Guntersville, AL AAR 24-25 Aug 2019

[Mixed Metaphor]

First and foremost, I want to thank the 16 shooters and 1 lovely observer who attended our event at the beautiful Blue and Gray range in Guntersville, AL!  Without you, there would be no events.  I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to all of the shooters for the amazing clean up job!  The range looked MUCH better when we left than when I arrived Saturday morning.  A huge thank you to the instructors who all came together to make this event happen.
Our day started with an inspiring recount of the First Strike by EddieB.  After our preliminary safety instruction and line commands, we posted a Hits Count (Red Coat) target.  The groups looked pretty good, especially for the first string of the day.  We had 1 shooter clear the target!  After several classes on various topics like eye dominance, sling use and NPOA, we were ready to shoot some squares.  The shooters all did very well!  The shooters were zeroed.  Alas, it was lunch time.  AH1Tom regaled us with a very impassioned and emotional Second Strike. 
After lunch, we shot a couple of more squares and learned everyone will lie to you, except your target.  We discussed what the targets say and learned their language.  That brought us to a great class on inches, minutes and click.  This is the class that will save headache, heartache and money!  After a couple of exercises, we posted our first AQT!  We shot each stage after a learning that position.  During the AQT, we took a break for T.J.8 to share the pride inspiring Third Strike.
We ended day 1 with another Hits Count (Red Coat) target.  We had a shooter clear this one as well.  The shooters all saw improved groups from the first Hits Count (Red Coat) target.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Google started us off on the right foot with awesome morning history.  GTEngineer followed with a review of slings, prone and seated positions.  Maximum Ordinate gave a great (in-depth) review of the standing position.  Google reviewed IMC.  AH1Tom and Tennessee Beast reviewed NPOA and Safety.  Our first target of the day was another Hits Count (Red Coat) target.  We had 3 clear the target!  Huzzah!  The shooters became coaches with the ball and dummy drill.  I saw some future instructors on the line!  The coaching was excellent!  The shooters learned a lot as coaches.  We shot a couple of squares as sighters to verify zero, then we were on to the first AQT of the day.  We finally took a break for lunch.  EddieB took the floor and discussed Known Distance.  This included the Rifleman's Quarter Mile, trajectory, the various zeros, range estimation and the three challenges of a Rifleman.  After lunch, we continued with AQTs and Tennessee Beast told us about the Rifleman's Bubble.  Three of our shooters moved to the 100 yard line and fired a few strings at longer distance.  They were able to see that the skills that work at 25 will work farther out!  We ended with another Hits Count (Red Coat) target. 
We had three shooters re-qualify or qualify as Riflemen this weekend!
Neil- 211 Re-qualified
Taylor- 210 Qualified
Mike D.- 221 Qualified and stepped up for the Orange Hat!
Thank you Mike!
Again, thank you to all of the shooters and instructors!!
HUZZAH!

(Pictures to follow)

[Mixed Metaphor]

Neil

[Mixed Metaphor]

Taylor

[Mixed Metaphor]

Mike D.  (Drone Attack)

[Mixed Metaphor]

Some old friends and some new ones!

[Google]

It was my honor and privilege to work with all the shooters this weekend.  Everyone came with a great attitude, worked hard, and the results were evident in your targets.  Practice at home and come out to join us at another event.  In the mean time put that seventh step into action by telling people about your experience at Guntersville.  Remember, a Rifleman persists!

We were happy to have Tennessee Beast and GTEngineer join us on Sunday.  This was TN Beast's first time to work in AL    It was a special treat to have GTEngineer with us all the way from Seattle.  He left the TN Valley shortly after I took my Orange Hat; I still have the laminated 'cheat card' he gave me at my very first event as an IIT.  Thanks, Andy! 

Here are a few pics from the weekend:

Mixed Metaphor handing out William Diamond patches


Maximum Ordinate handing out service award pins and Alabama state patches to visiting instructors


Ball and Dummy


More Ball and Dummy, with Mike getting tips on coaching from EddieB before taking his Orange Hat


Seated stage


Shealy showing us how it's done


Down the line



Shaun with one of his three sons, we love to see families on the line 


TN Beast calling the line


Neil and Taylor putting their new rifleman skills to the test at 100 yards

[Tennessee Beast]

I really enjoyed working this event. The students were attentive, which made my job easy. Several shooters were within a shot or two of Rifleman.  Practice what you learned this weekend and you will achieve it before long. I felt very welcome and have already sewed on my Alabama state patch.    I took some pictures.  My favorite is the one of Mike calling the line...he looks so proud of his new hat...as he should be.   

[Trekkie]

Thanks to all the folks who came out and volunteered.  Had a great time and got a couple of good tips even though it was my fifth Appleseed. Really appreciate what all you volunteers do, this wouldn't be possible without you!