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Club news
Buckeye Trains Army Rangers in Return to Fort Benning
O
hio State student and Varsity Rifle Team Captain, Sam Ohlinger, recently had the honor of serving his country over winter break. Sam shared his knowledge and expertise in marksmanship with members of the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion, Delta Company. Sam worked alongside the Army’s best shooters from the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), as well as other civilian instructors to help the members of Delta Company complete the Squad Designated Marksmanship course. Sam was chosen to be a Military Rifle Instructor by the AMU through the Civilian Marksman Program (CMP) in June of 2005. Sam is now 21 years old and still the youngest civilian involved in the Squad Designated Marksmanship Program. This program was initiated by the AMU’s previous Commander, LTC David Liwanag, as a way to improve marksmanship skills throughout the Army. In the open desert and mountainous battlefields of modern warfare, improved marksmanship skills are needed to be able to engage in targets that are out of shooting range for the average soldier. The goal of the program is to train soldiers and drill sergeants in advanced marksmanship principles, so that they may effectively engage targets at ranges of up to 600 meters. Ideally these soldiers receiving training directly from the AMU will then pass along these techniques l club connection l Volume 13, Number 1
to others and eventually, every squad in the Army will have a Squad Designated Marksman, who will not only be the squad expert, but who will improve the accuracy of the men and women around him as well. With such a grand scale of operations, the AMU found itself to be shorthanded, and hence put out the call to the CMP for the best civilian marksman and instructors. That is how Sam and many other civilians like him were chosen to aid the cause. The program consists of a weeklong course. The first day is spent entirely in the classroom, learning the fundamentals of marksmanship that often are overlooked. Then, the class takes to the range and receives superb instruction in the use of both iron sights and optic-equipped weapons, out to 600 meters. Sam had a wonderful experience and high praise for the men of Delta Company, the AMU, and the other civilian instructors. He was honored to participate in the program and looks forward to helping again soon. For now though, Sam is a senior at OSU majoring in Political Science, preparing to graduate in June, and attend law school thereafter. That should keep him busy for awhile, not to mention his last season on the Varsity Rifle Team.
A Volunteer’s Dream Job
Davis Farms Skeet Club and Quail Preserve: First Annual Pig Pickin’ and Club Champion Shoot
Just imagine sharing your shooting sports expertise while on 33,000 acres of western mountain terrain in the scenic high mesa country of New Mexico—where the elk and antelope roam and the skies are so wide you can almost see back in time. Truly—a volunteer’s dream job! And it’s all happening at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico—the most comprehensive shooting center in the nation. The NRA Women On Target® Program is looking to fill volunteer slots for the Women’s Wilderness Escape slated for July 13-26, 2008. If you are an NRA certified instructor or a state-certified hunter education instructor, we are looking to fill positions for rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzle loading, and hunter clinic events. Other positions we are looking to fill that do not require NRA instructor certification are: photographer, transportation, administration, medic/nurse, archery, orienteering, and survival. Contact Patty Zollman at 703.267.1378 or email pzollman@ nrahq.org for an application.
A great time was had by all. The weather was perfect. Ten shooters entered the skeet competition. Herb “Pap” Chappell of Cape Carteret, N.C. won the Club Champion metal with his unique style of “shooting from the hip”. The non-club champion was Drew Kennedy of Greensboro, N.C. Pap also cooked the pig which was OUTSTANDING. Darrell Allred and his wife, Judy from Otway, N.C. manned the hushpuppy/french fry cookers. Side dishes (coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad) were provided by Roland’s BBQ. Sweet tea and brownies topped off the delicious meal. A huge “Thank You” goes out to everyone who helped cook and/or provided items for the party.
Toe-tapping entertainment was provided by a 4-piece bluegrass band, The Bridgewater Band, led by Lester Butts of New Bern, N.C. Banjo, mandolin, stand-up bass and guitar were enjoyed by all. Even with the Core Sound Waterfowl Festival going on in Harkers Island, over 60 people attended our first annual event. Those present included our “political liaison” Gabriele Onorato (manager of Open Grounds Farm) as well as former Town of Beaufort mayor, Hunter Chadwick. Next year’s event will be even bigger and better. Date in November or December 2008 to be announced. Hope you can attend next year!
Congratulations to our 2008 gold Medal Clubs NRA Gold Medal Club Award Critieria To receive the NRA Gold Medal Club Award, your club must meet ALL of the following criteria:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Be a 100% NRA Club (Furnished copy of club bylaws) Have a club newsletter Belong to your NRA State Association Have administered or currently incorporate a NRA Youth Program into the club’s agenda Be an active participant in the NRA’s Membership Recruiting Program (703-267-3759)
Volume 13, Number 1 l club connection l