Schrodinger's Cat: 05-06 Oct 2002

Newly Qualified Level One Militiaman! Faster 2 MileTimes! Fire Team and Squad Movement Drills! Blackhawk Helicopter! Snapshot Drills! And Malfunctions Galore!!!

It was the best of training, it was the worst of training....

Camp Stasa, MI

Arrived 10:45 AM. Two Patriots on site, ready to train, including new guy. (Hi, LR). Greeted several other on-site persons engaged in other affairs. Got an update on the well being of a certain accordion-playing farmer. (He is doing well. Expect no less.)

While two of us headed up front to visit the aforementioned accordion-player, the Level One gear check was conducted by the rest of the guys, including a couple of the more recently-qualified militia folks. It gives me a rush of satisfaction to know that some of the "newer" guys have the knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to conduct these checks. The more good people like this that get involved, the faster we grow, and the less of a burden to be carried by the rest of us.

They finished up the gear check and started the walk. This is called "initiative". Some of the rest of us completed our walk a bit later. (33 min 15 seconds here, trying to get under 30 minutes, probably have to trot a bit.)

While we were up front, a nifty Blackhawk helicopter did a fly-over and circled around the training area. Nice of them to show their support. We sho' do love some government helicopters flying over us. Probably was a National Guard helicopter getting a good look at folks who actually train with actual working firearms and ammunition, by, hold on to your Budweiser, Mr Guard, actually shooting.

While we were doing our walk, the new individual was zeroing in on target (with another AR15!!!). During has weapon breakdown, we learned the importance of keeping a spare parts kit on hand. No spare parts were needed for his rifle, but the idea of having such a kit came up. Good idea to keep extra springs and pins on hand, for any weapon you have.

After he qualified (one patriot at a time, folks, we keep grinding away....), we went downrange for some zero work. This is where I learned that if you let your AR get really filthy, it will not work. Big surprise there, huh? It was an embarrassing moment, but I broke it down and cleaned it, and then it worked just fine. Preventative maintenance, folks, seems to be the order of the day. (I think my AR was angry at me for taking the Daewoo out the last few times....)

Anyway...Congrats to LR for getting on board with Level One. We need more, and you all know this...

We did some simple three person movement to contact and withdrawal from contact drills. MH even led a six person squad of two fire teams during this drill. (He really needs to demonstrate how he gets into the prone position. It looks so much better than my "let Mr Gravity do it" technique.) It's good to see everybody participating in these drills. This can even be done with just visual signals, to help move in a little more tactically. This is the type of drill that can even be done in a local park, probably minus the actual rifles. Still, practice is practice...

Everyone had a good grasp of this, and we saw some really good camo. It was kind of cool that everyone was wearing woodland type camo (or something very close). We are even finding this stuff in larger sizes, too. Aaaaannnnd....there were also several rag-top helmets present. Whooo-Aaaah!

During the drill, I attached my new, tiny FRS radio (from Meijer's) right to my helmet chin strap. A strip of tape, and it stayed in place. This kind of eliminates the need for an ear piece. Anyway, we are always working on ways to improve things, and this might work. Pictures soon as we get them.

Wait, there's more! After burgers and grilled onions (the official grub of the Wayne County Militia?), we did some more zero work and rapid target acquisition drills. This was done at closer range, so there was some pistol work as well. There was one spring malfunction on a bolt action rifle, but otherwise, everyone shot well. Practice, practice, practice.....

I finally got the chance to dial in my new scope. This is one of those 30 dollar clamp on Chinese scopes, that won't shake, rattle, or roll loose like my previous scope(s) have done. It dialed in nicely at 25 yards, after a few adjustments.

Next time, well see how it works at longer ranges. Probably be a touch high at 100 yards, given the arc of the .223. (With a 20-inch barrel, the impact at 25 yards is about the same at 250, because of the arc. This should be slightly different with a16-inch barrel. Anybody with the specifics on this, please hook a brother up. I am using 55 grain FMJ. Thanks.) Probably write a review for this scope soon. The Rude Guy had one first, and he inspired me to get one. (He does that a lot....first with the PA-63, and now the scope.)

Several of us stayed the night, to do some security practice and administrative stuff on Sunday. The weather was perfect to sleep in. With a tarp and a 30 degree sleeping bag, all was well. One dedicated trooper even had a hammock strung up, which was neat to see. Also, one crew returned on Sunday with a couple of guests who did some familiarization shooting. Always good to see new folks. An armed, informed citizen is the bedrock upon which a free society rests. Period. Knowing this is good, but practicing it is better.

Looking forward to seeing more of you out there at training. We will keep you posted on when and where things will be going on. Dates, times,and locations may change, but our dedication to an armed, free society does not.

-Lee