Bet they still remember you too Hank

 

AWESOME Hank..

 

Take pride in what you accomplished, you deserve it. Best.

 

...and I'd be willing to bet they all still call themselves girls!

even the ones still in Cali.

 

They all look to be the same age as my granddaughter who told me that she wants to shoot my M14’s next summer when she stays with us. What a confidence builder that must have been for those young ladies.

 

The two on back row with maroon shirts look like they are deathly afraid of that AR-type. 😨

 

I so enjoy all the expressions of surprise, fear and wonder on their faces. I especially like the young lady holding the AR, correctly I might add, and looking very happy and confident. They're all in their 30s now.

 

She looks like she's ready to kick a$$ and get dominate!

That is freakin' awesome. Kudos to you for doing that, as said above those young ladies will remember that experience forever, and appreciate it.

It reminds me of my young teenage days of JROTC with a retired Marine Major, where we shot mostly .22s. but a few of us were selected to fire high power US military rifles, I freakin' loved it, I was only 13. That's where I fell in love with the M14/M1A. Hell we were doing drill with REAL 1903 Springfields (firing pins taken out or something) that were stored in a steel rack in class, in CALIFORNIA! 1983-1986 was the most incredible time to be young.
m14brian

 

The ladies listen better to instruction for sure!

It's been 30years but a young lady from NY I believe got a medal at Camp Perry with her pink AR.

And two girls from Ct won the Whistler boy match out there a few years later. IIRC the dubbed it the Whistler Girls match after their win.

 

My "daughter" fell in Love with a 40 S&W AR I built with a 18 inch barrel threaded to take my Silencerco Osprey

With a safe full of guns from WW I to today and that's what she picked.

 

Thank you for devoting your time and your energies to cultivating the next generation! They may not all become shooters...but they have experienced shooting in a very positive light which we absolutely need more of.

In the middle of my Leg hunt (I had 14 points...M14 btw), I was asked by my friend to help with a High School junior smallbore program he had just taken over. I'm glad I did this. It was incredibly rewarding (and trying on my patience at times). We (more he) achieved amazing things including multiple state championships, sending many kids to collegiate programs, creating an NCAA Champion and World Cup winner...but most of all, I'd like to think we taught the kids how focus, hardwork and positive attitudes had a direct correlation to success in shooting and in life. I too was better for having done this is so many ways; preview of parenting teens, embracing mental training, and most of all working alongside my friend Zig on a daily basis (I'm pretty sure he was indoctrinating me on his thought processes...which was golden).

During my time coaching I absolutely observed that girls were more malleable (they didn't have the baggage nor the testosterone that boys did).

 

Here's some additional thoughts;
My 20 something year old self thoughts; "Cool...I'll help Zig...I get to be around shooting, and I'll pick up the Leg chase a little later." I am the beneficiary of help from many and this was an opportunity to give back.

My 30 something year old self: "Maybe I should have sealed the deal on my DRB first" This after seeing my older friends struggling with vision issues shooting a post.

My present self: "This was absolutely one of the most worthwhile things I have done in shooting...on many levels. The gratification of helping kids. Being able to rub shoulders with truly dedicated people. The opportunity to work with Olympic Gold Medalists, National Team Members and other high level performers who believe as you do...juniors are the future. ...I think along the way, I actually learned to shoot better too!

If you have the opportunity to work with juniors, please seriously consider doing it!