Usc (trojans That Is) Bigdawg!

[uscbigdawg]

So I waffled on whether or not to begin this Diary, as I really didn't have too much to enter. However, since I've been home on leave, I have made it to the range and have done some analyzing of video as well as some introspection. First for some fun. Since I've been home I've watched some OLD videos:

Pistol Masters

How To Shoot Fast and Accurately

1993 Open Nationals

1994 Open and Limited Nationals

1995 Open Nationals

First...thank God some of you decided to shave off the perv/porno mustaches you guys were sportin' in the 90's (Angelo Spagnoli, Mike Voigt among others ) and it was nice to see some old faces that had left and have returned (Matt McLearn). I started this addiction in/around 1996-ish and as such was a supporter/reader/contributor of GunGames, Lenny Magill's videos and of course Front Sight (back when it came reliably). Seeing the old course designs was one of the biggest shocks since that was the era of boxes and position shooting, etc. I personally believe that the shooters then, were better "shooters" than we are now, but the level of overall skill and ability is higher now. Personal opinion (for those at Yolo be afraid as every match I setup there WILL be 50 yard standards). For whatever reason, it's a shame we couldn't keep the wave of popularity that the shooting sports in general were riding in the early/mid-90's. Combination of bad press, bad legislation and a depressed economy probably were some big factors there. Nonetheless it was a nice 4-5 hour smile that I shared with some of my IPSC family again...like watching old home movies.

Trip to the range with Pop. Pretty ho-hum day. Took the 10/22 out (use it for gettin' rid of squirrels and such) along with my Brazos Limited gun. Just a couple of guns I haven't shot in a long, long time. With the rifle it was nice to see that it was still zeroed and that the transitions that I was practicing through the glass were going well. The FOV on it was pretty small, especially at higher magnifications, but was just fun to "plink" instead of feeling like "practice" for anything. Went down to the 7 yard line with Dad and he was playing with his Colt Trooper. Sweet lil' revo. I was just doing some group shooting and noticed that when running at a medium cadence (about a .30-.40 split) the groups were huge at about 2-3". Reset and started from scratch with the grip and stance and BREATHING. Tada! Back to normal (1-1.5") and even with a faster cadence (.15-.25 splits). It dawned on me that like Saul Kirsch says in his 3GM video that good shooting is a perishing skill. It's been about 2 years since I've been able to spend any real time shooting and while the occasional match has been okay, I know that a lot of it has been due to not so difficult stages, great equipment, solid physical fitness and some dumb luck too. The HUGE upside was being able to reach a point now where I was still able to call shots, still watching the sights lift and return and most of all still be self-aware and result oriented enough to analyze and moreso CORRECT a flaw. This definitely makes me look more forward to my return in 2008 and much more motivated to know that once I get stable after getting out of the Army that I WILL MAKE MASTER in under 12 months.

This kind of leads me to the biggest hinderance on my shooting. Instability. While I've known it, it's been a bit of denial. In the last 10 years, I've lived in at least as many places. Between CA, AZ, CA, AZ, KS, MO, CA, OK, TX, GA, ROK and now NC, it's ridiculous to expect that with that kind of turmoil (not just geographically but personally and professionally too) that I could reach a goal of such magnitude. So, since the vows have been made, it's definitely provided a vehicle for that stability, especially since she's on board with me (and her) improving at our shooting. I'll probably stay in California upon my return, but it won't be too long that a move to AZ, NV or TX will happen. It's just the unfortunate circumstance to the living situation. We're both Natives, but it's too bad all the non-natives have ruined it for those of us that were born here.

Nevertheless, the big goals for 2007 (while in OEF) is to reach beyond the most optimal level of physical and mental fitness that I have ever been before. The physical training and dietary routines have been mapped out for the next 6 months and I'm doing every bit of reading and mental practice that I can do given the limitations of my position in Afghani-land. So, when I get back in early 2008, it'll be back to the range in NC and working on the fundamentals and getting everything solid. Forget draws, reloads, target transitions, etc. I'm going to tear down every piece of my shooting and start with sight alignment, grip, trigger control and stance. Strong and weak hand shooting, etc. Basic, basic, basic. Then I'll pull from what I know already and work on the more IPSC related skill sets. Draws, reloads, transitions, entrances/exits, etc. I think this process of tearing down and starting over will be the best course of action (while still shooting the occasional local match).

Feeback is much appreciated!

Rich

ETA: Forgot to mention that I also watched the 1990 USPSA 3-Gun Nationals. Interesting since it was a 3-Gun Match instead of a multi-gun tournament. El Presidente (Mike Voigt) was there but pretty much no one else that still shoots 3-Gun (on a regular/known basis). All I can say is WOW! Huge differences in 16 years.

Edited December 24, 2006 by uscbigdawg

[uscbigdawg]

16 AUG 2007; 0041L/2011Z

So my fellow flight medics and I are that are pulling duty tonight are basically bored out of our minds. The good news is that we're now over the hump and seeing that our return home is coming sooner than we think. Weather sucks but it does mean we're probably not flying tonight.

What I've done since I've been here is basically concentrate hardcore on fitness. Working for the 82nd Airborne Division definitely makes it easy to do so in this department. We (my crew and I) usually hit the gym twice a day and then do plyometric and speed/agility training on our downtime while pulling duty. We've ordered all the cool ladders and cones and hurdles along with parachutes and weighted vests to work on speed and agility.

When I arrived at BAF, after getting used to the altitude (holy crap that was no joke) my 2 mile time jogging was about a 16:20. It's down into the 12's and 13's on bad days now. 40m sprint times are lower than they were when I was in high school and overall just feel like I have full tank of gas at any time. It's great. Now, if I can just slim down a little, I'd be happy. I've dropped a ton of fat and gained more muscle, but still have a ways to go to get where I want to be physically.

So, now on to the shooting and where I need some input. Has anyone seen or know of a STI or SV Open Airsoft pistol? I saw a STI years ago, but not since. If I need to, I'll buy a Western Arms SV and put a C-more on it but if I don't have to, that'd be great. Any info is appreciated.

I've re-read a lot of our sacred books for our sport including ones that I read a long, long time ago:

Practical Shooting Manual

Practical Shooting Beyond Fundamentals

Shooting From Within

With Winning in Mind

Steve Anderson's Dry Fire book

Sam Conway's book (can't remember the title and I'm not in my room)

Stupidly, I left Saul's books back home, and am debating on re-ordering them (I need to get a couple of DVD's anyways). I've also read Zideker's and Derek Martin's books on the AR.

Mentally, emotionally and spiritually I'm in the best place I've been in a long, long time. I want to get 'into the fray' with my shooting again. Repair old friendships with people I may have rubbed the wrong way back home (Ray) as well as rekindle old friendships with the guys that I'm happy to see progress to Masters (Todd, Chris, Alvin and others). The shooters at Yolo, Richmond, Oakdale, NCPS, CAPSL and Norco I miss more than I can ever say. I think about you all every day and can't wait to get back home and on the range with you again.

Physically, fitness-wise I'm doing well, but could work a little harder given that I have the opportunity to do so. I've also worked up a great dry fire and live fire routine for when I get home, but the latter will obviously have to wait more than a little bit. Dry firing would be great and hence why I asked about the above. While I love 3-Gun and see it as something I want to be one of the best at, I need to start with the fundamentals again and just concentrate on one gun again. As the comfort and rhythm come back, I'll definitely dust off my Benelli and I am building a new 3-Gun rifle when I get back so it'll get worked out one way or the other.

Since being here, I've faced a divorce but luckily have found who I believe to be that magical love of my life that you only read about in fairy tales. I've recentered what's important in my life, what my life goals are and how I'm going to get there. Hopefully it works.

So, here's to moving towards a long journey. Master class by the end of 2008 (since we're not back until after '08 it'll be a short time frame to get it). Seeing online friends like Micah get there lets me know that it's real and it's tangible, you just have to want to get it.

Rich

[Catfish]

gimme an address and I'll send you my copy of Saul's book.

[uscbigdawg]

Hey Cat,

Thanks. Ordered them today though. The ones back in Carolina are in mint condition so I'll just sell those off when I get back home.

Thanks a ton though.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

20 AUG 07

Working on a mission statement, but for now, I'm stealin' PB's format. The big emphasis that I have here is something is better than nothing.

- Morning PT with my soldiers: 7 mile run and then PU's and SU's

- PU's and SU's before bed

- Reading Shooting From Within by J. Michael Plaxco

I've been "dry firing" with my M-9 since it's what I have here. Just doing some of the basics. Sight acquistion from the low ready. Sight acquisition from off a table. Transitions. Reloads (these suck).

While I'm still working out the nuts 'n' bolts of what I'm going to do when I get back to Carolina, basically they'll center around the following areas:

- Physical Fitness: This needs to change to increase agility and power. Plyometrics and speed drills as well as still incorporating my Army physical fitness for aerobic endurance and overall strength.

- Dry Fire Routine: Religious adherence to daily dry firing. Big things will be target transitions. Reloads w/ movement and increasing trigger speed. Through all these will be the re-building and constant reassessment of my grip, stance and trigger control. It'll be about 3.5 years since I've pulled a trigger in a match (not counting A63G) so I'm going to have to build from scratch.

- Live Fire Practice: In the past, I really leaned heavy on matches to be my live fire practice. However, in '04 when I had some of my better results and more importantly best shooting performances I was a ton of actual live fire drills. So Ronin's, Sam Conway's drills, etc. will be done at a minimum of once a week. 300-500 rounds a week is easy and add in a match a week (hopefully possible in NC) and I think I'll be shortening that curve.

- Mission Focus: I've said it before, but this time it truly is different. From Catfish, "It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination." I've always had the speed (both foot and trigger) and definitely am fearless (not scared to push it when it needs to be done), but I need to harness that raw energy and emotion into a focused purpose.

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[Catfish]

From Catfish, "It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

I'd like to claim that one, but that's all Brian!

You're on track, keep it up!

[uscbigdawg]

21 AUG 07 (currently 0247L; 2217Z)

- Morning PT w/ my soldiers: Muscle Failure

- PU's & SU's before bed

- Continue reading Shooting From Within

- Developed monthly shooting/training calendar for my return to North Carolina!

- Afternoon weight training today: Shoulders, Abs & Cardio

I've been evaluating the pluses and minuses of dry firing with my M-9. At its best it's a "better than nothing". However, it is a completely different platform than any of my guns so I question how hard core I want to get involved with it. In the end, I will probably stick with the draws and transitions, since that's a fundamental skill. However, I will taper back on the reloads.

Physical Training Schedule: Basically, we do company PT 5 days a week in the rear and I don't see this changing. This is in the AM before work starts and that works out well. Gets me out of bed and I can get the testosterone driven exercises out of my system. In the evening, the physical training is two-fold. 6 days a week, there will be weight training, followed by abs and cardio/aerobic activity. However, I do need to remember to incorporate more plyometric, speed and agility exercises, so the evening workouts are still in flux a bit. Finally, before bed, I always do some push-ups and sit-ups. Just a good way to stay in APFT condition.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Like my buddy PB, for good or bad, this will be done every day. Even on a match day or a live fire practice day, at the end of the day there will be a 30-45 minute dry fire session. I'll be reviewing Steve Anderson's book after completing some mental reading up that I'm doing (that and I'm starting my second class for my Master's soon).

Live Fire Training: Worked out a training calendar for when I return to NC. Basically, I researched the matches in the surrounding area to Bragg and with the exception of where I practice and two matches, everything's a pretty far drive from Fayetteville. However, I do need to shoot the matches and the huge upside is that there will be 8-9 3-gun matches before I leave NC (hopefully in August, but for sure in September). Moreso though I have laid out the matches that I'll shoot each month. This allows to map live fire practice days vs. match days. So far I have yet to lay out any majors in 2008, but will probably hold off on any major until most like the 2nd third or the 2nd half of 2008. I have a lot going on in life, but in completely re-building my shooting technique and advancing it, my shooting SHOULD be in some turmoil and on the range at a major is probably the last place I should. That said, I still will probably shoot 2-3 matches in the east before I leave.

Mission Statement: While I'm about 5 months out from even returning to the US, it's important to my OCD side to map all of these out now. By doing the planning now, I can relax more into just simply doing the physical and mental preparation. It's definitely a process but thanks to good folks on here: Pharaoh, Chris Keen, Catfish, Brian as well as shooters back home (Alvin, Todd, Chris); I'm super motivated and the quality of the tools I'm developing should allow for swift but moreso quality (re-)progression.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[Micah]

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Like my buddy PB, for good or bad, this will be done every day.

I am really digging what you have going on in your range diary. You are positive and focused, and have your mind where it needs to be.

So long as you are being honest with your shots and practicing proper technique, you will only get better with daily dryfire. At the very least, you are building a familiarity with your equipment, indexes in various arrays, and if you use a timer, listening for the "B" in "BEEP" (thanks Max).

Thank you for your service to our great nation, and I look forward to competing with you in the future!

[uscbigdawg]

PB,

Thanks for the observation and compliments. I think a big piece that I'm gleaning from you is the self awareness and honesty. In the past, when I've attempted to "train for Master", I can honestly say that I wasn't honest about my results on dry fire. I would simply throw the gun, or move it or do a reload rather than attempting to build something and progress, analyze, correct and progress. This time is VERY, VERY different.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

22 AUG 07 (0248L; 2218Z)

- Morning PT w/ my soldiers: 1/4 Mile Sprints (Still kinda sore from yesterday so we're doing 6-8 ONLY)

- PU's & SU's before bed

- Continue reading Shooting From Within

- Contacted some key instructors about training in NC when I get back (Matt, Max & Travis)

- Dry Fire with my M-9; Transitions and movement concentrating on solid sight alignment

Physical Training Schedule: So every once in a while I get a reminder that I'm in the Army and sometimes things just aren't going to go my way. It seems that my afternoon weight training has now been replaced by leading PT for soldiers that can't pass their PT tests. While I'm all about helping people and will do so any time, this is kinda annoying since we're deployed and my mind says mission is more important than admin stuff.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Still working on a complete dry fire training plan. I'll go over this more this week but I'm definitely working on limiting it to 30-45 minutes MAX.

Live Fire Training: Similar to the dry fire. Working on a schedule. While I can develop an overall "plan" now, I want to finish reading Saul's books as well as re-read Sam Conway's...AND give myself an eval when we return so that I can actually develop my pluses and minuses. In the past when I would take breaks from shooting, the draw would still be pretty solid. Reloads would be alright after about 50-100 practice reloads. The big downs are accuracy, trigger speed and a lot of the "big," little things (target transitions, cadences, timing, shot calling, etc.). So I'll start the plan with some drills with the basic format of:

- Group Shooting

- Timing drills

- Transitions (paper & plate rack)

- Draws (paper & plate rack)

- Movement drills w/ skill tests (1 step reloads, box drills, etc.)

- Ronin's & Bill Drills

- Group Shooting (yeah start and finish)

Mission Statement: I feel like I'm on the right track with time and anticipation being my biggest impedence. Lack of time here, plus just wanting to get my hands on my guns and start shooting. Patience is my friend. 160-ish days 'til we're back in the States.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[Micah]

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Still working on a complete dry fire training plan. I'll go over this more this week but I'm definitely working on limiting it to 30-45 minutes MAX.

Pm coming your way on how I tackled this feat.

[uscbigdawg]

23 AUG 07 (0337L; 2307Z)

- Morning PT w/ my soldiers: Muscle failure (DECK OF CARDS!!!)

- PU's & SU's before bed

- Continue reading Shooting From Within

- Slow night at the hangar (that's a great thing) so listened to Matt B.'s shows

- Dry Fire with my M-9; Transitions and movement concentrating on solid sight alignment

Physical Training Schedule: So doing two-a-days with my soldiers started yesterday. Basically, I was mad at having to alter my schedule (although I'm all about helping my soldiers) so I just ran the crap out of yesterday afternoon. It was in the 90's and we basically ran until I got tired.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Still working on a complete dry fire training plan (thanks Micah for the help). I'm going through the book this weekend and will tweak yours a bit, but have a feeling yours will be spot on.

Live Fire Training: So I still have to finish Saul's books and re-read Sam Conways books before getting the full program done. However, I did just finish Matt's PSV-7 and there are some little things that I will glean from it to add to the overall program. Oh, modified the live fire outline to:

- Group Shooting

- Strong & Weak Hand Groups

- Timing drills

- Transitions (paper & plate rack)

- Draws (paper & plate rack)

- Movement drills w/ skill tests (1 step reloads, box drills, etc.)

- Ronin's & Bill Drills

- Group Shooting (yeah start and finish)

Mission Statement: So, I don't know how my avatar phrase got changed but whomever did it I can't thank enough. It really is perfect to where I'm at mentally and ready to be once we return. I can't say enough how stoked I am to be in this place mentally and know that once we get back, and get settled it'll be a lot of work, but worthwhile when I can get my happy new 'M' card in the mail.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

30 AUG 07 (0337L; 2307Z)

- Morning PT w/ my soldiers: Today was a little of everything (more to follow)

- Continue reading Shooting From Within

Physical Training Schedule: So I've been doing 2-a-days and they're kinda lame, so I asked my boss if he wanted to do the 300 Workout with me. Not really the best idea, but we did it last night. Holy crap. All I have to say is that it is a true kick in the nether region. But, we'll be doing it again and probably twice a week.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: So two things here. First, I can't have an Airsoft in theatre. Weird, but not my rules. Second, I've been asked to stop dry firing with my M-9. Not that they think that I'm unsafe, just that people are stupid.

Mission Statement: 150-ish days to go and loving life more than ever right now (and it's going to get oh so much better in about a year). Thanks to all my BE.com family for support (direct and indirect) and sooner or later I'll get the mission statement done.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

P.S. If you're curious, here's a link to the workout: The 300 Workout

Edited August 30, 2007 by uscbigdawg

[Catfish]

Physical Training Schedule: So I've been doing 2-a-days and they're kinda lame, so I asked my boss if he wanted to do the 300 Workout with me. Not really the best idea, but we did it last night. Holy crap. All I have to say is that it is a true kick in the nether region. But, we'll be doing it again and probably twice a week.

how long did it take??!!

[uscbigdawg]

Derrick,

By the book it's about a 45 minute workout. Again, following the rules, you don't get any breaks other than, if you have a workout partner (which you will need!), and your break is while they're doing their workout. The hardest part is just how the exercises compound on one another. The pull-ups are hard enough but then throwing in the floor sweepers, box jumps, dead lifts, etc. is just brutal. A bunch of guys in our ASB motor pool section tried to do it for time since their PL is a hard core MMA fighter. They were pullin' times in the high 20 to low 30 minute range. However they were not following the exercises totally right and they were taking some breaks. The downside (and funny part) was that 3 of them ended up at the aid station for back problems over the next like week and a half. It's definitely not a routine to play around with. If you're not already in GOOD shape, I wouldn't honestly even attempt it.

As a train-up though there is the 150. Much more managable and still a great workout. Our new thing that we found were some litter hangars for a FLA. We have them hanging in the door ways and are doing suspended push-ups, pull-ups, dips and various abdominal exercises! (imagine gymnastic rings and then one more for your feet to rest on and do some push-ups)

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

19 SEP 07 (0141L; 2111Z)

- Very slow formation run yesterday with my soldiers...~ 3 miles at my slowest's pace

- 1/4 mile "sprints" this morning!

- PU/SU afterwards

Physical Training Schedule: My 1SG put the kybosh on the 300 for us. Not so much for what we've done, but a lot of people getting injured doing it. So, back to the conventional stuff. Lot of running, PU/SU improvement, etc. I'll be glad when we go home so I can do some plyometric and sprint workouts again.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: I got confirmation from all the powers that be, that it's a no-go on the Airsoft. Sucks since I had a full Open gun with C-More spec'ed out and ready to be delivered. Didn't need or want the gas, just the pistol and mags to dry fire with. Had my Ghost and everything lined to be shipped over too. Oh well. More mental training. Finishing Shooting From Within tomorrow and will go on to BE's book and just ordered second copies of both of Saul's book. I'll be hittin' these after BE's and a re-read of Matt Burkett's book too.

In my down time, I'm taking to heart something that Michael Plaxco says and that's to think about our shooting. He emphasizes that it's a key facet of personal growth to think about our sport in both the big picture and smaller to break down some personal walls that impede our improvement. One thing that I've started doing is analyzing the numbers from my shooting in 2004. Most recently I looked at how I faired at the 2004 GA State. Personally it was a poor match. Sloppy through some of the stages and lots of penalties. Much of the shooting was forced and I can still feel myself thinking through the stages rather than just "floating" and shooting. Inspite of that, big positives was being able to shoot with the USAMU, finishing 26th out of 65 overall in Open and without TRYING to score points was averaging in the high 80 to low 90% range on stage points. Taking from that and knowing that my target to target transitions GREATLY improved after this match with some training with Mike Voigt I know that given a similar situation as well as the awesome mindset that I have found, it would not be unlikely to pull a Top 15 and maybe a Top 10. With the level of competition at the GA, that would have really been awesome.

While I know it's not about finish or percentage, it is a nice bar given the comparisons I could make at the match to some of our sports best. Mechanically I know that I need to improve on my strong and weak hand shooting as well as just improving basic marksmanship. However, it feels so great to be thinking, analyzing, processing and feeling where the improvements can be made and moreso being HONEST with them, really has me excited. This has all become a HUGE key to unlocking the potential for me and hopefully others to reach our goals.

Mission Statement: 135-ish days to go. Worked out my practice, club match and am working out the major match schedule for 2008. If all goes well, I'll hit 8-10 major pistol matches this year and maybe 2-3 3-Gun matches. I wish I could be going to the World Shoot with you guys, but I'll be there in 2011 for sure!

Thanks again to all my BE.com family for your continued support (direct and indirect) and sooner or later I'll get the mission statement done. The recent accomplishments of Micah, Dave and Jack B. have made me so proud to have found something inside me to drop the hammer and really go for what I want and that's to reach my (and exceed my perceived) potential as a shooter.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

Edited September 18, 2007 by uscbigdawg

[Catfish]

It'll be here before you know it.

Stay safe and keep up the positive vibes.

[uscbigdawg]

05 NOV 07 (0824L; 0354Z)

- We're finally doing good "platoon" PT. About 30 miles a week running and a ton of push-ups and sit-up work. Haven't felt this good in a while. Division has a way of sucking the life out of you.

Physical Training Schedule: See above. We did a 4 mile sprint this morning (and I emphasize sprint, 'cause it wasn't a run). Division standard is 4 miles in 36:00. We clicked a 28. It was good to push that hard though, physically, emotionally and psychologically. It really helps the mind to focus when you can overcome that want to stop and catch your breath and just push through a new barrier.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: Taking a page from J. Michael Plaxco. I spend a lot of down time just thinking about shooting. I see the drive into my home range. I see the faces of those that I shoot with. The yellow grass on the berms and nice clean edges around A-zones and steel. Matt B.'s IPSC Strategies camera shots help wherein I can see my gun in my hands moving through stages, transitions, executing clean and smooth shots. I spend down time too talking with those in my unit that want to get into shooting. Their questions, help reinforce my knowledge of the science of our game as well as force me to find answers when I don't know them. Being a student and a "teacher" does have its advantages and the thinking of our game and of the shooting will help shorten my re-learning curve.

Mission Statement: Less than 85 days left in country and I'm still not done with this. Honestly it hasn't been a big priority, but it is on the table and I have scribbles of the direction I want to take it. Shooting without judgement. Training weaknesses to become strength; Strengths to become prideful skills.

I can't thank my BE.com family enough. I owe all of you an undying level of gratitude that is truly personal to me for just being a member of this world and this family.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

21 APR 08

- Finally waking up from leaving SRGC and the 2008 Area 6 last night and driving back to NC. The last 1.5 hours was interesting but had to get home and sleep in my own bed. The hot blonde waiting for me was definitely motivation too! By far one of the best moments in my shooting career. There was a lot of questions answered and new lights on where my shooting was in 2004 (when I was rolling towards my Master card), where I am now and how I can get to where I want to be.

Physical Training Schedule: Since our return from deployment, I have eaten like garbage and not exercised not near as much as I was in Afghanistan. As such, I've gained some weight (translation: A LOT!) and fighting a lingering calf strain isn't helping either. That said, I'm going to stick with my time of glutony of doing so until May 1st. From there, it's back on the horse and hitting the gym and exercising the way I should to get me to where I want to be.

Mental Training/Dry Fire: This weekend I learned that while my physical game and fundamentals of shooting are lacking from where they once were, my mental game is leaps and bounds from where it was. I've always been strong at reading stages, but am now seeing a lot of the little things and am more aware of my place "on the gun". The physical skills are something that will come back and do so quickly and I have faith that I can still achieve my goal of Master by the end of 2008. It's not going to be easy, but what worthwhile is?

With that, daily dry firing will be a point of dedication. Finishing my dedicated 22 Open gun (I have a Tactical Solutions upper for a S_I frame) and LOTS of range time with it are going to happen. Finally, major matches will be less important until I get the fundamentals to where I want them to be before returning to the main stage. I am working up a timeline to shoot the Nat's and let that be a test to see where I'm at.

I got a chance to talk with Max a bit this weekend. It was great to catch up with him and Travis. Basically, Max assured me that I have the skills to get where I want to go. We've shot together before (Travis and I a lot) and it's just a matter of tying all the tools into one overall skill set. Basically, the best advice I've been given which included practicing until I'm tired and exhausted from pushing so hard in practice. Then, coming out to a match and shoot 90-95% so that it feels like we're slow. Matt B. has said this to me before as well. Looks like I have a direction for my training now.

Mission Statement: Finally have some direction on where this needs to be. I'm developing almost a daily mission statement, but at a minimum a 3 point list of a day's goals to accomplish.

I can't thank my BE.com family enough. I owe all of you an undying level of gratitude that is truly personal to me for just being a member of this world and this family. Seeing Pharaoh Bender, SingleStack, ima45dv8, boz1911, XRe, Sharyn, SmittyFL, et. al. this weekend was great. Being back home and being with the best people in the world (the shooters) has meant more to me than I could ever express.

"It is like me to move with perfect timing and impeccable coordination."

Master Class by the end of 2008.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

11 MAY 08

Morning after the local club match at Range 14 on Ft. Bragg. First, wow...I think the head count for a club match was 100 people. Haven't seen that since I left Arizona. That said, the other oddity is that in the numbers was only 3 Open shooters. Weird. It was my first time shooting my Open gun in a match since November 2006. I wanted to shoot the Area 6 in Open but wanting to crank the loads back up to near the old power factor and not having time behind the gun to be comfortable left something to be desired and so I shot Production. While I'm probably a better iron sights shooter, I really want to master the skills in Open. I know it helps my Limited (and other iron sights) game if nothing as XRe reminded me at the Area 6, 'open shooters always have that extra gear they can shift in to'.

6 stages of mostly stand and shoot stages, but still required some accuracy. Started on Stage 3.

Stage 3 was a VERY straight up stage. I gamed it, but think that any 'seasoned' IPSC shooter would have done it the same way. 7 targets, 14 rounds, reload before last shot fired (this was important). Targets 1 & 7 were head shots. Targets 2, 3, 5 & 6 had partial hard cover. Target 4 was a full target. On the start signal, I drew the gun and dumped the mag; left hand drew a fresh mag, reloaded and engaged the stage with 2 rounds per. Not bad. Good points. Reload was low, but no mistakes. The intended way to shoot the stage was to have a reload done between the first and last shot, but course description neglected the wording to do so. It just said, 'before the last shot is fired'. Finished 2nd, 2.6% behind a Master class shooter. I didn't push it and only .7 seconds with better points.

Stage 4 was very simple and that's what made it tough. 3 head shots and 3 poppers from a window. There were more positions, but for anyone whos gun held more than 10 rounds and you could aim, it was a stand and shoot. Ripped the draw on the popper and shot good points. 2 B's on the head shot at 15m but 2 mikes on the one at 7. Go figure. Finished 3rd on this stage (out of 3) with all of us dropping 20. .8 off of first place but dropping too many into the B zone instead of A's got me.

Stage 5 was the LONG stage of the match and what later turned out to be in my favor. 40 round field course with 1 tough position. A port on the right held 2 PP's, 2 USP's a partial with a no-shoot and a swinging full target with 3 no shoots guarding him and it was behind a wall. You had both full A zones though when the target swung to the right. I hit the activator PP, PP2, partial, caught the swinger when it was paused to the right, both USP's and finished the stage with a CRAPPY reload in 29.30. It was probably a 22 second stage. My competition had gun problems which took him out of the running (the M shooter) and the other B shooter said he was hunting for targets. This was huge as at 200 points this was 1/3 of the match points. With the stage win and the 2nd place guy at over 35% behind, this WAS the match.

Stage 6 was a 20 round all steel stage and just needed to settle in and shoot the dot. Well, that didn't happen. Got a little amped up and frankly being out in the southern humidity and first sunny Saturday we've had since I've been back in the US all of us were dehydrated and calorie starved. Shot an okay (that's being nice) 22 second run about .8 off the pace and gave up 4% of the stage points. This was a true exercise in visual patience and definitely something I need to work on.

Stage 1 was a fun stage. 24 rounds with 20 pieces of steel and 2 partial targets on a mover with a no-shoot guarding. Shot a mediocre time and pitched a miss on the mover 'cause I didn't follow through on the mover (see shooting trap/skeet and not keeping the gun moving). Again it was an exercise in visual patience and seeing your sights. I definitely know that this is an area to work on but it's great to see the sights and doing it quickly.

Stage 2 was our classifier. 03-02 Six Chickens. 6 freestyle, reload 6 strong hand. Smooth was the key to this and I shot a good one. 6.1 HF, so I want to see how that worked out. It was nice and felt good. Again, saw the dot and executed good shots. Only 1 was sketchy but 'caught the C zone on it so I didn't pick it up.

Finished the match as the Open match winner. 1st Military Overall. 2nd Overall in the match (to a A Class Limited shooter...that's awesome!). I'll take it for a B Class Open shooter that hasn't shot a match in a year and a half. It was a lot of fun and the mental game is really doing well. I just need to get the physical skills up and physical conditioning up and I'll definitely be making my goal of Master by the end of the year. Transitions need to come up, trigger speed needs to come up a little bit and I NEED TO STOP DROPPING THE GUN ON MY FREAKIN' RELOAD!!!

Thanks to the Range 14 committee. If you're in NC and want a fun match, check this one out. Especially if you're military as your 9mm and 45 ACP ammo is free! Cash pay back to the match winners and a couple of categories. I got my match fee back plus an extra $40. Can't beat that.

Haven't figured out when my next match will be, but hope to see folks soon!

Rich

[scirocco38s]

Rich, That match is never a big Draw for Open. I only shot open to try out my new 9mm major gun. Ususally most everyone shoots Limited, l-10 or production. As you can see there are a lot of guys from the base there also. I dont understand why more guys dont shoot open but there you see the result. The match is very different from most matches as the use alot of steel and usually shoot 1 long range standards. I like certain aspects of their match and tryu to help when I see something that is wrong but they are going to run it their way and they wont change it. They run it for you guys on the base and just allow us outsiders to attend. Thats ok too as it is another place to shoot. Take care and try to get up to sir walter.

[boo radley]

Rich, That match is never a big Draw for Open. I only shot open to try out my new 9mm major gun. Ususally most everyone shoots Limited, l-10 or production. As you can see there are a lot of guys from the base there also. I dont understand why more guys dont shoot open but there you see the result. The match is very different from most matches as the use alot of steel and usually shoot 1 long range standards. I like certain aspects of their match and tryu to help when I see something that is wrong but they are going to run it their way and they wont change it. They run it for you guys on the base and just allow us outsiders to attend. Thats ok too as it is another place to shoot. Take care and try to get up to sir walter.

+1

It's always an interesting match, and *always* one that tests accuracy, with lots of steel. I don't think I've ever seen more than a couple Open shooters -- as Martin says, most shoot Production, then Limited and a mix of L10/SS. Production is a good Division to shoot, as it's always large, which pumps up the $$$ in the pot, and most of the entries aren't going to be competitive.

I wish sometimes he'd make the short stages a bit longer, and the long stages a bit shorter. He does get a lot of new-to-USPSA shooters, and some of those arrays of steel do a number on 'em (and me, TOO). If a shooter is struggling with a plate at 20y, then giving him 19 more can make for a long day.

Regardless, it's a nice treat for us civilians to shoot down there and with service members, and it's a match I always have on the calendar. The first Saturday of the month is Sir Walter, which Martin runs, and I think this upcoming match will be the North Carolina State Amateur Games match. No classifier, but if it's like past matches, will have kick-ass stages and top shooters. (It's nice, too, that it's recognized by the State, with medals and t-shirts if you preregister).

Steve

[uscbigdawg]

The plan for the next couple of months is:

June:

- SWGC (first weekend)

- Range 14 (second weekend...if they have it)

- Ant Hill 3-Gun (end of the month)

July:

- Can't shoot SWGC as I'll be house hunting back in CA that weekend

- Range 14 (second weekend)

- Ant Hill (third weekend)

- CTI (July 26 & 27th)

August:

- Steel Challenge

On the NC State Amateur Games...what do we have to do?

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

So...couldn't make the match at Sir Walter. Mean Green got me again. Believe me. I would have much rather have been out with shooting friends in the 100 degree heat and humidity than doing the same in full battle rattle in the back of an ambulance waiting for someone to find the multi-million dollar helicopters. Anyways....

Shot the match at Range 14 on Saturday. Unfortunately I was the only Open shooter, but the stages were good and the weather was much nicer than last month. Opened on Stage 3. A straight forward 14 round stage with some high disaster factor. Lesson learned was while I'm brave and will take a risk, maybe not such a good idea on the first stage to go for tight shots with no-shoots around. Didn't get the no-shoots, but did pitch a couple of misses. Grip was off and was getting good clean sight pictures. In the end, I know that this can be corrected with a little more pre-match dry firing.

Stage 4. Mini-field course. Opened with a full target and a partial and move forward from there. Movement was a little choppy, and again, did not get good sight pictures. Points reflected that.

Stage 5. Same but a severe left to right stage but you could get moving fast by engaging the full target straight ahead, transition to the steel plate at like 12 yards just over his shoulder and use the 2 partials at 6 feet to get you moving. Finish on a mirror of that with a plate and full target in the center. Absolutely roasted this stage. Yeah...I may have been the only Open shooter there, but the guy that finished second (a good A Class Limited Shooter) was 4 seconds behind me. Felt fast, saw the dot every time and got 90% of the points. I would like more.

Stage 6. Same layout in that it was a severe left to right as in Stage 5, but steel heavy. I've never been a big fan of plate racks as I get lazy on the transitions and don't focus on where on the target I want to hit the plate. So I made a point to not just see 'the big white circle' as the plate. I looked at a specific spot on the plate that I wanted to hit and programmed to push the transitions. This REALLY showed in that while I felt I could have gone faster, I went "the right" speed for this stage. Got 98% of the points available and hit my spots to finish on the swinger. Rooming and walking through stages with Dave Re at Area 6 has proved to be a HUGE benefit. Seeing how he goes through stages and sitting back and listening to how he could go through them really showed how much confidence you can build into our shooting.

Stage 1. Funky mover stage that required 3 positions. Had to retrieve my empty gun after starting the mover and engage 2 full targets, move forward and engaged 2 more as well as 2 of 3 moving targets. Went forward to the final position, shot the six plates and shot the last moving target. Miscalculated the amount of lead needed on the movers and the points reflected that. Too, I pushed the first two positions on the static targets and didn't get good sight pictures. I rushed my walk through as I RO'ed ever shooter in my squad for the entire match. Oh well. In my mental training I need to push getting the most of the time I have to view a stage.

Stage 2. 99-33 Raw Deal. I love this classifier and unfortunately didn't do near as well as I could have. Classifier Calculator shows a 61% and my time was a 7.5 with a 2 second freakin' weenie jam. My gun never miss feeds and I tracked it to the mag. Pulled out an old mag that needed a new spring. Oh well. Lesson learned. The upside in trying to find this to be happy about. The draw from the seated position was a 1.4. Maybe slow, but it got me settled and when the gun did go bang, the splits and transitions were the EXACT SAME!!! 0.20-0.23 all around. The reload was a little slow at 1.16. I dropped the gun down in the reload and this is something HUGE that I'll have to work on. I thought about re-shooting this classifier (not for match score...for classification) but said that it's not the point of the classification system and I know what I can do. Just have to learn from this one and do it the next time.

All in all it was fun. Finished second to Chad (Mr. A-Class Limited shooter) again. Took high military much to the MD's disgust, which I still can't figure out. I learned a lot more on my mental game. Both from my shooting and watching others. Trusting my shots and allowing my sights to BE THERE before pulling the trigger.

I'm going to try and make Ant Hill before the 3-Gun match. Just gotta find a place to zero my rifle and shotgun before the 3-Gun match at the end of the month.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

04 SEP 08

Well...long time since my last entry. What's happened? Well...got out of the Army, gained +50# from eating like crap and not working out enough. However, the shooting has gone through the roof in quality. I've shot 3 matches since I've returned to California and have had some of the best shooting performances in a long, long time. On the drive back, even got a match in at Rio. It's a long load up, but here's a link to video of the stages we shot. My only real good stage was the classifier (Bang 'n' Clang). Got an atta-boy from the locals including some guy named Rob.

Ray Solomon.com

Let's see. After that, I shot a club match in Sac at NCPS. Basically choppy and sloppy, but just seeing everything better than I ever have. Visual patience is my montra and it's amazing how easy this is when you just pay attention to what's in front of you.

The next match was the first Sunday in August at Richmond. I've been chasing a jam gremlin and pretty sure I have it licked. This is one of the few stages we got on tape. The big thing, in spite of my less than stellar performance on the plate rack, are my transitions to the partial targets with no-shoots behind (each of the targets behind are like the Warren targets with a full no-shoot behind). I was 3 seconds faster than the next guy and a CALLED miss/no-shoot is what cost me the stage. In looking at the tape, my reloads are too low and I'm just not moving as well as I can. That said, I'm getting the gun up early and hitting my positions.

Richmond Stage 3

Finally was the monthly at my home range...Yolo. Six stage match and to an extent was an unknown (being gone for 4 years will do that). Burned down many of the stages, although again, not smooth, but seeing the dot VERY well and a return to fitness and more dry firing will definitely be the ticket. One of the best compliments came from the Pres, Ronnie who made the observation that I apparently learned to aim in my break. This is true. I've been really working on the basic techniques of shooting as well as shot calling and am getting a lot, lot better.

Three big lessons that I've learned recently.

1 - From J. Michael Plaxco's book, "Thinking Practical Shooting". Beyond just the discussion of what the conscious vs. unconscious mind does while we shoot and what we want them to do, Michael talks about really training our mind in the sport of shooting. Seeing all the aspects that we want to do can yield better performances. Concentrated, concerted and detailed visualization to where I can literally feel the texture of my gun in my hands, the smell of the Pro-Grip and the unmistakable smell of N350. From there hearing the 'B' in Beep, my pinky finger graze the magwell on the draw and seeing the dot lift in recoil on the draw, follow-ups and transitions.

2 - From Matt Burkett's interview with Brian on PSV3. In summary, Brian's explanation of the Fundamentals and their absolute necessity. However, his emphasis that while the progression 'might' be the Fundamentals to Technique, the reality is that you have to learn Technique to learn the Fundamentals. This has been me and my shooting career and am now more ready emotionally and mentally to take my shooting to where it can go.

3 - A conversation with our GM-extraordinare XRe. I roomed with him at the Area 6 and we talked tonight. Dave is a true technician of our sport and is phenomenal in his ability to break down every aspect of our sport. From his own physical technique, to stages and their bits and pieces, Dave has thought about it and in great detail. On top of that is his infectious personality and energy. You cannot help but hear what he has to say and want to tell him and exchange with him thoughts on finite aspects of the physical and mental aspects of our sport.

I thank all the above, but most of all my BE.com family for my progression in our sport and in my and moreso OUR collective shooting skills.

Rich