Oh the weather it was fine, no place I'd rather be than, outside on a day fine as it was. D-Day acted as bus driver and transported me to Camp Stasa in record time. We got a late start, due to a failed rendezvous with a certain Canadian who shall remain nameless. The op. before the op. had its lesson to be learned: If you cant communicate or navigate you are doomed to fail. Nuff said.

But upon arriving at Camp Stasa, there was already a contingent of folks eagerly awaiting to take to the range. Black Jack and guest Irish had been there since 0700 and Black Jack was eager, I dare say he was itching, to begin instruction. He had printed up silhouette targets that where sized based on a average human. Then he had other targets that were the same human only scaled smaller to represent how they would appear at 200,300,400,500 yards when placed against our backstop and viewed from 100 actual yards. These targets where all required for the AQT Which I believe stands for Army Qualification Test, he explained how the scoring works. Only shots to the vitals count, misses whether on the "person" or completely off target effected your score negatively.

There were several positions you would shoot from and varying amounts of time to shoot each course. Generally it was all pretty much slow or very slow rate of fire. Black Jack had several different course to run the willing shooters thru. Being as this was the first time for many people shooting this course of fire. Score was not officially kept.

After a while most of the shooters just stuck with shooting at the targets that represented 300 yards. Now mind you the vitals area on the 300 yard targets is not very large. In general going from our 9 inch plate level one standard to a noteworthy step up in accuracy. While no one was dead on, the shooting was certainly good, in my opinion. There was not a 300 yard target that did not get a pair or more of vital strikes each round of shooting.

Every one can certainly improve their marksmanship (myself included). But it was good to hear people encouraging others to do better. As well I heard people challenging themselves to do better next round. This is always good to see and hear people with more experience passing on their knowledge to those who are in need of improvement.

After folks had finished with the introduction to the AQT or as Black Jack called it FAM FIRE (familiarization fire). Six volunteers came forward to go out on a patrol. Godfather was assigned point and Doc, Hunter, Lou and Irish. Black Jack took rear security position so he could direct and asses the team as they moved thru the brush. He took the time to explain what interval distance they would travel at and why. Explained noise discipline, basic hand and arm signals that might be used. The patrol was gone for well over 40 minutes I don't know how far they went but they came back hungry. I was obliged to serve them up the usually tasty militia cuisine.

While the patrol was out, the range went to casual plinking mode. I believe the Corporal served as RSO for most if not all this time. I know he was also working on sighting in a scoped AR15 so perhaps someone helped him with the RSO duty while he was busy with his optics.

Also while the patrol was out Super Six and a few of his Pioneer graduates were off scouting areas for the upcoming Pioneer class. I know a lot of fore thought and effort goes in to the preparation of this program. The concept as I understand it is to take level 2 qualified persons and attempt to make of them better equipped fire team leaders and instructors that can work with a lesser experienced force and quickly raise them up to fire team status.

After the patrol got back and every one ate and re-hydrated. Jester organized a weapons familiarization class. With so many different rifle and handguns present it was a chance for the owners of these firearms to demonstrate the basic operation and field maintenance of their weapons.

Don't worry, there is more! After the weapons familiarization class, a call was put out for any level one hopefuls, Irish answered the call after checking his gear he set out on the 2 mile march. Given his age and apparent youthful vigor. I had little doubt that he would make it back quickly. I followed behind him but it did not take him long to lap me. I wanted to go with him for the first mile to get some exercise myself (Lord knows I need it). Also to keep an eye on him you never know some one could twist an ankle or fall and hit their head. It hasn't happened before but Mr. Murphy gets around. Tank went for a march for his own edification he donned a loaded medium alice pack and set out on a 3 mile little stroll. He started as Irish began the second mile of his march. Mr. Murphy traveled with Tank who was doing fine until he found the hole in the ice that one of my 40 yard "sprints" had opened up. He didn't get hurt or anything but he got a mid calf level puddle to stick his boot into. (Sorry TANK !) Irish made the time limit with a little less than 13 minutes to spare. Then he did the shoot, armed with a M1A he got it on his very first try 8 out of 10. He was not satisfied with his grouping, and knows that he can shoot better. I suggested that even though he was not really winded the fact that he shot so quickly after his march probably effected his shooting. Certainly it did not effect it enough to stop him from qualifying. GOOD JOB IRISH ! ! !

The range again assumed the casually plinking mode and later on folks moved down to about 20 yards to do some pistol work. I have a feeling as Mad Hatters report said folks had the upcoming bowling pin shoot on their minds. I know at least one shooter who was testing his custom loads to see how they did against the pins.

Next month is the Militia Field Day Saturday April 15th. The training that is to happen on April 1st will probably not be as affected as previous training sessions. The backstop isn't in as bad a condition as years past. Thanks to the ECVM folks efforts last year. I hear there is a chance that we may have dueling .50 cal's this year that would certainly be a cool thing to see. Once again this year the call has been put out to the Militia Babes and perhaps this year we can get a number of them to show up. The question is will you be there?

So maybe you've read these field reports for years or this could be your first one. I challenge you to put aside the misinformation you've been feed elsewhere and come on out and see what we are all about. If this is the first field report you've read, check out the reports from prior Field Days (formerly called the Tax BLAST) I'll see you there ! ! !

Godfather say's he will make you an offer you can't refuse;

Come on out to the MILITIA FIELD DAY or ........

sit at home and wish you had.....FORGET-A-BOUT-IT!!!!!

March is the gateway to Spring. Winter's almost over, and it's time to plan the months ahaid to make sure that everything that needs to get done is in place.

With "Snow Dog 2006" still fresh in mind ( And in my case, Still caked under my van ) I set off for Camp Stasa. Some folks were greeted with a completely closed I-696. This month I was joined by BBT, A good friend of mine who decided to see what we were all about.

First on the menu today, Blackjack conducted a rifle training course that was a bit different than some of us were used to. He is a very experienced and capable teacher. He used scaled silhouettes to get an idea what a target would look like far beyond what we can normally do on a 100 yard range. I have no formal military training, so I found this quite useful. It looked like many other people got a lot out of this too.

As is usually the case. There was a large variety of different weapon designs, and we took an opportunity to familiarize ( Or re-familiarize) ourselves with these as the people who use them on a regular basis explained the function and basic break down of each.

After this, a little "House Cleaning" was the order of the day as everyone focused on items of individual and group importance. "Irish" qualified level 1, Thumper and others sited in new rifles. The Pioneers scouted some locations for their up-coming class. People started gearing up for the highly competitive "Field Day Bowling Pin Shoot" and only vaguely disguised it as "Sidearm Practice" ( No, Really, I was only sighting in my Glock with non-adjustable sites... )

Cpl. Punishment scoured the range to take note of what will be needed when we set out to clean it up and repair it for our upcoming event.

So, Next up, April 1st when most of us will arm ourselves with rakes and hammers instead of AR's and AK's as we put the finishing touches on Field Day 2006, April 15th. See you there!

Please note that your presence at Camp Stasa constitutes an automatic waiver of liability. By being there, just by being there, you agree that you can not, and will not hold Frank Stasa, Stasa Farms, or anyone else liable for injury, harm, or sadness that may befall you while at the camp, range or anywhere on the property. Them's the rules. If you disagree with this automatic waiver of liability, please indicate this by not showing up.