OPERATION: SUMMER FLURRIES, JUNE 3-5, 2005
Above: Some of Michigan's most prepared citizens train at Camp Stasa in June, 2005.
Left: A freedom buffet!!! Right: Green and mean...they can take it!
Compass class on the left. Gear inspection on the right. Yep, that's a powder horn, for a flintlock. Plus you can see Lee's spiffy new haircut.......
Field Report for Operation Summer Flurries, June 3-5, 2005
Weather: Sunny, Mid-eighties, wonderful
Nearly two dozen of Michigan's most prepared showed up for regularly scheduled training at Camp Stasa over the weekend of June 3-5, 2005.
As usual, getting newer people qualified and/or re-qualified was the first order of business. Militiamedic re-qualified, after a little work on his AR, "Detour" re-qualified Level One, after a short absence (at 63, he is one of our older members, but he is very hard-charging...)
A good handful of people tried their hand at Level Two as well, with Razor 67 and Cpl Punishment doing a fine job. (No, it doesn't make sense to carry a poncho liner on your gear when it's 85 degrees outside, but hey, it could get chilly at night...)
Doc supervised the medical portion of the L2 testing. For shooting, the Level 2 target is 6.5 inches...
For the walk, everyone's time seemed improved. This could be due to the warm weather and the very hard, dry road. The Level 2 walk, which is three miles, was even easier. Cpl Punishment and Razor 67 both finished at around 47 minutes. Not bad for three miles.
Whilst this was going on, The Pioneer Class of 2005, resplendent in all of their greenery, were doing some serious (omit details here) training on the range. This is the advanced Team leader training course. Yes, we have one of those. It is open to Level 2 members, and it lasts eight or nine months of one full (Fri-Sun) weekend per month. It is rather hardcore, but their motto is "We Can Take It", and indeed they can. Led by the fully capable US Army veteran (and veteran of The First Gulf War) Super Six, these guys take militia training up to the next level.
For the latecomers, we did a second walk. Militiamedic, Rude Guy, and myself accompanied Chuckwagon and BR on a sunny, pleasant stroll through Camp Stasa (bringing to four miles the amount walked by myself, Rude, and Medic). Chuckwagon finished with 34 minutes or so, leaving almost six to spare. BR was a few scant seconds behind.
BR then tried to re-qualify with a flintlock carbine. It was a neat weapon, and fun to watch. Unfortunately, he will need to get a little more time on the range with it before hitting 8/10 on a paper plate. Still, it is possible that the only place you will EVER see someone wearing a flak vest and a rag-top helmet shooting a muzzle loader at some paper plates is with The Michigan Militia...
There was plenty more shooting going on, with targets being hit, missed, and cursed at. I would like to warn anyone and everyone against becoming too frustrated when shooting. We will gladly offer tips and critiques to help, but perhaps the most important advice is to keep trying. If, when shooting, you get a little frustrated, it's okay. Stop and get some water or something to eat, and take a break. We'll get you on the paper.
Some of us had to roll out earlier because of 50th wedding anniversary parties and the like, but I understand that Razor 67 hit his Level 2 target at last, and that the following Sunday, "Magnum" from Wayne County also qualified Level 1. (Don't let Larry hear you using that call sign, bud....).
I am happy with the ways things are coming along right now. Usually I bitch about this or that not happening or not happening as I think it should. Right now, this is not the case. We are rolling along and picking up good new members, especially veterans, and things are getting done. We need to stick with our current momentum, work together, and keep things hopping. Guys, all of you, "good job." It is an honor and a pleasure to be working with all of you on this.
-Weapon M (Lee)
Yep. Flintlock carbine with flak vest. Yep.
If you were there, feel free to add to the write-up. Thanks.
More to follow......Stand by
