Michigan
Downriver Volunteer Militia
02May2009
Camp Stasa
05:30 alarm goes off 5 hours after I laid down. I though I hit snooze. I turned it off. Luckily the 06:00 alarm went off.
We headed out the door at 06:55, one hour behind schedule. "I hope we wont miss anything." I told Crazy Eyes.
After an uneventful two hour drive to Camp Stasa. We met about 6 others there at the front of the Stasa Farms. All of which were there as first timers also. I loaded up the Mercury with two other members and their gear and drove them back to the Range. I made several trips that day ferrying people and gear. Any chance I can put the Mercury Mountaineer in AWD and play in the mud, I'm all for it.
Not too long after Weapon M and Hatter showed up and started out our Level 1 & 2 Qualifications. Pretty much everyone in the photo above was there to qualify for Level 1. Three of us were qualifying for Level 2 also. We got our equipment checked and re-secured, gave our call signs and began our Militia Careers.
Weapon M Explained the course, basically two passes from the Range to the cars and back. The walk we were all avoiding earlier. He then explained that Level 2 would simply add another lap for their qualification. I hadn't planned on qualifying level 2, due to the distance. I wasn't sure I was up to task yet, but after finishing the 2 mile mark in 29 minutes, I decided to go for the Extra Mile. The path was covered in muck and mud (some crazy guy in a black Mercury sloshed it around pretty good), I heard and later was confirmed one trooper falling due to the steep ruts. I'm not sure what the other times were since I was third in line for the 2 Mile. I'm sure everyone made the walk in time. After 2 1/2 miles Mad Max called on the radio that he had picked up a knife on the trail, it belonged to Crazy Eyes. So he doubled back to get it, since Weapon M threatened to make him walk again for not securing it in the first place. This would be as good of a place to mention this as any. BE SURE TO SECURE YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOU QUALIFY THE WALK. HAVE A BUDDY CHECK YOUR GEAR, CHECK HIS. We should be doing this anyway, not just for qualification. I finished across the 3 mile mark in 42 Minutes, Mad Max and Crazy Eyes in 44 Minutes. Not too shabby for us older two guys.
After the Endurance Qualification we went to the rifle range. There were quite a variety of weaponry available. From the all popular AR-15 to the 8mm Mauser. In my haste and slight deliria I forgot my hearing protection at the rear when I went up to sight in my newly built AR-15. Don't forget the hearing protection! With all of the larger caliber guns going off that was a mistake I wont let happen again. My ear was ringing for two days. I had some minor issues with the weapon, all was expected due to being the first rounds through it though. Others had trouble getting sighted in. No problem though, we all lent a hand till everyone was on paper. We moved back to the 100 yd firing line. Its amazing how small a paper plate is at 100 yds. Several people qualified right away. The rest of us need more "practice". Mad Max, Hatter and Weapon M were quite helpful to those who needed it. At eh end of the day there were 6 who qualified Level 1, 1 who qualified Level 2. Yours truly was included in the level 1 group Hoorah.
Weapon M cooked a very delicious meal of toast Sausage gravy and fruit cocktail. Warm food, good company and shooting some lead down range makes for a very fun day.
On the way home, Crazy Eyes and I stopped off at Bass Pro Shops to look at boots. We got some great stares from the people there. Several made comments to their significant others that we were "Michigan Militia". So we are being recognized. Good or bad in their eyes, they recognize us in our BDU's. I wonder though, if they can still do so good knowing who I am in my civies? I am after all just like them, a law-abiding work for a living children raising American Citizen. Who by the way just believes very strongly about upholding the Constitution of the United States, protecting my personal liberties my family and my freinds. I hope you too will join me next month and show others how much you care for your RIGHTS.
LFB