Whew. I can't believe I've already been here 3 days! I didn't get time to post the first couple, so here's a brief summary.
Sunday was driving/move in day. My Envoy was full, but I could still see out of all of the windows, so it wasn't overfull. Arrived at Perry uneventfully and went through "inprocessing". I finished that, still quite confused about what I was shooting and when, but decided I could figure it out as I went. We checked out our hut, which clearly hadn't been used since last summer, and set about deploying the bug bomb. A few hours later we began sweeping out cobwebs from top to bottom and cleaning the flat surfaces. Home sweet home!
Monday was Small Arms Firing School. We had a 3 hour classroom session, then we headed out to the range to shoot the Beretta M9 pistols, under the coaching of members of the Army and Marine Corps marksmanship teams. The Gunnery Sergent who worked with me pointed out the things I'm doing well (more than I realized) and we discussed my stance problems. Turns out the answer is to get to the gym and build strength in my upper body and core (whoda thunk it).
The range training was a bit unorganized, and we didn't realize we'd be sitting in the sun for over 3 hours. I have a very interesting set of sunburn lines on my legs from sitting "indian style".
Dinner was hotdogs and muchies at the Shooter's Reception and to bed in the hut.
Tuesday was a Civilian Marksmanship Program match, meaning you use a .45 caliber or 9 mm pistol to military specs-no fancy stuff, with military ammo. I had to buy some military ammo and grips for one of Dad's .45s. I shot quite well, considering I had no idea what the ammo would do. After the match, lunch, a nap and a cookout.
Yesterday I realized how AWESOME it is to be here. First, any day where THE most important thing I do is shoot is a great day. Second, it is so amazing to be surrounded by shooters, guns and supplies and no one is freaking out. People are passing around and looking at each others' guns while sitting in front of their huts or walking along commercial row. People walk to the armorer's trucks with guns, just carrying them in hand with the actions open. There's no hiding our hobby, no one thinks we're weird, asks if we plan to kill someone or any of the other weird responses I've gotten to being a shooter.
It's paradise.
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