares came next, and our shooters had tiny little groups in but 2 sets of sighters.  This was amazingly fast!  Sheppsan then presented a pain-free Inches, Minutes, and Clicks presentation on the target line, with minimal math needed.  After making the necessary simple mechanical adjustments to move their now tiny groups into the middle of the target square, the majority of our shooters  now had tiny groups centered in, or very near, the 1-inch squares.  That's the way it's done!

Our next course of fire was LUNCH, and Guntuckian brought to life the story of the Second Strike of the Match, just 243 years ago.  In the news this last week was the story of the oldest person in the world who passed away at the age of 117 years.  The events of 243 years ago are just a smidgen over two such life-spans.  Just a little over two life-spans ago is not that long ago!

We did a couple more rounds of sighters, while adding Rifleman's Cadence, to get everyone's rifle completely dialed in, with the groups squarely centered on the sighter squares.  Then, the Green Coat targets went up, and the sitting and kneeling positions, along with transitions from building a nest, to standing, to dropping into position quickly were all introduced.  Adding two magazines, with 2 and 8 rounds, the stage 2 silhouettes of the Green Coat targets soon had served their purpose! 

Next came the Standing to Prone Transition instruction, on the Stage 3 section of the Green Coat target.

And, the final piece of the marksmanship puzzle, the traditional position of American's at Lexington Green and at the North Bridge, STANDING, was added, finishing off the Stage 1 section of the Green Coat target.  We then posted 4 each 100 yard Known Distance (KD) targets, and Sheppsan bought us back to Boston with the Third Strike of the Match, ending this history story at 3:50 PM. 

With the 4 PM hour fast approaching, our preparation began in earnest for the Nationwide Victory Volley.  A handbill, with archaic wording, was read by Guntuckian, of the Bloody Butchery, by the British Troops:  or the Runaway Fight of the Regulars.  Shooters, to the Line!  At precisely 4:00 PM, in synchronization with Appleseeds all across America, at 4PM EDT, 3 PM CDT, 2 PM MDT, 1 PM PDT, etc., our first shot honoring those brave men who gave their all was fired.  And, we fired the Victory Volley, with drum and fife musik playing.  A bit of dust seemed to get in some shooter's eyes, though.

We examined our volley targets, and our shots were true, centered squarely in the middle of the targets.  To Remember is to Honor!

A Red AQT target went up, and a new Rifleman was discovered.  Paul took the first patch of the weekend, with a 217.  But, this was only a warm-up prelude, as the Saturday afternoon's Red Coat  showed considerable improvements. We now had  3 shooters effective to 100 yards, 3 effective to 200 yards, 2 effective to 300 yards, and 4 now effective to 400 yards.  And 6 even met the Morgan's Shingle Shot test.  One shooter even cleared the Red Coat.  That's what Appleseed Instructors like to see!

The fire-hose of instruction on Saturday was definitely paying off!

The 4 Questions, and the Big Question were reviewed, and shooters  knew the answers!  HUZZAAH!  All in all, a very successful first day at Appleseed was finished!

On day two, Sunday, we had an enthusiastic group of returning shooters, along with a few additional new shooters.  And, the fire hose of instruction commenced anew.

The Red Coats on Sunday morning followed, and we quickly reviewed our sling usages, the six steps to firing a shot, and NPOA.  We reviewed IMC, and final sight adjustments were made. 

The seated position was re-introduced, but through the concept of Rifleman's Yoga, with TheMenace demonstrating getting into the seated position,  Four instructors then demonstrated, simultaneously, the crossed-leg, crossed-ankle, open leg, and kneeling position, and we each felt the proper tension of the loop sling for effective marksmanship.  We then polished the standing position, adding more details.  Whereas on Saturday we had covered the fundamentals in broad brush strokes, on Sunday we filled in many more details, polishing the now burgeoning marksmanship skills.  Improvements were noticeably being made.

Lunch followed, where we heard stories of the Gray-Haired Messenger of Mortality, Hezekiah Wyman; Samuel Whittemore; Betty Zane, David Lamson; Mother Ruth Batherick; Sybil Luddington, and Miss Lydia Mulliken.

We then commenced a  sequence of AQTs.  Interspersed after one regular AQT, 3 instructors demonstrated a 4 Minute AQT, and the idea of shifting in one's clothes, in order to adjust one's NPOA, was demonstrated.  The high score for the 4 Minute AQT was by Sieggie, with a 218!

During a water break, a Known Distance presentation was given by Guntuckian.

The AQTs continued.  Altogether, 4 regular AQTs were done on Sunday, for a total of 5 regular AQTs over Saturday and Sunday.  And, more Riflemen were found!  Dan S. scored Rifleman repeatedly with a 214, and then a 232.  Maddie, age 11, made Rifleman with a 218.  Sieggie, in an additional 4 Minute AQT, requalified with a 218.  Bill P. shot a very consistent 219, 219, 219 for three AQTs in succession!  David P. scored Rifleman with 224, 225, and 235.  And, Paul V. scored again on Sunday with a Rifleman score of 219. 

Having attended 2 Appleseeds, and repeatedly scoring Rifleman, Bill P. took an Orange Hat.  His forum name is "Blind Dog."  Welcome to the Appleseed Cadre, Bill!

And, we had 3 IIT (Instructor in Training) Promotions, too, upon successful completion of Progress Checks.  Congrats to 2WheelDuke, Born Free, and drumNgun.  Congrats!  Well-done!  That Red Hat is now one step closer!

Everyone improved their marksmanship skills greatly this weekend, and polished their skills.  There were numerous AQT scores that were just 1, 2, or 3 shots short of a Rifleman score of 210.  If you didn't quite make it this weekend, keep up your dry fire practice, and you will get there soon. 

David W., your high score of 185 was a tremendous improvement from your first AQT.  You are knocking on the door!

Howard, you likely would have made it, had you not had help from a friend in a couple of silhouettes.    So close!  Try increasing the rotation angle of your upper body in standing, and your elevation control problem will likely start to vanish!

Claudine, your passion is infectious.  We are looking forward to seeing your scores get higher and higher.

Brent, your passion is highly evident, too.  We are looking forward to seeing your scores get higher and higher.

James, your groups and scores are getting better and better.  You are well on your way to a Rifleman's Patch!

Justin, some dry fire practice, and timed drills, and you will be getting closer and closer more quickly.

Phillip and David, your enthusiasm is amazing.  And, both your scores are improving rapidly.

Maddie, you did it!  Bill R., your scores are getting higher and higher.  Remember, a Rifleman perseveres!

David P., at 235 with a scope, you are knocking on the door for a DISTINGUISHED patch. You are just a few points below getting one!  It is only about 3 shots for a 5 ring instead of a 4 ring or a 3 ring, and you will be there!  Amazing!

Dan S., at 232, you too are knocking on the DISTINGUISHED patch door.  One fewer flyer and you likely would have been there.

Paul V., you are very consistent with a 217 and a 219.  A little dry fire practice, and you will likely be very close to a DISTINGUISHED patch.  Outstanding!

Marian, you improved greatly on Saturday.  Had you been able to come back out on Sunday, you likely would have been knocking on the door for a Rifleman's patch!

Sheryl, slow is smooth and smooth is fast.  A little practice in smoothing out  motions for the transition stages and magazine switchings will greatly improve your scores.

Jeffrey, your scores improved greatly.  Keep up the practice, and they will climb even faster!

Bill, your scores will now start to improve.  The reason is that taking an Orange Hat always seems to magically raises one's AQT scores!

In grand Appleseed fashion, we cleared the line, and we all pitched in and left the host range cleaner than when we arrived for our Patriots Day Weekend. 

Kudos to the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club for so graciously providing us a range for the weekend without any range fees!

All in all, this was a glorious weekend in the company of fellow patriots, in celebration of Patriots Day 2018. HUZZAAH!  See you again, soon!

Pictures to follow. 

[Cmdr of Flying Saucer X-2]

Thank you Gary, Dennis, Kyle, Dave, Davey, Will, Maurice, Duke, and my sincerest apologies, I don't remember the name of - as I believe he said "the former brit".

The first pic are plaques Made by Dan. They are about 8 inches by 10. Dan made them for those that achieved Rifleman as well as all the instructors.

This was my second Appleseed and it was special being able to participate in the Patriot's Day event. See you all soon!

[Cmdr of Flying Saucer X-2]

 It appears that some of the images above were cropped. Here's a link to the album: http://imgur.com/a/TzLOLzt

[Cable___Guy]

Looks like a great group , I see a few Familiar faces from Hollywood in that crowd.

[B.C.]

Nice job Palm Bay! GREAT pictures too! 

[Cmdr of Flying Saucer X-2]

Nice job Palm Bay! GREAT pictures too! 

Thank you BC 

[Sleepy Dawg]

   I'd like to say that all the guys at Appleseed are a Class Act.  Thanks for putting up with a newb and helping with equipment failures.  Duke, thanks for the loan of the spare rifle!  (Time to go get a 10/22, methinks...)

   Goal: shoot rifleman.  Next goal: shoot rifleman with the bolt action!   

      -Zzzzzzzz

[Cmdr of Flying Saucer X-2]

It was a great weekend for sure Sleepy!