HAT CREEK, CA JULY 26-27---AAR

[NorCal22Gal]

How to spend your 25th wedding anniversary weekend (Appleseed style):

Gather 13 Americans, most of them under 18, add a few dedicated instructors and toasty temperatures...mix well....

OK, yes it was my (and eaglescouter) 25th anniversary. 

We had 9 teens on the line, 7 were sea cadets and two were returning shooters, one 9 yr old....The kids out numbered the adults this weekend and man did they do a great job.  The adults weren't half bad either!!

We started the day as always with a safety briefing and the Red Coat.  Then turned on the fire hose, teaching the slings, prone, 6 steps, NPOA, IMC.  Everyone just soaked up the information. 

We stopped at lunch for the telling of the strikes and a break in the shade from the heat of the day.  Saturday was on the hot side.

Back on the line more information and more soaking up.  We got in two AQT's and the final red coat.  The heat was draining on all of us, shooters and instructors alike.

Ended the day handing out some Young Patriot awards to some very deserving and very safe youth. 

Sunday was cooler and the cloud cover kept the sun from baking us.  (Our shooting line is covered but no cover off the line.)  A light breeze kept us feeling a lot cooler than Saturday

Safety briefing completed and we went on to review and fine tune.  Spent lots of time on seated as it seemed to be the one position most really needed/wanted to work on. 

We stopped for lunch and the Dangerous Old Men and Determined, Dangerous Dames.

After lunch, we started some AQT's and a few folks continued on some squares as they just didn't feel ready for the AQT yet.  We had some nice scores, 198, 199 in the first rounds, then Andrew Arroyo scored a 202...you are right there...sooo close.... Ethan posted a very nice 170...keep practicing guys...

No Rifleman patches given out, but Riflemen...and women are started in the heart and mind.   I am very proud of all of you for sticking out the heat and the challenges of new rifles, malfunctions, learning positions, and information you didn't know before.  That is truly the mark of a Rifleman.

Thanks to all of you for helping with set up and tear down.

Thanks very much to all my instructors!  You all did a great job as usual.

Can't wait to see you all next time!
 

[mrbillvw]

Thanks for the report...wanted to be there too, but had a large family gathering to attend. Happy 25th!
mrbill