Operation Make Up :

 September 5th, 2004

This is a make up report I was neglect in not having a write up for September. I suffered a hard drive failure, but thankfully I had brought my laptop with me to the field. Normally I would have only loaded them on the home computer. While in the field I loaded on to the laptop. And when my home pc's hard drive went on to the great big data clearing house in the sky I still had the laptop copies. See yet another example of being prepared.

Well there are other reasons to call this operation make up we had a lady visitor who accompanied Jackal. Also JJ donned face paint. So we have three fold reason to call this OP. Make up. Traditionally the training in September focuses on shotguns. This year was no different. The shotgun is in my opinion "the" urban defensive weapon. In your home and surrounding property a shotgun especially if equipped with a very bright flashlight (see John P.'s review). Is the ideal defensive tool. However with out proper training no tool will work as well for you as it is intended. The September trainings are dedicated to developing and improving our shotgun skills. 

I figured since I would be "teaching" the shotgun class I owed it to my many hungry fellow militia members to bring back up to "man" the grill. Moms was up to the task and she made sure no one went hungry. The impromptu shotgun class began after the 2 mile walk and some shooting for record. As I remember it Bishop got everyone organized and started on the march and ran the range. I do not remember if any one qualified but I do remember the walk was well within the 40 minute.  After the walk and range time the shotgun class began

Most of the group in attendance were already fairly familiar with the basics so review was done quickly. There were 3 people who had not shot a semi-auto shotgun so I offered them mine when the shooting drills began. We started with stances we covered the low ready, hip shooting and a high ready position. Loading techniques were covered as well as the idea to reload as you go or "top off". Pump and auto loading shotguns for the most part are tube magazine equipped. There are a few box or detachable magazine models but they are not the norm so they were not covered. By topping off you ensure that you wont get caught with and empty gun. This like any skill should be practiced. We also covered a practice called "cruiser ready" what this is the shotgun is stored with a full magazine and the chamber is UNLOADED (the safety is left on or off operator's choice). The thinking here is that once you retrieve the shotgun and travel towards the threat in your home you don't have a loaded chamber should you trip or otherwise stumble if you should engage the trigger you would not incur and AD (accidental discharge) This practice has also saved the roofs of a lot of police cars. When you get closer to any possible threat you can "charge" load the chamber and it time and conditions permit "top off". Their is a definite psychological effect to the sound of a shotgun being charged. If this convinces your opponent to concede then so be it. You'll all sleep better for it.

For the shooting drill I had only one drill for everyone to run through. I had pulled over the wall barricade at he range so we were about 20 yards from the tables that I set up 4 pins every one started the drill with a shotgun in the cruiser carry mode (safety on or off operators choice) with 2 rounds in the tube magazine. Each participant would approach the open window of the barricade peek around to see the pins on the table. Then duck back around the corner and charge the shotgun (load). Disengage the safety if it was on. Then come around the corner and engage the pins one round per pin 2 pins. Then duck back around the corner and load 2 more rounds. Then once again come around the corner and engage the last 2 pins.

Everyone did very well. Our friends from Ohio even stepped it up a notch they were already aware of a speed  loading "trick" they shared a pump shotgun and after dumping 2 rounds in to the 1st set of pins they ducked back around the corner and placed the first of the 2 rounds into the chamber thru the ejection port as they sent the pump forward thus loading the weapon. They then loaded the 2nd round into the magazine thru the bottom loading gate. the first shooter did this so fast that I didn't even notice the second loader I was paying a little bit better attention I still didn't see the 1st round load but when he loaded the tube with one round and didn't charge it I told him your about to fire and empty gun he assured me "no I'm not!" I said ok and waited for the click. He reengaged the target and fired then pumped and fired again. Surprise he then explained to me what he had done. I took that opportunity to have him show the class I hadn't even heard of this. nothing like the "teacher" learning a new trick.

Later on Bishop and Super six ran the guys thru some action drills all I know is everyone came back. Everyone did well, any thing that wasn't 100% was discussed in a brief after action report session. This is just another way we all help each other learn. Led by folks with actual military experience and or well read individuals. We then afterwards get together and listen to the "instructor" as well as our fellow participants. Comments like "I heard the water in your canteen slosh around" or "Man your camo and concealment were good I was on your flank and I almost lost you myself". Nothing beats getting out there and doing it. 

An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure ; A weekend in the woods with us, beats a honey do list and could save your life. If you can bring your honey with you and nothing will get done at your house. 

Also when I arrived Frank had already prepared the tractor for the new inner tube. I guess a couple of the fella's helped him remove the tire and break it down. He had it all ready for the new tube and remounting Super Six and I helped him with it not that he needed help he's only 79 and still quite spry. But we needed to get warmed up for training so we lent a hand. This was reason enough for going out!!!  

PS I guess maybe one person did qualify though I still don't know who ? ? ? 

-ChuckWagon aka F.J. LoPiccolo Jr.