10th Mountain Division - Appleseed

[Chainsaw]

I’ve been an Appleseed instructor for about two years and have worked a couple dozen events. Nothing quite compares to my experience this past week at Fort Drum.

Here’s a link to the Appleseed AAR of the event (with pics)

Seven Appleseed instructors spent four days with thirty-eight soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. The event was two days at 25 meters and consisted of an ordinary Appleseed, history and all. The final two days were on the 500 meter known distance range. It was a “train the trainer” course and soldiers were drawn from units across the brigade. Most were 11B “door kickers” including all of the Colonel’s Personal Security Detachment. Soldiers had vastly different levels of experience (here and abroad) and ranged up to E-6.

I can’t say enough about the quality of the young men in attendance. They were highly motivated and it was obvious they thought that this type of instruction could be life or death for some of them. They are going back to Afghanistan this spring.

A little background:

It’s been determined that half of the engagements in Afghanistan are over 300 meters. Some wise leaders thought that increasing the level of marksmanship would be a good thing.

The current Army qualification only requires shots up to 300 meters on a pop-up range where targets are 20”x40” silhouettes. Only 10% of the shots are at the 300 meter distance. It’s either a hit or it isn’t. Appleseed’s Rifleman standard requires shooting to 500 meters and qualification to 400 meters where 50% of the shots are at 300 and 400 meters... and the targets are 20”x16” with scoring rings, so accuracy counts.

As usual Appleseed provided the instruction for free. A collection among the instructors across the country provided a free USGI sling to each of the soldiers.

Having A10s doing bomb and gun runs in the distance, crew served weapon practice to our left and hearing the “Call to Prayer” echoing from another training range really put an exclamation point on the week. My hat is truly off to those who serve our country and I extend my heartfelt thanks.

[PA Traveler]

Chainsaw-

Thank you for the outstanding work that you do. One day, I'd like to participate in an Appleseed weekend, myself.

I wish I could express my heartfelt thanks and respect for the troops who worked with you. Again, from an old airman, thank you!

[bgeddes]

I'd like to participate in an Appleseed weekend

Palmerton, PA Sept. 4th I think....

[axmdr40]

Glad you did this with 3/10...they sure could use it...

[JoshIronshaft]

This really makes me wish I would have taken that orange hat I was offered...after college I'll be following up on that.

Keep up the great work. Maybe some day we'll be on the same line.

[Brick]

Very nice work! The Army's marksmanship program has needed an upgrade for some time now.

But I have to ask one off topic question. Since when was this authorized?

Colonel’s Personal Security Detachment

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Very nice work! The Army's marksmanship program has needed an upgrade for some time now.

But I have to ask one off topic question. Since when was this authorized?

Since somebody decided colonels (and generals) were indispensible.

It's been going on since the war started, although some senior generals have always had them. I don't know why. I guess we have too many combat arms guys needing something to do.

[tdyoung58]

Sitting down here in KY, waiting for the 101st to open up tomorrow morning, I know what you mean about their dedication to their task.

Been coming down here for the last 6+ years, seen a lot of changes. Some of them even good ones.... LOL

[lprgcFrank]

Chainsaw-

Thank you for the outstanding work that you do. One day, I'd like to participate in an Appleseed weekend, myself.

Here is a list of the PA Appleseed's for the rest of 2010

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...4061033&ref=ts

Just click the 'Appleseed Shoot' for the weekend that works for you and it'll take you to the registration page. I look forward to seeing you on the line!

[PA Traveler]

Thanks Frank- looking forward to talking with you.