Macon, GA Oct 6-7 2018 AAR

[Roswell]

Saturday:

Saturday, Oct 6th, brought us 17 eager shooters to the line. After introductions and going over safety we hit the ground running. We began with a Redcoat target to diagnose our shooters maximum effective range before we began. Immediately we saw we had a lot of work to do. 

First, we went over Sling Use and the Prone Position. Followed by shooting some squares.



Next we did NPOA w / laser, and learned how to card the sights. Which of course led into an exercise on... carding the sights.  That was followed by instruction of the 6 Steps. And then a trigger training exercise where the students learned about trigger reset and got to practice breathing, squeezing the trigger and follow-through. A vote showed that most people felt it to be very beneficial. Next, we learned how to shoot in Rifleman's cadence. Then did a couple exercises to reinforce it.



Before breaking for lunch, we went over Talking Targets and learned how to move our small group onto target with IMC.

At lunch, we heard the first two strikes of the match and enjoyed some shade. Did I mention it was 95 Degrees in October!  However, you wouldn't know it from our students, as I never heard any complain.

After lunch, we were back at it! We loosened up our belts and began again with the seated position. We used the greencoat targets to practice all 4 seated positions.









After that we learned about the Standing position and tested our knowledge on Stage 1 of the AQT. Next, we learned transitions punctuated by Stages 2 & 3 of the AQT. Before wrapping it up with Stage 4.

It was obvious at this point that despite the lack of complaints, the heat was wearing on everyone. We retired again to the covered pavilion and were regaled with the Third Strike of the Match.



We ended the day with 4 Young Patriots being presented the Luther Blanchard Patch. BIG Thank you to Timothy, Thomas, Skylar and Zach for coming out and for the family members that brought them. Before releasing everyone, we heard one last story. The story of Timothy Murphy and how one man can make a difference.

After the instructor meeting, many of the students joined us for dinner at La Parilla (local Mexican food). Scar decided to play a little joke on his fellow Instructor Brianf31 and told them it was his birthday.   



Sunday:

I was pleased to see almost every person return on Sunday telling me I made the right call on ending early due to the heat. I was also pleased to bring my nephew in as a student. We began with a talk about 1776 and some words from Jefferson and Paine. A review of safety, maximizing total participant involvement was done before sending them to retrieve the rifles in a safe manner.

Finally, we got down to some shooting with a redcoat target. WOW! Talk about improvement! We went from 0 people qualified at 400 yards to 6! AND Ben (Doyle) cleared the target!

After that it was review time. We began with Sling use, the Prone position, NPOA & Rifleman's Cadence.



Next, we posted AQTs and used two courses of fire on the sighter square to shake out our equipment. Then we did 6 Steps with Stage 4 of the AQT immediately following as we worked it backwards with the slings already set up for loop. Then a review of Transition to Prone, followed by Stage 3. Next was Seated and the transition to seated before Stage 2. And of course, a review of Standing led us into Stage 1.

Having earned a break, the students retired to the shade to review Talking Targets and IMC.





We then broke for lunch. BIG Thank You to Kyle Turner, President of the Marion Road Gun Club for providing us with lunch!!! The MRGC and Kyle are both always so kind to us and we do appreciate it.



While everyone was filling up on BBQ, we heard some great stories about Dangerous Old Men and Brave Women. Hezekiah Wyman, Mother Bathrick & David Lamson, Samuel Whitemore, and Nancy Hart.

When lunch was over, we conducted a vote to move back to 100 yards and bang some steel. First things first though; we had to clean everything up and move all the cars. With everything except my vehicle moved, we gathered in the shade of it learn about shooting at full distance and the Rifleman's Quarter Mile.



Then we did an exercise at 100 yards to see what adjustments we needed to make and did them. Having zeroed in, we began banging on some steel targets and had a friendly competition. Congrats to all who placed and a special congratulations to Monica and Zach who were in close competition for 1st. Then we just had a steel free shoot for about 15 minutes to end the day on a high note.

And to make things even better, Ben, having previously shot Rifleman,stepped up to take an orange hat and join the cadre.

Welcome to the fold Doyle!



I want to end by thanking everyone for their time this weekend! The Instructors are only paid by seeing the participant's improvement and smiles. This weekend we got lots of both! I hope to see all of you on the trail again soon. Each of you can make Rifleman! A Rifleman persists!

In Liberty,
Roswell

[Kyle Turner]

Always a pleasure to host these patriots and safe shooters. Thanks for all the hard work!  Let us know if we can help with anything.

[brianf31]

Thanks to all the eager shooters who came out. It was great to have you on the firing line!

Welcome to the instructor cadre, Doyle!

[Roswell]

Thank you KPUC for the extra pictures...

Saturday:

Seated Position:



Second Strike:



Sunday:

Rifleman's Cadence:



We like to have our fun too! 

[KPUC]

It was great to be out there with you.  I like seeing a full line, especially with many families there. 

Congrats on the new Orange Hat and to the two IIT's that we had.  Both did a great job with their points of instruction.

I am learning about ranges that may be amenable to hosting an Appleseed in the Coastal Georgia area.  As I did in AR, I am willing to open my house to cadre who are coming from out of town. 

There are a number of former and active military people in this area.  A number of them have expressed interest in the program; but, a three hour drive, a hotel room/camping and a three hour drive back are a really hard sell, especially if they have never been to one before.  (Once bitten, the willingness to travel increases significantly.  At least it was in my case.)   

In Liberty, Chris

[Roswell]

Thanks Kpuc. You are a great addition to the Georgia cadre. All of you made this event run very smoothly.

If we build it, they will come.