A few days ago, I posted about how I didn't really care for the AR-15. Again, it's a personal preference, even though I can recognize that an AR can be an excellent choice in firearm for someone who enjoys shooting them.
But the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, has a sense of humor.
Girlie Bear has announced that one of her life goals is to join the Army. She's not sure what she wants to do in the Army, but she wants to serve.
I'm proud, of course. If she follows through, she'll continue a family tradition that stretches back to our first Irish ancestor who joined the Union army a couple of hours after he got off the boat from the Old Sod. And she's only 13, so she has half a decade to decide for sure what she wants to do.
But in the event that she is truly serious, it looks like I'm going to have to dust off my old Basic Rifle Marksmanship manuals and teaching skills. I was BRM instructor for my company in Arizona, and I was always the one detailed to work with the soldiers who thought that guns were icky.
Yeah, it was an Military Intelligence unit. Yes, I've heard the jokes, and a lot of them are pretty close to the truth. Yes, there are actually people who join the military that think the concept of guns is bad. I was surprised too.
I've spent many hot Arizona days going over steady hold, trigger squeeze, breath control, and sight picture and alignment. Guess I'm going to get to go over dime and washer exercises with my daughter.
All of this means that in the next couple of years I'll be either building or buying a basic M4gery. I don't want her to learn on a high speed AR, then get to basic and have an issue weapon do all of the things that a slick AR has been crafted to not do. Call it a bit of pride, but my daughter isn't going to be "that girl" at the range unless being "that girl" means she's the one who qualifies Expert on her first try.
Yes, He's got a sense of humor, He does.
7 comments:
Regular, reserve, or NG? I'm in the AZ ARNG, and I usually wind up being my Company's "gun guy." Fun bit is I only score Sharpshooter.
BTW, I've got some printable Appleseed AQT targets you can use. Cheaper than buying "C" course Qual targets.
And be advised that the BRM course now includes kneeling.
You can build a bare bones basic carbine for about $650, if you're interested. You'd have to come up with a couple tools, but even that can be worked around.
@Lokidude There are plenty of tools hanging around in tents at Occupy Movements that you could practice on... Oh wait...
TinCan - I was stationed at Fort Huachuca. Thanks for the tip on kneeled shooting. If you can post a link to the AQT target, that'd be much appreciated.
I think I'm going to continue to work with her using the .22's for another year, then get both her and I through an Appleseed event before I start looking for an AR. That gives her time to think about what she wants, and if she decides that the military is for her, I have a couple of years to get her practice on shooting and caring for an M-4.
Thanks Loki. I'll have to start looking for how-to's when the time comes.
Will she choose pink, purple, or lime green furniture?
Wing, I'll leave it up to her. But when it reverts back to me, I'll put it back to flat black. If I'm feeling whimsical, maybe I'll put a wooden stock and foreend on it.
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