As part of my post-retirement activities I’ve been cleaning out the attic, and ran across some mementos, photos, and the program from one of the best shooting experiences I’ve ever had. Since I found the Range Diary part of the forum, I thought this might be slightly entertaining for others and a vehicle to finally summarize my memories of the event into a written record.
“Want to go to England to shoot in the British Reserve Forces Skill At Arms Meeting, representing the US National Guard?” That was the phone call I got in early 2000. There was no hesitation in answering yes. Then they made it better by telling me it wasn’t out-of pocket, and that I’d be on orders and paid transportation, lodging, meals, and even a salary. I’ve never admitted until now that I probably would have paid THEM for the privilege.
To back up a little: I had been on the LA National Guard Shooting Teams for a number of years starting with Highpower with the M14, then transitioning to Combat Rifle competitions with the M16, and had already been to several of the NG range-operations, shooting, and coaching schools. Our LA teams had been going to the NG National Matches for many years and we had been successful as a team, not #1, but not last either, and constantly improving. Several of us had been individual winners and in the top 3 in national events, and I had even started earning leg points. I didn’t (and still don’t) think I was a very good shooter, just competent, persistent, and thoroughly enjoyed it. As I got older and my eyes aged I found that I had to start coaching to still make the team because my scores weren’t in the top 4 anymore, and those soldiers that I was once training and leading were now shooting much better than I was, but that’s another story.
The NG Marksmanship Training Unit was putting together a team to compete in international competitions, and my name got pulled out of the hat for this one. Just to complicate matters I tore the meniscus in my knee shortly after the phone call, but was able to have corrective surgery before the match and didn’t have any problems (at least in the running portions of the match).
In August 2000 we flew to Atlanta where the team met up, then made the 8 hour flight to London Gatwick airport, arriving at 6 am. We rented a car (strange to drive on the wrong side of the road) and drove to Bisley Camp where we would be staying. Bisley is the home of the British NRA, is the UK’s national shooting center, and the equivalent of our Camp Perry. We stayed at the London & Middlesex Rifle Association clubhouse (three restaurants, two bar areas, outdoor veranda overlooking Century Range, member and guest accommodations, constructed originally in 1906 and recently renovated) but competed at Pirbright Army Training Center (British Army Basic Training) which is located nearby and shares some of the same range fans. Our awards presentation and end-of-competition dinner was at the Bisley NRA Pavilion.
No trip is complete without playing tourist so we immediately took a high speed train in to London, then later a second trip. Interestingly, one transit ticket price included 24 hour travel on the trains, on London subways, and on London double-decker busses. In a very short time we hit Waterloo Station, Trafalgar Square, Harrod’s department store, Hamley’s toy store, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, museums, St Paul’s Cathedral, and a boat ride on the Thames. Of course we had to try all the different foods and adult beverages to maintain our strength. Returning to Bisley we prepared for the competitions.
“Want to go to England to shoot in the British Reserve Forces Skill At Arms Meeting, representing the US National Guard?” That was the phone call I got in early 2000. There was no hesitation in answering yes. Then they made it better by telling me it wasn’t out-of pocket, and that I’d be on orders and paid transportation, lodging, meals, and even a salary. I’ve never admitted until now that I probably would have paid THEM for the privilege.
To back up a little: I had been on the LA National Guard Shooting Teams for a number of years starting with Highpower with the M14, then transitioning to Combat Rifle competitions with the M16, and had already been to several of the NG range-operations, shooting, and coaching schools. Our LA teams had been going to the NG National Matches for many years and we had been successful as a team, not #1, but not last either, and constantly improving. Several of us had been individual winners and in the top 3 in national events, and I had even started earning leg points. I didn’t (and still don’t) think I was a very good shooter, just competent, persistent, and thoroughly enjoyed it. As I got older and my eyes aged I found that I had to start coaching to still make the team because my scores weren’t in the top 4 anymore, and those soldiers that I was once training and leading were now shooting much better than I was, but that’s another story.
The NG Marksmanship Training Unit was putting together a team to compete in international competitions, and my name got pulled out of the hat for this one. Just to complicate matters I tore the meniscus in my knee shortly after the phone call, but was able to have corrective surgery before the match and didn’t have any problems (at least in the running portions of the match).
In August 2000 we flew to Atlanta where the team met up, then made the 8 hour flight to London Gatwick airport, arriving at 6 am. We rented a car (strange to drive on the wrong side of the road) and drove to Bisley Camp where we would be staying. Bisley is the home of the British NRA, is the UK’s national shooting center, and the equivalent of our Camp Perry. We stayed at the London & Middlesex Rifle Association clubhouse (three restaurants, two bar areas, outdoor veranda overlooking Century Range, member and guest accommodations, constructed originally in 1906 and recently renovated) but competed at Pirbright Army Training Center (British Army Basic Training) which is located nearby and shares some of the same range fans. Our awards presentation and end-of-competition dinner was at the Bisley NRA Pavilion.
No trip is complete without playing tourist so we immediately took a high speed train in to London, then later a second trip. Interestingly, one transit ticket price included 24 hour travel on the trains, on London subways, and on London double-decker busses. In a very short time we hit Waterloo Station, Trafalgar Square, Harrod’s department store, Hamley’s toy store, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, museums, St Paul’s Cathedral, and a boat ride on the Thames. Of course we had to try all the different foods and adult beverages to maintain our strength. Returning to Bisley we prepared for the competitions.
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