Riley, IN IBC AAR July 24-26, 2009

[Bill of Rights]

Appleseed is often compared to being thirsty and taking a drink from a firehose. It was my experience that in some ways, this is both true and untrue of IBCs.

We, the IITs, mostly know the material, but are learning how to present it, what types of obstacles will present themselves to us, and how to overcome them. I should mention that Brokensling is quite adept at being the "PITA student" when presenting some of these challenges. We all have things at which we excel, and that is but one of his talents, however vexing it may sometimes be. In truth, I would much prefer to face these challenges first with the PITA student who is actually a fellow instructor attempting to help, rather than a shooter who really doesn't understand and asks a question for which I am unprepared and which has come up because of the information I provided being presented poorly, and I appreciate having this opportunity to "try my wings" a bit.

Those of us who could arrive early were there Friday night and Hawk soon had us in learning some of First Strike. DaveD(usafe7ret) shared some bacon during a break, and ATM demonstrated his understanding of 1st Strike to the group present about 2230 and it was decided that we would then pick up the next day, bright and early. We did indeed start the next morning after the obligatory eating of bacon, catching up those who had missed the night before and watching the administration of paperwork and collection of any monies due. With the deluge outside, the safety briefing led directly into First Strike for the shooters who had come for the concurrent 'seed. The sky had cleared a bit, so they went on down to the range and we then proceeded into the other strikes, safe rifle, line commands, six steps, etc. We were outside for a bit demonstrating prone and SHFs, but other than the meal breaks and position demonstrations, we were inside the whole day. Given the heat outside, this was not a bad thing. Just before suppertime, two of our number who shall remain nameless (no, not me) discovered the phenomenon known as "chiggers", and later discovered that a lawn chair blown into the weeds can transmit these easily to anyone subsequently sitting in that chair. A trip to the store for some Benadryl spray resolved the discomfort and supper was much more enjoyable for them as a result. As supper did not begin until almost 9PM, by the time we had polished off several pizzas (yes, some had bacon on them), the long day was done and preparations (i.e.: sleep) had to be completed for the next day.

After a meal consisting of fresh eggs and no less than four pounds of bacon (are you sensing a theme here?) kindly provided by Brokensling, the first several hours on Sunday were spent working together as a group, then half of us split off to go down to call the line under the watchful eye of no less than FOUR shoot bosses (Ben1775, Hawkhavn, DaveD, and Techres) and a Red Hat (Hooters Billy), while the other three of us remained with the not-yet-green-hatted Brokensling to cover the dreaded IMC. Completing this, we went down to relieve our fellow IITs on the line so they could learn how to present this to shooters.

I have learned much, but the most important thing so far is that I have much left to learn. I require a great deal of practice, and will need to smooth out my presentations (most notably history) to better help bring our attendees to not only qualify on the AQT and be masters of their rifles, but to become Riflemen; those who stand the line between ignorance of the history of our Founders' actions and indifference to those actions. Ignorance can be fixed. Those who would encourage or worse, enforce indifference are our enemies.

I would like to congratulate here DaveD and Techres, both of whom were presented their Red Hats this weekend and who, along with Brokensling, were all three presented with their well-earned Green Hats. I look forward to joining you in Red soon... Green will of necessity wait a bit longer.

My thanks to my fellow IITs, Jeff (whose forum name I can never remember!), yellowhousejake, .5, XD man, and ATM, to our instructors, Brokensling and Hawkhavn, and to Techres as the representative of Riley Conservation Club.

Lady (.5) and gentlemen, it was a pleasure spending the weekend with you all.

Blessings,
Bill

[ATM]

I have learned much, but the most important thing so far is that I have much left to learn.

Indeed. Being able to convey these points of instruction and historical insights in a meaningful way becomes its own skill set which must be practiced and honed. This focus in the IBC had a tremendous impact by quickly flagging our natural strengths and weaknesses.

Between hearing, presenting and critiquing each point of instruction 5 or 6 times, we were afforded a unique opportunity to make rapid adjustments based on others' presentations. (It's good to go last! ) A similar number of presentations would stretch over months merely working Appleseeds and experiencing them one at a time.

Did I say merely working Appleseeds? That would sound awful if taken out of context. Appleseed shoots are the primary mechanism of the mission. Instructor Boot Camp has allowed me to quickly learn what it will take to become the most effective instructor I can be at all subsequent shoots.

To those who chopped the wood (ran the Appleseed line) this weekend, thank you for allowing us to sharpen our axes for the future.

Very nice AAR, Bill! I was also very impressed by the instructors, fellow IITs and our interactions with the other instructors and students shooting that weekend. It was intense yet fun, daunting yet very beneficial... absolutely worth it! A good time and crispy bacon were shared by all.

Thanks again to all for a great IBC.

[Bill of Rights]

...
Between hearing, presenting and critiquing each point of instruction 5 or 6 times, we were afforded a unique opportunity to make rapid adjustments based on others' presentations. (It's good to go last! )
...

Interesting point. We refer to the Rifleman's Dance as taking a shot, getting feedback from it, and adjusting accordingly. I wonder if perhaps this would be an "Instructor's Dance", to present a topic amongst ourselves and use that to hone our presentation to a different style the next time we practiced it.

This, I think, bears further consideration. Mayhap a Mini-IBC between a group of IITs (or even RHIs) local to an area or even on the Saturday night at a shoot (over supper, after the day's AAR is done by the SB?)- an informal thing where we could each pick one subject and then each do one presentation of it. With small numbers of IITs, I don't think it would take too long. Like the mini-Appleseed, it would count for nothing at all insofar as the program is concerned, but it might well allow us to make ourselves better at what we do.

Any thoughts on this?

Blessings,
Bill

[ItsanSKS]

Interesting point. We refer to the Rifleman's Dance as taking a shot, getting feedback from it, and adjusting accordingly. I wonder if perhaps this would be an "Instructor's Dance", to present a topic amongst ourselves and use that to hone our presentation to a different style the next time we practiced it.

This, I think, bears further consideration. Mayhap a Mini-IBC between a group of IITs (or even RHIs) local to an area or even on the Saturday night at a shoot (over supper, after the day's AAR is done by the SB?)- an informal thing where we could each pick one subject and then each do one presentation of it. With small numbers of IITs, I don't think it would take too long. Like the mini-Appleseed, it would count for nothing at all insofar as the program is concerned, but it might well allow us to make ourselves better at what we do.

Bill-

I have already done this, on an unofficial 'impromptu' basis.  Let me be the first to tell you that it works wonderfully.  In my case, I drove a few hours to meet with a cadre of IIT-0's, and drilled them on EVERYTHING they would be expected to present at an Appleseed event, excluding history. (at the time, I wasn't familiar enough with the 3 strikes myself, and there are only so many hours in the day)  We all spent a solid 8-10 hours working on presentations, and had round-table discussions on what to expect, how to overcome the unexpected, and what would be expected of them.  The results were phenomenal- all showed marked improvement, and have been a great asset to the program. 

While not the quality of instruction to be expected from an IBC, I see these 'meetings' as an excellent resource for IIT's and RI's alike- offers the IIT an opportunity to hone their skills prior to an event, and affords the RI an opportunity to ensure quality assistance at the next event. 

If our motto is truly "Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow", I feel that informal meet-ups like this should be encouraged throughout the instructor ranks.  Not only will it raise the level of our instruction, (which is already top-notch) but will serve to foster a team atmosphere amongst the local Instructor Corps. 

As an IIT, if you haven't done so already, contact the Red Hats in your state, and ask them if they would be willing to work with you on your presentations.  If need be, remind them that *you* will be helping them at the next Appleseed, and they have an opportunity to help mold you into the Instructor that you will soon become.

In fact, I think it should become a requirement that RI's work with IIT's to ensure quality instructors are formed; perhaps having an RI "adopt" an IIT or two to work with.  As a Red Hat Instructor, the IIT's already look to you for guidance and support during an event- why not continue that positive relationship outside the event?