OPERATION RUTWALKER

JANUARY 5TH, 2008

    Every January for the last few years, I have re-qualified Level One. Someone asked me why I would do this in what is normally the coldest, windiest, yuckiest time of the year. Well, that was my answer: Exactly because the weather is so bad, and the road is so difficult. That's why I do this in January. I qualify in January because it is hard to do so, because the road is hazardous, and because the wind is hard, and because it's hard to see the targets.

    If we can qualify when the weather is bad, if we can walk the two miles in ice and mud and snow, if we can hit the target when the light glares off of the snow, or the drifts block our view, or when blowing snow obstructs our vision, then we sure as hell can do it the rest of the year with ease, right? 

    Right. That's why we do this. Because it's hard. Because we CAN. 

    A good dozen or so people representing both The SMVM and The ECVM showed up in yucky winter weather to check the range for Snow Dog and to qualify or re-qualify Level One. Temperatures started around thirty, and rose up toward thirty-seven degrees or so through the day. A small amount of snow and drizzle fell periodically throughout the day. The wind was mostly from the south at between eight and thirteen miles per hour, which doesn't sound like much, but it did have a chilling effect. 

    Prior to any training, the chimney or flue on the wood stove in The Griffin's Den had to be replaced. We found a suitable pipe and with teamwork, the problem was quickly resolved. Shortly, some of the guys started a fire and gave the new chimney a thumbs up.

The shiny, happy chimney.                 Monster puts the lid on. Yay!

   A quick gear check for the handful of good folks who were qualifying today went smoothly. We have not officially voted to add some sort of tourniquet to your L1 first aid kit, but you should get one, and know how and when to use it. The winter camo was random and varied, with at least FOUR different patterns to look at. We all continued to lament to unavailability of Six's "Red Dawn" winter camo uniforms to the general public. It seems to be everyone's favorite. Big sigh.

   The walk was a royal pain in the nether regions. The trucks that had driven back had inflicted some serious rut action onto the scene, and we had a time of it trying to walk either in them or around them or whatever. They were just a bit to narrow for most folk to comfortably walk in, but not walking in them caused one to plod and plow through snow and muck. We generally tended to stay in the muck for speed of movement. everyone finished in a timely fashion, however, with yours truly providing rear security at about thirty eight minutes. Yes, I've done this enough to know the pace. 

Caber leading the way.

    Some of the guys shot for record as Thumper, with his own home made camo, heated up a yummy vegetarian lunch for us. Hey, it was HOT, and it actually was pretty good. He's got this box thing down to a science, and a pretty exact one at that. Hot beans, veggies, and pudding, along with some extra crunchy bread and bottled water, heated on a camping stove on the bed of The Thumpermobile, were a welcome comfort for the troops. 

Vegetarian militia in honor of Alexa's birthday, as prepared by Thumper.

Shadow's hi-visibility sled.                                Caber and Shadow.

Santa Caber with the cool hat and cooler Mossberg. Homeland Defense. Boo-Yah!

    Those interested in shooting for Level One had to break down their rifles. this is something you should make sure you are comfortable with doing. If you are not, and you need a class, or even a little nudge in the right direction, please ask before you start the two mile walk. Most gun manuals are available from the manufacturer or online. Or you friendly neighborhood militia people will try to help you with that if necessary.

    The qualifying went well for me, as soon as I moved into a position from which I could SEE THE PLATE. Note: Seeing the target is a big help if you are interested in hitting said target. Trust me on this one. It was also really nice to see folks working with each other, and great to see the improving marksmanship of guys like Caber and Shadow.

Shadow.

     Weapon M (Yay! Me!) and T-Bone from The SMVM successfully passed their Level One this day, and (call sign undetermined but please not "Flounder") from The ECVM also passed Level One. In bad weather. Boo. Yah.

Don't Tread on The Michelin Man.                             Just...a really cool rifle.

    After most of the shooting, Thumper wanted to do a comparison of winter camo, from which he compiled a video. We will show it soon on Youtube. Here is a picture from said comparison, so you can determine your next winter camo purchase or, you can be like Thumper, and make your own Stasa-flage.

See, the faces are the most visible, regardless of the camo.

    It was a good turn out, and a good start to the year. We hope to see more of you at Snow Dog 2008, coming up on the first weekend in February. Corporal Punishment will be looking for you!

-Weapon M