Hernando 01/31/09 - "Silly" Questions and a Rifleman's Patch

[PHenry]

Following an IBC (instructor boot camp) under the capable instruction of DragonWood, eight IITs and 21 "ordinary" Americans showed up in sub-30 degree weather to be immersed in their extraordinary heritage.

The time monkey nearly beat us on Saturday and the shooters only got one chance @ the Storied AQT target, but Sunday went "by the numbers", affording them four more runs at it.

And run at it they did with great focus and determination, resulting in four Rifleman patches being awarded! 

We had several familiar and most welcome faces - Jacqui, Chuck, Julie & Tim, Brian & Zach, Simon & Rich and a few more that escape my aging recollective capacities.

Brian brought a real "Betsy Ross", thirteen star flag - the kind where the stripes and stars are sewn / not printed, and he insisted on giving to the program for display at events - WOW! Many thanks sir - that was over the top for sure. I will guard it with great care.

And then there were a young fellow that kept asking questions all weekend. He seemed almost apologetic at times for asking, but I know from experience that every question he asked resulted in an answer that others needed, but were too shy to ask. He brought an exceedingly teachable attitude, checking his ego at the door upon arrival.

Evidently, he had purchased his first rifle only three weeks prior to the event. Sunday afternoon, without realizing it (we had the attendees hand their targets to instructors for scoring to save them precious time on the firing line) this man scored Rifleman on the final AQT of the event.

On Saturday morning, he was all over the target and by Sunday afternoon, he was shooting well under 4 MOA. The primary reason for this rapid and dramatic improvement is simple enough. He listened carefully, he asked questions, and he employed what he learned precisely. Further, he had no bad habits to unlearn - only "perfect practice".

Chris - thank you for teaching us all a valuable lesson in marksmanship and even about life in general. It was an honor to stand with you on the firing line sir. Your enthusiasm and improvement is all the "pay" an RWVA instructor could ever hope for.

We had at least three attendees that expressed their desire to become instructors and help us pass on the tradition of the Rifleman.

I stand humbled by the way all of the attendees treated the instructors. I can only try to work harder so that I might come close to being worthy of your generous praise.

I hope to see every one of you again soon, as spending a weekend in your warm company renews my soul and gives me hope for our beloved country.

Also many thanks to the fine folks at the Hernando Sportsman's Club, including Mark, Tammy and Diane - we couldn't do it without you!

For Liberty,
PHenry 

[ItsanSKS]

What a weekend!  So cold it could've snowed!  28* at sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday; winds whipping to 15mph on Saturday left all participants with bright red faces and wind-burnt lips.  (who would've thought you'd need chapstick and longjohns in FLORIDA?!)

As this event directly followed an IBC, there was an awesome Instructor/Student ratio- with IIT's Bill, Don, Mike, Mark, Rick, Tim, Jill, Thor, and myself all helping our students through each course of fire, there wasn't a single student who went away feeling neglected.  At times, us instructors felt as if we were tripping over each other as we engaged the shooters, but I feel that the marked improvement in nearly every shooters' ability can be directly attributed to this extreme ratio.

One shooter, Brian, was physically unable to transition from Standing to Sitting, and decided that he would rather stand for that stage; after one look at his AQT, I rapidly determined that I would NEVER want to be down range of this gentleman- standing or no.  His groups from standing were some of the best I've ever seen, and he nearly cleared the sitting stage- only one or two fliers outside the 5.  (did I forget to mention he did this standing?!)

The end of Sunday brought an unexpected surprise, as young Chris came nearer and nearer that coveted Rifleman patch.  Fighting equipment problems and mal-adjusted sights, Chris was determined to 'make the grade' and persisted, finally putting everything together on the final AQT of the day- with a score of 211.  Not bad for a single weekend of instruction.  The poor kid was left in the dark for nearly 20 minutes as the Instructors collected the just-fired AQT's to score while the students posted their RedCoat targets from Sunday morning.  During the final benediction of the weekend, PHenry presented three Rifleman patches, then broke into a diatribe regarding perseverance and attitude, describing exactly the qualities exhibited by this fine young man.   Chris, having no idea that this speech was directed at him, or that his last AQT qualified him as a Rifleman, literally jumped for joy upon being presented his patch.  The smile that took over his face is sure to still be there as I type this.

After the patch presentation, there was a somber moment as we all reflected upon the sacrifices that our forebears made in our stead, and the sad state of the Liberty and Heritage they left to us.  All were admonished to stand forth and begin carrying the Heritage forward, to Seventh Step.

As we began to tear down the firing line, and the attendees finished sweeping their brass, every instructor seemed to be inundated with 'thank you's ' and offers of assistance;  just about everyone present on Sunday has stepped forward to further the program here in this state, which bodes well for us!

In the next few days/weeks, I will be contacting many of you who volunteered- we need to promote our upcoming events heavily, to ensure our freshly-minted IIT's have plenty of practice before our April 18-19 events!
If I neglect to contact you, CONTACT ME- there are literally hundreds of things that need to be done, and only a few bodies to do them- an extra hand on the rope never hurt.

-ItsanSKS

[DragonWood]

Great job everyone!

Thank you for those who braved the cold in FL (relatively speaking of course) and getting up of the couch to come to the AS!

Although not prepared for the 32 degrees with just 2 sweatshirts, pHenry loaned me his leather jacket. I looked like the new "bad" instructor, a hell's angel look so-to-speak with my black leather jacket and red hat. What do you say Fred, a new look?!

I wish I could have stayed for day 2, but work got in the way again. I heard all the instructors shined!! Great job to the IIT's and to pHenry for organizing another great AS in Florida.

Looking forward to seeing y'all in a couple weeks at Myakka City!

Practice what you learned from this AS, bring a friend or 5 and see you there! There may be a rifleman patch with YOUR name on it!

DW

[Thor]

It was an absolute pleasure to work with every one of the shooters in attendance this weekend. 
By simply showing up, you set yourselves apart from the average American. 
By your enthusiasm and perseverance you made the weekend worthwhile for me and (I think I can safely say) every other instructor out there.  Hope to see you all on the line again, with either a rifle or an orange hat.

Thor