AAR: Watervliet MI May 6-7, 2023

[SteelThunder]

Well, after a whacky Saturday weather scene, this event turned a fantastic group of Americans into friends, Riflemen and patriots.

Once again, thanks to the WRGC for hosting.  They always roll out the red carpet and this weekend was not different.  We had a very diverse group in our 12 participants with attendees from 2 miles away and as far as Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky.  Saturday was...umm...unique with thunderstorms and showers plaguing us (but the forecast said 75 and sunny!!!) all morning.  Never fear, we stayed in the clubhouse and learned about sling use, steady hold factors, 6 steps and NPOA.  Plus an early lunch (elevensies) and the first and second strike.  Once we got rolling in the afternoon, the learning had clearly set in as even on the Redcoat, student took time to find their NPOA and make good hits.  While we didn't get an AQT in, we did learn a lot and got ready to come back blazing on Sunday morning.

Sunday worked out to be a great day weather wise, however, we battled ticks all day and had many a tick sacrifice at the alter of Mount Watervliet.  Our repeat family the Volks, turned in fantastic scores and Leon and Paul showed they remembered their old trick.  John scored Rifleman on the last AQT before he had to leave.  Our intrepid physician Steve rocked his iron-sighted CZ bolt gun to score with first a 215 and repeat at 216.  We had such great improvements from Marcelo, Lucas, Lauren, Josh, Larry, and David.  Brian and Anthony are knocking on the door and I can't wait for them to come back to show they know what they are about.

Many thanks as usual to WRGC and thanks to my wonderful instructor cadre MI-Copperhead and Oz.  You make me look good (in more ways than one.) 

[Oz]

It really was a great weekend.  Thank you all for coming out and giving us the opportunity to work with you.  I was happy to see familiar faces (including one from my first event as a student, in 2012) and to meet such great new people.  It was a privilege, and I appreciate it.

Congratulations to our repeat Riflemen and our new Rifleman! 

I hope you practice what you learned, and come back and see us again.  Remember the rimfire known distance event at Watervliet, and the centerfire full distance event at Dorr, and the Pistol event in Watervliet.  Lots of opportunities to learn!  (And bring friends back to 25m events--that way you'll have friends to come with you to the other events, too!)

Thank you again!

Steel and Copperhead, it was an honor, as always.  Oz

[MI-copperhead]

I can't think of a better way of spending a weekend than imparting American Revolutionary War history and rifle marksmanship instruction to a more worthy group of participants.
Dave, Larry, Brian, Leon and Steve definitely showed that they possess the spirit of the men of Alarm list and Project Appleseed to impovise, adapt, overcome  and the persistence that it takes to become or be riflemen.
I was humbled to watch Steve shoot 2 qualifying scores with a bolt gun equipped with iron sights.
I was pleased to see all our attendees soak up the instruction and turn it in to small shot groups.
Big thanks to Steel Thunder and OZ for excellent leadership and keeping the time monkey off our backs with Saturday's challenging weather.
Hope to see everyone on the line again somewhere soon!

[Piper]

Thank you again to all for the excellent instruction. Despite the weather, had a great time and learned a lot. Looking forward to bringing others to share the experience in the future….

Took the pic as I was trying to remember the right way to cross my legs….lol