A - From 3 - 300 yards.
"Great! I'll bring my Savage 110 bolt action rifle!"
Observations and reconnaissance from a liberty-loving realist in a world that despises facts as well as liberty.
This meme was shared on social media, and it reminded me about something from childhood.
For the record, one platform of social media has a whole section dedicated to "insane parents." My mom had all of them beat. That will be important to know here.
When this happened, I was about 12. We were gathered around, all looking at something (I forgot what). My mom shifted position, I was bumped, and I fell backwards. I landed on the edge of a milk crate that was being used to hold homeschool books.
The crate looked like this:
When I landed on it, I yelled out in pain. My mom fussed at me for being so "dramatic." I ran around a bit in a haze of pain, clenching my injured left buttock with my hand. When I pulled my hand away, there was blood. A fair amount of blood.
I showed my mom, and she examined the wound and called my dad to come home to take me to the hospital.
Side note: my dad's place of employment was very close to the hospital in downtown Chattanooga. He had to drive all of the way home, just to get me and drive all of the way back to the hospital. Why she couldn't take me, I still do not know.
I eventually got to the hospital and received a number of stitches to close the wound. I healed just fine, thankfully. This event was what the meme reminded me of.
Normally, just one reason should suffice, so pick from the nine reasons below why you should not date a single mom. This article inspired by an article online that tries to make the opposite points - why one should date a single mom. Of note, this author observes that among the thousands of single moms encountered, only one was a single mom due to husband's death (in the military - and he is thanked for his service). The rest of the single moms encountered were so by their own design.
The nine points and this blog's counter-points:
Not too long ago, I was having a conversation with an Appleseed Red Hat Instructor. The subject matter of that conversation made me think. I was reminded of that conversation more recently, when I was speaking with a student from one of my recent rifle classes.
The Appleseed instructor mentioned that they are the first training class for so many people. The conversation with my student emphasize the fact that this was the student's first training class, as well. Additionally, The Appleseed instructor with whom I recently spoke had a total of 40 live-fire classes under his belt, 13 of those as an assistant. My most recent class was my 61st as primary instructor.
If you read many of my old entries on this blog, you will see that I was critical of Appleseed at the time. Those criticisms still stand, however, they were meant as constructive criticism then, and that still stands today. Appleseed has changed a little bit, as well they should. However, my opinion is that they probably should not change much more.
While my criticisms were accurate, the spirit in which they were delivered needed adjustment. Looking back as a more seasoned instructor now, I see this so many people who attend an Appleseed are attending their first training class. In my last class, more than half of the students were participating in their first-ever training class. The difference between what my students got, and what Appleseed offers, is that my method is more direct to getting them to the point. I do not get hung up in the antiquated practice of sling shooting.
The arguments in which I participated online, were most likely with people who have never had any other form of training. I did not adequately explain that I came from a position of additional training, as well. These days, I can point that out. However, because I can point out that I have additional training and teaching under my belt, I stick to just broad generalizations - and most of these are positive.
I'm always amazed at how much time and experience will mellow a fellow.
A man was arrested in Nashville for not wearing a mask. Screen shots to preserve the report in case something else is claimed later.
The officers enforcing this order need to be fired immediately and permanently banned from ever working in law enforcement again.
Saturday, July 25, 2020.
Class: American Rifleman
25 paid participants. 22 came to class.
1 audited the class (heat concerns with health).
Of the 22 participants: 5 ladies, 1 youth (age 10, male), 7 prior military (1 combat role - Army Cav Scout), 15 first rifle class, 15 first training class.
Drills performed - marksmanship, zero the rifle, steel at 100 / 200 / 300 yards, Fundamental Marksmanship Evaluation.
The Fundamental Marksmanship Evaluation is 10 shots on two 300 yard simulated targets (actual distance this day was 50 yards) performed in 90 seconds or less. "Expert Rifleman" is awarded for 9 or 10 hits. There is a mag change after 5 shots. Given the distance and time, this evaluation is more difficult than the US Army marksmanship qualification.
Note: the US Army reports an average of 27% of soldiers qualify as "Expert Rifleman." Their Marksmanship training is 2 weeks in length.
This class is a single day.
15 of the 22 participants scored "Expert." The class shot for score twice, and the lower score was discarded. As a matter of fact, two of the Expert Rifleman scores were repeats - both had earned the designation previously.
Therefore, 13/20 participants scored Expert on their first try. That is 65%.
Lifetime, over 50% of participants have scored Expert Rifleman in this class. Over 100 patches have been awarded for the achievement.