The Eaton Co. Expeditionary Force joined the Macomb Co. MMCW for a regular training session of the Michigan Militia. We also were joined by the Wayne Co.  Michigan militia and members from Gennessee and Monroe counties. There was also a militia member from Indiana visiting. The ECEF and Macomb also had potential new members.

The plan for the day was level 1 for Marcel (from Eaton) and Marty (from Macomb). A hearty welcome to both!!! We had also planned some shooting drills and squad movements.

The ECEF arrived around 1030 with our new member and much anticipation for the day. This stuff is fun!! We introduced our new member around and said our hellos to old friends. Then we headed down range for some noise making. After firing a few magazines we joined the rest for day planning.

Our new member Marcel had a Mosin-Nagant that he needed some time with to site in. He fired a few down range with help from Br and got on the paper. As he was shy on ammo, Pappy Lou gladly supplied him with some bandoliers for both the 2 mile hike and
qualifying. Thanks Lou!!

We all geared up and lined up for gear check. This gear check is important so you and every one else knows your properly supplied with ammo and field dressings. Marcel is a little shy on required gear but this will be taken care of.

After a quick drill on hand signals for the hike we formed up on Mike W. from Macomb and started out. The weeks rain had made the road a little muddy in parts but we never said this is easy. There was some friendly banter among the ranks and the first half went well. The weather didn't go well, we were rained on a little. We had a a certain member that had concealed himself in the woods in an attempt to "snipe" at the group. The first time he was discovered by most if not all of the squad. The second time though he was in a good spot and almost half the squad was past him before he was discovered.

 
Everyone made it in good time and the 2 new members had a chance to shoot for score. Marty shot very well and with the timed hike, gear check, and shooting he is now a qualified member. Congrats Marty!!!

Marcel then shot next and after some work he did get 6 out of 10. Not quite good enough but he is determined to get it next time. He has a good attitude and is going to do it next time.Lee then shot and seemed confused that his Daewoo wasn't on the money as it had been in the past. Nice groups but a little low. It was determined that his change in ammo was the culprit. Guess thats why we train all the time. Little changes can make a big difference and you wont know till you do it. Jennifer then took some shots at the pins at 100yds and after some light hearted egging she nailed 3 pins in 4 shots. Better watch it Wagon Wheel she'll show you what "shoots like a girl" will get ya!!!

Then the big big fun for the day. The 4 pin shoot. (for details on this see the Michigan Militia main page and click on rifle drills). Mike W. went first untimed to demostrate. The bad news(not really bad but depressing for me) was that Jennifer beat my time by almost 30 sec. Good for her but my face was red!!!

Dale,Hal, and Gerry had the best times. Good job guys!!

During the 4 pin Hagen Daz (a.k.a. Chuck Wagon) had arrived and was grillin burgers and dogs for the hungry militia troops. Yes we eat good at these things....to bad you missed it.

We then formed up for a large (13 people) squad movement. We determined that we would have 2 fire teams of 5 plus a HQ/heavy weapons team. Alpha team  moved out of the woods followed by HQ team and Bravo team. A and B teams covered each other in bounding moves across the field with HQ team covering the moving team. We approached the objective and after securing the perimeter HQ leader and Bravo team leader did a building check.

After clearing the building we began our withdraw. At this time A team suffered a casualty (this was simulated to train in evac) A "body bag" was used to  see if it would work as a "stretcher" At first it was determined that 6 people would be needed so B team sent 2 and HQ team sent 1. The remainder of B team and HQ team covered the withdraw of the wounded. Once back we continued to experiment with the "body bag/stretcher" until it was discovered to lay the wounded on top of instead of inside the bag. With this 4 people could evac a fallen comrade.

By now it was getting late and some people were heading out. Others stayed around for another round of burgers and hot dogs. And of course the "round table" chat that makes these training sessions even more enjoyable.

Those that remained headed up to Franks to attack the overgrown grape vines and apple trees of our host. This in its self turned out to be a training session of sorts as most of us had never needed to trim grape vines or prune apple trees.

With a beautiful sunset to guide us the ECEF said good-bye to all headed west tired but fulfilled with another great day of training (which should be done by all militia indeed all citizens) We look forward to next time and hope that YOU can join us and share the fun!!!

L.W.