Chattanooga, TN AAR Aug 26-27 2023

[Gator0246]

First a big shout out to Creeks Edge Farm for allowing us the use of their range.
The instructors started the day off early putting up canopies, setting up fans and installing a water mister to fight off the heat. Once all of our shooters were checked in, we gathered in the shade and held our morning welcome speech. With that completed we dove right into the most important topic HISTORY. ArmyVet delivered the First strike and then we dove right into instruction. Special_K delivered our safety rules and taught us to make our rifle safe. The shooters retrieved their rifles and learned the line commands and ammo malfunctions. With that complete we engaged those pesky red coats and found we had some work to do.

We began the formal instruction and taught Sling, 6 steps, NPOA, and Prone position. We then got the shooters on the mat and began fitting their rifles. Once everyone had been coached, we shot our first square and found some good groups at the target line. We shot a few more squares and then let everyone prepare one lunch and gather up to hear Maximum effort deliver the Second Strike. IMC was covered and then it was time to clean up and get back to shooting.

After a sight adjustment or two we covered Rifleman's Cadence and Carding the Sights. We covered a mag change drill and then taught Transition to Prone. With the heat bearing down on us we took a break and let upacreek tell the Third Strike. With That it was time for Stage Three of the AQT. It was quickly realized the heat was getting to everyone, so we shot another redcoat and called it a day. We handed out 7 William Dimond patches making sure to thank the youth shooters for coming out.

We started early Sunday and all of our shooters returned for more history and instruction. ArmyVet told the story of David Lamson and Mother Ruth Batherick. We then covered all safety and shot the morning redcoat. With that we ran another mag change drill and taught Transition to Prone and shot Stage Three of the AQT on a fresh target.

Sitting or kneeling was covered along with the transition and Stage Two was completed. Standing was next on the block but not before a water break to fight of the heat. Once covered Stage one was shot, and we rolled right into stage Four. Before we could continue there was changing of the hat ceremony that had to be completed. Special_K was presented her Red Hat and with the assistance of all the shooters her Orange Hat was retired. It was once again time to prepare on lunch and gather for more instruction. Known Distance was covered and then we got right back to shooting.

We worked our way through a couple AQT's and heard the stories of Nancy Hart, Samuel Whittemore, Hezekiah Wyman, and Betty Zane. At the end of the day we had requals by Corgimom and K-Mom and two new Rifleman. Chris shot a 214 and Keenan shot a 210 and was baptized with water from the North Bridge. I would to thank all the shooters for coming out and I look forward to seeing all of you on the line again. Practice all the skills you learned and you will all earn that Rifleman patch soon. Also a big thanks to all the Instructors who helped out.

[Palousie]

Here are the photos I took! I'm glad I got to pop down for a little while on Sunday!

[Roswell]

Sounds like a great shoot!

[Cleveland]

Hats off to all the shooters and instructors who braved the heat to exercise Liberty. Hopefully, we will see you all on the line again soon.

Strong work Chris and Keenan for scoring rifleman at your first event.

Congratulations to special_K for earning her Red Hat and Gator0246 for completing his SBIT2.

Paige and Chris, I have an orange hat set aside for each of you.

Huzzah,
Cleveland

[special_K]

had an amazing weekend at creeks edge farm! i saw a lot of improvement along the line as the weekend went on. very very rewarding weekend! i'm very thankful to all of those who helped me retire my orange hat, thanks for the help!
SpecialK

[gunjunkie]

Great job special_K and Gator0246, look forward to working with you in the future.