Preachin the word at Camp Ripley...

[russellmn]

Well, my unit ran an M4 zero range this weekend out at Camp Ripley...  Running of the range went well, especially considering out OIC had never run one before, but as always when you're running a few hundred people through a 30 shooter line in 2 days, you end up getting frustrated at the non-shooters.    

Friday morning we had D trp and HQ out there, before the first group of firers had finished their 7 magazines (3 rounds each), I realized that me working the line as a safety just wasn't gonna happen.  I ended up being a roving troubleshooter fixing the problems various shooters were having.  biggest issues were trigger related, jerking, slapping, no follow through, etc..., I ended up having 5 shooters off in our break area where I went though SHFs, 6 steps to firing the shot, and LOTS of dry firing.  When they got back on line to shoot, 4 of them zeroed in 4 groups, the last had to fire all 7 and come back again to get it.  He didn't do what I'd taught him to do at first. 

During all this I ended up being the guy our LT called on anytime someone was having issues so in 2 days on the line I never got more than a 3 minute break.      

I was preaching AS to everyone, getting as many people interested as possible, including  the 1st Sergent of B trp (Pine City) interested, he's an NRA competitor and was VERY interested in AS as a way to get his daughter some quality instruction as it's always difficult to teach your own family.  Another interested persone was formerly a Primary marksmanship Instructor at Camp Pendleton, CA with the Marine Corps.  Looks like we'll have several, if not many, new shooters coming out soon!

[ItsanSKS]

OUTSTANDING WORK!

Perhaps if enough of the 'brass' gets involved, we could schedule another military AS for your BTN?

You would know better than most who needs to be contacted in this regard, so its up to you to make it happen.  There are many willing to help, all you have to do is ask. 

Good job spreading the word, and the knowledge. 

A big Thank You to you and the rest of your fellow soldiers for serving our country.

-ItsanSKS

[russellmn]

I've already got Mike our state coordinator in touch with my Platoon Sergeant who is also the unit's Training NCO.  Hopefully we'll get something lined up to happen...

[sparks1]

Wow oh wow !!!! Great job !  The marksmanship taught at AS WORKS. Good to hear that the military is open to an outside idea. Alot of times they were non-receptive to any ideas outside of their realm. ( At least when I was in.....a loooong time ago  )

It is great that VMT is hooked into this...I would really like to see an AS at Ripley for our military.

[russellmn]

So would I Sparks1, only problem is our current training schedule is PACKED!  Hopefully they can make some space...

[AFTERMATH]

What?
They let you have a 3 min break?
Don't expect such luxories when you put that orange hat on.


Great work!
Let's get 'em on the line!

[russellmn]

Yeah, but the range went hot at 0800 and we didn't shut down 'til 0300, then went hot again at 0800 'til 0300 the next day.

[AFTERMATH]

Yeah, but the range went hot at 0800 and we didn't shut down 'til 0300, then went hot again at 0800 'til 0300 the next day.

Well, find me a range where we can shoot at night.  We can do an RBC in three days!  I'll pick up an espresso machine and we'll be good to go.

[russellmn]

Yeah, but the range went hot at 0800 and we didn't shut down 'til 0300, then went hot again at 0800 'til 0300 the next day.

Well, find me a range where we can shoot at night.  We can do an RBC in three days!  I'll pick up an espresso machine and we'll be good to go.

The Cabin, but we can't run too many shooters at once.   

[sparks1]

Aftermath....I have an expresso machine!! AND a generator to run it should we need power.  Tracers would be nice too   They look like they are moving so sloooooooow, you could reach out and grab them.

[Scout]

What?
They let you have a 3 min break?
Don't expect such luxories when you put that orange hat on.

That is about the truth I spent a few weeks in Ripley at winter warefare school when I was with the Rangers. -60 one night during a storm and I remember another night trying to sneak across the Mississippi in the middle of the night with the ice creaking and moaning and figuring I was going to go throuigh the ice any minute.

I am hoping that the end result of all of these meetings and working with the Guard/Reserve will end up with us someday beng an integral part of every Guard/Reserve units training. Making sure that we are contributing to the safety of each member and doing everything we can to insure that they are able to make the shot when it counts.

Thanks Russellman

[vmt193]

FYI:

I did send an initial contact e-mail to the russellmn's Platoon Sergeant. Unfortunately either one or the other of us has been out of town lately. Russellmn has promised to keep the fire smoldering and hopefully we can pull something together. I wouldn't expect anything to happen until probably next year, but it's not something I would want to do a rush job on anyway. We'll need to get a lot help and input from those of us that have "been there/done that" already.

vmt

[sparks1]

 I would agree , not to rush this. Do it right the first time and use all the assets AS has in place. Give the guys a good solid foundation for marksmanship and let them run with it.

Sparks1